Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-26
ruE rsYCnoLOGY OLE SINGING: !;

Rational Method of Voice Culture
based on Scientific Analysis of all
systems. Ancient and Modern. BY
David c. Taylor New York: The
Macmillan Company. Washington:
3rcutano'S.
80 HE author bases his work on
the proposition that there is
a general feeling throughout
the entire vocal profession of
the insufficiency of present
krox, edge of the voice. and he declares
.jsat the problem of the correct manage
n1eut of the vocal organs has not been
finally and definitely solved. in short
ti,at voice culture has not been reduced
a. an exact science. This is because tone
production has not been studied from the
purely scientific standpoint. Mr.. Taylor
las undertaken an exhaustive analysis
al HE vocal action, prefaclng TINS py
detailed review of every method OF In
;,truction in singing now in vogue. lie
,.oDfcSseS that his work is of necessity
academic in conception and substance
its only purpose being to demonstrate
Tho falsity of the idea of mechanical vocal
mana cement and to prove the sc1entinc
soupdneSs of instruction by imitation
He closes his work with an outline of a
practical method of voice culture when
takes into account the psychological con-
rtition of the student and the individual
temperament. The work is certain to be
of deep interest to all students of the
art OF singing.
THE BOOK OF GEORGIAN VERSE.
Chosen and Edited with Notes by
William Stanley Braithwaite, Editor
Of The Book of EliZabethan Verse.
New York and Washington: Bren-
tanoS.
This anthology is the second of series
nf WI to
entire range of British poetry from the
publication of Totters Miscellany. 1901.
to the end of the Victorian epoch. The
first volume comprises the EliZabethan
period. the third will embrace the verse
of the restoration era and the fourth
and concluding volume Victorian verse.
The editors purpose has been 10 present
absolutely typical examples of all the
styles marking the verse production of
the Georgian period of English culture.
He has divided his selections into four
books. each quite similar i'll the general
grouping of poems associated in feeling.
The work is beautifully printed in con-
venent size and with excellent typograph
zeal effect with Il wealth of notes ex
planatory of the text, a glossary. an index
of authors embracing biographical out
lines an index of titles and finally an
index of first lines.
YOUNG PEOPLES STORY OF MUSIC.
By Ida Prentice Whitcomb. author
of Young Peoples Story of Art"
Illustrated. New York: Dodd. Mead
< Co. Washington: Brentano's.
The author declares this to be Just
little glimpse into the great world of
music 1t includes a description of the
song and dance and the curious instru-
mentation of the olden time and in the
modern day 1t touches upon the lives of
the great composers. 1t is profusely il
Illustrated with portraits of composers and
scenes from operas and also representa-
tions of classical instruments and dances.
To the young student of music such a
volume will prove of distinct value in
stimulating an interest in the history of
the musical art.
THE ART OF PAINTING IN THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY. BY Ed
mund Won Mach, Ph.D., recently in
structor in the department of the
fine arts, Harvard University, author
of Outlines of the History of Paint
ing" Boston: CHM & Co.
DR.. Won Mach in this instructive little
book confines himself strictly to nine
teenth century art. He divides his work
into chapters according to geography. de-
voting one to French, one to German one
to British and one to American painting.
another to painting in Italy, Spain and
the Netherlands, and the concluding chap
ter to painting in Russia. Denmark and
Scandinavia. In each instance he treats
briefly of the leaders and influences which
have affected the art of the country The
illustrations are in admira BILE taste COW
ering a wide scope of subjects. Some of
them are artistically reproduced in semi
tone.
TURKEY AND THE BALKAN STATES;
Described by Great Writer'S Col
lected and Edited by Esther Single
ton Numerous Illustrations. New
York: Dodd, Mead & Co. Washing
ton: BrentanO'S.
Miss Singleton's latest anthology Of
description relates to a part of the world
which is of particular interest at this
time, owing to the conflict OF political in
fuences and the working out of a new
regime in Turkey under constitution
Naturally such work does not touch
upon conditions of these days save as the
past has bearing upon the present In
this respect any study Of the Balkan
states involves much reliance upon what
has gone before. This book however
deals largely with the physical and social
conditions of the Balkan region. Miss
Singleton supplies several chapters deal
ing particularly with the history of the
various states of the Balkan territory
As usual with her works, this volume is
handsomely illustrated from photographs
HOW TO UNDERSTAND ELECTRICAL
WORK; a Simple Explanation Of
Electric Light. Heat. Power and
Traction in Daily Life. BY William
III. Onken, jr., associate editor the
Electrical World, and Joseph s.
Baker, technical editor. L. S geo
logical survey. With Dictionary
OF Electrical Terms prepared by
Joseph II. Adams. Illustrated New
York: Harper Il Brothers.
admirable illustration IF the extent TO
which tho electric current has entered in
10 modern life. 1t portrays New York
from the top OF skyscraper al ter dark
bnd were il not for the descriptive line
one might imagine II tn he a portrayal
IF New York in confagration. The au-
thors have addressed their book to the
American boy Their purpose Is 10 ex
plain briefly the various uses of cleo
ir'ci,y. avoiding the confusing techni-
caiities which appeal only to the expert
and YET retaining enough OF the scien-
tine terminology to instruct the young
reader The law of cause and effect is
held strictly in view so that the Young