New-York tribune., 1921-10-16


Oar great evil and folly has been thus
abolished. There has also been some
abatement of a system which had u
more sinister side. There will now be
less trafiicAing On the par. of un-
crupulous teachers Of singing in
promises Of operatic engagements
abroad. This had grown into vicious
system, but its evil effects were felt
chiefly by the individuals involvcd--
the students who went and the people
who paid for their going As the IL
lusion was theirs, so was the disil-
lusionment; art did not suffer. How
ever, the changed conditions will make
for good-temp porarily, at least, and
until it can again be said by those who
used intelligently TO be aware Of the
advantages of European art study, that
t may again be pursued proftably in
foreign capitals.
Meanwhile New York offers the best
that the world has to offer in the way
of pedagogic instruction in music and
the training which comes from listen
ing to performances Of all types. This
much may be said without exaggerat-
ing the merits of local institutions, or
depreciating the present European
standards. We should like to have an
opera with higher ideals and capable
Of better achievements than those
which obtain at the Metropolitan Opera
House We can conceive Of more per
feet performances of symphonic music
than those vouchsafed us by the Phil
harmonic and Symphony societies. Such
as they are, however, our opera and our
orchestras offer better standard in
some respects than the corresponding
institutions n Europe. Unless we have
been grossly msinformcd by returning
visitors. an artistic decentralization has
followed hard on the heels OF fnan-
, cial depression in Vienna, Munich, Ber-
lin and Paris. Many of the ideals which
were upheld by beautiful traditions in
those centers of art have been crushed
by the influences engendered by the
war-sordid selfishness, Indifference
and cruel need. In the face of such
influences art cannot flourish
There are in New York teachers of
eminent ability in every branch of the
musical art-from compos ton down
to the making of diabolical din with
the battery in "jazz" band. Virtuoso
performers on the violin, pianoforte,
violoncello when not absent on concert
tours give instruction, and their event
uai successors are forming under their
hands. They teach here by precepG
and example. There are among New
York's sing ng teachers singers whose
names are lustrous in operate annals
Those who would train their ears, their
taste and their appreciation may hear
the best that is now offering in our
opera houses, our symphony concerts
our chamber music meetings and our
vocal and instrumental recita s. How
large and varied the field and how
numerous the opportunities may be
gathered from other columns in this
issue Of The Tribune In New York
, mature artists give OF their best, for
here they find clientele which exacts
y
pirants for fame essay their most am
bilious, flights. In New York one may
learn to create music, to perform mu-
sic and also to hear music, which is as
essential an element in real musical
culture as is the practice of the art
Secular Music Chief Concern
Popular comment is chiefly, almost
, exclusively, concerned with secular
; music. We may read in the news
papers about the doings in the opera
houses and concert rooms every day.
even about the music at the large
! theaters at which moving pictures are
ihown almost every day; about music
in the churches Of New York the re-
porteTs are silent Yet there are
7 thousands Of music students in the
, country who are preparing themselves
{ for the organ and choir loft. Perhaps
. the minority Of vocal students think
Of the Church when they plan
career; the opera is the goal of the
foolish many--the Metropolitan staoc
? az first, of course, where though many
may be called, but few are chosen;
then comes the concert stage, and
finally, comic opera, or, failing there
also, the Church Yet the churcn
, musician belong in the highest ranks
Of the profession, and for those desir-
, ous Of acquiring a knowledge Of all
, forms Of ecclesiastical music New York
offers opportunities which cannot be
found in any other city in the world,
ezccps possibly London. From an
artistic point Of view the music Of
the Roman Catholic Church is gem
ctaNf At Il low ebb, since the decree
. ~ert forth in ,ooS from the Pope and
r tho Sacred Congregation that choirs
If miHct yoicos should not BE -toleratcd.
and tha. competitions which do not
) Conform r the ancient canors are
taboo; but the Crcgorian Chant may
be gt1died wi n profit a, the churches
% the pauAat Fathers and OF St.
Feaacis XaWer, as well as at
the Church OF The Blessed sacra-
ment and a She cathedral: possibly
ais' a. Dther places and mo2t agsuredly
u tho Convent Of the Sacred Honrt 7,