Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-05-01
ERSTWHILEFAD
FOR PATRIOTIC
SONGS is GONE
BY FREDERIC j. HAsKIN.

Washington, April 30.--Abund-
ant evidence that practically lost
art had its golden age in America
is available in the collection of
colonial music exhibited at the
Library of Congress.
The declining art is the writing
of patriotic and national songs. We
have song writer's TO eXtol in light
vein the flapper, Broadway. prohi-
ton and other modern topics. But
the serious, poet laureate type that
scents from afGr an event of his
toric Importance and produces an
ode in time for the occasion is
lacking. So also is the composer
to set the lyric to appropriate
music.
Occasionally, as at the burial of
the unknown soldier. poetic talent
flames up in a blaze of sonnets,
odes and blank verse. But most
historic events proceed unaccom-
panied by poetic and musical COM
positions especially written for
them.
II was otherwise in the early
days of the republic. Every sec
ond piece of music in the Library
of Congress exhibit preserved from
colonial America is patriotic. polit-
ical or national in character. There
must have been large set OF unof-
fetal poets laureate busily scrib-
bling in the attics of Boston, New
York and Philadelphia. for no
event of importance from the In
auguration or Jefferson to the
death of Alexander Hamilton went
unsung. The lyrics produced were
set to music by equally industrious
composers and these topical songs
were sung at the occasion for
which they were written, or sung
on the stage, or sometimes, they
were used only as popular parlor
songs. They took the place. In a
way, of the current events reefs at
the modern moving picture show.
One of the most interesting or
the historic pieces exhibited by the
music division of the Library OF
Congress is copy of Hail. CO.
lumbia." The music of this ia
NOUS song first appeared under
the title 1.-THE Presidents March,
and the music division displays
copy which was printed In '"The
Gentleman's Amusement" in l794'
Hopkinson Writes Classic.
The stirring march became
quail. Columbia" when Joseph
Hopkinson wrote the words four
years later. A note accompanying
fhe first edition Of the song says
that the words were written for
the use of Hopkinson's friend. Gill
bert Fox, an actor who wished toI
sing A patriotic song to the well
Before the vogue of ''The Presi-
dent,s March," Philadelphia, New
York and Boston nodded their
heads and tapped their feet in time
to the now forgotten Federal
march," This composition. accord
inc to the cover of an old copy.
was performed Sin the grand pro
cession in Philadelphla tne
Fourth of July. 1885," 1t was
written for this independence day
anniversary because a great parade
was being held in honor OF the
ratification of the federal consul
tuition by ten of the states.
The composer of this march. AL
exander Reinagle. was honored by
having George Washington attend
one Of his benefit concerts. WASH
ington tells in his diary of attend
ing the concert, and it is thought
that this prominent musician OF
philadelphia was engaged py
Washington to teach Nellie Curtis
to play the harpsichord. One OF
the pieces that Nellie Curtis played
and sang for the general In the
drawing room at Mt. Vernon is in
the music division exhibit.
George washington Is mentioned |
in the exhibit. Since he
was the most prominent man OF
tha time, Washington's opinions on
music were quoted and remem-
bered. The comic opera The POOR
Soldier" copy Of which Is In the
exhibit, is interesting today CHERRY
because it was performed a num-
ber of times "at the presidents de.
sire when he visited the theater.
The deduction drawn Is that "The
Poor Soldier" must have been
particular favorite Of washington
One exhibit, a book of handwrit-
en- compositions, is open to page
untitled diary fashion Fancy Men
lit Dance before Genl. Washington,
l792." The composer of this dance
.une was Pierre Landrin Duport,
who is said to have been the &C
,redited dancing master Of society
n Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Richmond and Georgetown.
Martha washington Figures.
There is evidence that Mrs.
Washington shared her husbands
anne as patron of music. An
,ther page of Duport's music book
,ears the heading Fancy Menuit
With Figure Dance by two young
aides in the presence of Mrs.
in 1892. Philadelphia"