L'Oeuvre de Marcel Dupré by R. Delestre; Marcel DupréReview by: Richard KeithNotes, Second Series, Vol. 10, No. 3 (Jun., 1953), p. 458Published by: Music Library AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/892188 .

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life. A number of fine illustrations (among which No. 31 of 1890 shows an unfamiliar Brahms with a very neatly trimmed beard, making him strangely resemblant to Monty Woolley), various lists of Brahms' compositions, and a survey of the Brahms literature add to the significance of this attractive hook. While it does not offer information new to the scholar, its organization of the material is unconventional and pleasing.

KARL GEIRINGER

L'Oeuvre de Marcel Dupre. [Par l'Ab- be] R. Delestre. Paris: Editions Musique Sacree, [1952 ?]. [160 p., illus., ports., 8vo; paper. Dist. in U. S. by World Library of Sacred Music, 1846 Westwood Ave., Cincinnati 14]

This short study of the work of Marcel Dupr6 by the chapel master of the Rouen Cathedral is more a loving tribute to the famous organist than a critical an- alysis. It is obviously the work of one who has unqualified admiration for his unusually versatile subject.

Most of the pages are taken up with brief, non-technical descriptions, in pro- gram note style, of all the organist's com- positions. This section is preceded by short chapters on Dupre as. virtuoso and interpreter, and as improviser, and is fol- lowed by an eight-page discussion of the composer's style. A catalog of his works, arranged according to performing me- dium, has been placed at the end. Thir- teen reproductions of photographs of the organist and organs associated with him are also included. There are no muisical examples.

The book's major defect is its lack of objectivity. No attempt is made to com- pare Dupr6's style of playing or com- posing with other schools or to evaluate the relative importance of his music. There are many quotations from Dupre himself, whiclh shed light on his attitudes toward playing, teaching, and composing. Dupre has undoubtedly been one of the greatest forces in the organ field both in France and the United States and will continue to be for years to come. Organ- ists should enjoy this little book and should find the catalog of compositions useful. RICHARD KEITH

The Story of Jerome Kern. By David Ewen. [Holt Musical Biographies Series]. New York: Henry Holt & Co., [1953]. [148 p., port., 8vo; $2.50]

A new book by David Ewen hardly needs reviewing. Most of his volumes follow the pattern of shallowness and superficiality. The Story of Jerome Kern, evidently intended for readers from eight to eighty, is no exception. It gives some information about the composer, who is rightly esteemed by his fellow country- men, but it affords little insight into his actual accomplishment or the quality of his music. Readers know by now that Mr. Ewen is quite satisfied with what he does; in this book he has not departed from his customary low standards.

But even Mr. Ewen's readers are en- titled to accurate facts, and there are some statements in the book which sadly miss this reasonable demand. To say that Kern wrote the music for Miss 1917 ignores the fact that Victor Herbert com- posed half the score, and the more pre- tentious half at that. Consequently it is even more erroneous to list this same production as one "for which Jerome Kern wrote the complete score." To de- scribe the "Butterfly Ballet" in Kern's Sally as delightful is quite proper, but again it was Victor Herbert who com- posed this ballet music and who received royalties every time it was used in a per- formance. Mr. Ewen makes no mention of Herbert's participation. Such ignoring of easily ascertainable facts is inexcus- able and makes the whole book suspect, regardless of any virtues it may have.

There is not much point in attacking or questioning Mr. Ewen's opinions, yet some statements provoke observation. Show Boat may be "the greatest musical comedy of the American theater," but many will doubt it. Positive assertions of this nature are not well advised, and young readers should be warned that such declarations are only the author's personal views.

A book of this sort is a real danger when read by readers of limited expe- rience, but probably no other readers will approach it. One cannot help won- dering, however, just what kind of service

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