New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-28
MUSIC
Another Celebration of List.

Another Celebration of List.
II was Doctor Johnson, or some other
solemn individual OF a critical land there
fore very objectionable disposition. who
once suggested that every accepted literary
classic ought TO he brought forth after
century and subjected 10 examination as
20 its value. In the case Of musical conf
positions tho tooth OF time as rule re-
leves the later critic cor tho public which
he represents. or thinks he represents. or
hopes he does-so he be wisel Of the task.
Musical works ones which have lived in
the concert room or opera house one hun
dred years. have by that very fact proved
their excellence. thereafter there IS moth
ing to be done on the part Of the critical
philosopher save 10 expound. II he can,
wherein their approved merits lie. and OK
plain, If he can. why that elemental force.
public taste, stiH tolerates them: for. I'm
sense, music is the most arbitrary and
lawless Of the arts being not a reproduc-
ton or imitation Of things that he. but
free projection 90 the human Will Under
the circumstances. Dr Johnson's dictum
III II was DR.. JohnsOn'sl might very prop
erly be changed to make the period OF re-
examination every fifty years, CT. better
still. every generation. or even every
seven years. within which period We used
to be taught the human animal undergoes
a complete change Of physical integument.
This would Justify more frequent ami
versary celebrations than custom now per
mits 10 concert giyers. Who need them
badly for advertising purposes.
Just now the thoughts Of the musical
world are turned 20 List Why? Because
lac was born one hundred years ago. Ills
music is not a century old, but most Of il
at least sixty years Shall it, therefore, be
subjected 20 examination as 10 It's validity
Shall il be treated as Or. Johnson tor
whatever pompous individual il was who
uttered the text for this discourse) thought
the literary classics ought 10 be treated
lie would ne a brave critic who would vent
ure to 30 it i'm the face Of propasandists
who have pre-ompted the forum on this
his centennial year. Like some other arts,
music is become cerebral. and there is no
music ike LISTS to excite the cerebral
functions 10 invite words. words words
They make their own music-is not that
enough? Surely f. must hc 80 I'm the
opinion Of those who write them. Does the
music of his great predecessors and con-
temporarics call for such profound studies
cf the masterpieces OF poetry and plastic
arts. OF physiology and psychology as we
are told aro az the bottom Of his SYM
rhonies. symphonic poems and pianoforte
pieces? 40 But those earlier master
,.f-, in f.
infancy. and creative imagination was still
childish So were tho worlds great epics-
hut holy simplicity, Who would dare 10
see an argument in that? II after more
than half century a hundred times as
many pages are written every year 10
prove that LISTS Faust symphony Is a
great work than were over written 10 al
test the beauty OF any one ~ Beethoven
symphonies is the fact significant Is
rot somebody protesting too much VINO
shall dare make such an assertion with
conductors preaching List orchestras play
ing List. music shop windows and the
Century Theatre foyer displaying LIsztian
relics and the whole visible musical world
scarlet with "a subcutaneous Eruption Of
List?
conductors preaching List" What an
awful thought might he invited by the re-
mark If am ono were brave enough 10 en-
courage n, suppose somebody were 10
print I'm parallel columns the opening
remarks Of the conductor and the closing
remarks II the unhappy individuals who
have endured two hours Of the Faust
symphony and the variations" patient.
long suffering. much abused term1 on
"Dies irae." for instance What ought 70
he done 20 HIM Is there In such case
"puuishuent 20 fl tho crime Is boil
ing oil or melted lead sufficiently pleasant
and lingering?
Yet NIr. Walter Damrosch and NJ. Har-
old Bauer and the orchestra Of the sym
nrruy Society made such an Offering 10 the
names Of List. whose laureiled effisv
rracad the stage % the Century Theatre
tho Faust symphony. with its multitude
nous balf-nllle runs for a leap over the
t-~ee-foot hurdle, It's many meloclous
hes" and its beautiful graces quavers
and divisions bestowed upon then for
and from" 10 the eternal honor Of our
English narticiples. as Addison might have
reiterated had he been present and the
so-called "Todtentanz And what these
admirable. well meaning. kindly intentioned
artists could do in this manner for the
greater glory Of List they did. and did It
nobIv But the ordeal which followed Mr..
r,,,,roecr's expositcrv address was OBJ
viously trying 10 the audience