The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-08
Anent CriticisinE the Critic.

Anent CriticisinE the Critic.
The editor of this department of
THE Sun long ago abandoned the
practice OF publishing letters sent to
him merely to express the anger of
some well meaning person because his
favorite singer or instrumental per-
former was not praised as much as he
believed necessary. But sometimes a
letter worthy of thought slips into
the music reporters mail
When a man writes that in his
opinion Josef Hoffman, is an anarch-
list, the professional chronicler sits up
and takes notice. The letter is too
long and too intimate in tone for pub
lication. but the writer's point is that
Hofmann Is a monster of "pianism"
and that he discourages all asp rants
Of less talent and therefore should not
be encouraged himself.
II claim" says this correspondent,
that he is positive hindrance to the
technical ticklings and ordinary at
tempts at Interpretation. One does
not envisage a great force of nature,
in this case a pianistic Titan. and
come of without being blinded and
dazed. OF course I feel that I have
seen the matter rightly in deciding
that for me lack of valor was the bet
ter part of discretion. After being
once aroused by the art which Is Hof-
mann's. l no longer could have any
use for the mere art that conceals the
lack OF art. Now. then, IL this has
been my case will 1t not work similarly
upon others with the result that we
shall soon face a positive scarcity Of
p.anistic talent?"
Brethren, this man who writes Is not
an amateur. He studied ten years I'M
der Rafael Joseffy and abandoned his
ambition to he pianist because he
was crushed by recognition that the
'rnattainable confronted him. And he
IS afraid that others will be similarly
effected. Oh. We OF little faith! Why,
nineteen pianists have appeared al
ready in the current season, and ex-
Guiding Hofmann himself, Bauer. No
vses, Granger. Levitzki, Powell and
Ornstein all might have been regarded
rs engaged in experimental operations.
The Acknowledged Giant of All.
Josef Holman has been the ac-
Anowledged giant for some seasons;
hut there has been no dearth of new
'omers. In one season we had some
sixty pianists on the records of the
daily press; and at that some got
away. There are concerts which escape
public notice in the daily papers for
various reasons.
But the writer speaks Of real talent
He is afraid 1t will be discouraged
Well, since Josef Hoffman, was
crowned monarch Levitzki and Novaes
have come to us. 1t is unnecessary tc
name others, for with these the point
ran be made: If these are not real
planists with the gifts of the muses.
showered upon their souls, who are?
Reverting to the recent concert OF
the Oratorio Society in this rambling
article We may ask ourselves whether
n was really the'-contrast between
WoIf-Ferrari's music and that Of Lii
Boulanger that made the latter dis
appoint US. OF course we should moi
have been disappointed If We had not
heard so much about the genius OF
Miss Boulanger. The chorus with
barytone solo produced by Mr.. Dam
rosch revealed no power of genius but
certain and interesting talent. Said
Clementlna:
"Geniusl I can't be a genius. for thu
simple reason that I'm a woman. Die
you ever hear of a man mother? No
rs contradiction in terms. So there
can't be woman genius"
After that she and Tommy had Il
PRO and con till the ingenious you'll
o~hed her: whats your definition o.
r'nius?"
Genius" said Clementina, screwint
up her face and looking at the til
of a discolored thumb, sis the quality
the creative spirit assumes as soon a.
II can liberate itself from the bond o
the flesh"
Good" said Tommy. Did you maxi
that up all at once? II knocks Car
IVES definition silly. But don't sc,
why It doesn't apply equally TO mel
srl women"
Woman" said Clementina, has al
ways her sex hanging round the necl
a her spirit"
No Hint of Composers SEX.
TIE beauty OF THIS talk lies chiefly 4
Fact that Clementina was exceed
7.y womanly and abnormally con
F1ons of her self. LII BoulanGer'
'Horus heard the other night, did nc
''em TO betray any sign OF sex.