Evening star., 1937-04-24


there Is no way Of making an i'm
mediate comparison for many of the
artists of the past, still living, are
not in the proper form to submit to
such a severe measurement. In no
sphere does life take its toll as
thoroughly as in the artistic field for
the very basis of professional success
is the vitality and conviction Of youth.
The success Of an artist lies in his
effect on his listener, and this effect
may be influenced by many things.
There is the thrill that comes from
a first stirring to the meaning of
music and the quieter pleasure that
is felt in finding an artist who lives
up to an already established ideal,
an ideal which is the outgroWth OF
study and experience. The moods and
circumstances Of the moment also
count in the impression received and
these may surround an interpreter
or a program with a special glamour.
How to discount these influences is
the problem, for even the general
opinion of an artist may only be the
result Of his being the best before the
public at that time. 1t is easier to
decide upon the worth of composer
for his works remain to stand the
test of different periods, but the art
of a performer except since the in
vention of recording remains en-
schrined only in the memory of his
listener.
AS matter of fact, it is unwise and
unfair to compare artists of the pres
ent day with those whose art is stilled.
Sufficient unto the day." are those
before the public now and their in
f1uence on preparing the way for the
ones to follow. AS important as is
the character of art of the present
moment it is not nearly SO important
as the standard of the future. The
responsibility of all artists points
toward the future where others will
take up where they have left off.
Working toward that end Is the i'm
pulse which drives the sincere musi-
clan and creates an eternal divine
dissatisfaction within himself which
is the stamp of the genuineness of his
endowment.
HOWEVER, there are many things
to be learned about the older
artist which may give credence to the
idea that those Of today are not quite
up to the standard of the past. Prin-
cipelly among these are the solidity
of musicianship and the devotion to
their work which were invariably at
tributes of the great musicians of for
mer years and less pronounced in
those of today. To be thoroughly
grounded in every angle that bore on
their particular branch of music was
the aim of all the great artists and
their lives were one continual striving
to this end. AS a result, we find
recorded side by side with their public
standing as professional performers,
their fame as composers, conductors
or teachers. Their devotion to art
invaded every daily activity and even
their social life was organized to aid
them in reaching the goal.
Can as much be said of the pres
ent type of artist? Is their knowledge
and influence felt in creative or edu-
cational fields where the artists of
the future are learning their trade?
Is one impressed through their per-
formances with the seriousness of
their calling and the tremendous re-
sponsibility which rests on such
prominent figures? Are they preach
ing the gospel of thoroughness in
musical foundation and the sub
servience Of personal glory to the con-
parent that they are seeking con-
stantly to develop themselves in a
more profound way than what will
appeal in superficial degree to their
audiences? The answers to these
questions may also meet the COM
parison between those of a past era
and those of the present which can
not be avoided.
The past few years has seen great
progress made In the develop
ment OF technique and also in a
knowledge OF the resources of instru-
ments. We have therefore a new
school OF artists, eminent exponents
of the new trend. They are brilliant,
interesting personalities, dazzling their
hearers with an astonishing profci-
ency, and in some cases with new
approach in interpretation II they
have brought art SO far forward that
their present efficiency must be the
starting point from which the coming
artist will be obliged to fashion his
career, then they have contributed
notably to the cause of music. If
this be true, the demand of the future
will be enormous, and are the young
musicians prepared to meet it? Moth