Scan 329
The American history and encyclopedia of music .., 1908
4 lines. Read by computer on 10 September 2026. Printed page 281. See the scan on archive.org.
1A vast change has been brought about in the orchestral music heard in this country during recent years. As heretofore the works of the classicists and romanticists form the basis of the orchestral literature. But the conductors of today as a general rule are not so loath to give new works a hearing as were their predecessors. Theodore Thomas was the first to take this broader view, and to him we owe our familiarity with Wagner and Tschaikowski. Brahms now occupies a place almost on a par with Beethoven. The Russians, Glazounow, Rimsky-Korsakoff and others are given frequent hearings. Richard Strauss and Mahler of the Germans, César Franck, Debussy and D'Indy among Frenchmen and the Bohemians Dvořák and Smetana occupy prominent places in the make-up of the modern concert programs. Elgar is about the only English composer to obtain any place; an Italian name rarely is seen; among the northerns Jean Sibelius has received most recognition. The Americans, Chadwick, MacDowell, Hadley and Converse, ever are attaining a more stable place. During his two years' stay with the Boston Symphony Dr. Muck has brought forward many works by American composers which have been favorably received. In addition to their purely orchestral presentations each of the larger bands during each season brings forward many soloists and thus adds to the pleasure of the concert performances. All of the leading singers, pianists, violinists, etc., who have appeared before the American public during the last half century, and even before, have been heard with one or other of the various orchestras of the country.
3While the interest in orchestral music has been most pronounced and widespread it is only in the largest and most artistic centers that chamber-music has obtained any hold, and this only by ceaseless endeavor. Within recent years, however, an ever increasing public has been drawn to this, the most refined field of musical performance. The appreciation of string quartet music undoubtedly calls for a higher degree of culture than usually is found in the masses, and of
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