The Washington herald., 1914-09-21
OPTIMISM THE KEYNOTE
OF AMERICAN MUSIC
Recording Companies Report Ever
increasing Activity and Develop
ment in This Country.

ment in This Country.
Whatever may be the ultimate outcome
of the deplorable conflict now devastating
Europe, there seems to be a hopeful
unanimity OF opinion, among those who
are in a position to know, that musical
activities in America at least will suf-
fer little in either extent or quality as
a result. The developments Of the past
month have made this manifest to an
even greater degree than was apparent
at the outbreak OF hostillties.
Opera, it is true. will be materially af-
feCted through the cancellation OF the
Chicago and Boston seasons. but il seems
almost certain that the balance will be
maintained in increased activity in the
other and no less important provinces
of musical Interpretation. such as the
song recital, Oratorio, symphony orches-
ira and concerts. vocal and instrumental
Of all kinds. and these mainly by ma
tive artists. giving a welcome impetus
to the best development OF American
music.
A commendable appreciation Of these
conditions is found in the programs out
lined in the sound-record world for the
NOIllIltIli fIIlfnl OF lne season. L he O.
lumbia list for October. now at hand. is
conspicuous in its presentation OF sub
jects ranking high in interest to all true
music lovers throughout the Continent.
Destinn may or may not sing in the
Metropolitan Opera House this season.
but the superb voice OF this great artist
will be heard in the excellently selected
coupling Of operatic arias she has sung
for the Columbia Company. From Aida"
one Of Nine. Destinn's greatest roles. is
the beautiful 20 Cieli Azzuri." one of
the recognized gems of Vcrdrs most bril-
liant score. sung in the third act by the
young Ethiopian slave girl when over
come by the presentiment that she will
never again see her beloved native land.
The Prayer" from "TosCa," another
Of the most celebrated airs In all opera
whose purity and repose appear in bold
relief in this grim tragedy OF violence
and passion. is also sung in Nine. Des-
tinn's Incompatible manner.
An eminent American artist whose
record will be welcomed is Miss Kathleen
ParlOw, who, after an absence of some
length. reappears in the Columbia list
this month. Miss ParlOw's art seems
even more exquisite and natural. and
her reputation as the worlds greatest
woman violinist more unassailable. She
plays the ever-popular Rubinstein MEL
ody in F. and for the more seriously In
clined. ventures into the classic realm
Of Bach. recording his well-known Ga
Vote in f major.
1t is perhaps not sufficiently appreciat-
ed how perfect and mature an art may
be brought into play in the singing OF
the old American plantation airs. That
is We do not until an artist like Oscar |
Seagle sings them. In his recording Of |
Use Gwine Back to Dixie" Mr.. Seagle |
himself a native OF the South-reveals |
the depths that may be sounded in a sim /
pie old ballad OF this kind, and the record |
Is so far unique in its class.
The reopenng of the Century Opera !
season with Morgan Kingston returning |
as a leading tenor attaches added in |
terest in his two representative records |
Of operatic subjects in the vernacular, /
the excerpts being Samson's impassioned |
from the first act of Sam |
son and Delilah" and the Siciliana from |
Mascagnis "Cavalleria."
A quite remarkable new voice Is found |
in a double disc by Miss Carrie HerwIn |
an English contralto, said to be rapidly |
coming to the very front of English con- |
temporary musical activities. Miss Her |
wins songs are well chosen. one being !
popular Sunshine and !
Rain and the other THE Children's |
Home" by Frederick II. Cowen.
It would also not be fair to ignore a |
new record of Hawaiian melodies re- !
corded by native Hawaiians with truly |
delightful effect. nothing being lost Of
The haunting beauty of the music.
New and timely dances to supply the |
apparently inexhaustible demand are |
likewise much in evidence.