MUSICAL WORKS.
The Universal School of Music. By Dr. Adolph Bernhard Marx, Pro- fessor of Music at the University of Berlin. Translated by A. H. Wehran. Dr. Marx of Berlin stands at the head of living didactic writers on music. His principal work, "The School of Composition," divides with the great The Universal School of Music. By Dr. Adolph Bernhard Marx, Pro- fessor of Music at the University of Berlin. Translated by A. H. Wehran. Dr. Marx of Berlin stands at the head of living didactic writers on music. His principal work, "The School of Composition," divides with the great work of his The Godfried Weber the attention of musical students in Germany. The title of his present publication does not, we think, convey a correct idea of its character : more appropriately it might have been called "A Cursory Survey of the Art of Music" ; for although comprehensive in its scope, it treats the subjects concisely, presupposing in the reader a know- ledge of those technical detail e which it belongs to a school to teach. The objects of Dr. Marx, as described in his preface, are—" firstly, to Five ge- neral information on all those elementary matters which every musical stu- dent ought to know, and to prepare the way for the special and highest branches of study ; secondly, to awaken in the mind a consciousness of all that is sublime, eternally true, or morally and spiritually elevating in art ; thirdly, to incite all to a more earnest and general reflection on the subject of musical instruction and the method of teaching." The Doctor treats more of the philosophy and msthetics of music than of the special rules of the art. These he generalizes, explaining their rationale, or the principles of taste and reason on which they are founded ; thus enabling the student to judge for himself of the extent of their application and the exceptions to which they are liable. -From this subject he proceeds to a review of the various artistic forms of composition ; illustrating his remarks by reference to the great works for the church, the theatre, and the concert. Next he discusses the subject of artistic performance ; and closes with observations on the cultivation of music, and the modes of musical instruction. The author, as we have said, presupposes a certain degree of practical knowledge of music and of the works of the gre It masters ; and a reader thus qualified for its perusal will find his book of very great value.
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