The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-18
HARMONY AND GAsTRON0MY.
The Combination IL All Right IL the
Programme IL Correct.
Providence Journal.

Providence Journal
Should dinner be accompanied by music n
Dining is in itself a fine art. AS the authcr5
OF Lucille pointed out in lines too ofterlA
quoted, We can live better without anH
other. A dinner-a really civilized dinner,
is a gastronomic symphony. 1t has itN
theme, its change of movement its ap-
peal to a certain set OF emotions in the
eater Is II not, then, enough in itself "A
Does it require any addition? Is not music
rather detriment than an aid to the con-
summate achievement OF the culinary art
list? Is the combination fair either 10 the
cook or the composer? Such specuIations
as these disclose a wide field for aesthetic
debate. The matter could not be COM
passed in a column or a page Neverthe-
less, certain salient points suggest them
selves for comment. And first Of these is
the assumption that any universal rule
can be laid down. Is such an assumption
justified? Are there not dinners and din
ners? Is there not music and music? 1t is
at least plausible to argue that some din
ners may be accompanied by some kinds OF
music.
The fact that music is the most nearly
universal form OF art must be taken into
account. Pure music occupies a restricted
place in the social economy to-day. Sym
phonies and concertos fill only portion OF
our activity. Music is combined with
drama to make opera-which some severe
critics have called bastard form of art,
indeed, but which nevertheless bids fair 10
survive indefinitely. Music is added TO the
poetry Of motion to make the dance, one
of the Oldest arts We have. Music per.
forms an important function toward relig-
m a
well when he encouraged its use in the
services of the church; and the dour Scots
who protested against the kist o
whistles" recognized the fact that an organ
would eventually modify the character OF
their theology. Why, then, should music
be wholly debarred from aiding the
triumphs of culinary skill? The ancients
employed IL at their banquets: are We
mooerns so muck wiser grown IL is dill
cult to understand the JOY which Is said
to have prevailed in New York the
announcement that a dispute between the
table d hote" restaurants OF that city ana
the Musicians Union would lead 70 the
abolition of music at dinner, except upon
the supposition that the music furnished
is bad music.
Good wine needs no bush, and the SUI
preme masters in any art can stand alone.
Thus Soyer, foregoing the opportunities in
opera which a fine voice offered TO him. de-
voted himself TO cookery and became the
foremost artist of his time Could music
have added to the charm Of a feast pre-
pared by him? Woula il not have been, on
the contrary. a detriment? No appreciative
musician would wish 10 eat during the per-
Torrance OF a symphony by Beethoven.
But Soyers and Beethovens are rarely
found. There are plenty Of cooks who need
the aid Of music and there are plenty or
composers who need the aid OF cooking.
Experience has taught most OF us that the
usual table d'hote dinner cannot be trusted
TO stand alone. IL has certain defects
which music mollifles or obliterates. A
doubtful entree may be transformed into
something rich and strange by the meas
ures OF an overture. Thin claret may be-
come nectar under the sway Of the reminis-
cences which the strains OF a Strauss waltz
arouse Yet this conclusion involves the
assumption that the music is good A violin
out OF tune would only add 20 the misery OF
a muddy consOmme. Contemporary teSti-
mony is all TO the effect that the music az a
New York table d'hote is bad. The terrible
dinner orchestra, says one authority, can
be agreeable 10 those who are stone deaf,
Obviously this argument does not affect
the abstract question Of the desirabiltty OF
music at dinner IL only shows that better
musicians are needed.
There is another consideration which
must not be left out OF the account. All
music, even IL well played, Is not dinner
music. Few makers Of programmes are
culinary experts as well. and they haueht-
lily refuse TO consult the chef Great dis
elimination is needed here. There Is a
symbolism In these things which should not
be lightly disregarded. II Is not necessary.
OF course 10 go 10 the length or giving the
Fishers Chorus from "Masanielio' with
the fish or the fire scene from "Slegfried"
with the roast. Yet for each chorus music
in harmony with il should be chosen. And
the general character of this music should
be soothing. not strenuous Just as grave
subjects OF debate are debarred az the
| table. so should the kind of music which
its admirers believe 20 be phiiosophic find
no entrance We cannot be bothered with
| lietmotifs while we are considering the
/ due proportions OF oil and vinegar I'm n
salad or be stirred into passionate emotion
4 by patriotic or erOtic strains when the con-
| templative cordial appears III music with
dinner has begun TO seem an unhappy COM
| bination II is because these simple consid-
erations have been disregarded-