Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Selected autobiographical and critical essays by the important early 20c American composer/campaigner Arthur Farwell: a major narrative of American musical life c.1900.
Arthur Farwell was the great apostle of American music. He published works by American composers in his Wa-Wan Press, he lectured widely on the need to develop a national style, and he spearheaded the American Music Society's drive to promote the country's composers. The twenty-year crusade covered in Wanderjahre, ' originally published as articles in Musical America, begins in 1889 when Farwell's musical interest first developed, continues throughhis Bohemian days in Boston as a budding composer and his trip to Europe for further study, then chronicles his work in America on his return in 1899. Later critical articles and reviews confirm Farwell as an original, often audacious voice, frequently at odds with the musical establishment but raising key issues of American musical life in his day, and giving valuable insights into that milieu.
Synopsis
Arthur Farwell was the great apostle of American music. He published works by American composers in his Wa-Wan Press, he lectured widely on the need to develop a national style, and he spearheaded the American Music Society's drive to promote the country's composers. The twenty-year crusade covered in Wanderjahre, ' originally published as articles in Musical America, begins in 1889 when Farwell's musical interest first developed, continues through his Bohemian days in Boston as a budding composer and his trip to Europe for further study, then chronicles his work in America on his return in 1899. Later critical articles and reviews confirm Farwell as an original, often audacious voice, frequently at odds with the musical establishment but raising key issues of American musical life in his day, and giving valuable insights into that milieu.
Synopsis
Selected autobiographical and critical essays by the important early 20c American composer/campaigner Arthur Farwell: a major narrative of American musical life c.1900.
Synopsis
The composer Arthur Farwell (1875-1952) had only recently joined the staff of the paper Musical America when his autobiographical "Wanderjahre of a Revolutionist" began appearing in weekly installments early in 1909. Already known as an apostle of American music, he had established his Wa-Wan Press in 1901 to publish works of American composers. Then between 1903 and 1907, he made four cross-country trips, lecturing on the need to develop a national style of music and playing his own piano pieces based on Native American themes. Not stopping there, he spearheaded a national organization - the American Music Society - with centers in various cities in order to promote the country's composers at the grass roots. Farwell's writings offer rich insight into a remarkable visionary and crusader for American music. As the centerpiece for this collection, "Wanderjahre of a Revolutionist" provides a colorful, firsthand view of his tireless efforts. Also included are eight other journalistic essays which reveal Farwell as an original, often audacious, voice that frequently collided with the musical establishment. Farwell's discourse raises key issues of America's musical life in his day while capturing an engaging view of the milieu.
Table of Contents
Wanderjahre of a revolutionist : memoirs at age thirty-seven -- Toward American music -- Society and American music -- National work vs. nationalism -- A glance at present musical problems in America -- Individual advancement -- The new gospel of music -- Community music-drama -- Evolution of new forms foreseen for America's music.