New-York tribune., 1905-08-20
CUTLERY AND HARDWARE.

About fifteen years ago having been long
q devoted student Of folk-song in general and the
songs Of the negro slaves Of America IN particular,
my attention was called IN a practical way 10 the
songs OF the Russian people by Nine. Eugene
Tdnen Who the lady took particular
pains 10 md out. She came 10 me for help IN
project which had for its end the exploitation OF
Russian music through the agency OF choir OF
singers which she had recruited from the laoorlhg
people who hailed from Russia and worked chieny'
fancy in the 'sweatshops" Of New-1ork's East
side did not inquire any TOO cur1ousiy into the
ladrs affairs but the bolduess ceaTness ana neat
ness Of the manuscripts which she brought TO me
provoked 2 question. which she answered by say
Inc thar the copying was done by her husband,
and that he a man OF scientific education-an
electrical engineer. II memory serves me aright-
Afterwzrd met him. and found him TO be
gentleman Of excellent manners and wide lnten-
Fence Some whisperings among my Russian
friends led me 10 conclude that his residence IN
Ar,erica was not wholly voluntary, and
7 soon had occasion 10 learn that there was
anything but sympathy between the most ener-
serfc supporters Of her project ana the ornclaI
class Of Russians with which had a slight ac-
c,,ain-snoA The lesson was rudely enforced upon
ne Al the request Of Nine Lineff ] agreed to
sneak about Russian fok-song et a concert or the
choir in Carnegie Hall In the course Of my re
marks 7 alluded with considerable warmth OF e1-
r-ession to the cordial relations between the
T-~irA5 States and Russia. and told the story OF
the opportune arrival of the Cars fleets at New
York ana San Francisco at a time when all North
err hearts were heavy with apprehension touching
Great P-itzins attitude IN the War Of the Re
helIion and the relief which came tn our govern
-,err with the assurance that the objects of the
unexpected visits were friendly It was the old
srorv which called up q controversy Al the break
ing c,1t n rhe Russo-Japanese War. Knowing that
there was large Russian element IN my audience.
7 naturally counted on z rousing response 70 my
patriotic appeal ] got II. but not in the manner
which expected
IN q moment vas overwhelmed with an ava
Ianche ~ hisses. wells whistlings and stampings
from the gallery 7 held my own as best ] could.
but beat graceful retreat as possible after the
storm subsfded 7 was n go a second time 70
introduce the second part Of the programme At
the stage door Nine Linef met me, her face white
with fear. and begged me TO avoid all kind or ad-
rniring illusions 10 Russia A state. / thought
the advice wise and followed it, believing that
discretion the better part Of valor. at least in
the face of such q foe
Our lecture recitals were repeated subsequently
IN other places-I can recall Brooklyn and Boston
but never ventured again 10 stir Up the feelings
% Russian refugees. Nine. Lineff took her choir
70 the Columbian Exposition and there gave con-
certs, publishing little book Of words and ex-
planarions, for which 7 wrote introduction
Afterward she came 70 Nev-Eork. where heard
of her n connection with Russian art exhibition.
Then she drifted ont Of local notice. and I heard
nothing more of her until 7 received a book with
the following title: The Peasant Songs Of Great
Russia as They Are in the Folks HarLnoniZation.
Collected and Transcribed from Phonograms by
Eugene IAneh Published by the Imperial Acad-
eray Of Science. The First Series. St. Petersburg
Sold by Davis Mutt, Long Acre. London. for Eng
land and America"
From a statement IN the Introductory chapter
~ this book fl appears that II is the outcome. IN
part q six years Of work, 10 which she i'm
pened by her experiences in America. where she
vas frequently questioned about the foIk-songs OF
her native land and the in which they
were sung The chief object OF this collection.
che says 'fs 70 give the most accurate possible
record OF the peasant part-song. without any al
-erations and improvements just II is sung by
Ice people and thus 10 contribute 70 the eiabora-
ton OF G correct method for writing down speci-
mems of the popular genius. both regards the
music and the words. which are inseparebly con-
nected with each other"
Nine. LireT says that hers In the drst attempt
ever made TO record Russian folk-songs by
means of the phonograph To the best OF my
knowledge this method OF study originated in the
United States. Mr. Fewkss made Photographic
records Of the songs OF the Zuhi Indians about nf
teen years ago: I noted some OF the ceremonial
hymns and chants OF the IroQuols on the reserve
u the Six Nations, IN Canada, with the help OF
ae instrument in 1892; Miss Alice c. Fletcher sub
equentIy used II IN collecting Omaha songs and
has been employed by others I stiII have cylin-
er records Of Nine LAneffs singing OF Russian
olk-songs. II is safe. therefore 10 say that Nine
,inen carried back 10 Russia the purpose 10 use
ne phonograph. together with the determination
70 gather folk-songs from the Russian peasants at
first hand.
she led 10 this by the unsatisfactory charac-
ter OF the szlsdns collections. the controversies