The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-01-20

Dun CHURCH CHoIRs.-1n pursuance
of our expressed intention We continue
our article on I.HHT gkLLIyg f.
MUSICAL CRITICISM II, W ~
Tho question ia heard everywhere, why
criticise2 We answer, TO puncturc shams,
defend honest musical industry, give hope
10 art, single out excellencies, elevate the
taste, condemn very prevalent faults, and
encourage improvement. Criticismis no
easy task; II requires some knowledge Of
its subject, q wide acquaintance with the
music Of all periods, the faculty Of anal
ysis, investigation, comparison, discrim-
inatiOn and experience. The critic should
lead public opinion, and II honesty Of
purpose and critical knowledge he dis
played, the criticisms will be valued and
respected. The musical critic should
freely and generously acknowledge merit,
unsparingly condemn pretension without
ability, be- free from partibanHhip and
prejudice, abstain from personalities and
not seek out faults 10 the exclusion Of
merit take q broad view Of all within
the domain Of hearing, and aid In bringing
merit TO notice, create 4 current Of true
and ireSh ideas. Too many, persona, min
their faith on what the papers say be.
cause they cannot form their own Judge
ment, but II those having technical knowl-
edge and long experience would let the
public hear from them, we would have a
more advanced state Of opinion, and
much better musicians. In speaking Of
this, we wonder II il oscurs- 10 some
wonld!be critics we often hear sneak in
company, that they often expect too
much; they want 10 measure every thing
with foot rule, and yet bring no result,
They never tell you whether the meaning
the music was apprehended or whether
the rendition was true and sympathetical.
ly effective, but tell you hoH beautiful such
a person sang or PLAYED, or hois badly,
The criticisms on Tietiens and Arabelia
Goddard, which appeared In the Wheel.
ingpapers-bolh these artists were abus.
ed, one for one thing, the other for
anolher-arc sample Of what would.be
critics can do in this way, and how shall
low the judgement often is Of those who
crilicise. To he inialllble az a critic il
not possible, but a carefully and
honestly written article on n musical
performance will do much in the arous.
ing Of inquiry amongst thinking people,
the importance Of musical n,thetics be
more generally acknowledged, and an
immense deal Of good be done BY edn.
eating the public, besides giving good
advice to that rard apis Of a performer or
leader who is inclined 10 lake il. To
confess our opinion frankly about taking
this position, we know that he who knows
and says the truth IL generally rcncr-
Gus, seifdenying poose. and TO his iraier.
nifty we belong. Where is the friend a
critic makes by being Impartial and in.
lexibly true? How numerous are The
enemies, inyenting every base and irnsble
motive, why such a singer or PLAYER was
not praised2 Expecting 10 get full
share OF opprobrium from those who will
not take our criticism kindly. we anpeal
to those who wish to improve both them.
selves and others for a generous over.
looking Of our failings. hopine 10 NOT
give oiIense by injustice, and 10 at ali
times recognize merit so that of onr
criticisms Il NAV be said They vera
sans pttr al sa1s rrnror5, In nsst
times criticism was often sevcre
sometimes iurniShing IndicynnS ;rciJen,S
Weber saws az n. aif / ind onv ,rmiL
In the sbcrn cr;,ic;or, 7 rooo;To I 80, !.
we'll Nv wboIa i;is ,bron.L ( w nat III :.
mncb 10 LoStiI;tv ;n,SmSch " 90 :, oI W.
heen INV heat 40 snur 10 a~coliosooS -
,Rossini was very can.;Jora,e ~ :,;,;,.
WeIcr n,ssin, tSro,,ah pas;. 1904
called IN Ross;r; bnt Lo.;,"tsJ =, - IL 10. ~
IA he had n jozen ye,rs boiors nn ~ III 81
n hostile cr;,icisn; m Ross;U;,, TaDasoJ;
Instead of fcoI;nS rosOn,,non, ps.s;n;
said IL Lc had oniy tno~n a. ,,,,o -tUos
that T,ncreJ, Sns 18th - ~ ;Gs ,o t
should L,ro hsos ,"Uoi a ~ .,i'i Li no
attention AZ ana,Ssr inc " ;0, ,mo
M;lnnese v,s On ,mvcb ogan,Iol Lr you y
PosS;nTS 0Sor,nroS " ,S Ue" :" y 5 GN u
Tslrs tb,, Lo aon,,i % ~ r,', t'L NIaHS '
Eoss;ni scni for L;S o,,J,;naI ,,I,,' H..
hal write, /, az All III ill., H.. ~ wy Nv
mi IN ntISnJ % sew %'" '''N"' f'oi'''''S
JnsanL III Emncr". ., A,,,- -,
cd IN Mozart II,,i ho hi 80, ~, ,,'' nv
many noics in his opers GEIoMa,r oUy
from The ScragIioD Won R%Idw Sns
recently severely criticised for with" !.
certain composition, md 10 bisybonorS hc
il said, he promntly ncknowlrJg"J L;s
mistake and commended his critic for
his perspicnity. We might 90 on cnm.
mcrating such examples, bnt thew will
have better application al another time
It should be remembered lint mnsie was
not bestowed upon us for a mere amnse.
ment, for petty objects: II is a divine riT.
for high moral purposes, for the delisbt
the solace, the civilization OF manhood
Every encouragement should be given to
pom! inns out 10 the unreiecung, to
awei upon lne iaet, TO keep it
IN, ~ view Is among me manliold dn-
s s,es GI musical CRITIC. NotEilh'
StanGlnB me increased culuYauonotm t.