Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-01-15
WORLn,S FAIR Music.

WORLDS FAIR MUSIC.
Theodore Thomas and the committee
having the matter IN charge nave shown
sound judgment In selecting composers to
write the music Tor The fair. II was in
cumbent on them to choose Americans. In
choosing Americans it was clearly impera-
tive to raise above local considerations and
secure the abIest opponents of musical art.
Mr.. John K Paine, of Boston, who Is to
write the marches, has long been deemed
foremost among American instrumental
writers. He is a man of acknowledged
learning, rich in fancy and fertile in re.
source. His work is characterized by
soidity and dignity, E. A. Mcdowell,
who will compose the music for the ode, is
an American by birth, but is more conspic-
uousIy a citizen of the greater world of
music Going in youth to France, his
skill as an execatant on the piano won Tor
him admission to the conservatory Ia
Paris, distinction not easily acquired by
foreigners. From Paris he went to Ger
many, and when old enough became asso
ciated with Raft in the direction Of the
conservatory at Frankfort. He has
made successful tours in Germany and
is everywhere considered an artist
of genius. For ten years he was asso-
ciated with List at Welmar, fact sufi
cient in itself to attest his rank His com
positions enjoy European favor not hereto
fore granted to any other American. Be
longing by instinct and education to the
contemperaneOus German school, his con-
certos are frequently on programmes with
those Of the greatest masters and afford
pianists Of renown opportunity for tech
nique to be had only in classic compost
tons He has written number of SYM
phonic poems, the "Ophelia" and Ham
let" being best known. An orchestral
suite by him was feature of the past
years festival at Worcester. 1t is certain
that the music of the fair will be worthy
the occasion. and the fact that its authors
are both Americans will have an inspiring
effect on musical study throughout the
country,
A MINNEAP0LIs Scandinavian, writing
to a local paper of the twin cities, says that,
in regard to the question of the proposed
change of the name of this division of the
globe from that of America to the name of
Columbia, from the Morse claim in behalf
of Leaf Ericsson, this much may be said:
Whatever of merit there may be in this
claim and however strong the facts may be
in support of it, or against it, one truth Is
clear, namely: That it is altogether out
of the question to expect from the govern
ment of the United States, or from any
other government on this side of
the earth, a recognition of the
Morse claim to priority Of dis
covery to the extent of naming his hemi-
sphere after Ericsson. On the other hand,
he says, all admit that Columbus was the
first navigator who opened up the new
world to the use of the people of Europe
and Asia. These facts being admitted, il
Is but just, he says, that the Scandina-
Wan population join in the movement
now taking shape throughout the country,
to rally as one man in honoripg the mem.
DRY of Columbus, who it is claimed was
inspired in his venture in 1892, from con-
sulting Iceandic records in 1477, Is years
before the landing at San Salvador
It may be assumed with great con.
fdence, as the Morse claim was forgotten
for many generations prior to 1892, that
II Columbus and his ships and his crew
had been drunk up by the waters, either
on his first out ward or first bomewaro
voyage, long period of time would have
elapsed before any navigator would have
dmed TO venture on similar voyage; anG
Isabella would have been elassed with Eve
and Helen as siren, Turing man to DEFY
the Almighty, IN transg1essing his physi
cal and moral laws and in bringing
upon his head his condigp and sweep
ing punlshments. Therefore. tnis in.
genlous Norseman says: Give the name
of Columbus to this hemisphere. while we
the descendants of Ericsson, will possess
and occupy 1t to a considerable extent
and draw salaries of the best offices, and
get the Columbus fellows to do the voting
and the work" He happily signs him
self "Ole Olson, in behalf of the l,2Ot
Olsons of Minneapolis and a large numbel
of Andersons.