The herald., 1895-11-28
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Many Interesting Articles Upon
This Subject
THE MUSICAL CORNER
Current Comment Upon the Art in
Europe and America
MUSICAL CORNER
rlusical Notes Pertaining to Composition and
Rendition In Song and instru.
mental Husic
Conducted by Miss Kate Fuller

Conducted by Miss Kate Fuller
have often thought that were that
candid gentleman. Mr.. johnson, living in
this generation ana in tins part of the
world instead of saying, that Emusic
is the least dsagreeabls OF noises he
would put it more vigorously; for ex-
ample: Music Is frequently the lost dis
agreeable of noises; or if the eminent
doctor wished to show hims self charitable
| to the MUSES., he would say: Music is
intended to be the least disagreed bic of
noises. 1t is a sad reflection on the lack
of general musical culture that such Gym
ical words should awaken the slightest
echo I'm tie mind of an earnest and de-
vout votary of ths art of music. The time
| devoted to 1t seems sufficient to complete
4 work as vast as the pyramids OF Egypt,
as would testify the poor little children
sitting restlessy on the piano stool, one
eye fixed on the clock snd the other gaz.
ing out OF the window. Sufficient thought.
| if one may judge BY the mum perless text
books and articles written on musical
| topics, not to mention sheets of music,
! many as the sands If the sea- and sutfi-
| cient money as the patient payer of the
bills would atfir.n. as with a sigh he signs
| a check for Mary's piano and Clarifies
violin lessons.
Why is it then that with these three
powerful agencies IN our control, time
thought and money. our music is a noise9
What is the crime which m axes rotten
our state OF Denmark?
This crime, Mrs. Grundy, is ignorance,
and 70 blind ignorance; out ignorance
with wide open, unseelng eyes; and 1
earnestly protest, Mrs. Grundv, that such
ignorance is not little, harmless vice
but an actual crime.
We may be ignorant. it is true, through
lack of experience; but we suffer thereby
none the less. In this particular respect
ignorance causes us to suffer the loss of
time, mental energy and opportunity.
With our God given thinking powers, our
high appreciation of what is ideal and
truly beautiful we prostitute our tastes
and our poor mistaken hands clutch at
che chaff and the nourlshIng grain is
says: "A little knowledge is danger
Gus thing Now il Shakespeare had
pleased to be a little more explicit he
might have added great deal in the way
OF amendments to this terse assertion.
He might have added that. if little
unexplored field beyond, and thereby
arouses in US . desire to investigate and
learn, 1t is an excellent thing.
Grant, therefore, that music 10 good
and desirable, let us look, however, a lit
| tie more into the matter. With what ulti-
even oblige our children to study music?
| Is it merely that after few months or
| years practice, they may amuse and
| edify them selves and us by playing a few
| pleasing compositions on tho piano or in
struents of their choice? If that be the
II. -. IL.
piano wi answer tho purpose more sat
! isfactorily and save great expenditure
of money and the child much labor.
ii the OBJ ect be to keep the child en-
ployed and out of the street, | would rec
ommend hemming dish towels as more
practical and far more conducive to liv-
ing on harmonious terms with the neigh
bors. No, that which We want. conscious
ly or unoonsciJusly, is to bring music in
to our live, and being; for true music
enobles, purties and reiines. Music widens
our mental and our spiritual horizon, cul-
tivates the mag nation and brings with
in our reach world of pure enjoyment
which wealth alone cannot buy nor of
which i'll fortune, time nor thief can roo
us.
Therefore by all means let us study
music, and il our children show the
slightest taste for it encourage them to
learn. But how many OF those who
devote from one to three precious hours
day to an Instrument or the voice in
truth study music. Familiarity with the
notes aud the mastery OF technical dit fl
culites alone is not music. This small
though necessary part is to the art OF
music what the light OF a tallow candle
is to the sun; and shall we be content
with penny dip, when by opening the
windows OF our soul and mind we eau
have the sun? A great responsibility
rests here with our so-called teachers,
who often give but a stone i'll place
of bread. With the teacher deserving of
| the name, the mere exchange OF an hour
of his time for certain money consid-
! Grafton is but the shadow of his duty.
would draw distinction between the
| teacher of music and the dispenser Of
minutes.
! The true teacher regards his calling
| as sacred office. 1t is not only an hour
of his time but the essence OF his thought,
| the reflection of his individuality, which
| he impresses upon the pupils mind.
! III is no: only notes and measures but
! a sense OF the beautiful, which he i'm
! parts. And if the receptive facilities OF
| the pupil are dormant he considers 1T
| his trust to endeavor 10 rouse and stimu-
| late them.
OF the attending difficulties and the in
! tense satisfaction when these are success
| fully comtate only the real teacher
| knows.
KATE w ,EIyTTEP