Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... The writer has in mind partly the wretched execution of the music, but principally its mixed character, as ecclesiastical and profane, without being decidedly the one or the other. Thus though his object was laudable, and though the means he used are beautiful and another proof of his wonderful genius, and though he is not at all to be blamed because he could not forecast the future, it nevertheless is to be deeply regretted that since the public at large were not to be permanent gainers, those who could appreciate should be the losers through useless concessions; in other words, that an attempt was not made at an avowed and thorough-going restoration, not half hearted and not half way, and undeterred by alluring visions of a practical public success which in the very nature of the case seems forever impossible. Even if it be conceded that a thorough-going restoration would have given a truer enjoyment, and might have been trusted to find its own audieuce, the question might still be asked by what means it could have been effected, since Greek music has disappeared? Not by outward imitation. In all works of art it is especially needful that one work, not by the outer example, but by the method of the original. It is evident that only he who sees the meaning behind the forms can reproduce the latter faithfully. The most painstaking copyist, ignorant of shorthand, might reproduce the more illegible portions of stenographic notes so inadequately that his copy would be undecipherable. It would be far better.that another stenographer should write the same words independent of all notes. A translation into another language would be better than an unintelligent attempt at a facsimile. The Greek drama is a Rosetta stone, in which the outer...
