Presto

^rrom ^Jhe Edit or 5
AMERICA: THE WORLD MUSIC CENTER
"The United States has become the world center for mus-
ical culture and the refuge for outstanding musicians." Thus
spoke Prof. Georg Schneevoight, Conductor of the Stockholm
Orchestra, Sweden. Dr. Schneevoight has recently come to
this country, having flown here from Australia where he was
during recent months directing the organization of symphonic
orchestras in Syndey and Melbourne. With his wife, Mme.
Sigrid Schneevoight, a famous European pianist, he had left
Stockholm last February.
Gives Interview In New York
Just a few days ago Dr. Schneevoight gave an interview
on the subject of the condition of music throughout the world.
After asking to be excused from making an observation about
the war situation, he launched into the subject of music in
America. He said that the nations of Europe at war or on
the edge of war were using all their energies in the life con-
suming conflict and consequently had no time nor money to
devote to music. He added that many of Europe's leading
musicians were in the United States.
War Is Retarding Music
Dr. Schneevoight said: "The war is retarding music in
. many ways. Its development has been arrested in Europe
indefinitely. Music is a luxury in Europe as people must use
all their money for war purposes or defense and for the barest
necessities of living. And after the war it will take many
years to repair the awful damages and to build up a surplus
for culture."
Music, The Universal Language
He continued: "But music is the universal language—
without words—of all countries. The music of one country
cannot be destroyed by another country. In the last fifty
years America had become too dependent on German, French,
and Italian music. That is because music w r as a business in
those countries. But in Scandinavia, it is an art because we
Scandinavians are not in such a hurry as some other peo-
ples. We have many rehearsals and the performances are of
a higher standard."
Dr. Schneevoight was born in Viborg. Finland, in 1878.
He believes the greatest folk music in the world has arisen
among the people of Finland, due to the influence of Finland's
natural charms; her thousands of lakes, rivers, forests, snows,
rugged coast lines, and islands.
As a young" boy Dr. Schneevoight when he studied at the
Conservatory at Helsingfors, Finland, knew Sibelius. He
says that Sibelius, "captured the beautiful fantasies and
dreamy wistfulness of the land as the somber note of struggle
and recurring tragedy among the people."
IN T H E SILENT HALLS OF HISTORY, 1940!
People often appear to have the idea that Time is like a
long log that is cut up into small sections called years, and
that when a piece — a year — has been cut off it becomes a
thing of the past, a section of time that is past and dead. Not
so! The year 1940 will always remain a living, vital force in
the long stretch of time which is more like a mighty rivet"
ever flowing on and changing rather than a log.
What About 1940?
First, it was the beginning of a new decade that probably
will be as full of revolutionary forces as was the decade of the
last World War, namely, 1910. There are some powerful
groups in Europe who aim to carry their particular revolu-
tions forward to fulfillment in this decade. How far this
revolutionary power may go no one can tell today. Other
forces are just as eager and determined to maintain the demo-
cratic system or way of life and to extend its sway. And
how far that movement may go no man knoweth.
Blitzkrieg: A World Change !
The German word for lightening and crushing battle has
now become a universal word known by all peoples. Last
April I had a man explain to me how it would be absolutely
impossible for any enemy to invade Holland. Yet within a
month from that very day. Holland had been overcome and
the conquest took only a "few days. We mention this simply
to show that 1940 marks the greatest changes in warfare ever
known to take place in. so short a period. The year 1940 will,
therefore, be known for the lightening use of world transform-
ing military implements and techniques.
Terrible Destruction ! That will be a fact associated with
1940. Some of the greatest monuments of Europe have been
destroyed or injured during the past year. If the war con-
tinues, this destruction will increase. Museums, churches,
sculptures, parliament buildings, and many old, beautiful, and
important structures and objects will be wiped out.
ALl INQUIRIES FROM YOUR TERRITORY REFERRED DIRECTJTO Y O U .
HOLT ON
Precision Band instruments
are advertised regularly in
• METRONOME
« DOWN BEAT
INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN
* SCHOOL MUSICIAN
TARG
Write Today for our
Special Exclusive
Franchise and new
Holton Finance Plan
& DINNER, Inc.
"The Wholesale Music Center"
425 S.WABASH AVE . . .CHICAGO
7?e Only
PAGE EIGHT
Holton
r/esa/er in the U. S.
PRESTO MUSIC TIMES
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/