New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
BY II. E. Krehbiel


From the publishing house Of the
Mcmillan Company there is come one
II tho most valuable, as we'll as
unique, contributions to the history of
music in America that has ever been
made. 1t is a supplementary volume to
the second edition of Groves Dictionary
Of Music and Musicians, which was
published some fifteen years ago, and
is described as the sixth volume Of
that invaluable work of reference.
Save as it provides additional material
intended to bring the dictionary" down
to date, 1t is devoted wholly to American
composers, institutions and activities,
and the manner in which this is done is
without parallel in music literature and
challenges an emphatic expression of
admiration, even wondering admiration,
Tor the editor, Waldo Selden Pratt, and
his associate, Charles N. Boyd.
A study of the volume has stimu-
lated IN US desire to discuss at least
half a dozen different subjects which
fell under notice during the reading,
but all Of them must be held in reserve
10. some future occasion. 1t must be
enough for one day if we try to convey
IN understanding of the plan and scope
Of the work. Primarily, it is a bio
graphical dictionary Of men and
women who have been or are con-
csrned with the cultivation of music
IN America since its settlement by
white men. But it is much more than
that It is thesaurus of historical
facts and suggestions for the teacher,
as we'll as student Of social philosophy
and artistic culture. The work has
TWO divisions. The first Is review of
the history of music from the days of
the earliest colonists down to the pres
sht dme. with discussion, illuminatin
though succinct. Of the progressive in
eidents in the political, social and in
du'trial development of the country
which have Influenced its development
IRIS review Is published in eight sec
uons, each OF which has a biographical
aictionary Of It's own. There are cross
references, and though tho plan diff
1uses tho biographical material some
what 1t has the fine merit of present
ing 1t Ia a highly instructive environ
ment.
rom Discovery of America to Founda-
Stion of Colonies
The first section Of the Historical
introduction and Chronological Regis
'ef deals with the period from the
oiscovery of America by Columbus to
Tue foundation of colonies in various
pafts Of the country. Here no informa-
"on specifically referring to musical
culture seems to have been available
" the editors, whose conclusions are
pssctlcaiiy summed up in the state
'aent that till the end of the seven
.satn century conditions were "man-
"estly unconducive to artistic life"
tne entire population of the colonies
~ the end of the period may not have
ssceeoed 1000, including many negro
''s'es. The records are deficient in
's'erences to music and musical in
,.ssuments, there was a tendency in the
S'ftn to view music as worldly and
.as'e'ore Objectionable; in the South
''0ught and practice were probably
s're liberal, and at first, in both sec
10n'' mono OF the colonists "pos-
ssaea any special taste or aptitude in
~ musical field" This Is, perhaps,
sweeping conclusion, in view of
Aaf that many of the colonists
"'se people Of education, culture and
-'nnement, and that some of their
a,asors in their English homes, no.
ss'y Milton and even Cromwell, were
~s''eai devotees. But the paucity of
.a.osmation may Justify the editorial
attitude.
with tho growth Of population in
~, Nv colonial century there came growth
40 Of musical inclination and apti-
's. Tho dominant social influence
- English, and the kind of musical
estaiament popular in England be-
80 popular. Until 1890 the musical