The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-05-13

Language fades before thy spell!
Why should feeling ever speak
When thou can'st breathe her soul so well Z!
Yes truly potent is the spell that Music eXer'
cises over the human hear-a spell too, that IS felt
not only by its devotees but even by those indfter
ent to ordinary language, whose hearts 1t can raise
to the lofties heights of enthusiasm.
The socability engendercd by the cultivation OF
music binds together the varied clements OF socl-
ETY. with far stronger bonds of mutual sympathy
than do any of the other fine arts Nor IS music III
any way partial in the distribution OF its blessings
Its magic force sways alike the monarch bowed
down with the cares of state, and the lowlicst sub
iect in whose heart it rekndles loyalty and patriot
ism.
As the light and power of the glorious
tiers into the tiny dew drop, well as into the
mighty stream, musics power enters INTO the
soul even of the lowliest enrichng poverty and in
spring latent force. Even the guileless babe, u-
conscious of aught save mothers gentle care
tenderly drifts away to dreamland on musics out
spread wings, and when in after years, mayhap UNI
belief and love of gain have darkened the enthusi-
astic aims of youth how often is the soul, hardened
TO all pure motives, overcome by the rush of memo
ries sprnging from the re-awakening echoes of
mothers lullaby!
What is all nature in its every guise but the
harmonious outpourings of divine love! What Is
the rythmic order of the universe but the echo Of
the word which broke the primal stiffness.
God spake and though the soundless realms of
space
The keynote of created music rolled
And time felt harmony within its hold
What Is all music but the attempt of genius to
reproduce the many-voced harmonies of nature;
or the effort to give rhythmic expression to the in
ner emotions of the soul. Now the masters melo-
dies sing out clear and ripping like a spring in
a forest laughing among the flowers; again they
sound serious and solemn like soft and myster-
ious whispers III grave at night"
But all true music from the simplest melody to
the grandest oratorio, must be dominated by some
definite idea and it is in giving expression to this
that the personality of the artist is revealed. His
inspiration may spring from hope, JOY, sorrow
love, the 'keynotes of song" that impart that
depth and intensity which distinguishes all true
art
Do not the tender pathos and dreamy simple
ity of Chopin breathe through his beautiful
Cradle Song :" and do we not hear the ring Of
the fire and passion of Beethoven tempered, it
is true by minor strain of melancholy, sound
ing from all the sonatas of this great tone-master!
Nor is this true of the individual only but even
of nations; indeed the surest index of nations
spirit is its music. Emanating from the people
and growing out of their very life, it mirrors their
daily cares, their generous self-sacrfcc and their
spiritual development.
What sweet sadness and mystic grace underlies
the spritely strains of the music of Ireland!
What sparkling naivete and vivacious brilliancy
pervades that of France! What sauvity and
gracefulness the Italian music, what bracing
ergy and convincing strength the German! While
our own American, though pleasing and impressive
has yet to receive the impress of its people.
Music, the finest of the fine arts, is probably
as old as man, and at all times has it been the
medium through which man has given expression
to his better nature Nor is there any nation. how
ever crude but lays claim to some form of this
universal language" of the soul. Its influence is
felt alike in the melancholy chant of the savage,
and the sublime creations of List and Beethoven.
But though all nations pay homage to music, i'll.
no country is its culture so widespread in our
own America. Few are debarred from music's in
huence in country where the very prairies
sound with the sweet strains borne from the
ranchers modest cabin.
Perhaps none of the other fine arts is so eff
rching character. But why does music constant
ly appeal to our higher nature! Simply because
it comes from God, and when rightly directed, it
must needs lead back to its Divine source.
Ah never Is this heaven-born gift so royal as
when it wreathes its charms around religion; and
when song the daughter of prayer" unites with
her sister, music in outpouring praises to God
then do listening souls touched with musc-won
grace echo responsive TO these twin revelations of
the good, the true, and the beautiful.
CLARA O'CONNELL
Academic 'O5 and graduate in Conservatory of
Music '05.
Sacred Heart Academy Ogden Utah