Music -- Philosophy and aesthetics; Music -- Psychological aspects
Throughout the foregoing discussion I have stressed musical performance
because action is the way of youth, the way of education, and the way of
any preparation for the listening mood and critical attitude. The
development of the opportunities for listening has, of course, been
unparalleled in the history of the world. The masses are given the
opportunity of hearing good music. Many have taken the attitude of
sneering at the music offered by phonograph and radio on the grounds of
quality of rendition and of choice of type; but it is safe to say that
what is offered is what people want, and there is some basis for saying
that to a great extent what people really want is what is good for them.
On the other hand, the furnishing of music at all levels has
unquestionably had the marked effect of raising the American level of
musical appreciation step by step. People can be educated to listen, and
in a marvelous way the radio has really taught people to listen. You
cannot learn to swim without going near the water. Radio has had the
effect of discouraging some persons from the development of musical
skills in performance, because they realize that what they can hear is
so superior to anything that they can do. On the other hand, radio has
stirred the musical interests of the masses into appreciation of the
possibilities of music at their respective levels and not only has made
them whistle the tunes but has encouraged them to participate in various
modes of performance. Listening to the "canned" music has certainly gone
far to develop the ability for listening to legitimate music on the
stage.
Some years ago I had the privilege of being the guest of the city of
Copenhagen for a week. Among the entertainments offered by the city was
a grand opera. The invitation came in the form of a large, beautifully
engraved card of marked distinction and good taste. Attached to it was
the actual ticket to one of the best seats in the house, and the price
printed on this ticket was, in American money, twenty-three cents. It
can be said almost literally that, when grand opera is played in
Copenhagen, people of all classes come out and tend to listen with
appreciation and more or less discrimination. The people have been
educated to hear music. It has been brought down to their level.
Therefore music functions in the social and home life of that city.
Music of a very high order furnishes the entertainment in the parks and
the public halls. That tradition is fast coming to this country, and the
effective training of our youth will do much to hasten the day.
THOUGHT REVIEW
General Principles
(1) The high-school age is the most significant period for the
development of an avocation.
(2) With the coming time for leisure, education for avocation is a
sound educational policy.
(3) It is fortunate that musical education at this age is elective.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account