Evening star., 1947-03-30

years StNcl dl Col -eSA1AS' SiAASAAso 20
enough for three or four men. And
q person of reasonable ambition
and energy could have been salts
fled with Mr.. Erskine's success In
any one of the several fields he en-
tered.
He has gained more than meas
ure of fame as author, educator and
musician. A fourth occupation might
be added, that of public admins
traitor in the fine arts, difficult and
unappreciated form OF service at
best, but one in which he showed
up we'll
When 1t is recalled that Mr.. Ers-
kline often carried out two or more
of these careers simultaneously,
something of his versatility and
capacity may be realized. That the
several professions which interested
him were mutually congenial, if not
closely allied, is beside the point;
few would have found time for
them all.
Mr.. Erskine is best known to the
public as the writer of such satirical
novels as "The Private Life Of Helen
of Troy" "Gallahad" and his own
narrative of Adam and Eve. But
he has written many other books,
some scholarly literary appraisals,
and he has contributed literally to
the educational journals. He
also is remembered widely as a
pianist who played with leading
symphony orchestras, and as a lee
turer who, by popular demand, spent
part of his time on the platform at
the piano.
A Wise, Witty Professor.
Old Columbia grads Q916-193D
know DR.. Erskine as wise and
witty professor of English, who made
them read and remember some of
the greatest books. Earlier in the
century he taught at Amherst. At
odd moments he wrote and pub
lished poetry and turned out libret-
tos for operas In more recent
years, as president Of the Juilliard
Foundation he tried to give Ameri-
can musicians a greater opportu-
nifty. AS a. member of the Metro
politan Opera Company's board he
did his part toward reclaiming
American opera from a European
dominance which had withered 1t
at the roots.
If his own story of his life is
disappointing, perhaps it is because
his years have been so constantly
crowded with people and purposes.
Perhaps he has tried to compress
too much within reasonable limits.
Not that the book lacks interest
it is filled with sharp vignettes Of
noted persons and significant scenes
he remembers it seems often
to tell too little or too much.
Meaning, too little about charac-
tiers you'd like to know more about,
and too much about others. But
that.a perhaps, is the way memory
serves us.
was particularly interested in
his recollections of Edward Mac
Dowell, who taught him piano and
composition at Columbia. More than
one music lover probably will agree
with Mr.. Erskine's judgment: I'VE
have had in the United States, I
think, two great composers, Stephen
Foster and Edward MacDowell." At
another point, he sweeps aside
more erudite and less captivating
composers, and pays George Gersh-
win and Jerome Kern the tribute
of calling "Porgy and Bess' and
"Showboat" las yet the only first
rate American operas"
Strong Influence Recalled.
Such dominant scholastic figures
of the century's turn as George
Edward Woodberry, Thomas r.
Price and Harry Thurston Peck
come back to life as Mr.. Erskine
recalls his undergraduate days and
his early years of teaching.
Endowed with his several gifts,
Mr.. Erskine hesitated over which
bent to follow. He thus explains
his decision: The rewards of busi-
ness and industry did not tempt
me; I gave up the doubtful fortunes
of a pianist for the assured indi-
gence of a college professor
But writing continued to tempt
him; ne could not give it up. Nor
could he stay away from the piano
entirely. He tells how he happened
to write about Helen of Troy. wish
he had told more about his literary
career. But so many other men,
aries thronped around him