The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-16
Music is the Universal Language" Says Mr. John c. Freund, the Able
 Editor of Musical America"
Ky DOLLY DALRYMpLR

1 66W@[NHEN was asked recently by
 WW the editor of one of the largest New York newspa- pers to make a statement as to the l greatest musical event of the season in the metropolis, I answered by saying that it was not the production at the Metropolitan opera of zadonais Fran 1 cesca di Rimini,' nor the interpretation | by the Philharmonic of Strauss The | Alpine Symphony nor yet the debut of the famous Italian soprano, Claudio Muzio, but the community chorus of New York, marching into Central park sing ing Christmas carols, and meeting 5000 people who joined in the presentation of The Messiah
 This in a sentence reveals not only MT. John c. Freund's views of music, but the work he is forging ahead and making a factor to be reckoned with all over the United States-pioneer work like he did in 1873, when he gave to America the first musical journal that was ever published in this country the slogan of which is Music for the masses, and not for the luxurious rich alone
 MT. Freund is very remarkable man; despite his 70 years, he is as active as 8 boy of 25; his clear, lucid mind his tremendous personal magnetism, his ab- solute sincerity and his great ability mark him as one of the geniuses of the day, a man who has pioneered through a period which few would have at- tempted with hue and cry against him with Berlin alone raising $16,OOO to fight him and his work because he had the courage of his convictions, to speak the truth.
 Mir. Freund is very distinguished looking man, an Englishman by birth, all though of German parentage; besides being editor of Musical America" he is also editor of ''The Music Trades sical industries of America today MT. Freund's work on his lecture tour is purely phlanthropic; he receives no recommendations for the spread of his propaganda, for the recognition of the work of American composers, artists, teachers; in fact, of all those connected with our musical life
 MT. Freund discovered some years ago the astounding situation that there is annually expended in this country for music of all kinds, exclusive of the mu- sical comedies, which are generally classed with the drama, the enormous sum of $600, ,000, 0O0 which is more than the money spent on the postal service, on the army, on the navy, and is almost as much as the value of the hay crop, which Is the leading crop of the coun- try immediately he turned his atten- ton to study of these conditions and slgnified his intention of doing some per- sonal work in the matter of investigat- ing why American music and American musicians lacked appreciation in their own country. He accepted invitations to appear before schools, music clubs and conventions and give his views as to how such conditions could be remedied
 But for an accident" said Mr. Freund Birmingham would have had the credit of the great movement now on foot for placing music on the right basis in Amer ica. When the call went out Birming- ham, not academic Boston, was the first city to be heard from, and to Birmingham really belongs the honor of answering the clarion call first. And it Is the women to whom I give the credit for the success
 
 social and commercial life of the city, will return in few days to his former home lat Birmingham, to live. MT Underwood will assume the management of important business interests in Birmingham.-Mo gomery Journal.
 Mrs. George Gambrill and children of Palesade, N. J., will arrive tomorrow to visit Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Stringfellow, 21O North Ripley street. Mrs. Gambrill, pre- vious to her marriage was Miss Kathleen Stringfellow, one of the most admired young girls in Birmingham society," Tontgomery Journal.
 Mrs. James w. Reed and handsome Tt tie sons. Masters Minthorne Woolsey and James w., Jr., who have been visiting Mir and Mrs. William Swift Woolsey left Saturday for Birmingham for a short visit to friends before returning to their home in Waynesville, N. c.
 Mrs. Reed will be pleasantly remem- bered as Miss Mary Ella Woolsey of Selma.
 Mrs. J. S. vann will leave Tuesday for Birmingham, at which time she will be the guest of Mrs. Robert Newman Dur ing her stay in the city she will be the recipient of much social attention. Mrs. Newman has issued invitations to lunch con at the Country club for Wednesday to number of music loving friends.- pJyrpfevilJo Morc1Iru