New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-11
NTTCTCdT CRTTTrISM.

Mr. Joseph Bennett, musical critic Of The Daily
telegraph (London), who recently went through the
United States in tempo prestsslm0 that he might, ike
n true Brton, fit himself to pronounce Judgment on
the present state of music among US. has found a
prodigious mares nest in the critical department OF
the New-York newspapers. He has discovered from
reading the newspaper opinions on Mr. Mackenzie
Rose of Sharon" (of which Mr. Bennett compiled
the book that we are in great danger from Ger
mans and men of German origin who nave con-
triyed to seat themselves IN places OF journalistic
power" These foreig ners are alarmed lest England
should in the natural course of her rising artistic
fortunes acquire predOninance on the platform Oh
serious music" in this country. and hence they
antagorlze everything and everybody English
They are also such viruont fnturists" that they
4" can scarcely tolerate the old masters"
How can man of Mr. BENEFITS sagacity DO
guilty of such foolish twaddle He is kind enough
TO acquit The TnBUSE of the spirit of unfriendli-
ness. for which we would thank him if he had ex-
bbted the slightest discernment of the real feeling
which actuates American musical criticism All
lovers of music are rejoicing at what Dir. BENNETT
calls the rising artistic fortunes Of Great Britain
and TIE TRIBUNE has more than once YDlced inc
general satisfaction. But in the race Tor musical
superiority England Is still so far behind Germany
and France that there is no danger OF her surplus
energies being directed toward the musical evange-
ization of the United States. The new spirit when
is benefting England is a foreign one. TO the
Germans. whose supposed influence Mr. Bennett
would see counteracted" here belongs tho credit
for having brought about the new order OF things
At intervals they conduct concerts oil the I'M
harmonic Society; Hams Richiers concerts are
firmly established in London, and the conductor
shin Of the Birmingham festival has passed INTO the
hands of the genial and progressive Nlennese con
dntor. the prize offered this year by the Phiihar-
monte Society was taken b. Il German musician
resident in London. Mr.. Mackenzie has made
mark because he has left the tedious paths OF
English couposition which English composers nave
followed so long with such little profit and has
taken n leaf from the books OF the new German
school We can assure Mr.. Bennett that while we
AR, hoplug To be able to advance American music,
we have no apprehension that the Germans who
to-day are laboliug IealOuay toward the highest
ideal in music here viii ever be ousted by the rep
resentatiyes OF tho nation who since flanders time
have looked always To foreign musicians Tor
guidance. And we say this while rejoicing at the
i,rproye1ncnt which we recognize to DO going on
IN Great Britain.
MIR Bennrtt ac0uits TIE TRIBUNE OF Anglo
phoba. but he is less fair IN his treatment oi us
criticism OF " The Rose of sharon lie says; Inc
critic is good enough warmly 10 praise tio i'0 VI
the dream but In his Judgment. MIR. Mackenzie
has no staying power on an even plano of excel
leuce In parts his writing IL az modern rs LISTS
in parts IL il rs oll-fashoncd Handles We are
not told whether the drop is from List to Handel
ar from Handel to List" Here, we are sorry to say,
Mr. Bennett Is guilty of one OF the most contemplate
vices of criticism. lie has by omission OF words
from tho passage criticised completely distorted its
meaning. The passage in TnE tribune OF April
Il reads as follows:
limitation Of Mr.. MackcnyIo's powers IS seen In his
inability 10 maintain himself Oh an even plane or excel
eur OF 90 one Afyc Of UrtfHg through succession Oi
t .de4 In parts his WTug j. as modern as lsLt 4, IN
rnrt, n is az old. fashioned - HandePs.
1. certainly must be evident to every one except
an uniriendly critic that the comparison Of Mr..
Mackenzie's music with that OF List and Handel Is
with reference to the style of writing. If The
TnlguNF's writer had been born in England instead
of America he could not have made his meaning
plainer. But there are none 50 blind rs those who
will not see.