The New York herald., 1879-12-27
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

WHAT MUSICIANS AND CONDUCTORS THINK
ABOUT MR. p. s. aILMoRE's NEW NATIONAL
ANTHEM, ''coLUMBIA."
Mr.. p. 8. Gilmore's poetical-m usical compost
ton. .'Columbia." interpreted on Christmas after
noon to the brilliant audience gathered to greet
the national hymn at the Academy OF Music. has
naturally been subject of considerable discussion
in the city in musical circles. Among the audience
were number of gentlemen whose musical culture
and education enable them to form and to express
judgment concerning the work produced.
MR. MAPLEsoN.
Mr. Mapleson. being interviewed. said ~ care
fully watched every phrase Of the production. do
not think 1t great composition. participated in
tho enthusiasm. / enjoyed the movements.
thought 1 recognized an imitation of other
airs and melodies. but to toll you the
truth they were SO adroity embodied that
it impossible for me TO say where one old theme
began and the other ended. The method OF the pre-
sentstion was charming from beginning to eud.
Mr.. Gilmore certainly has the happy faculty OF
securing popular appreciation. and. Is public man.
admire his art and ingenuity.
"Do you think there is money in tho piece3'
Undoubtedly. From what know OF you Amer
leans every body viii quickly feel curious to possess
OF view. the composer has every reason to feel
surei of a success such a. has rarely welcomed
the work OF composer This Ia, however, largely
duo to the influence Of the HERALD"
sIaNoR ARDITI
mas AFTERNOON. but so many pleasant things
have been said to me concerning it that
I must accept 1T as . success. As it has been
rendered there to "reminiscences of Rule
Britannia 'Masaniello' and other old melodies.
But nm too much Of o musician to believe that
brother composer will copy knowingly anything
that is old. IL is not possible to create .
new musical work nowadays without in
Producing suggestions Of melody that have
becn uttered by other composers, and anybody
VINO assumes the composition OF such an anthem as
Mr.. Gilmore has given to the public viii naturally
tha nritt nf ,n
familiar with the old themes that undere the great
national anthems"
Mr.. Tissington. the popular director Of the Union
Square orchestra said that lie regarded the produc
ton one OF the best OF its kind that he had ever
heard. In his Judgment it was destined to become
popular and would owe its popularity to the superb
advertisement it had received: "The music, said
Mr.. Tissington. .is unique, simple. and. although
suggestive of other melodies. is well calculated
to catch the popular ear l understand
anthem in the public schools. think his idea is
good one, for lack just such strong, effective
melody, welded to excellent verse The concluding
prayer is. in my Judgment. an admirable compost
ton for school purposes
MR. MAURICE srRAKoscH.
my dear MIR. Reporter" said MIR. Strakosch, 81
think columbia is admirable. enjoyed the per-
formance from beginning to end. l have heard
tury, but FOR popular purposes am satisfied than
this will be most acceptable work Mr.. Gilmore un-
doubleday has been inspired and shall gladly unite
with hrm in furtEerlng tho success and popularity
of the piece. To tell You the truth. think Miss
Emma Thursby will Introduce Columbia
encore wherever she sings. aud think 1t will be
warmly welcomed by the American people,"
MR.. pIAL.
The above named gentleman who In Europe as
well in this country, Is famous as q composer and
conductor, and whose judgment Is undeniably ex-
celent, passes judgment ON "Columbia' as fol-
lows:-''I like the anthem. 1t was admirably
interpreted. l enjoyed tho orchestration, 1 adj
mired tho ensemble The display artistic
There was a samencss about the music, however. to
which as a musician would take exceptions. IL re-
minded me OF many melodies with which l am ia
milar and yet am unable to detect one from which
l could say Mr.. Gilmore had taken his theme"
GILMORE.
Tho writer then visited Mr.. Gilmore and made in.
quiry based tho foregoing suggestions. He re-
piled I recognize the fact that there IL identity
presented and other grand compositions
that are regarded as national songs. But
see the moment I leave my first group
notes 1 get away from every other suggestion
of former composers. You may quote "Rule Britain
nia," 'Massanieo," "Dcutschland. Deutschland uber
Alles." tho opening movement OF "Maccabaus,"
but. as combination ofs melody, l contend
that the thought is original" The writer inquired.
''What are your further Intentions. MIR. GilmoreY'
"To give it national publicity, was the answer. "I
mean that the hymn shall become national If Heaven
spares my life shall go to Washington place large
chorus in the gallery of the House OF Representatives.
ask the President and Mrs. Hayes, together with the
Cabinet, to be present, and, with magnificent
orchestra, 1 shall then and there produce Colum-
bia' In manner that 1 am sure Will induce Con-
gress itself to place tho national seal upon the COM
position."