The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-26
/ NEH NATIONAL ANTHEM.


Seattle may be emolaxoned or the
froarspiece Of history as the spot where
was composed thu National Anthem Of
America And then. again, It Eay not.
For the ambition TO write q national an
them for our country was not born yes
ser9ay. but was known 10 be heaving
patriotic bcsous even before cur fur
bears in congress tried In vain 70 have
a national language wsthou, borrowing
from some tongue already known But
there IL one who Is making an ambitious
attempt TO write here n the csty an
anthem Of a national character.
Whether IL shall hereafter be elassed SIS
a national anthem" modessly says the
author and composer. Is for the AIner1-
caa nation Itself TO decide"
This author and composer is not Sc
attic man. He is a talented composer
from New York here on q visit. and the
salubrious air o. Puget sound has played
upon the chords OF his patriotic nature
with SO def touch and so deep a thrill
that the anthem has resulted
Composer Of Two Operas.
Julius Adler Is even TO music lovers on
this Coast merely d name. N the
musical circles Of the East he has some
thing OF a personality. He was born Ir.
Germany. bred il New York. ana return
ed TO Germany 10 continue his musical
studiea In harmony and composition he
was the pupil o. Weller OF Stuttgart. His
name appears as composer on many and
many q march and other descriptions Of
instrumental music, and he has composed
two operas. The Patriots" with .
uhretso by ". II. Garter. and the well
known Liberty Bell"
MIR. Adler came TO Seattle two weeks
ago. and IS visiting with Mrs Bowman.
Of this city. In 4 chat the other even
ing. which started With the leading bands
OF the country and the masters OF instru-
mentation. he Casually mentioned that he
had just completed an anthem, and Miss
Bowman kindly played II upon the plano.
LAND of Our Fathers."
The anthem, words and music. seem to
possess many OF the characteristics OF a
national air. and yet are In no sense reni-
n!scent. While OF easy range. simple in
construction. and progressing mostly in
tones and half tones. the music has good
deal OF sonorous dignity and melodious har-
mony II moves, too, in perfect entente
and in full expression with the sentiments
OF the words.
The American people are characteristics
ally religious in their sentiments ohserv-
ed the professor after the playing. "and in
making this attempt at an anthem i have
been impressed with the belief that IN
less one has the sentiment OF religion.
blended with the sentiment OF patriotism,
and a religious tempo In the air Itself, the
dHSAclA VIAL never lsIoiHs FJpuiaE
American banda.
In the conversation tha. followed Prof
Adler said: 1T is noticeable fact that
in this country not one band is equipped
with all the essential instruments that go
30 make up successful organization. The
average band can make a noise. of COURSE.
but Ii Is the drum section that IS very
much in evidence. / ain sorry to say"
Asked as TO the relative merits OF the
bands OF this country Pref. Adler placed
Sousa's az the head: then came the Sew
enih Regiment. CT New York; the First
Regiment, OF Cincinnati: Reeves American
band. OF Providence. r. l., and Brooks
band, Of Chicago, This was the professors
full list OF bands.
and elsewhere" he continued, should
and could be CT such q quality as TO fiji
everybody who hears II with desire to
follow Its rhythmic movements. Most Of
our parades are mere farceS. and the peo-
pie who march do so IL a listlcss spirit
less way, as II they did not care whether
they moved their feet at all. Some one
must be responsible for this state Of
things. Who are the guilty parties? The
musicians yourselves. / am panied 10 ad-
NIT but most OF ali IL IS the fault OF the
Instructor who Is very often a fair and
sometimes very good cornet player and
that IS all
ing great amount OF mischief TO young
musicians and amateur bands by their
abominahle style of Interpretation of mu2
steal works which require herculean ef-
forts Of schooled musician 10 upgoot.
The American amateurs are waking I'D.
however, and the stay Of a musical faker
Is OF very short duration unless he has
worked the boys for q contract.
I'm the old world music Is better under
stood than X Is here. IL is there conssd-
cred Of quite as much importance in edu-
cation as are the elements OF language
and the principles OF pcnmanship Until
very recently music has been taught as
an accomplishment merely. ard not re-