Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1882-02-21
MUSICAL PROGREss IN THE
UHlTED STATES.

VI al tuo uus nfus Aubis @~Sss
transcsndsnt and modern. While re-
mote ages have left works Of the highest
standard in architecture. sculpture and
poetry. the great musical compositions
that now refresh the mind and rejoice
the ear are Of recent date. Great poets
have lived and sung ever since mankind
formulated its desires and ideas in artio-
ulated language, and 80 far 10 the mu-
steal instinct inherent In human nature
that these songs have always been ao-
eompanied BY some lively tlnes. But
music 20 scientifically organized Al to
be able TO create Independent works OF
art. founded on nothing but that film.
sisst Of all sensations. sound. has bssn
known only for q few centuries in En-.
rope. and only to . select few in the
United States. To the average citizen
the highest ideal Of . musical compost
ton has been . lively dance or . trivial
bsllsd-composiions that appeal to the
senses exclusively. and which satisfy the
uoss unsophisticatsd and simple mind.
But tho immortal works Of the great
composers-such a. are termed clas-
steal nusio-wsre q book with seven
seals to the great majority OF
our fsllsw citizens. Classical music
would rssound before empty benches
while the mellow tones Of q min
strel ballad sung in the hand organ
style would arouse enthusiasn to the
highest pitch. Much Of this 10 true at
this hour, but still q great change is
noticeable. Since Thomas and Dam.
rosch instituted their concerts In Now
York and by slow degrees between pop
ular pieces Interpreted compositions Of
seversr charactsr-until they educated
the public SC that they not only liked
and wanted to have these works. but
actually set to work to study them-ve
eau safely say that. from the upper
crusts Of society down. the love Of good
and classical music has begun to invade
all classes. Perhaps We that are living
somewhat out Of the way cannot nprre.
Ois,s this. but We might as well awake
to the fact 30 a. not TO DO behind. No.
body wants. however. 10 discredit the
merits Of q fns ballad sung by . sweet
voice, or the beauties Of q vigorous tune
powerful enough to arouse our energies.
But we should remember that exactly as
life In the United States from It's simple
beginnings has assumed Its complicated
shape Of tsdsy. so music has from the
simple and u~nassumipg germ Of tho firm
chant ~(cdntus firmus), developed itself
into Q grand and beautiful empire OF
tunes. The single melody Is not sum.
sisnt to the musical ear, but it has 10 DO
worked out into the most manifold vari.
atoms and modulations that can DO in
vented by method or inspired by genius
until the nearer. transaxed by the pure
and glorious harmonies, Is carried away;
until all the chords Of human sorrovs
and human joys are touched; until life.
in its deepest meanings aud utmost pos
abilities. floats past . mind fettsred In q
mysterious but not the less strong man.
ner. BY the misrscosm Of sound. Unless
We understand and feel the beautiful wo
have missed the finest part OF life. Aud
let us strive not for ourselves alone but
for those that inherit what We have
acquired, 30 as to enable them to drink
lifs's beauties in deep draushts, not AZ
much material beauties as those beauties
Of an elevated. pure and more lasting
character. V)