The Washington times., 1901-06-30
WHERE MUSIC HOLDS SWAY
One of the Attractions at tie
Library of Congress.
A Rare Collection of the Works of
Composers, Famous and Obscure
A Feature Made Possible by tEe
International Copyright Law.

To the average visitor TO the Congress
sional Library, the section devoted to the
library of music proves of but little in
terest. Situated at the end of the south
east corridor, one of the most frequented,
containing the Gardiner Hubbard co1lec-
ton of engravings and the heliotints pre-
sented by the Berlin Society of Art. the
sightseer wanders in casually, enquiries
where he Is, and. on being told, gazes
around vaguely and wanders out again.
To the uninitiated in music. it appears
neither attractive nor interesting, but to
the musical person it is a very nina OF
pleasure and profit
1t presents every advantage to the stu
dent, from a splendid grand piano. where
on he Essy Try over any composition ne
chooses, to a collection of photographs
of famous musicians, including the
latest metropolitan opera idol as
well as the classic masters; from
an exhaustive library pertaining to
serious musical matters to the light
est weekly publication dedicated to
news of the musical profession. He may
also hear. if he cannot play, or if he can,
almost any composition he desires, on an
automatic self-playing attachment for the
piano. This is decidedly popular feature
of the musical library, and the average
visitors who hear the performances num-
Der between fifty and seventy-five daily.
a hundred and fOrty-eight being present
one day last week.
The musical library had it's inception
with the birth OF the international Copy
right law in 1890 since which time all the
countries who are parties to it have sent
copyright copies to the Congressional Ii
brary of everything musical published All
fI I,ic {v,
in out-of-the-way places in the Capitol
until September, 1897. when it was remov-
ed to its present quarters. The Copyright
law is stiii it's main contributor, as well
as its origin, and an average of 16, 600 mu-
sical publications are received annually
library almost in itself. of course, the
Government, to promote its completeness
has had 20 purchase most of the classics.
which are and always were exempt from
copyright. There is no special appropria-
tion for the music, and after the other
departments of the Library are provided
for from the general fund, there is not
a large amount left for music, so its
growth is not as rapid might be. 1t is
a very generous collection. however, and
already contains most of what is good
in the world of music.
The collection of opera scores is par
ticularly fine and embraces almost the
entire range of this form of composition.
The library dealing with musical sub
jects IS also very complete and contains
every work of note The largest depart
ment is naturally the sheet music. Nine
tenths of the publications received being
in this form There are stacks and
stacks of it. all carefully catalogued and
arranged, thrae-fifths at least meeting
it's ultimate fate in this particular man.
ner, destined to make no more noise than
if il had not been written for just that
purpose. There is everything from the
sentimental ballad of thirty or forty years
ago, which our mothers used to sing, to
the very latest thing in coon songs,
motley collection of names, ranging from
the best-known song writer's TO the to-
tally unknown, but ambitious composer,
who is guilty of perhaps Just one effort
in this line.
The musical library mas delightful quar-
ters-a long, lofty corridor, lighted by
windows along each side. The fittings are
not what one would expect but then. the
place is very young and the present tx
lures are only temporary. The music
room, where the piano stands, is across
the hall TO the north; it is very large and
so high-posted that it is undesirable for
its purpose. on account of the reverbeTa-
ton This is somewhat obyiated when the
room is full. but to the quiet music lover
who wishes to try over his favorite COM
position alone it is a great drawback. for
ne can hardly distinguish what he is do
ing.
,Fhe library is in charge of Mr.. WhittIe-
sey and six assistants, all of them most
courteous and attentive. Four OF the
assistants are on duty from until $50
and two from the latter hour until 10
o'clock, at which hour the Library is
closed to the public.