New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SOME MUSICAL BOOKS.

Mr. Louis C. Elson, OF Boston, is ono OF those
ehsery and chstty writer's on musical subjects who'
while they add little nothing 10 critca hoer@.uo'
perform valuable labor by bringing that h'eta'uo
within the comprehension Of the many "'nou ~ ~,
pairing its dignity. His last book is snort ms
tory of German Song" which has been puohshoa "
the New England Conservatory of Music !nousn uo
voting much attention to tho development Oh 'ne "e
man Isds and dedicated 10 Franz as the lSS' Vi o
great rriumvirate Of German song oo'npoSo,'I wv
book Is not at all narrow in It's scope Du' usOu'o
WITH morn or less fitness, as the SUBJECTS soe "
Justify tho whole field OF vocal music III ooin sI
sron the time OF the Minnesnger TO the present MI
r,.on has bappy facility Of statement and an equally
h.nrv ,netbod OF almost unconsciously Leading MS
sSsr. into delightful little shewse excursions ior
tha saks of suggestive view without seeming NJ Ill u
t.sve the main path of HIS discourse so that whon ono
,sts his thoughts 20 back in a review OF what has
been read, the discovery is made that
hpndred and one interesting and some
times curious details have oeen Drought
N, NOTICE whose intrinsic value IS IN no wise leesened
bv the circumstance that they wero brought forward
10 throw light on the main proposition WITHIN ne
covers Of his book Mr. Elson has included series OF
descriptive articles on The Last Hours of Great Com
posers-'
Theodore Presser has published IN Philadelphia
Lessons in Musical History" by John Comfort FIJI
more an admirable teacher, and skilful II not original
.yes Of persons versed in the history OF music SUM-
GENTLY to exercise independent judgment on the Vaue
NJ musical histories It is be feared that Mr. Fillmore
mas prejudiced his extremely practical and read
able handbook by his preface 1t not caiculaed W
increase such an ones good opinion OF tho acumeh
Of a writer to find him recommending the Rev. MI
Eaveas's sentimental wanderings excellent read
tnrs In connection with list of books on mnsicai
history and biography. Nor Is It plain why be snouo
attempt 60 argue the need Of his little work. inc
result of an effort he expressly says. to give MS
punjls aan outllnen of musicaI hlsoor!'
nv referring TO the books of Macfarren'
Ritter, Bonavia Hunt and Rockstro as outlines ohS'
The majority Of these outlines are much more COM
prehensive than Mr. Fillmore'S Lessons in'io
was no need Of the apology, which only serves "
tempt one to harsher judgment than IS necessary.
Mr. Fillmore has written useful oooR' which,
tudictously used can help the student VINO iS"Ae
The time or the inclination TO make carerm study
nj the subject 10 learn most Of the essential thhG'
In the development OF music as an aft' 10 oaoh
chspter he has appended list OF examlnauon QueS
lions,
Mr. F. r. Chesney an Englishman. has o'scoVereo
a., Am thna. aavS there IS marked revival In the
90 t orer. but that nevertheless, the people who
20 10 the opera often come away With very hstS
hsa NJ what II has all been about" To help them
ant be has retoh the stories which mako up uhe
,,hr.tos OF twenty three operas not In the conVen'
,onaI vav generally found in the operaoook prefaces
hut with some attempt literary style and as inop-
.naent rom.nces The result is agreeable volume
~ doubtful utility, there being superaounoanoe Vi
o,d,ssbIoped subjects in the list. Wagners repre-
.enta,son Is confined to Lohengrn' ana Die MeS'o'
singer