CONTENTS The artistic disposition-Susceptibility and impulse towards ex- PAGE Definite relations of pitch indispensable-Slow development of scales -Slender beginnings-Practicable intervals-Scales variable in accordance with the purposes for which they are wanted— Melodic scales-Heptatonic and pentatonic-Ancient Greek system-Modes-Persian system-Subtle organisation—Indian system-Modes and ragas-Chinese system-Japanese-Javese Music and religion-Music of early Christian Church-Doubling Universality of choral music-Aiming at beauty of choral effect- Contrapuntal effect-Harmonic effect-Secular forms of choral music-Madrigals-Influence of modes—Accidentals —Early experiments in instrumental music-Imitations of choral forms Reforming idealists-First experiments in opera, oratorio, and can- tata - Recitative-Beginnings indefinite-Expression - Ten- Renewed cultivation of contrapuntal methods-Influence of Italian ence of Italian and Teutonic attitudes towards music-Instru- mentation-Choral effect-Italian oratorio-Passion music- Early instrumental music contrapuntal-Fugue-Organ music- Orchestral music-Harpsichord and clavichord-Suites and BEGINNINGS of MODERN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Systematisation of harmony-The early Italian violinists-Distribu- tion of contrasted types of movements in groups-Violin Formality of the opera seria-Intermezzos-Comic features-Style Self-dependent music and design-Successive stages of development -Subject and form-Influences which formed the musical characters of Haydu and Mozart-Symphonies-Orchestration BALANCE OF EXPRESSION AND DESIGN Development of resources-Importance of Mozart's work at the particular moment—Beethoven's impulse towards expression— His keen feeling for design-Preponderance of sonatas in his works-His three periods-Richness of sound-The pianoforte -The orchestra-Use of characteristic qualities of tone- Characterisation-Increase of impulse towards the embodiment of definite ideas external to music-Spohr-Weber-Mendelssohn Berlioz-Instrumentation-Resuscitation of oratorio-Its peculi- arities-Change in the aspect of choral writing-Secular choral works-Declamation-Solo song-Treatment of words-Expres Italian disposition and its fruits-French opera-German ideals- Wagner-Early influences-Instinct and theory-Exile and reflection-Maturity-Methods and principles-Leit motive- THE ART OF MUSIC CHAPTER I PRELIMINARIES THERE are probably but few people in the world so morose as to find no pleasure either in the exercise or the receipt of sympathy, and it is to be hoped there are very few so blind or perverse as to regard it as an undesirable and useless factor in the human psychological outfit. Whether it is the higher development of an original instinct which enabled mankind to rise above the rest of the animal world by co-operation and mutual helpfulness, or whether it is the outcome of the state of mutual dependence which is the lot of human beings, it is obviously a quality without which society could hardly continue to exist in the complicated state of organisation at which it has arrived. The jarring interests of hurrying, striving millions require something more than mere cold-blooded utilitarian motives to keep them properly balanced; and in matters of everyday life the impulses which tend to mutual helpfulness and forbearance are fed by the ordinary phases of this omnipresent instinct. But there are many kinds and infinitely variable degrees of sympathy, and some people love best to bestow it, and some there are who much prefer to receive it. And apart from the ordinary sympathetic consideration of everyday life on the one hand, and of the devoted sympathetic heroism which often rises to the pitch of entire sacrifice of self on the other, most people have some special lires and subjects which excite their sympathetic instincts, and make |