The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25
CRITICS IN LONDON
RAP FUTURIST MUSIC
Herr Schoenberg's Composition
Called "vague, Scrappy
and IncOherent.'
TNCOMPREHENsIBLE NOISE
Viennese Composer Writes in
Hicroglyphics, Says One
Newspaper.
Special Cable DespdtcA to The sux.

Special Cdb1e DesDdtch to The Sun
LONDON. Jan. 2i.-Rather more than a
year ago the last word. or perhaps ono
should say >the last note. In music was
deployed before London's most musical
audience at Queens Hall by Herr Schoen-
berg. Viennese futurist composer. IL,
came along quietly. The critics were not
prepared for him and took little notice OF
his work and, as cabled to THE SuN at
the time. the only notable feature OF the
performance was that for the first time
on record a Queens Hall audience broke
out Into loud boos and other unmusical
signs of disapproval. This was duly
chronicled III the London papers. but lit
tie or nothing was said OF the music
which called forth such an extraordinary
demonstration.
Now. however. Herr Schoenberg has
paid Queens Hall a second visit This
was duly heralded and London's musical
critics assembled to listen to his five
pieces" played by tho Queens Hal, or
chestra under the composers baton. Ven
turing. as "A mere laynau, to c-iticise Herr
Schoenberg's music. one wonders what
London's brilliant band of critics would
write OF clever pract!ca! Joker who
placed before them some sheer fake with
all apparent solemn.ty.
The critics all agree that Herr Schoen-
bergs music Is incomprehensiblc. The
audiences agree that it is incompre-
hensiblc noise. The critics while practi-
cally agreeing to this verdict humbly sug-
gest that the fault Is theirs and not Herr
schoenbergs. The Globe says:
1T Is not music in any sense I'm which
that term has hitherto been understood
but suggests that English ears are too
gross for such distinguished discords.
The Daily Mail declares: I'VE are too
agile. That Is what makes us think In
haste. Herr Schoenberg's sudden turn
ings are extravagantiy elusive or bizarre.
The truth Is he writes in hieroglyph!cs
and We are not expert enough 10 under
stand him The Daily Telegraph con
fssses that any meaning OF the music is
impossible Of discovery. but adds: 'lf We
did not grasp his purpose we ar. quit.
prepared to believe that the fault was
ours"
The Westminster Gdsefts evidently
wants TO give verdict tina. the music
~ vague. scrappy and incoherent." bu,
pleads humbly that the same would be
SAID 10y thousands of uncultured music
,rve-s Of even sacn music = the later
works OF Beethoven. to say Sothtng OF
Strauss and Debussy, so who would be
20 enough to say -ha" We may not sec
daylight in Schoenberg's case In due
cours. of time
TIE ICU MAI Gazette critic also can
net disguise his dislike of the music. but
admits that "the day may come when 1t
may be as satisfying as that OF Wagner
ard Brahms" The Times Is rather more
severe. but qualities its criticism BY say
'ux that the pieces may become intelligi-
bic 1T time. although they are altogether
inconprehens!oie now"
Herr Schoenbers has been quite the
musical feature OF the winter season and
with the help Of his nervous London
critics mas provided even more fun than
the majority OF the music hall revues de-
spite the desperate efforts OF the latter at
hunlor.
Arnold Schoenberg was born IN 1919.
He has wide fame on the Continent, espe-
cially at Berlin and Vienna. where his
symphonic vagaries, Notwithstanding
much ridicule. made him the most dis
cussed modern composer. Opinions as to
his real status are most divergent.
His compositions began to attract at
tcntion decade ago and Richard Strauss
and other composers took notice OF them.
Schoenbery does not describe his cornpo-
stions as OF the futur.st or post-lmpres-
sionist order. although these terms ure
usually applied TO them. His creed Is
thus summed up in his own writings:
An artist creates nothing that Others
regard as beautiful, but only what Is
needful to himself"