Evening star., 1937-10-23

Division of the Library OF Congress a
tensive is the collection of music and
musical history in the Library of Con-
gress that musicians from all over the
world think 1t worth trip to search
in its archives for some particular in
formation. The Public Library has
done its utmost, in more limited
way, to put at the disposal OF every
one fine assortment of music and
books on music. Yet how many of
the residents of this city avail them
selves of these splendid opportunities?
There is SO much more to music
than either the studying of 1t or the
listening to 1t. There is the story Of
its development as enthralling as
romance and priceless examples Of
the musical milestones which mark
the path it has taken. There are
biographies Of, and works left by. men
whose influence on music has helped
carve the way to greater glory, yet
who, by some turn of fate. have not
known everlasting fame. Letters and
memoirs of friends and associates of
the immortals, who have created moth
ing, but whose stanch fidelity to
some genius has included them i'll his
tory. are there to be found to give
shadow and high light TO the greater
personality.
who have felt that
what they gained through their
life experience Is worthy OF passing
on to those following the same road
have written books setting down their
ideas, to be accepted or discarded ac-
cording to their appeal Analysts
have dissected the works OF the mas
ters and tried to make them compre-
hensible to the less gifted. Theories
of how music should be written, in
terpreted or studied have found their
way into print and onto the library's
shelves. And staff of highly cul-
tured men and women has been
trained in the technique of finding,
on a moments demand, whatever the
seeker desires. Yet much of the inter-
esting data lies undisturbed because
music lovers are content with their
limited knowledge and, having eyes,
will not see.
The report recently issued by the
Music Division OF the Library of Con-
gress for the year 1886, although it
covers but the activities and dona-
tions connected with one year, gives
astounding enlightenment on the
value OF the collection and how the
public has profited by it. The original
manuscripts of two symphonies by
Clement, long unknown, were discov-
cred In the files and revised by Al
fredo Casella to be given what was
perhaps their very first hearing. in
Rome and Turin. The manuscript
score of Haydn's opera, "The Unin-
habited Island" which the composer
presented to Charles " of Spain, was
unearthed in the Library last year,
arranged for performing under the
auspices Of the Friends of Music and
given It's first hearing outside of Aus
tria in the Library auditorium on
March 9, 1895.
VALUABLE original manuscripts
have been donated to the Library
this past year, including the Victor
Herbert manuscripts, collection of
Loeffler's compositions, an unpub-
lished and unknown hymn, "Vexilla
Regis Prodeunt," by Puccini, the orig
inal manuscripts of prelude and
Fugue for Piano" by Glazunov,
choral arrangement of THE Lords
Prayer" by Grechaninow, a song by
Robert Franz, "Umsonsc, and the
original of Sousa's THE Stars and
Stripes Forever"
Through the generosity Of the
Friends of Music and the Beethoven
Association the Library was able TO
acquire a particularly precious manu-
script, the "Chsnsonnier de Laborde,"
one of the four rare collections Of the
18th century chanson. In the LOG
compositions by noted musicians Of
that period comprehensive knowl-
edge Of the music sung and played at
the court of Charles the Bold, Duke
Of Burgundy in 1867, can be had An
other notable acquisition, rounding
out the Library's research in antholo-
gies Of the 10th and 18th centuries, is
the five books Of compositions used
in the imperial chapel of Macmillan