CMP Review 2024-10-03

October 3, 2024

In music appreciation lessons, the primary focus must be the music. Our goal is not to learn as much as possible about any particular composer or composition, but to learn the language of music itself. As Charlotte Mason explains, “these messages of the musicians cannot be put into words, so there is no way of hearing them if we do not train our ear to listen.”

There is always the question, though, of reading words about the music. Should we read little books or big books about the composer or about the compositions? Should we find living books or will reference books suffice? I recall enjoying books by Opal Wheeler and Susanna Reich over the years. But what did the PNEU read before these books were printed?

When I read the 1922 PNEU music programme for Edvard Grieg, I was surprised to find the “set book” for the term was from Bell’s Miniature Series of Musicians. This series included many little books about many different composers, but as far as I can tell, only the book about Grieg was assigned in the PNEU.

The book does not just cover the composer’s life. When Cedric Glover sets out the music programme, he says of the Peer Gynt Suite, “This is the most widely known work of the composer. A very good analysis of it will be found on page 68 of the set book, to which the student is referred.” Words about music to enhance the appreciation.

I decided to track down the book which is shown in the video. Glover’s music programme may also be found here. Writing in 1922, he muses, “Of Grieg’s immortality it is perhaps too early to prophesy.” A century later, it is no longer too early. Just listen.

@artmiddlekauff