New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-12


sn.erdId inspiration for every art. IL
is different DO Europe; the inspiration
"a not needed. Music continues and
tbriyes In the Old World because 1t
IA q Part OF the existence OF the peo-
ME. They are all brought up with
music in their homes and in their
schools. They know 10 as they know
tbeir A 3 C's; they DO not have 20
eek new and tremendous Inspiration
influences powerful enough 70 cut q
channel through prevailing interests.
"But in America you did not start
with music when you were young ma
ton: IN d way, you did not start as
.our. nation al all. IL always seems
10 me that this country began life as
youth. not a child. Usually the be
Ginning OF music rs in the infancy OF
he nation. when there are no conven-
uoral boundaries 70 the emotions
when the people crave some rlch eN-
pression FOR their vita. interests, when
All Of life Is activity, spOntaneity' and
when people are not shut away from
natures storehouse Of inspiration
when they are looking up 10 the SKY
ont TO the woods hourly, when each
dav takes them down pathways that
are full of beauty and fragrance which
must have expression IN ballad OF
chant. In the dance Of the warrior or
the song Of the lover.
America has had no long, slow cen
turtles Of simple, primitive existence;
Her early struggles were not the ora
battles OF warriors over maldens OF
OF nations seeking 10 possess each
others hunting grounds ana pressure
places. From the start you were more
conventional, more grown UP. feopIe
came from other worlds VINO we're no
happy. and settled IN Amer..' WIZ
hsir own specialized ways, Ni .aell
Az, social attitude and relIl OF al
r,t5y- made. If they fought battles IT
wsslgainst the aborigines whose land
bsv needed: 10 was not 20 protect
s,rsnt homes and traditional art
This way was essential, but not 50
pieturesque. and II started your nation
pss. the time Of early thrilling days
Of romance. in which music and poetry
have time % take deep root IN the
hearts Of the people. ,ts- -
"Wher art comes early In the ne OF
nation IL Is the expression OF InaI
reople's emotional interest IN beauIy'
Wfsr b comes later. and civilization
is fuu aedged. u is born OF a conNem-
torsl sUpreciation Of the world 5
s.sndards of beauty. The early music
vsIs up out OF great love, great JOY
great. splendid response 20 nature IN
Ie.fs+er life OF a nation art comes
fro-, an sppreciation Of what - adds
% LIE. from q sense OF It's oecoTS'Is
Importance. In other words, one, -
born o. On emotion and one OF an iuea ;
Wagner. strangely enough, eomoinea
both the traditional and tae mooet Il
POINT Of view in his music. he hau
ne great idea Of new rellgioh lOI
the world. a religion that couId NJ
lcnger be held ia the grasp OF the goqs'
that must be reborn through eno
splendor and tragedy Of human row
and sacrifice. IN the music OF otI ,Iaa
Won feel the pounding Of great ldea'
vou Eel suddenly that he is breaking
down conventional barriers that nave
held people away from. the intoTlcaIloh
and lov % music Beethoven had the
cres. IDEA Of bringing close 70 the
veople all pastoral beauty from the Oe-
ripoirg Of DAYS. Whatever has been
JOYOUS In pastoral lives, whatever mas
beea cad or thrilling or tendet OF
peaceful Beethoven mas reproduced lor
he worlds JOY and strength. -,
In America. I should say, you VIII
Rave for your later day music the
rtst idea % democracy, # freedom
ior all the people. This idea - eN-
messed !1 the very quality OF the
Neiter- landscape. IN the freedom
Rs.ness. the titanic grandeur, the, I'M
tceupied beautiful spaces, all these
hings sneak Of liberty, boundless op-
1trtunity Who that has ever seen tne
Grand Canyon a. sunset or IN the
Moonlight. or those great, hmiitlesss
Plains yelled IN rose and violet and me
re.lowirg gray Of twilight can tal 20
= profoundly impressed, richly IN
tusncsdi Such beauty and vastness
rust libsrato the spirit, and the itee
splri must eventually express some
ring % the force that has opened ING
windows Of l's soul
sltls HOPELESS 20 attempt 20 do any
tslng FOR middle age. 40 nation mas
ever dsvelopot art through It's grown
- people Il has developed much en-
loynsnt much culture, II has SHOWN
appreciation % art, as America mas
cone, Tor there Is an ever Increasing
love Of good music in this country, an
ever growing audience for grand opera
and Tor symphony concerts, but mat is
aei shat you are asking about IN
america You want your own musleal
ne, ycg want your own musical gen
i1iss, men who will have a vision Of
Nha' music should be In this country
Nhe vii. zee straight Into The hearts
q me people. Who will produce their
tpifsuOns. their ionPings, their love
beauty Who viii have the great
.ata Tor music from American inspira-
"sn. ne music o. the democracy the
As.ie Oh the free people.
% not mean Tor "a moment that
mere u no music in the American
1saool b1t there should be music ln
s1siy sehool-.n The public schools, The
WiFtA schools. the colleges, the uni
sfsitss, and always the best. do not
ne least believe In popular music
~ ne matsess / DO not believe there
such thing - good popular music.
Mink what yD1 call here your Tng
me u poifon. - poieons the very
s,sie' o. Jour musical growth, Tor %
y,.sSns the taste n the young. You
anh'l poison the spring N art and
pps Tor fresh. clear stream - flow
~ trd enrich lie
IRON tos Yery start. : should ray,
~ Jour yc1nI people the bert music
word nSs ever Known ~ every land.
~. %.