Evening star., 1939-05-07
Ny Wife and !
By Sidney Homer. Ne,O York.
The Macmillan Co.

The Macmillan Co.
Sidney Homer's story of his IA
nous wife, Louise, is one of great
mutual devotion, told in an entirely
devoted and humble manner. 1t is
the story of success. the triumph of
an artistic ideal and it is also a
testament to the worth of the Amer
lean home
The Homer family, which consists
of six children, including twins,
should represent some sort of land
mark in the American ideal How
many families of artist parents have
thrived when such parents reached
fabulous success? In the first place,
it is natural to expect that the
premium on time alone would forbid
any diversions such as children and
a home structure. But the Homers
are unusual people.
A pleasant air of informaIity is
preserved by Mr. Homer throughout
his book. He tells of his brief turns
as scholar in Europe and grateful re-
turn to the placid arms of native
4NCW CllSldlld. 1lll tllCli NSOIllCNAAoU
blushingly) of his meeting as q
small-town teacher with Louise
Beatty. who came to him Ito learn
all about music Mr.. Homer makes
the reader relive along with him
their marital and musical start un-
der pinched circumstances and
anxious hopes.
Excitable, intellectual Paris takes
form as the Homers tremble and
wonder whether the opera additions
before critical French ears will open
the path to success. French ears re-
act favorably and the great con-
tralto voice crosses the Atlantic
again to set the United States agog.
And in this meanwhile the Homer
family sWells in number and Louise
Homer handles two careers together.
According to the husband: my wife
had room in which to show her
genius. She is a good singer, will
admit; but she is better home
maker!"
The reader follows the tribulations
and joys of the touring concert
singer, has an intimate glimpse of
the formidable Met" backstage and
frcnt, and, of course, at the same
time, a pleasant picture of convivial
family life. With all the emphasis
on the operatic branch of the Homer
family, one is almost aWed by the
retiring modesty of the faction
which produced music that won the
esteem even of Karl Muck. The
book is an unpretentiouS tribute to
fine musical family. j. S.
Edward Grieg
By DaUid Monrad- -Johdnsen.
Ne1D York: Princeton UniDer-
Sity Press.
Grieg signifies Norway as en-
phatically as Sibelius does Finland.
Both of these Scandinavian musi-
cal giants have worked an influ-
ence on the universal music that
will be felt for years to come. 1t
is noted with great satisfaction that
Edward Grieg now is recognized
by a biography that is a credit
to the man and his art. 1t in
cludes the finer details of his en-
tire musical career and many here
tofore unpublished letters.
In the presence of genius it is
perfectly understandable that Nor
way should worship at the altar
of Grieg. So it goes with any
people who are bequethed a clear
national musical articulation. Mon
-Johansen, himself Norwegian
and musician, writes as a reverent
compatriot, yet with restraint. He
follows the young Grieg as he con-
spires with Ole Bull and Nordraak
to create the national music ex-
preston. He revolts against the
German influence which neverthe-
less brings out the romantic strain
in him. We see Grieg poring with
Ibsen, literary renegade, over the
musical setting Of peer Gynt" and
arousing French ire at his un-
minced denunciation Of the popu-
lar attitude toward Dreyfus. The
music library will be incomplete
without this biography.-J. 8.