New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-13
Modern Music Lacking
in Real CreativenesS
Composer. Are Chiefly Covering Old Thought: with
WI Nv, Veneer of Expression. Mere Transcription
Adds Nothing to the Sum of Art.
By II. L. KREHBIEL.

oR good many years past in fancy every student OF u
sic especially every reviewer of serious bent OF mind
has been at one with in the quest of individual and
~ note in composition There has been no lack OF freshly
oes covered with the symbols of which performers
sounds more or less agreeably ooordnaed That hooc
over us uninerruptedly and in increasing volume
,,,des But the symphonies, symphonic poems, operas
compositions when they have quckened Our
charmed stirred emotions, have geneI
n so because they have awakened memories, conscious
hconcous the good things learned to love long ago
music that says the critic but lacking in orig
49, .sUe, schop Ga ocsrcscnr as Rabbi Ben Akiba never
[ Of observing a classic play of the Germans But the
&c If the pieces call commonplace, "Oh, yes, inter
very, interesting indeed What it that was inter
-, The harmonizaon 1t hurt the and lett fancy and
-, untouched; but it ingenious very ingenious And
so with the orchestraton All the instruments speaking
vk All brass with ompions thrust into their hroatS
t. their native utterance. Did you note that gando on
~ .,r,bone in Rogers "Peeas and Melsande? Who ever
Ib Of that before? There effect Hideous OF
~ hut neresting-lke the punishment which the Mkado
70 te out to Ko-Ko in Gilbert and Suivans operetta
ING oil or melted lead" Something like that; something
Zinc but interesting The Mikado wasn't bit angry with
neither was Roger with the public when he conceived
~ etraton Of that dreadful noise element OF music
M wanted something and the feelings of their victims had
~ mace in their thoughts.
M lovers with refined sensiblties who believe that ru
Ike all the arts for that ought to be an expression OF
y the conception of which is old as civilization (eve
~ neopes have srven and still striving tor such an
M are decred as reactonares Perhaps they are reactonaes
m vhap there will be reproach in the term when the pres
great political and social revolution accomplished ana the
10y creative processes begin Now say those who are wiling TO
conservative if not reactonary There is no creative
w in music today Creation implies the bringing into life OF
t organisms combinations and novel Applications
,ng materials merely Technique at the command OF all
o are studous deermnedy persevering But perseVe
m cannot up for the lack OF the truly creative facu
can give vrtuosy in the handling OF clements 1t cannot pro-
m those clements in living manifestations In musical cofpo
s m master techncians covering old thoughts with
new veneer Of expression Violin players have Ionged Tor a
.nt OF their repeory for years The halt dozen or oo%en
aees in the concerto form, they say have been worn
b.si AS matter Of fact there only about as many
PLAYERS who can do Justice them there are aCcepaOe oo
s But fiddle technique high water and popular uhoe
standing and taste at low tide So the ingenious Mr. keisie
with m spicious and dropping eye on art and his pocket
book writes his earcklng arrangements OF odtahioned dance
music and the swarm virtuos and the listening multi
nd. have something to play and to enjoy But uS0 has
rot been enriched appreciation OF it lifted up TRANSCRIPTION
no, creation: it adds nothing to the sum OF art