Much Praise to Musical Review

One is inclined to be querulous at the brevity of the current issue of the Harvard Musical Review. This is indicative of its interest, and it redounds to the credit of a young publication that, in times of material necessity when art is hungry and shivering, it can make a successful incursion into the field of pure criticism.

Roger H. Sessions offers a generous, and enthusiastic appraisal of Mr. Ernest Newman's "Wagner as Man and Artist." In a patient and thoroughly intelligent analysis, he presents the pith of what seems to be a significant accession to the library of Wagneriana. With the exception of an exuberant challenge to those who might differ with one of his conclusions, Mr. Sessions is temperate, betrays an extraordinary sense of proportion, and a convincing ecquaintance with much that has been said for and against a unique artist.

Richard M. Jopling cleverly throttles American music by writing of its development and prefacing his remarks with the statement that it is practically non-existent. If Mr. Jopling is severe upon the native composer as he is, he is not pessimistic as to what he may become. He persuasively argues that when various racial elements are blended in the national crucible, there will be a spontaneous effervescence of music redolent with Americanism. A great many "Nationalists" share this point of view. The American composer has been so knocked about, however, that one is tempted to hope that his origin can be ignored for the moment, and his music listened to as that of an individual.

Debussy's battle has been fought and won to all intents and purposes. The little band of Pelleastres that gathered more than a decade ago in the Opera Comique would find now only a timid enemy. J. D. Austin's "Debussy and his Critics," therefore, is pertinent rather, as an eloquent plea for fair-mindedness in criticism than as an apologia for the piquant and genial author of La Mer.

J. N. Burke writes an excellent review of Lawrence Gilman's "Nature in Music."

Thus the Musical Review for November is thoroughly readable, and its subscribers will undoubtedly regret there isn't more of it.