Reviewed by S: Scoville, jr.
+ N Y Evening Post p9 O 23 ’20 1400w
“He has written well and he has presented his material in as popular a form as was possible, but the reviewer would be failing in his duty if he did not warn the casual book-buyer of the scientific nature of this volume with so attractive a title.”
+ N Y Times p18 D 26 ’20 250w + Outlook 126:238 O 6 ’20 60w
SIMPSON, EUGENE E. America’s position in music. *$1 (14c) Four seas co. 780.9
20–9483
A brief essay in which the author points out “that America has for a long time possessed a number of distinctive elements in music which were found in no other country, therefore were inevitably American.” He traces the pioneer efforts in American music, beginning with Lowell Mason in 1821, and he takes special notice of the use made of Indian and negro themes. The chronology at the end lists over ninety American composers, with the titles of their best known works. The essay is reprinted from “Modern music and musicians,” revised edition of 1918.
“Unfortunately Mr Simpson, who means well and has much common sense, tries to write grandiloquently. It is often difficult to understand him.”
+ − Boston Transcript p6 Je 23 ’20 450w + − Survey 44:385 Je 12 ’20 180w