_by Arthur Farwell._
_Illustration by Dan Smith._
“Music is a woman,” said Richard Wagner. We may well go further
and say: Music is a mother. It is by no mere chance that the
Germans speak of _Frau_ Musica. The devotion of Music to humanity,
in its varying, growing and innumerable needs, is the eternal and
utter devotion of a mother to her child. Music is ever present,
ever watchful, ready to sing to man, whatsoever his need, whether
of consolation, of courage, or of love. Nor does she forsake him
in his evil hour, when none but darker passions can touch his
heart. She will go with her children to the deepest depths, and if
thus terrible has become their need, she will yield to them her
heartbroken sympathy even in their hate and their lust.
Music will make all sacrifice for men. At the cost of fearful
pains of growth, she will change her nature with their growing,
or even their perverse needs. Let her living sons but call upon
her to forsake her earlier nature to sympathize with the broader
and deeper consciousness which they have wrung from life in their
battle with circumstance, and unhesitatingly she responds. She will
indulge a prodigal Strauss or a Debussy, even to his own harm, and
she yields her best only to him whose sympathy has made him one
with the deep and simple heart of humanity.
In America’s present need of songs breathing the freedom and
courage of the New World, Music, the all-mother, is present and
watchful, and will stand by her latest son until he is full grown
and strong.
[Illustration]