Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-28

they should formulate some scheme
whereby they could xplain to the people
what they are going to hear, and help them
to get some intelligent basis of listening"
(strange that this suggestion has to come
from a physician; 1t is worthy Of the most
serious consideration
And then the musicians should not play
and sing always for themselves. but should
take into confederation the fact that the
general run OF people are not unsteady
educated. They should not, Of course, lower
the standard of their music. but they should
bring their music into the minds and hearts
of their audience by assisting them to
understand
The fourth question as to the musical
writer's of the press was swered in a way
which deserves attention outside as we'll as
in Omaha. 1t was this: "The critics should
write for the public. not for the artists. or
the performers, nor for the profession.
Their duty is. as take it, TO tell the peo-
pie what was good and what was not good
in the music that they have been listening
to; they should not write gushingiy about
a performance. for that is merely report
ing their state of mind; IL is not giving
a readable criticism. They should avoid
NNNNhANoAANNS NV 6Nh'i hAANS w jul :
care to read them. l have heard musical
reports Of concerts ridicu,ed frequently
o
In replying to the last question of all the
doctor said. Just read what | have al
ready said and Think it over"
And let the musicians. professional and
amateur. and the music-loving people unite
in one great movement for the artistic
development of Omaha in every direction,
Beauty. Culture and Music"
When the Scottish poet wrote the follow
ing lines he penned an immortal truth;
80. would some power the giftie gle us
To see ourselves as others see US.
II would frae mony a blunder free us,
An foolish notion"
That is the reason for the action Of the
musical editor Of The Bee in trying to get
other peoples points OF view on the mu-
sicfans and the musical world Of Omaha
He has learned some valuable things and
has enjoyed the earnest perusal Of thes'
thoughts OF a well known Omaha physi.
clan who has been interested in the devel
opment OF Omaha for 10. these many years
-
The musical writer of The Bee has writ
ten many lines on musical criticism buf
never did he think Of that terse and tell
ing phrase, "repOrtsng one 5 stale OF MIN
instead Of reviewing the musical event.
Never was ne so startled as when he reaC
those words: Il do not know OF any worl
being done by the musicians as a class
That gives one pause. That is a serious
state OF affairs. And it is safe to sugges
hat perhaps the stern fact is true Of al
most all communities. some are doing goo,
choir work; some are doing good teaching
some are doing good singing; some, goo'
playing. but-there comes That uncomfortabl
challenge: Il do not know OF any worl
being done by musicians as a class
And then, that other clarion call: 'Th
musicians can all unite on one thing" Nov
is Il not strange that We have not though
Of that ourselves? we can unite on on
. thing. There are so many things On whicl
musicians cannot unite. just Ike politicians
statesmen, clergy, lawyers, doctors, meT
2 chants, but these all find, in their VAR
Gus walks Of life, some one thing on whio
they may unite.
E Here Is the actual thing put squarely be
I fore the musicians. They can unite on tn
matter Of bringing organizations here whic