The Washington times., 1923-01-21

suggestion that we look over
Mcdowell he rates as the
foremost Of American composers,
and he compares him with Bizet:
but where, he asks once more,
shall we find other Americans to
compare with the great Euro
peans? And. briefly, he assert.
that the European preponderance
Is not only great, but obvious.
THAT there is much Co be said
for MIR. Sonneck's point of
view will be generally agreed. On
the other hand. it Is clearly un.
fair for him to expect, for ex--
ample. that America should offer.
composers comparable 70 Beetho-
ven, Chopin. Schubert, Handel and
Mozart. The only fair basis OF COM
parison is to consider contempt
raries, and. moreover, it Is clearly
unfair to compare the composers,
Of America-which has . total
population OF 10000, 0O0-with
those Of all Europe. where q pop
ulation OF 10000, 900 Is to be
drawn from.
It Is. Of course. perfectly fair
TO compare the composers OF the
United States with those OF any
one country Of Europe. and very
probably Mr.. Sonneck Is just.
fled in his contention that the
European lands would make q
somewhat better showing than
our own country. The meat Of
his argument Is that America
ought to give greater recogni.
ton to music: that the opportunl.
ties for musicians ought 20 be
rs plentiful as they are abroad.
With that music lovers generally
win agree. There ought, he
says. to be Q symphony orchestra
In every American city Of 100 900
or more. Wen. why not7 Ger
tainly our orchestras compare IA
yorabIy with any in the world.
But Il would probably be out Of
reason to expect . development Of
opera In this country comparable
20 that abroad, for the reason
that the American public is not
prepared for It. It viii not even
support the drama except in the
largest cities; why, then, expect it
TO support opera.
Mr.. Sonneck objects to what he
calls propaganda" for American
composers, and their readiness
20 wear the gloriole Of martyr
DOM" But he places the ulti-
mate responsibility upon. the mall
education Of the American public.
When musical education is bet.
ter provided Tor In this country,
he believes, the United States viii
stand on equal terms with other
nations. Meantime. ceaseIess work
ts necessary to cultivate musical
appreciation and to promote good
music everywhere.
Such is the substance of his
argument. At least, it gives a
fresh point Of view on a matter of
interest to musicians and music
lovers generally. But the case is
by no means as hopeless as Mr..
Sonneck seems to think, nor f.
the propaganda" for native musi-
clans either obtrusive or impor-
tant.
DURING the coming week we
OF Washington will have
much In the way Of musical en-.
tertainment. This afternoon, for
instance, is the date of the visit
OF the Cleveland Orchestra: to-
morrow the Washington Opera
gives "Rigoletto" at the President
Theater; Tuesday the great Fritz
kreisler plays here for his only
appearance this season. On
Thursday. a group of Polish must.
clans will appear In two concerts.
and on Friday the second perform
ance OF "Rigoletto" win be pre-
sented- Truly. a week of impor-
lance on the musical calendar!
THIS is the season Of guest.
charlottesville time of year
when conductors go visiting.
Enesco and Coates have recently
come to our city william
TELL" last produced in 1894, has
been revived by the Metropolitan
The $1,000 prize at the
Utica Eisteddford has been divided
between choirs from Utica and
Wilkes-Barre Grand Rap
ids has organized a symphony
orchestra !.