The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-09
AMERICA ALREADY MUSICAL, OR QUITE WILLING TOLEARN'
 Francis MacATilIen
Eminent VioIinist "Says l With Music," as Well as Otherwise, When It Comes
 to "AmeriCanism"
-Franeis MacNIllIen
Ky DOLLY DALRYMPLE

Ky DOLLY DALRYMPLE
 Emphasizing his Americanism not only with his matchless art as a violinist. making up his program of American music as far as it is pos sible, and volubly declaring that If America isn't already musical she is quite willing to learn" Francis Mac Millen, the eminent violanist talked with tremendous interest yesterday on this subject, in his usual intel ligent. cultured manner.
 Mir. NIacMillen. who is pre- emininetly one of the important fig ures in the younger generation of violinists. combines with his beautiful art. striking personality, handsome, suave. distinguished, he is easily one of the dominating influences in the world of music today and his word Is always regarded as important on all musical subjects.
 His Service in France
 Nothing ever gave me broaoer scope of observation regarding Amer ica's place in music than when was in the service of my country for two years" Mir. MacMillen said T went into the service as an interpreter, to begin with, but after some military lTdln1nEs l PNANS A P'- of military work"
 And your beloved Stradivarius was silent all during those two years, your magical fingers turned to com monplaces?' I observed.
 Silent" he replied, "until the armistice was signed and then l at once took up my violin, and Tor weeks I played in the hospitals to the sick soldier boys, the crippled, the disabled. I used to stand in a great ward of the hospital, dn the hallway, with every door leading Into every ward wide open. so that all the poor fellows might hear and 1t was such a pleasure to do something for them.
 Concerts fin Paris
 'T.ater I played a Apncert in Paris. and enjoyed most ws3hderful evenings with Paderewski And other we'll known artists"
 And how did the Parisiennes re- ccive you, an American artist?" l asked curiously.
 "Then. of course, every man who wore the American uniform was hero, just after the armistice. and personally have never found 1t otherwise, and my French audience was very cordial. France, l may say, is not a musical nation, neither, as far as that is concerned, Is Italy; the Parisiennes do not love concerts, as Americans do.
 'There are in America 10 concerts to one in Paris. There. the fees paid to artists are small or none at all, in fact 1t Is the artist who often pays to be allowed to appear.
 "The Parisienne loves the opera; with the music and the gorgeous costumes and the beautiful. fashion able women, and the glare and glamour. but that isn't a love for music; 1t Is 8 love for gaiety and beauty.
 America and Other Countries
 Take French pianists; there is but one, Cortet, who is eminent; he might be compared to our John Powell, who is superb, and the only French pianist who could be.
 Take the German pianist, Schnabel, who came to America only a short time ago; he was practically fall ure here; 1t may have been his pro gram, which was very heavy, indeed, it Is a matter of conjecture with arr lists whether such a program as his. with three Bethoven numbers, is really artistic. It looks as if it were more German beer taste' than champagne.
 Comparisons
 "Do you happen to know that there are but two Symphony societies in Paris? Of course. in Germany 1t is different, for there both the opera and tho symphony orchestra arc patronized. yet the artists are paid such ridiculously low fees, that they flock to America, where tho people are willing and do pay the highest q hAe v,attu
 have in favor of America being nancially and artistically of concert, opera and symphony orchestras.
 And what am I including on my program from American composersT' Mir. MacMillen repeated the question after me. "Everything that is pos sibly available; of course, thsrs Is so little written by American com posers for the violin. that 1t Is dif- ficult to find suitable things.
 T am learning now . concerto by Daxtor, which l hope to include on my next seasons program, that is really a very wonderful composition for the violin and I think will take It's place among the great violin compositions of the world"
 Ills Compliments to Mrs. Gussen
 MT. MacMillen during our conyer- sation paid tho most charming com pliments to Mrs. Edna Gockel Gussen, who has been his accompanist on his present tour, and will play for him this evening when he is presented by the Music Study club.