San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-08
Famous Critic Set His
Ideals High and Fought
Courageously for Them,
Artists Needing What He
Said.
BY PIERRE v. X. KEY.

New York, April 1.-THE passing of
Henry Edward krehbiel leaves an
unfillable vacancy. While no person
is quite indispensable, We discover on
rare occasions some one who can
scarcely be replaced. The dean of
New York's music critics, who had
been writing of the art and artists
for half a century, was a personality
and a figure wholly unique. He stood
in his craft a solitary figure. For
the past forty years he served the New
York Tribune as its chief commentator
on music happenings. He was ia
miliar to all concert and opera patrons
whenever his tall, heavy figure could
be seen. Krehbiel would enter an
auditorium in that leisurely fashion
peculiarly his, surveying with his keen
eyes all that was worth tabulating.
Then he would move slowly down the
aisle, and sink deliberately into his
seat. Generally he ran his fingers
through his hair after which some
music notable or notables would go TO
him and. standing beside his chair,
engaged him in conversation.
Though severe in his demands,
Krehbiel was a just reviewer. 1t was
natural that he should insist on the
best, for he was not alone scholar
and a believer that it injured medioc-
rity to falsely encourage it. His view
point was that a music work or an
organization or an artist was either
good or not good. So he proceeded
with high ideals and standards, and
fought courageously for them to the
end.
No other music critic set so I'M
varying an example for his colleagues
as did Krehbiel. He established a
tradition for the guild, and then led
the way with the quiet simplicity
which was one Of his outstanding char
acteristics.
He will be sorely missed. Only a
few of his sort remain attached 10 the
staffs of daily newspapers. And the
artists who wisely needed what he had
to say Of them will be the chief mourn
ers; the ones who will cling longest
to his memory.
Perhaps nowhere does rumor rise
oftencr or spread more rapidly than
in the field of music. Recently it was
whispered about that the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra would not give any
New York concerts mex season. FL
forts to trace the source OF this mac
curate piece of gossip were unsuccess-
full. One publication, however, was
unfortunately led into publishing the
report and that resulted in deluge OF
inquiries-many emanating from peo-
pie who had attended the Boston SYM
phony's Carnegie Hall concerts for
years and years.
While it is true that for several sue
cessive seasons the old-time vogue for
this series Of orchestral programs has
waned there still continues for them a
large and enthusiastic body OF sup
porters. The Philadelphia Orchestra
has slipped into the seat of popularity
formerly held. and for so long. by the
Hub musicians. But the Bostonians
are gradually coming back.
1t is in some respects unfortunate
for opera that. in this country, person
alities figure SO prominently in max
ing it desirable. Until few days ago
negotiations to present the Metropoli-
tan in Washington and Baltimore for
half week each. following the At
lanta season, in May, were virtually