our heads and look back over the way we have come we may take heart.
Which of us does not feel a little glow of pride at the thought of what
has been done in the last thirty years? Here is a town where, before
1870, music had fallen to the most miserable depths, which to-day teems
with concerts and schools of music--a town where one of the first
symphonic schools in Europe has sprung from nothing, a town where an
enthusiastic concert-going public has been formed, possessing among its
members some great critics with broad interests and a fine, free
spirit--all this is the pride of France. And we have, too, a little band
of musicians; among them, in the first rank, that great painter of
dreams, Claude Debussy; that master of constructive art, Dukas; that
impassioned thinker, Albéric Magnard; that ironic poet, Ravel; and those
delicate and finished writers, Albert Roussel and Déodat de Séverac;
without mention of the younger musicians who are in the vanguard of
their art. And all this poetic force, though not the most vigorous, is
the most original in Europe to-day. Whatever gaps one may find in our
musical organisation, still so new, whatever results this movement may
lead to, it is impossible not to admire a people whom defeat has
aroused, and a generation that has accomplished the magnificent work of
reviving the nation's music with such untiring perseverance and such
steadfast faith. The names of Camille Saint-Saëns, César Franck, Charles
Bordes, and Vincent d'Indy, will remain associated before all others
with this work of national regeneration, where so much talent and so
much devotion, from the leaders of orchestras and celebrated composers
down to that obscure body of artists and music-lovers, have joined
forces in the fight against indifference and routine. They have the
right to be proud of their work. But for ourselves, let us waste no time
in thinking about it. Our hopes are great. Let us justify them.
WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH
THE MUSICIAN'S BOOKSHELF.
A NEW SERIES.
_Crown 8vo. Occasionally Illustrated._
EDITED BY CLAUDE LANDI, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M.
MUSICIANS OF TO-DAY. By ROMAIN ROLLAND, Author of "Jean-Christophe."
Translated by MARY BLAIKLOCK.
PRACTICAL SINGING. By CLIFTON COOKE and CLAUDE LANDI.
THE UNREST IN THE MUSIC WORLD. By SYDNEY BLAKISTON.
THE SONATA IN MUSIC. By A. EAGLEFIELD HULL, Mus. Doc.
THE SYMPHONY IN MUSIC. By the same.
ON LISTENING TO MUSIC. By E. MARKHAM LEE, M.A., Mus. Doc.
COUNTERPOINT. By G.G. BERNARDI. Translated by C. LANDI.
OPERA. By HARRY BURGESS.
_Other Volumes in preparation_.