The Sun Nr. 105 (New York) bringt auf S. 91 (= S. 5 des 8. Teils) eine ausführliche Besprechung einer Salome-Komposition, in der auch Bruckners Vorzüge und vor allem Schwächen zur Sprache kommen:

"ILL EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH CROWDING BY YOUNG MUSICIANS

Merits of Many Compositions Are Nullified by Being Long Drawn Out

--- Hadley's "Salome," a Tone Poem, Attempts to Give Most of Drama's Details in Half Hour

                 By W. J. HENDERSON.

HENRY HADLEY'S "Salome" was revived at a concert of the New Symphony Orchestra in Tuesday evening last. [... Vergleiche mit Richard Strauss' "Salome" (deren sofortige Absetzung in New York) ... mit über 25 Minuten zu lang ohne Unterbrechung ... ausführlich zum Vorbild "Tannhäuser"-Ouvertüre ... Liszts Werke nicht zu lange, Strauss manchmal doch ...].

                 Good Examples to Follow.

     Why do not young musicians profit by the examples of such masters as Bruckner? There is no room for doubt that he was singularly gifted, that he had invention of a high order and that his imagination was that of a great artist. He saw splendid visions and he brooded upon them in solitude till his grasp of the concrete became lax and nerveless. Then in the labor of recording his dreams he lost himself in futile speculation. The result was that his music wandered aimlessly through illogical developments and became as Tennyson's "long tailed birds of paradise that float through heaven and cannot light."

     What a pity! Bruckner wanted the one vital element of a successful organization, that which James McCush used to call "singleness of eye." Concentration would have placed Bruckner in the ranks of the leaders. In the compositions of all musicians who have wanted the power of concentration there is something of the nature of improvisation which calls to mind the pregnant words of Schumann:

     "If Heaven has gifted you with a lively imagination you will often in lonely hours sit as though spellbound at the pianoforte seeking to express the harmony that dwells within your mind; [...]. You will only obtain mastery of form and the power of clear construction through the firm outlines of the pen. Write more than you improvise, therefore." . . . . .

                Danger of Improvising Habit.

     But what if the manner of writing is vitiated by an improvisung habit of mind? Then we may confidently expect prolixity and soporific pages. The artist must not hope to live a hermit life. He must labor always with the public before him. [...] he should never forget that music is composed in order that some one shall listen to it.

     [... wieder zu Hadleys Komposition ... kurz über die Opernsaison ...]." (*).

 

Der San Francisco Chronicle Nr. 152 bringt auf S. 9 den am 7.12.1919 erstmals veröffentlichten Musikbrief mit Erwähnung der 8. Symphonie [am 28.11.1919]:

"Famous Sopranos Rivals For Favor of Americans; Championship in Balance

                                    [...]

NEW YORK, December 12.–[... Über einen Arien-Abend (Caruso im Publikum) ... Klavierabend ...].

     A mere cataloguing of the concerts and recitals of recent days, which attracted throngs of people, would occupy more space than we can conveniently spare. So we must be content to speak of the most important ones, and rather briefly, too.

     After a temporary rest the symphony orchestras returned to their tasks with a zest unimpaired [... Artur Bodanzky (New Symphony) mit der "Rheinischen" ...]; Josef Stransky led the Philharmonic in the not-lately-heard Eighth Symphony by Bruckner; the New York Symphony musicians under Walter Damrosch performed several times familiar works, and Eugene Ysaye brought the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra here for a brief visit.

     Mr. Ysaye in the role of conductor instead of violinist, in which he usually appears, invited our interest. [... unterschiedliche Meinungen ...]." (**).

 

Derselbe Text erscheint auch in The Los Angeles Times auf S. 58 und 66 (= S. 26 bzw. 34 des 3. Teils):

"    PIERRE KEY'S Music Article

     NEW YORK, Dec. 9.–[... Über einen Arien-Abend (Caruso im Publikum) ... Klavierabend ...].

     A mere cataloguing of the concerts and recitals of recent days, which attracted throngs of people, would occupy more space than we can conveniently spare. So we must be content to speak of the most important ones, and rather briefly, too.