The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-20
GUIDE I D
MODERN
MUSIC
New Modern Music Dictionary
an Up-to-the-Minute Keen
Music Reference Book
nv. IEsSIE MCBRIDE.

By JESSIE MCBRIDE.
Evolution in music has, through
the years, caused as much turmoil
in the mind OF the public versus
the specialist (which in this case
means the musician as does the
present-day controversy Of the now
time-worn subject of whether the
laws of harmony destroy music's
fine inspiration-or, as Is obvious,
its religion-science parallel.
!. Nc more fascinating, nor more
quickly available source Of infor-
nation on the present-day status
of music has been brought to the
music editors attention than the e.
P. Dutton and Conpany's just pub
lished "a Dictionary of Modern
Music and Musicians" compiled by
A. Eaglefield-H Hull, as general edi-
tor, and number of eminent au-
thorities on the subject among whom
we find some of the revolutionists
much to our joy.
Not that we seek outlawry in
music.
But here we find, which Is so
rare in books Of reference, just
that prevailing coinage OF words
of today as well as in the class
room where the march Of events is
included in the curriculum.
They call this important volume
a modern supplement" to all ex-
listing musical dictionaries. It COW
ers musical activities from 1880 to
today-meaning 1925.
Big Change in Standards.
"Since the beginning of the new
century,, we read In the general
preface, "a remarkable change has
come over our whole musical out,
look.-An aspect of this change,
practical as well as theoretical,
have been carefully considered and
expounded in this new dictionary"
The work is published in London.
The editorial committee consists of
Sir Hugh Allen, NJ. A., Mus. Doc.
Oxon., Prof. Granville Bantock. M.
A. Mus. Doc. Edin., Edward Dent,
M. A.. Chairman Of international
Society for Contemporary Musicl,
and Sir Henry Wood.
Where it stands in modern
thought on music may be estimated
by the collaborators on the chief
technical article Harmony I'VE
find the names Sir Hugh Allen,
Bella Bartock, Eugene Goosens,
Doctor Eaglefield-Hull Prof. Tovey,
Doctor Vaughn Williams and Prof.
Granville Bantock.
One hundred and fifteen con-
tributors are listed in the book,
representing the many nations now
registered in the new map Of the
world. In 1922 the general editor,
InNtN ~ Nine
Doc. Oxon., made fairly COM
1928 he revisited many places TO
consult with the various national
committees personally.
Revolution in Harmony.
In the matter of harmony" we
find the entrance of "dissonance"
into legalized usage expressed by
such phrases as this:
Gin part-writing, there are no for
hidden progressions, but all pro-
gressions must be justified by their
suitability. The only acceptable
definitions of resolution" is that
of the behavior of chord being
justified either aesthetically, emo
tionaIly, or logically"
New ideas, are they not What
makes for an aesthetic or an
emotional chord?
For text we find excerpts Of the
music of Stravinsky, Debussy, Ra-
vel. Goosens, Strauss, Berners,
Scriabin-to name few.
we find an article on "Orches-
trail Colour" that goes into the
possible future developments. Here
is noted, for instance, how Ravcl
uses with a mastery brush, a
colour scheme which is really dis
tinctive and subtle"
Then they speak of Richard
Straus and how he obtained sig
nificant colour in his don
Quixote," giving humor and bizarre
effects that we so readily recall,
particularly in the middle sonori-
ties. 1--WE need only instance the
viola solo phrases in which Sancho
Panza begs for more money, or the
three notes on the piccolo when he
scratches his head"
1t does not take US, however,
away from music's imagery in
modern scores, for their is refer
ence to Delius' "Sea- Drift" which
truly reflects the elusiveness OF
Walt Whitman's poem, while this
poetic word-picture is given to De-
busy when they speak of the
dreamy languor and sunlit sleepi
ness of his short but immortal mas
terpiece, "L'Apres midi dun
Faune."
Artists undoubtedly have put
together these last pages in music s
history. And of the list of person
alities from 1880 to 1925, we find
already celebrities who were born
as late as 1895.
Many an hour of fascinating ex.
ploratiOn, with minds we are proud
to gather round our hearth-rug, is
promised through this seemingly
Int