Evening star., 1953-08-02
News Of Music

zeal W1LQ. IululIlS SlIlScIS VI
different mentalities and tenn
permanent to any given point
of artistry is a task even with
an experienced group. And
many a director faces con-
slant Illustration in the knowl-
edge that his members are not
equal to what he has in mind
to do either in vocal equip
ment or in the power Of inter-
pretation.
Slight No Quorter Rest
The burden of inspiring his
singers irrespective of their
characteristics rests always
with the choir master. 1t is a
delicate job requiring tact and
patience as well as courage.
There is first of all, the con-
slant need of vigilance of mu-
sical values. AS Stephen Prus-
sing, director Of the choir OF
the New York Avenue Pres
byterian Church once put it,
it is wrong "to pretend to sing
His glory and not believe in
the least of these sixteenth
notes as vital. Do you believe
this music to be alive? Then
you also believe that the death
of a quarter rest at your hands
can no longer be called a mis-
hap. I am seriously sincere
whenaI say none of us has the
right-the moral right in the
eyes of God, to slight one of
these precious cells of music
they're alive" i
This is the type of musical
education being given choir
members in most OF the
churches today. Too little
cognizance has been taken Of
the strides in artistry made in
recent years in the choral work
heard in churches and the
amount Of study and rehears-
ing that has brought about
this renaissance. Nearly every
denomination has certain
characteristics in the music Of
its sacred services and the per-
formance is colored by it. Yet
a general agreement is operat-
ing more powerfully than ever.
that, beyond the technicalities
of choral singing there lies the
profound meaning that must be
grasped by each individual If
the spiritual messages of these
great works be apparent to the
congregation. Mr.. Prussing
can be quoted again in his
aspiration, God give us this
week the virtue of a mirror to
reflect the image of Him from
the music of His creature
creator"
Mr.. Prussing has devised an
original approach to the prob
lem of inspiring his singers. He
gets over his ideas to the mem
bers, and, incidentally saves a
great deal of rehearsal time
by sending out a weekly letter
These have become so popular
that Wednesday is looked for
ward to as "letter day." The in
formation contained in them
may range from the inspira-
tional to the humurous or the
critical but it serves to start
his members thinking. Illu-
strative of his attitude in his
letter preceding the perfor-
nance of Bruckner's Mass
which the choir gave last
winter.
Who Is He?'
"This is Bruckner week
who is he??? You might just
say he was, not is-1824-1896.
that's all. You might esoteri-
cally call him 10th century
Viennese Romantic-Or, de-
risively, a Wagner worshiper.
He was also a professor at the
Vienna Conservatory. He grew
UP in the church and was her
child quite naively. He was
unknown" until Wagner
championed him at so. He
was mild. He taught the better
known Gustav Mailer. He
let others re-write his music.
He wrote sprawling SYM
phonies. He wrote great
masses. That's what they'll
tell you in books. Lots Of in
teresting little details about the
life of Anton Bruckner and
clues to help you decide just
exactly what kind of q person
he was.
"HOWEVER-who is he???.
This only tells us a few facts
about who he was. What we
must decide leach for him.
self, really this week is wheth-
er or not Bruckner died. If he
did, then I hope nobody comes
to hear us Sunday night. But
if he didn't, who is he-that
is. who is he in your life. I'll
tell you who he Is to me.
"He is a child of God, like
you and me (hence, to be
loved)-but such a child of
God. His faith has made his
music whole and its proper
tions are those Of living things.
He is my brother and I believe
him when he says Kyrie Elei-
son. He is the voice of the liv-
ing world when he says Gloria
in EXcelsis Dec. He is not a
building, but a tree; less a
creation than a creator. He
is not Gods darling-but one
Of Gods true images. He is
proof of mans aims. trans
forming flesh into spirit. He
is, therefore. our road to faith
through music"