The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-16
An AmERrcAs coxposER,s TRIALS.
America IN Inviting Field for Foreign
Musical Advcnturers.

America IN lnvftnH fteid tor FOfetkn
Musical Advcnturers.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: l
have read with good deal Of interest In tue
two last Issues OF the Sunday SUN two commu-
nlcatlons upon the question OF, Are we
musical people7" by correspondents who. al
though differing somewhat IN their views, yet
raise the curtain upon a condition Of art AFFAIRS
which ought to attract the consideration OF all
who are Interested In the advancement Of native
art
Az one Of that class Of persons sometimes
called "Ameroan composers" upon whom "
is said some OF our distinguished foreign
musical digultarles look with contempt, ten
der these defenders my sincere thanks. For
there Ia a possibility that these friends OF ours
may accomplish something when all else fails.
The fact constantly forces itself upon us, that
while the sister arts and the sciences are achiev-
ing the most gratifying successes-while rnusic'
especially in tho sphere OF vocalism, Is also
making decided triumphs here and in Europe
in the realm OF the creative we have accom-
plished nothing ofimportance.
IL cannot be denied that up to the present
time we have shown moro ambition than
genius, but even our ambition Is thwarted at
every point. 1 speak more particularly OF or
chostral works. ON the one hand the utter ap.
athy Of our musical people to our claims, anu
on the other hand the interests and prejudices
OF the German eiemsnt VINO are suppD 0a'r sG
right TO all that pertains thereto, present
almost insuperable barriers.
There Is much truth In both OF the articles
referred to above. II is true of our German
friends, ss OF everybody else, that they are in
huenced by personal interests and tipDal pre-
judices. There are OF course exceptional cases
OF stupid concet. arrogance and art biRotry.
We have a large number Of the profession
whose nationality 10 about their only recon-
mendation. There arc some persons VINO nc
tually believe that all Germans aud Italians
Fn hslrF I'M
This country has been an inviting neld for adj
venturers, who not nnding the shoemaking or
tailoring business very profitable In Naterland,
nave come here and set up the crOtchet and
auaver calling. None know this fact better than
our hest German teachers themselves. But IN
the progress Of the art we are beginning to
make distinctions. We demand more, and
That we are immensely Indebted to those
teachers who nave won honorable distinction
among us will not be denied In fact we hlve
been unsteady transformed within the last forty
years. mainly 10y the influence of German and
Italian teachers and virtuosi, ana by the CON
slant production Of the rest works In oratoro,
opera. and classical music OF every school.
" Independence gives the principal reason
why American composers are a. yet nut htile
recognized when he says " he fault Ia with
Americans themselves
The very mention OF an orchestral work by
Bnstow or Hopkins will throw Philharmonic
audience into conformation. 10 be sure, In all
rTobabiuty the same composition under a for
eign name would arouse the greatest enthusi-
asm but It IL no. At all the thing. Fashion and
precedent say 1t Ia not And 50 Indifference on
Here and there an individual by constant ham
| mering has gained Temporary results; but there
| can never he a general impulse given to the art
| all along the lines until an enthusiasm can be
| created among the musical masses.
| In corroboration Of what has been said In re-
gard to obstacles TO art progress, 1t may be
w e9n 70 S' 9c SS' that sSys
| | had given considerable attention to orches-
| tration for several years, stud, ing the scores Of
| the great masters with intense interest and
| after writing and burning good deal, ven
| tured to present a MS overture To the BROOKLYN
| Philharmonic Society IN letl then under the
| nductorship Of Mr.. Carl Bergman. After
delay and Matchmaking on the art Of the O.
rectors, II was de cided to place the score in Mr..
| Bergmann's hands. and. Il he approved 1t, to
produce 1t at one Of the society's concerts.
| Mr. Bergman, unintuenced by anything but
A generous desire to heftiend an enthusiastic
| Young composer, and 20 take an nprecedented
step IN favor OF native art, decided TO put 1t In
| rehearsal
| There were some protests from the orchestra
| and the audience. But MIR. Bergman put his
| foot down, and the work was produced with
| considerable success. l ought to add that Mr.
| Bcrgmann, like true artist. pointed out some
| faults and aided me In making IL more effective
| for performance, and that he had always given
me much announcements and ha. since pro-
| duced three other works-one In 1872 " WI i
ter Melody," by thetame society, 10 very salts
| factory manner
Works by Bristow, Converse, Ritter, and 9TH
| err have also been rendered with fidelity and
| measurable success and what Il most remarka-
tie OF ALL the society have survived those terri
There was for time hope that the Brooklyn
| Philharmonic Society would dis tinguish iself as
| the exceptional friend Of American con posers,
| but since Mr.. Thomas has taken the baton
| nothing has been done in that direction. THE
idol OF the hour 81" Is monarch OF all no surveys,
| and carries the Is. L. :. in his vest pocket.
| There was an effort made last season TO have
| him produce my new symphony, Hiawatha,"
| but ne did not find IL at all In his wav
| Mr. Thomas has achieved splendid results In
| the orchestral field, and With his magnificent re-
| sources he could do much for native art but up
| t. the present time he has done nothing In a
broad, generous way. II Ia easy to say that there
| are no American compositions worthy his au-
| gust attention. Let the public decide that mat
| ter. MIR. Thomas Is the servant, not the master,
| OF the musical interests OF the country. 1t Is
| true, have not as yet produced any great
works but we demand better opportunities.
| II the present policy Is pursued BY our musical
| societies and conductors, there can be no de-
| veopment of what resources we have. 1t IL a
| subject which the press should keep before the
| PEOPLE. II THE SUN will turn a little Of its hight
| upon this matter | am sure II can accom- sh
| much for American composers.
Iu. Ian N No