The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1908-07-10
CHURCH MUSIC SENSUOUS
so SAYS MISSOURI MINISTERS;
NORFOLK MINISTER'S DENY.
GRAND OPERA CALLED "RoTTEN''

GRAND OPERA CALLED "RoTTEN''
A heterogeneous Mass Of Howine."
Ludwig koeniestein OF Norfolk De-
tends Wagner, Called worst Of All
Composers
Norfolk ministers will not agree
with Rev. Charles II. Bohn, rector of
the Episcopal church of Nevada, Mo,
and secretary.treasure OF the Mis-
souri, State Music Teachers associa-
ton, who says that half the music
played and sung in the church is SEN
suous and awakens passion in those
who hear 1t. 1t does harm and not
good. You take your sweetheart to
church expecting spiritual uplft,
but instead your sensuous emotions
are kindled by the music you hear.
Some of the music is as bad in its
effect as the worst music you could
hear in the worst concert hall. Comic
/
positive harm to those who hear it.,
but not much more than our church
music"
Rev. Edwin Booths Opinion.
Il don't care whether people say an
oratorio is good or not for it is merely
their own judgment and not the
music" declared Rev. Edwin Booth,
pastor of the First Congregational
church of Norfolk. 81 have heard in
appropriate music but do not believe
that harm is often meant. The good old
songs were usually written under an
inspiration and are simple enough for
the majority of the people | fear
though that many of the modern song
books are merely published for the
profits.
II have just returned from the
Oberlin college commencement where
l was delighted to hear the highest
grade of music in the way of oratorios,
glee club concerts and orchestra pro-
grams rendered by talented musi-
clans"
DR.. Ray Defends Church Music.
mo, do not believe that the church
music of today is tending towards the
sensuous," was the reply of DR.. C.
w. Ray. pastor of the First Methodist
church. "Music is uplifting and is a
great inspiration in any religious SER
vice. To be sure there are exceptions
when music is too light and frivolous,
but | have heard "The Messiah" and
other oratorios rendered SO we'll by
trained singers that the air itself
seemed to resound the praises of the
heavenly father. But poor choir
would destroy the sentiment of any
good selection"
BONN Has Support in Macon.
Rev. G. H. Bohn is backed however,
in his statement by President Oscar
Hawley of the same association who
lives at Macon, Mo. The latter de-
clares, moreover, that grand opera is
"rotten" and silly" and the profess
sional musician who plays a musical
instrument for living knows as
much about music as toad knows
about the higher criticism.
"Grand opera is just a heterogen-
eous mass of bowling" he says. at
is neither real, ideal nor poetic. Did
you ever know a lover to propose by
bowling at his sweetheart? Did you
ever know of couple making love by
bawling at each other? That is what
they do in grand opera. l know every
opera that was ever written, and of
them all Wagner's is the worst"
L. koenigstein Defends Wagner
zone who does not appreciate
that state of artistic proficiency which
must be attained to interpret the
high grade music" says Ludwig
Koenigstein of this city. Wagner,
probably the worlds greatest compos-
err, is the only member of his school
positions are an inspiration when we'll
rendered.
"The greatest composers are turn
ing to the era of Bach, Strauss, RACER
and Debussey, who wrote music not
for money but for arts sake.
Now too many of our modern
hymns have so much Of the sensation
al that they cease to be sacred.
Grand opera is grammatical con-
struction of themes. One must study
the plot and dramatic art for there is
always beautiful moral lesson
taught"
Another Norfolk Musician Speaks.
This minister is undoubtedly a pessi-
mist and not educated to the proper
statements, though, of course there
is always room for improvement in
regard to our general church music
do not believe that we ever had bet
ter music than now To he sure no