New-York tribune., 1922-05-14

order to say whether or not an ONE
lette is savory. CA silly pun, which
will lead smart Alecks to suspect ous.
French. but the provocation deserves
nothing better.) Finally, critics do not
exist by divine right God tolcratcs
them III His infinite and inscrutable
goodness, as He does such pitab!e
specimens Of humanity as our corrc-
spoudent.
Criticism Dispassionately
Criticized
but we have promised to give the
moor to speaker Of different stripe.
Some weeks ago we received a let
ter from Celeste d. Bates, Of Hollis,
L. J., expressing some surprise that the
work of certain orchestral conductor
mad not been more severely handled.
We showed the lady our customary
courtesy and received her consent to
print her letter. This we do with a
sense that we have received kindncsg.
IF critics are supposed, as YOU say.
TO have no right to emotions some of
us of The multitude sometimes choke
tor lack Of opportunity to express our
feelings. May ] present my case as
one Of the many?
II am musician-a pianist. In
ciccntally | have written music cr;ti-
cjsms (for The Cleveland Plain
Dealer), book reviews, etc. ] find my
self after lifetime of study and OBJ
scrvation with a fairly we'll DEVELOPED
sense of discrimination and arprecia-
| tion; in terse language l am what |
call musical 'snob' The best is none
too good for me. | take it whore I
md it. l need not mention where I
found it. in orchestra offerings, for
after the debacle of tho Boston Or
chestra? Rabaud, as conductor, won
succes destjn'e only, Has Montcux
Obtained better, even if he is retained?
We have had Stransky until he has
become almost as much Of an institu-
ton as Damrosch. A brief period of
Bodanzky, with a new and unlicked
body OF men; sprinkling of guest
! conductors - shooting stars. Then
Mengelberg, with the first signs Of
req. enthusiasm, OF fen sacro in any
methods place him invariably on the
highest artistic eminence, he achieves
results that make the public sit up Il
might say, wake up). heard one
woman remark that she would rather
sec Mengelberg lead an orchestra than
mob. He is, at least, on fire with
an idea, and he communicates it. Like
yourself, | am tired of the conductors
and the musical diet they have fed
US on The consequence is I am hear
ing less and less music. | have clung
NJ
in the vain hope that new star might
shoot across it's horizon, but so far
the prospects are indefinite, and T have
finally Cancelled both subscriptions
But where do I find support for my
contentious spirit? AS you say, the
halls are crowded for performances
good, bad Or Indifferent There seems
to be no accepted standard-no Thou
shalt not or Thou shalt'-I turn to
the papers Give Of them) for the opin-
IONS OF the high priests, and | find in
them what impresscs me as so nom
committal and let them down easy
policy that | can see in that direction
no dawn of q possible awakening, or a
rouslng of the powers that be- Of those
concerned in purveying music to us. Is
the iield. then, so empty. or is it that
the managements, seeing that The dear
public doesn't know better or doesn't
care, complacently follow a convenient
laissss a'ier policy, emulating Bar
mum in his we'll known opinion of the
public? As for music. outside of the or
chestral offerings, is not the poor at
tendance at many Of the concerts ac-
countabie for, perhaps, on the grounds
that most people arc weighted with |
subscriptions 20 series and cannot al !
lord many excursions into other fields?
Il am speaking of the many-not the |
few with more money than love of
music. My solution Of the problem is
summed up in the word education. 1t
is either the public be ID or the pub
nc be taught. Having personally richly !
oeneilted by technical criticism and /
comparison, | prefer it to the more |
geno'%! style OF a review. 1t is what |
instinotively look to for information |
or for support. have the deepest re-
spect and admiration for the great !
writers who lead our thought in musi- |
ca! matters. but / cannot help wishing /
that they would allow themselves more |
freedom in the expression Of their per ,
sonal opinions. 1t seems to me that it
would lead to the establishment Of a |
clearer and more definite understand !
;ng OF the musical principles under
lying the performance of works of art
ana to an Enlightenment, however
gradual, that would bring about an
ultimate demand for and support of
the best and legitimate only in music"