Evening star., 1947-11-02
Music Is Great
DespiteFrailties
Of Its Creators
By Alice Eversmon

dangerous trend in the last year to
bring before the public such ele-
ments as can discredit composers of
music or those who act as its inter-
prefers. 1t seems to tie in with
general desire to be unpleasant, to
put it mildly, that is affecting almost
every walk of life and is retarding
the peaceful relations of nations.
Perhaps it is an aftermath Of the
war or psychiatrists might find other
explanations for it, but it is to be
encountered every day in some form,
When it touches on the field of
music, it is doubly dangerous, for it
strikes at one of the few forces we
have for spiritual steadiness.
1t is expected that villification will
be weapon used in circles that deal
with the operations of the many
ramiflcations of material existence
because people of different grades of
spiritual development will have
hand in them. But music is so
apart from mundane things in its
ultimate aim that to besmirch 1t in
any way is reprehensible. Surely
at no time in its history has man
kind needed more seriously every
help and sustenance it can gain from
the finer things of life. and to nullify
what influence music has in that di-
rection is but making matters worse.
An Unsullied Art.
OF course, music itself can never
express what is unworthy. 1t can
be harmed only by the short-sight-
edness of its interpreters. But when
the worst elements in the characters
of men who write music or the
artists who present it publicly are
spread before the public with delec-
tation and insistence, shadow
stands before the listener and his
complete enjoyment OF what he
hears. The special message of music
is obscured and its powers to uplift,
morally strengthen and underscore
the real reason of mans existence,
Is weakened.
No musician or layman would ad-
mire the character Of Wagner as a
man. The vanity and foibles of
Liszt, the RACES and pettiness at
times of Beethoven, the weaknesses
of Chopin and Tschaikowsky and
like elements in the makeup of
other composers are not to be
esteemed. But what have these
things to do with the music they
created? Need these shortcomings
be remembered when listening to
their compositions. If the other side
of the question were stated, how
they had to fight for the preserva-
ton of the proper atmosphere for
the Towering of their ideas, or with
publishers and performers for their
Just deserts, or II the unnecessary
annoyances and setbacks when a
days work was scheduled were
known, then every one who has ex-
perienced similar irritaticns would
be sympathetic.
How to Stay on Top?
But the idea in devoting so much
attention to the wrong side of their
characters is not to arouse SYM
.pathy. 1t is meant to show what
small men they were and indirectly
reflect upon their music. The same
holds good of slurs cast on the
artists before the public. How
many realize that to arrive at the
top is like fighting a jungle war?
True, there is high fee to be
gained and other compensating
factors. But to get to the top is
comparatively easy, to stay there
is another thing. 1t Is at this point
that their real musical worth Is
revealed. The public is not readily
deceived. It may like a charming
or fashy personality or good bit
of showmanship, but in the long
run it recognizes the genuine
article. Every one who has made
his way through the labyrinth Of a
musical career knows that clearly
and fears it.
A musical career is difficult pro-
fession. The competition, the under
hand practices, the charlatanism,
block the way at every point. 1t
requires a fighter to survive and in
cultivating militancy not all are
able to preserve their gentler char
acteristics. But in their hearts
there must be some other ideal
than the gaining of fame and money
or they could not survive as artists.
How important is it if their temper
amental outbursts are vehement or
if they resort to small deceptions
to help themselves, If music flows
through them to you and me with
thrilling import? They may be un-
worthy vessels but they guard and
cherish within their souls the great
art of music.
Does it matter so much if, in tell
ing of the finer things of musi-
clans character, godlike creature
Is set forth? 1t will not hurt in this
day to have more people and things
to regard with reverence. The voice
of music is not an earthly voice
even musicians of great personal
faults admit that. Let us grasp at
it as a help and light toward