Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-17
MUSIC In THE CHURCH
Usual Attitude of the Pulpit Toward
the Work of the Choir.
SOME OF THE MISTAKES MADE.
Theodore Thomas and the Symphony Or
ehestrs Idea for Chicago.
EFFECT OF uKIoEIsK IN NEW HAVEN

is an important step in the right direction.
The pastor Of church must needs have
authority over the musical portion, just as
be has over other portions of divine worship.
All too commonly he is absolutely ignorant
of and Indifferent to the art of music, il,
indeed, he does not regard it as q
feshly indulgence dangerous to true devo-
tionality. Such a man placed in authority
over his church's music affords spectacle
not unlike that of "Bluff King Hal" and
his more or less worthy successors in turn
posing as head of the Anglican Church.
Even when the pastor is neither indiffer-
ent nor inimical, he is rarely intelligent in
his attitude toward the musical service.
And naturally so. Musical culture has
formed no part of his education. For all
his other duties special preparation
has been made. He has studied
and striven to become learned theologian,
aE eloquent speaker, an impressive reader,
a personally pleasing pastor of his flock.
But as for his musical taste-why, it 'jes'
grew" or it jes' didn't grow, altogether by
chance.
Consequently, we have some pastors that
never concern themselves with the music,
and others whose only concern is to head it
upon the congregations attention. We
have some whose musical notions are wholly
bounded by the lines esofecclesiastical tradition
ami TO whom a choir of none but male voices
singing nothing but plain chants constitutes
the only proper church music. As the ira
ditions mostly concern the vocal service,
these good pastors are just as apt as not to
suggest the "Tannhauser" march as a suit
able closing voluntary for the organ.
Another large class of pastors, the more
evangelical, seeking what will most readily
be sung (or shouted) by the congregation,
call In the aid of Gospel Hymns and
other denominations that are utterly destitute
of those qualities in music which uplift and
inspire the soul, and that merely serve
to stimulate the senses. Still, others en-
courage such curious mismatings as, for in
stance, singing "Jesus, Lover OF Ny Soul''
to the air of "When the Swallows Home
ward Fly" and urge the choir master to all
manner of exaggerated sentimentalities in
both the music chosen and the style of its
rendition.
With such influences from the pulpit the
most conscientious and capable choir mas
ter has hopeless task. Yet it is Just upon
these points of general musical policy that
both choir and congregation must look to
the pastor for some authoritative opinion.
1t is good to see one OF the leading denom-
inations recognizing the duty of educating
its clergy to decide these vital questions ac-
cording to true standards. II the other
great religious bodies will only follow suit,
we may some day see a race of pastors
under whose intelligent guidance the enor-
nous emotional and spiritual power of
music may be fully utilized in the great
work of the church.
-
Pittsburg is not the only place where the
orchestra and band players have got them
Eelvos into difficulties through musical
unions unwisely allied to labor organiEa-
tions, as witness the following recent inter-
view in the New Haven Palladium:
John P. Stack, leader of the Second Regi-
ment Band, said in conversation: "The So
called musical union no longer exists. Not
a meeting has been held in four months and
during the same length of time no dues have
been paid. There is clause in the bylaws
which provides that any member who fails
for three months to pay his dues shall be
expelled. When the union was started a
number Of frst-class musicians went into it,
but when they saw that it was simply q
scheme to cover poor musicians, so that they
could command the same paw as the frst-class
men, they wished to withdraw. This was
impossible, as according to the bylaws there
is no such thing as resignation. The only
thing left for them to do was to refuse to pay
their dues until after the prescribed three
months had expired and then they were ex-
PEELED. That is why the names Of so many
frst-class musicians appeared in print as
being expelled from the union. The union
was formed principally to get into the favor
of the labor organizations, and very soon the
competent musicians will present a paper to
the Trades Council stating the facts and the
collapse of the union"
&*x
The Musical Courier voices the sentiment
Of all thinking music lovers in the follow
ing comments upon timely topic:
Thanks to Mr.. Leo Tolstoi and Mr.. John
Wanamaker, the name Of one ofBeethoven's
most beautiful, chsste and elevated compo-
sitions has become byword for all that is
obscene and loathsome. Shame on the
whole matteri
eff Tolstoi thought it necessary to pillory
music as an offender against decency, why
didn't he use some other example in music?
''There is more deviItry in one page of
Ofenb2ch than in Beethoven's complete
works.
The ofense is rank and smells to heaven.
Beethoven and immortality
"Such a mismatched pairl
"Ihe KreutZer Sonata now on q pro-
gramme o: chamber music is bound to raise
q smile, and perhaps a protest from that
delicate minded conservator of the public
morals, Mr.. Anthony ComEtock."
-.
The talk of organizing q permanent
symphony orchestra in Chicago under the
direction of Mr.. Theodore Thomas WAKES
stronger and stronger.
If this is accomplished it will be gain to
the cause of art. Chicago has learned to ap-
preclate Mr.. Thomas thoroughly, and it
much needs such a man as a resident and
active factor in its musical progress. New
York's allegiance to Mr.. Thomas has not
lately been what it used to be; and,
anyhow, the metropolis has more resources
without hin than its Western rival pos
sesses.
Particularly in view of the musical possi-
bilities incident to the Worlds Fair in Chi
cago, will it be great consideration to have
on the ground conductor who commands
the respect of the musical world on both
sides Of the ocean.
Onder all the circumstances, Theodore
Thomas in Chicago at this time would be
emphat'eally the right man in the right
place.
Croichets and Qunvers.
The last Of the Guenther summer night fes-
rivals will be given August % instead of Au-
gust %
An offer has been made IN tha Rarlin Phil