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The American Composer

The American Composer For many years, people engaged in all branches of artistic endeavor have been hoping for some governmental recognition of their efforts. At last it has come in the form of the WPA, with its many fine projects, its splendid musical conductors, its opportunities for artis­ tic people to come together for the creation of works of beauty, and its financial support of the artist as on an equal plane with those engaged in other professions. Truly, such an ideal, now reached, not only establishes the artist's confidence in himself, but is the basis for the formation of a remarkable culture—a culture as fine as any possessed by the ancients. The benefits of the WPA for the American composer, then, are indeed great. To understand fully how great they are, it is necessary to review briefly musical history in America. In the past, conductors of our symphonies have programmed American works only occa­ sionally, while giving the greater part of their attention to acquaint­ ing the American public with classic and modern European music. Of course, this is necessary too. We should not be ignorant of the fine things our musical neighbors are accomplishing. But, on the other hand, we http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Black Sacred Music Duke University Press

The American Composer

Spencer, Jon Michael
Black Sacred Music , Volume 6 (2) – Sep 1, 1992
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Copyright
Copyright © 1992 by Duke University Press
ISSN
1043-9455
eISSN
2640-9879
DOI
10.1215/10439455-6.2.86
Publisher site
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Abstract

For many years, people engaged in all branches of artistic endeavor have been hoping for some governmental recognition of their efforts. At last it has come in the form of the WPA, with its many fine projects, its splendid musical conductors, its opportunities for artis­ tic people to come together for the creation of works of beauty, and its financial support of the artist as on an equal plane with those engaged in other professions. Truly, such an ideal, now reached, not only establishes the artist's confidence in himself, but is the basis for the formation of a remarkable culture—a culture as fine as any possessed by the ancients. The benefits of the WPA for the American composer, then, are indeed great. To understand fully how great they are, it is necessary to review briefly musical history in America. In the past, conductors of our symphonies have programmed American works only occa­ sionally, while giving the greater part of their attention to acquaint­ ing the American public with classic and modern European music. Of course, this is necessary too. We should not be ignorant of the fine things our musical neighbors are accomplishing. But, on the other hand, we

Journal

Black Sacred Music – Duke University Press

Published: Sep 1, 1992

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