Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-06
FAMOUS MUSICIAN CALLS
MUSICAL CRITICS UNFAIR
French Conductor of Boston Sym
phony Says They Handicap
American Composers

American music critics were criticized last
night for lack Of sympathy with American
composers and for excessive eagerness to find
flaws in and condemn the works Of our
native music writer's who strive derotedly
and heroically to develop and uplift the art
in this country.
1t was Henri Rabaud. the distinguished
French composer, one of the Forty I'm"
nortals' of the French Academy, now con-
ductor Of the Boston symphony, who pleaded
for a kindlier attitude toward the American
composers.
He was interviewed between numbers OF
the Boston SymSathys concert in the Acad-
envy of Music. He spoke feelingly in praise
of American music writers, declared that
his frequent playing of their works proved
his own admiration for them and maintained
that many of the criticisms aimed at their
own compositions were not conceived in JUS
tice.
Mr. Rabaud seemed to share the view held
by many music scholars that criuGs are ,nt un
reasonably devoted to fixed idea that
America can not possibly produce as good
music as Europe.
should Encourage American Composers
"American composers must be encouraged
,bat ia the way to develop a distinctive
American school of music he said
..rbe severity of the critics is a strongly
a,scouraging factor" he went on, with IN
tense earnestness- revealed pE sro"'"e
'brilliancy Of his dark gray eyes.
Tba tall SLIM Vandyke- -beared man of i'm
,,a s.;,,s countenance who would be accepted
an Chestnut street a professional man,
nrobably a physician, past the meridian Oh
lie took on elasticity. His skin is white
and unlined; his cheeks pink, despite ms
beard strongly marked with gray
"We have played this season works OF
Loenier, Chadwick Converse e.,i,nSn. ii,rS,a.
IreIIv Hadley and Gilbert" he continued
i.Nnr. We are not through. There will be
othar American compositions given puolic
hearings before the season has closed
and much talent among American composers
7 must like them, otherwise would not play
their numbers
"vsr, frequently comes the call for rendi-
.,on of American numbers. When you play
than, the critics''---he brought one slim fist
5nur on the other--''smash the works on the
head" -. ,,
American audiences are very responsive
according 10 the composer, ana ne spoke
giowinplv of the concert-goers in this coun-
sr In addition, the audiences, in his opin-
ion appeared to be well pleased with the
composition otnative authors.
want Play wagner Compositions Yet
p.a.rairy the resumption of playing of
wagnerian music here, Mr.. Rabaud said
"When / arrived in the United states L
.,,,a ,.a that the general sentiment as in
France, had accepted the taeit decision not
to play wagnerlan music during the war, in
spite of the unanimous admiration for this
music in the two countries
This decision in 'tssn oninon ay De sa0see[ SnG 10
nor bIamei those, who, having accepted the
same, await the end of the war to change
their attitude. Let us not forget that the
enemy only obtained an armistice. Peace is
not signed-and the claims or the Allies Will
And perhaps, in Germany resistance which
could only be reasoned with by force.
"Eor nv part. / desire TO conform myself
here to the sentiment of many Americans.
who agree with the French opinion. And. OF
course. ~ some day ] would think it right to
act against the public opinion of my country.
1 would do so in France ana hot sbroad."