UNIQUE POSITION OF "REVIEW"

The Musical Review is perhaps the only one of the Harvard undergraduate publications whose circulation and influence is chiefly among the graduates. But the Review does circulate mainly among graduates and among musicians of influence. Moreover, it takes just pride in the fact that it is almost the only musical magazine in the country that is in a position to be quite free of "trade influences." It has then, an opportunity to fill its pages with articles of broad scholarship and sincere personal expression, on the subjects of music and esthetics such as would hardly appear elsewhere in the country.

How has the present number of the Musical Review measured up to these rich and unique possibilities? Not badly, at any rate. Dr. Davison's discussion of the methods of music teaching in the Boston public schools is timely in view of the avowed purpose of the board of education to go over this department of its work with a fine toothed comb. It reveals convincingly what most of us, in our grade school days, have suffered in the name of art. A constructive article on the same subject, written by some one who was both a psychologist and a musician, might have considerable, influence at this time. Mr. Hall describes Karg-Elert's organ compositions vividly, accomplishing a kind of task which is at best dfficult. Mr. Appel's description of the part of German universities in musical research has a certain encyclopedic tone which might well be imitated more in American undergraduate publications. Mr. Burke, writing of the Dalcroze school at Hellerau, hardly grasps the full scope of the theory, which insists upon the physical teaching of music, as opposed to the mental or psychological teaching which has been in vogue since Greek music died out. For this reason he is unfortunately unable to deliver a fundamental criticism of the Dalcroze method, though he gives a fairly adequate idea of its character. Gilbert Elliott, Jr., draws an enticing picture of life at the MacDowell colony in Peterborough, N. H., and several timely book reviews cover their field well. The editorials, however, as usual in The, Musical Review, lack distinction and that quality which an editoral should have--the stimulation of thought and discussion on matters of wide importance.

The Review might be made a clearing house for fundamental discussion on musical subjects of importance. In this the graduates of the music department have a responsibility and a great privilege.