Josef Holbrooke And His Work

oenix," "Saint Joseph," " The Raven," and " Ixion "?in other cases. His criticisms scarcely touch upon the music of the older masters at all, but his pen has been almost exclusively dedicated to advancing the cause of modern music, and of the English composers in particular, and to showing up the abuses and absurdities that deface our musical life. These matters are of far more vital importance to him than the claims of ancient art. His style of writing is singularly galvanic and impulsive. When he wishes to score a point he often does so in language as forcible as the blow of a hammer. Generally, though, he expresseshis opinions in a confidential chatty sort of manner, which, in spite of occasional outbursts of vehemence, are never delivered in the ex cathedra fashion so much favoured by more dogmatic critics. The personal note is nearly always sounded in his writings. He pens these critical articles not only on behalf of English music generally, but also with the attempted object of removing the hindrances that bar the progress of his own art work. But however much he may feel the neglect that good native art suffers in this country, he is never bitter. He has the saving quality of humour that enables him to take a broad outlook on men and things in general. He is cynical at times and severe at times, but his ready wit redeems his assertions from all trace of vindictiveness. And he has no aversion to turning his wit against himself either. As to his ...