New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-04
INSPIRING MUSIC
Disgrace for This City To Re With
out Summer Concerts.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Since your paper has been cham
pion Of music, wish that you take into con-
alteration that it is truly a disgrace TO
city Of 5.5OOOOO inhabitants like New YORK
not 70 have any better summer music than
the screaming pandemonium OF street or
gan Music is and remains one OF the most
vital aesthetic mediums 20 refine ana upiII
society. Without any exception most OF the
towns and cities Of continental Europe long
ago introduced summer music IN the city
parks as they realize the great spiritual IN
hucnce that it exercises upon the masses
Neither in Germany, Scandinavia, Italy nor
Russia can you find single town above
% 900 inhabitants that does not have nice
band or orchestra playing in the city parks
during the summer months. Even towns OF
1000 inhabitants have their park orcheStras'
Nv Russian estates are near the town
Werrc. the Russian Baltic provinces. That
town has hardly more than 1000 inhabitants
Yet il has an orchestra of fifteen lnstru-
ments. strings wood and brass, playing even
ings in the park. In average, III per cent
Of the city budgets Of Russia is spent on
music and art In the Russian army there
are 10000 musicians, kept merely for that
purpose. which is nearly equal TO the Onlted
States standing army. The New 10TH ny
administration is saving money by aooIlsh-
ing the summer music in the parks bu.
in actualitv It acts against the welfare OF
its inhabitants. -,
The previous administrations of New York
,odo SLIGHT ottempts 10 establish some kind
Of summer music in the parks. Arnold Nolpe
lot in matter.
orchestra gave first class music at least, IN
the Central Park. The former Park Com
missioner Slower was sympathetic to the
idea. and the effect was satisfactory.
II is truly terrible 10 observe in our public
marks that the people working hard during
the week dc not have even chance TO enjoy
few minutes music during the Sundays
Music is more than religion. II inspires
the mind 20 oftier aspirations have seen
that the thousands Of the New York lnhabl-
tants who come 70 spend the- Sundays IN
the Bronx Park find it silent and dead IKE
a grave. Where do you find such park IN
Europe dead" during the sumner months :!
When the city administration can spend
millions on its various departments 1t is a
shame that il cannot spend few thousands
on music Saving money on music IS spend
ing money foolishly at the expense of peoples
nobler qualities.
There are thousands of poor musical artists
in New York, and hundreds of them are starv-
ing Every one Of them would be only glad
10 earn a few dollars and give such JOY
and inspiration TO the thousands Of hearers.
The New York rich man naturally does not
care for the summer music, as he lives out
in the country. Besides, he feels burdened
enough through the excessive taxes. For that
reason it is the duty of the city 70 look after
the vital matter
How ignorant our city fathers are in ques-
tons pertaining 20 music is proven by the
fact that they refused TO support the $1,000 Of
the New York singers of twenty-three foreign
nationalities when they wished 20 give a large
music festival in this city last summer, to
commemorate the tercentenary Of the city.
What pity that our New York politicians
are deaf musically The city even would
not give space and grant protection for the
men who would be willing to secure music
for the people That this is a fact | can
prove by my own experience. Some steps
ought TO be taken in this matter Immediately.
IVAN NARODNY.
New York. June 30 1915.