STRANGE MUSIC MAY DELIGHT POSTERITY

"I have not tried to show that modern music is better than ancient, but rather the idea that musical tastes change greatly through the centuries," said Dr. A. T. Davison '06 at the science symposium last evening in Emerson D. Dr. Davison had just finished a piano example of several bits of ultra-modern music which sounded very much like some of the music of the early middle ages, examples of which he had also given. These ultro-modern wisps of music seemed a jumble of discords, seemed to disregard rhythm, and grated upon the ear. Yet, Dr. Davison did not condemn this type of music but spoke of it rather as a forerunner of an entirely different type of music which future generations would appreciate and think superior to the music of the present generation.

Discusses Harmony and Sound

Dr. Davison was considering the subject "Sound", which was the general subject of the symposium, from the stand-point of music, his special field of study. His subject was "Harmony and Sound", which concluded the evening's program. The first third of the evening was taken up by Professor F. A. Saunders of the Physics Department, who spoke on "Vibrations and the theory of sound". The second speaker was Professor G. H. Parker '87, of the Department of Zoology, who discussed "Production and Reception of Animal Sound".

Describes Operation of Ear

Professor Saunders, after presenting the different things in regard to sound which would be considered,--its being formed, transmitted, received by the ear, and the operations of the brain,--and after making several remarks about its formation and transmission, made use of a remarkable instrument, which in the dark room threw a dot of light on the screen. By means of revolving mirrors, this point of light was made to sweep continuously across the screen, forming a continuous line. By a very complicated mechanism, this ray of light was acted upon by a diaphragm at the funnel end of a large horn in such a way that whenever Professor Saunders spoke the streak of light on the screen waved, reproducing exactly the sound waves. He then made sounds illustrating complicated waves and overtones.

Professor Parker devoted himself wholly to the explanation of lantern slides, illustrating the reception of sound in the ear. He stated that there is no satisfactory explanation of how that sound waves are transferred from the ear to the mind. He presented the many theories which have been advanced.

Approximately 600 attended last evening's symposium. Professor Harlow Shapley of the University Observatory stated that a third symposium was being arranged for the latter part of February. No subject had been set, but he suggested possibilities in "Fire", "Mob", "Food", and "Light".