CHAP. III - Musical Journalism
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2010
Summary
When Leipsic music and the Leipsic Fair are the topic, the mind of every one in the least conversant with the Art, will naturally turn in the direction of musical publication, recollecting how long that spirited and friendly town has been one of the main centres to which the poet has looked for the means of diffusing his works, and the knowledge of his works, hither and thither.
But if I advert to the Leipsic utterances of and concerning Music in paper and ink, it is not again to dwell on the gorgeous, liberal, cheap, and correct works poured out in remarkable profusion by the Leipsic publishers, but rather to dwell on another relation of the press with Music; even though it may be thought by many persons, one on which it is indecorous for me to dwell at all. Having myself attempted journalism with reference to Music, it may be held that I have no right to speak of the secrets of the printing-office in other lands; that I am betraying trust, faithless to my own guild, and disloyal in return for courtesy.
With this canon I can but in part agree. While few can regard personality in any form, as a more unbeseeming misuse of experience and confidence than myself, no one writing on Art must avoid (in dread of being misconstrued) from dealing with any important estate that at once influences its well-being, and reflects its quality.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Modern German MusicRecollections and Criticisms, pp. 63 - 74Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009