New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-10
MUSICAL COMMENT.
MUSIC AT COLUMBIA-WHAT THE NEW
DEPARTMENT OUGHT TO BE.

II the purpose of the new foundation at Coiumpia
University to provide an income for one OF the
most talented of American composers. and thereby
to aid him in the work that has already brought
him renown and credit to his country, the trustees
have done well In the appointment OF Mr.. Il. A
Mcdowell to the professorship Of music. IL mas
long been a pleasant privilege for The Tribune 10
honor this young composer. Having sincere au-
mration for his gifts and high appreciation OF his
achievements, It cannot and will not question inc
wisdom of his appointment from personal point
Of view As a composer and as a pianoforte prayer
Mr. MacDowen's reputation IS secure He has also
nad experience teacher Of his instrument at the
conservatory at Darmstadt, well az privately In
wiesbaden and New-York 1t might be douD'eo
whether an imaginative dreamer, such as MS music
proves him TO be. contains the stun out OF WIN"
successful pedagogues are made. but this question
NAV be held In allegiance until trial has been maue
of him in his new activities Certain It is that IL
the appointment tends to bring him ease OF mihu
and comfort of body. musical culture In America
will profit by 1t, though It may be on entirely diff
ferent lines than those contemplated by the geher-
Gus benefactors of the university
Personal considerations being thus removed from
the case, 1t is possible to express disappointment
at the purpose Of the trustees with relation TO the
foundation as implied in the appointment OF MT.
Mcdowell II would seem as II nothing is TO Dc
dome 70 Mace music on proper footing in Column
bia The example of Harvard and Yale is to be
followed and a few students always iaughaoy
small percentage of the cited) who happen 10
be fond Of music. or a larger number VINO WISH 10
take advantage of what a correspondent or me IT'D
une calls snap courses. will make Rotations IN
the science of music listen to lectures. and let
them count for the degree OF b. A. Meanwhile such
study of the of the art its history and pni-
osophy and the relation Of Its evolution 10 the prog
ress of civilization which belongs to liberal educa-
ton which might be pursued by hundreds instea1
of tens with pleasure as well as profit, and which
would tend 10 make good listeners out of the many
who have thought of following music as pro-
fession will be subordinaed 10 course OF techhlcai
study which cannot possibly produce results com
mensurate with the effort made and money spent.
II seems passing strange that with the examples OF
other universities before Them and the results OF
their efforts open study the trustees did ho re-
fleet longer upon the problem presented 10 'heh'
Why Is IL that the universities of Germany the ost
musical country in the world, have never dreamed
OF introducing music in their curricua except in the
manner suggested editorially in this journal some
weeks ago? What would DIR. Oscar Paul SIGNIFY IN
the University of Leipsic, or DR.. Eduard Hausuek
in the University of Vienna, If their lapors were
devoted to lessons in harmony, counterpoint canon
fugue etc? Considering that there has never peeh
any question as to the attitude which universities
ought to assume toward the fine arts. 1t Is singular
that the musical question should receive such
anomalous treatment. Why not teach painting
sculpture or wood carving in the arts course!
II Columbia University wishes 10 teach practical
music II should include thoroughly equipped con-
servatory among its colleges. with an independen'
course Of study, such it has in the medicai oe-
partment and its School OF Mines Students at the
ccnservaores of Europe, so they be In earnest oe-
vote all their time for years and more TO musi-
cal study in order to become composers, ana even
then as a rule. the aesthetics and history OF the
art are neglected What, them will be the result IN
he case OF collegiate students pursuing their regular
courses and dabbling in music two or three hours
.a,d 70 heCO
clans their studies can be merely preparatory to the
thorough work to be done later; II they do not IN
tend to become professional musicians they might
Use their time to better advantage in cultVaung an
appreciation and understanding OF music than IN us
practice In the programmes Of both Harvard ana
Yale the purposes of the musical department are
stated to be professional. Thus Harvard:
The aim of the Department Is twSfSld Gov students
who intend to follow the musical profession as
teachers and composers ,, ., .
those who wish to devote themselves chiefly to
musical criticism and literature and the cultivation
OF musical taste.
And Yale:
The department aims TO provide adequate instruc;;
mn njfber teachers or Composers and TO offer
complete course of study to sucn as intend 10 de
ture OF music.
In each case the aim last expressed is admirable.
To fit students to write intellgently on music is
dignifed and proper purpose, for which, moreover.
knowledge Of the science is essential but the atti
tude which composers assume to-day and have al
ways assumed toward the works of their colleagues
shows how necessary 1t Is TO supplement technical
study with the branches which tend to produce
broad culture and lberalize thought.
On this point letter has been sent TO The Tribune
which Is all the more worthy Of consideration since
II was written by amateur musician, who is reg
uar graduate of Harvard University, and who
an attendant on the musical courses:
The liberal endowment Of the chair Of music at
cason OF rejoicing and cause for socitude. The
rejoicing explains itself; the solictude is that the
musicai study carried on in the university a true
university subject bran n Of liberal education
mistakes that have been made in other American
such mistakes have been made is only too plain to
those who have had opportunity to study the sub
In order that music may be made to take its true
place in the university curriculum, noted above.
that makes enter into the intellectual equipment
of cultivated men and women-that is, the people
who hear and understand and enjoy music. not those
who are specially trained in the art TO create to
interpret music. In other words, 1t is not the
function Of university to enter into competition
with Conservatives of music, to teach piano play
ing. singing, violin playing. The university should
teach the history and aesthetics of music in a
broad and interesting way By this l not
merely musical history as generally taught. dry
examination into the forces that have tended to
styles; by aesthetics, an examination OF the higher
principles that condition the existence of art and
ART WORKS, ana STUDY OF the form ana substance
of great compositions There should undoubtedly
also be some instruction In the elements of COM
positon-harmony counterpart TO a certain extent.
possibly Instrumentation In general way; but these
things should be taught as means TO the end sought
by the courses outlined above, subsidiary TO
them and simply as assistance to the unders tand-
Ing. They should not be taught would-be
composers the means and material OF musical
composition.
The result that ought to be expected and secured
by such course OF study would be a body Of in
teigent music-lovers, who will raise the level of
culture throughout the country and who will be
thpms frll edu ate6 in
the best sense, for having this side of their intel
lectual equipment developed and their intellectual
horizon thereby widened. AS a recent article upon
this subject in The Tribune put it,, it ought to be
expected OF educated men that they will be a
Inundated O have acknowledge ignorance