The Washington times., 1910-10-08
Cost Secondary to Band
Leaders, Declares Writer
In Mail Bag.
BIG CITY PROGRAMS
SHOWN DIVERSIFIED
Popular AS Well AS Classical Music
Contribute 10 Sousa's
Success.
To the Editor OF The washington rImss:

To the Editor OF The Washington Times:
In reference to many articles for
and against the programs of Lieuten-
ant Santelmann. there are a number
OF sides to almost any question. and
this column is valuable as a medium
OF hearing different opinions. 1t is,
however only fair that personality
should not enter into such discussion
The point in question should be strict
ly adhered TO.
To deride Lieutenant Santelmann, TO
belittle his musicianship. to make
comparison with other bandmasters.
is not a fair way to treat the sub
jcct
This question all comes to the point
OF what music is for. II these concerts
are meant simply TO please, 10 lightly
divert, 10 be ear tickiers." then let
them be given with the light touch
that many people seem TO wish.
But behind such presentation would
be an entire lack Of nobility Of pur-
pose. Art, which includes musical art
concerns Ideals. Music in its best
sense is a language OF the spirit. In
spired, adding 10 our sense OF beauty.
full Of breadth. impressive, touching,
uplifting.
In its full significance II should
gradually reach ;he masses. How
may this be best accomplished? There
should be some standard
Just as art commissions are being
created TO beautify cities, as archi-
tecturaI societies are demanding GER
tain standards, so IN music for the
public should such influence be felt
IL -
good programs. Lieutenant Santel-
mann should have the support and
commentator Of every serious minded
person.
For any bandmaster lacking ideals
should court suggestions from an au-
thOrity.
II is a question Of how the public
nav best be educated in such mat
tiers. An entire program Of light
music viii never educate, for the es-
sentials viii be lacking. To surfeit
with heavy programs viii depress and
keep people away. Lieutenant Santel-
mann's idea seems to be 10 have some
Of each kind Of music on his programs.
Mr.. SOusa in the "Etude" for october
writes:
If 7 played all Wagner. all Listz, s-rl
Beethoven, all Strauss and Debussy
DO not believe that I should be able
to help as many people as can by at
tracing a certain element by means
Of some tuneful and often trite compost
tious that they can understand Ihey
come and hear great masterpieces and
in q few years they may be among the
ranks OF those who ciamor against the
very pieces which brought them 10 the
concerts originally"
II would seem that these two promi-
nent men IN their especial work are
in fair accord
The following is a program OF
Nathan Franko's Orchestra given in
Central Park, New York during the
past summer before an audience OF lAVJ1
people"
'',Fhe Star-SpangIed Banner" Marche
SoIenneIle, Caesar Cui; Overture, Max
imilian Robespierre,' Litolff; Allegret-
10 ScherZando, symphony No. 5. Bee
thoven; Prize Song from die Meister-
singer" WAGNER; Fantaisie OF the mu-
sic drama ''Salome' (first time), Rich
ard Strauss: Overture. Der Fret
schultz" Weber: DANA piemontezi
FIRST time, Sinigaglia; Selections from
Nine. Butterfly Pucinf; Melody Din
Instrumentation by d'Indy). Rubinstein;
Dance OF the Hours" from La Gio-
COnda" Ponchielh; DoVOlOgy.
Why should the representative band
Of the country in the Capital Of the
country give a less dignifed program
than thiS2
It would be interesting 70 hear the
opinion Of other musicians, organists,
teachers, on this subject.
OTTO TORNEY SIMON.
Musical Director Molet Choir.