The morning call., 1894-02-01
Comparison of Oriental and
Occidental Ideas.
1T WOULD AROUSE INTEREST.
A Search for the Common Origin
of the Music of the Hu.
man Race.

Edgar Stillman Kelley, the California
composer, writes to The CALL that he
has been much interested in what he has
read in its columns of oriental music as
expounded by Puraskotam Rao Telang. as
during his residence in this State he has
made careful study of the Chinese
branch of the art Continuing. he says:
"ln The CALL of the 2Sth Mr.. Telang
throws light on various matters puZZliDg
to Occidental musicians, such as for in
stance the subdivision of the diatonic
scale (as we have it) into seventy-two semi
tones. or hemi-demi semi-tones, or what
ever you may choose to call them. An
other thing is the peculiarities of the time
employed in many Of the specimens of
Chinese mel0dies-a feature which l see
they possess in common with the East In
dlans. Among the themes which i have
harmOniZed and tried to bring into such a
form as to be playable by our orchestral
musicians Is one in which the time is con-
tinually changing from a half 10 three
quarters, and anticipate some trouble in
having it we'll performed. The air in
itself is very plaintiye and sweet, as are
many others when one has become accus-
toned to them sufficiently to remember
their principal phrases. This irregularity
writer's to the fancy of the performers,
who on the Inspiration of the moment are
likely TO add beat to q measure, the
same as one of our virtuosOs. at times, will
make unusual retardandOs or acceler-
andos. 1t is possible, however, that the
Chinese may have the mathematically
accurate groupings of measures, which ac-
cOrdiDg TO Mr.. Telang result in over 5000
different kinds OF time in the music Of
India. | Bh0uld like to see these charac-
teristic peculsrties investigated"
Mr.. Kelley, as well as Mr.. Telang. is an
advocate of an International musical
congress, which he thinks would be a
great novelty and "A feature of exceptional
interest TO scientists, as well as 10 musicians
well worth PRONUNCIATION by ,he San Francisco
papers.
Following up this subject, CALL reporter
visited Mr.. Kelley yesterday at his residence In
San Rafael. Speaking first OF the congress. he
said:
"Ihe main idea involved is to compare the
music OF different races. This would only
necessitate sendlngEfOr few performers as
the music OF the European countries is already
represented here.
'You see we and the Orientais represent two
distinct classes, and we both have at present a
poor opinion of each others music. Theirs
differs entirely from ours In the harmonic
construction Indeed we and the OrienIals
look at music from a different standpoint, for
the element OF harmony is unknown In Eastern
countries.
edge OF their muslc," pursued Mir. Kelley,
thOughtfuily. judging from Chinese orches-
tras should think that when all their instru-
ments are not IN unison 1t is by accident aud
not from any preconceived idea of harmony
Instruments of percussion are very much used,
at least In Chinese music, instead of harmonies.
Then these musicians resort to what are 10 US
abstruse mathematical combinations, but which
10 them are doubtless symbolism. like colors or
hgures In any mysticism. In order TO give the
variety W hich we SEEK in harmony and rhythm
tleV 2nDedr 10 use these mech liar and mVSfic
combinations There is no doubt, however, in
my mind but that 10 an oriental ear their form
OF music gives as keen delight as ours does
10 Us.
"We cannot help finding the rivarieties of time
very confusing. indeed have been wondering
how IL will be possible for our musicians to play
the Chinese theme TO which / allude in my let
ter TO IHE CALL on account OF the difficulty OF
remembering the continual changes"
In reply 10 question as TO whether, from a
composers point OF view, the music OF Western
nations would be likely 10 gain fresh inspira-
tlon from contact with oriental music Mr.
Kelly replied: II do not think that there is the
remotest possibility of our ever adopting their
tempos,' Tor instance, or that we should be
very likely TO make any extended use OF their
melodies but the idea is TO see the differences
IN our systems IL general sense. 1t cannot
fail 10 be interesting to us to trace back with
these Orientals, as near the worlds spring OF
music as our joint efforts can lead US. TO see
where the lines dlyerge. If the Indo-EGro-
pean nations all derive their legends their nur-
sery rhymes and their myths from a common
source, as according TO Andrew Lang and
others they do, II their language Is ia measure
derived from SanscTIt, they may also possess
certain elements In their music which are sImi-
lar.
81 do NOT think. though that we are any mere
likely TO be converted to oriental musical
methods, or the Orentals TO ours for the mat
ter OF that, than We were in any practical sense
likely TO become Brahmins or BuddhIsts by at
tending the Worlds Congress OF Religions.
'Mr. Telang's ideas are very interesting, but
think his theory OF the derivation of he diff
ferent tones is more pOetlcal than accurate L
have noticed cuckOOs, bulls, peacocks and other
birds and beasts that have great variety of
tones in different ones OF the same species"
"Ought the congress TO be practical or tbeo-
reteal. according TO your deas?"t
Both" replied Mr.. Kelley. IL should say
we could not do better than listen TO papers aud
nave the Ideas contained therein illustrated by
the music OF which they treat. We need not
hear only oriental and European music; there
might be Indian chants, as III the Midway
Piaisance at Chicago; anything characteristic
In fact, would be interesting.
81 here 10 ono thing certain the congress
would probably lead TO a greater harmony
among our own musicians of rival ideas; the
German and Italian schools of opera, for in
stance, would see how little real difference lies
between them when Doth their schools are
compared with the music of the Orient The
congress would do some good, IL it only accom-
plished that. / believe myself, however, that
tho decision TO mold a musical congress at the
midwinter Fair would arouse interest far and
wide"