New-York tribune., 1906-04-03
MUSIC.
Il Concert of American Music.

Many Ill advised. unwise and futile things have
been done in the course of the musical season now
drawing to a close. but perhaps nothing III ad-
vised, so uuwise. so futile inutile and so de-
structive OF its professed ends as the enterprise
of the New Music Society. It's purpose is TO make
propaganda for the compositions of American com
posers which. II asserts. do not receive sufficient
exploitation Its method has been 10 come in al
the close Of a season unexampIed In the history
OF the city for the extent variety OF its offer
ings. and ask public sated and faded with music
to forget Its WEAKNESS and give support 20 con
certs which by reason of their nature, ask kind.
ness OF interest and cOseness OF attention greater
than those challenged by the scores OF better en-
tertalnments that have preceded them. Worse than
that, it resorts to policy which has already
grown TO proportions that threaten not only the
dignity but the future Of high class orchestra
music Our local orchestras are all mendicants
now How much longer will the hat be passed
around successfully? AS for the genera propo-
siton touching the means which have been adopted
toward an end which one would be churlsh
enough to quarrel with. the society has suggested
an answer by the two programmes which il has
put before the audiences that have attended the
concerts The good music performed March Il
and last night at Carnegie Hail had all been
heard before stood In the way OF per-
fornance in the future under better
auspices; the poor needed not 10 have been
heard at all, far tue public were concerned,
and the performance which served an educational
purpose for the composers might better have been
given under other conditions Any movement look
ing to the help of American composers by permit
ting them TO hear their fsRcful creations with the
physical ought to be encouraged. for it Is very
true that in music hearing. and hearing alone. IS
believing. Had Mr. Shepherd. who carried on the
Paderewski prize last summer with his Overture
Joyeuse been privileged 10 hear IL before giving II
to the public. he would. doubt, have been able
70 refine its crudes OF Instrumentation and put
in shape which would have made II more appeal
n 81
patriotcally inclined. and as eager as they are
willing to give hearing to every composition OF
real merit Had Mr.. Huss heard his violin con-
certo. which played at the concert last night
he would certainly have realized that in the present
mudded and dslocated state OF its orchestral part
public performance could neither bring him nor
the American school of composers honor. nor add
to his reputation Miss PoweIs splendid skill and
more than splendid devotion could not lnfuse into
the work a plea for another hearing from public
accustomed to hear the best Of music in this and
all other fields. Least Of all could il formulate
indictment against artists and conductors because
Of their neglect of it heretofore.
Fluent utterance OF musical thoughts which
! were at best graceful rather than consequential
marked the Two Contrasted Pieces by David
| Stanley Smith. the first of which. somewhat
| burdened with its NIltonic title, n Pense-
roso' with its abrupt solo opening. created
| an impression like a poem or story begin
ming with a conjunction:-and. if. but or nor.
! The opening and closing pieces belong in the
category of compositions already heard on the
| highway to a hearing They were Mr. Chadwtcks 8
| .'Melpomene' overture and Mr. Frederick Con-
verses Mystic TIumpeter. The centre of gravity
/ in the concert was found In the latter compost
/ ton which has received performance from the
| Boston Orchestra, and will in all likelihood make
/ a place in local repertories we'll. Mr.. Converse
| is in no danger of being neglected He has some
/ thing to say and most refined and ingenious way
| of saying it-a modern way, which catches the
/ fancy of the ultra romanticists without offending
the ears the theories of the conservatives. The
/ Mystic Trunpeter' is interesting music and
charming; il would also be interesting and charm
| ing had it come from France or Germany.
| II. E. X.