During those eleven Christian centuries, from the latter part of the fourth century, when the corner-stone for our musical system was laid, until the wonderful exploration period of the fifteenth was well advanced, the masters of music were absorbed in controlling the elements of their art.  Since then event has crowded upon event with rapidly increasing ratio.  During the past two centuries the progress of the art has been like a tale in fairyland.  We now possess a magnificent musical vocabulary, a splendid musical literature, yet so accustomed are we to grand treasure-troves we perhaps prize them no more than the meagre stores of the past were prized.

Music is often mentioned in literature as a means of discipline, inspiration and refreshment.  We read in Homer that Achilles was instructed in the art that he might learn to moderate his passions; Pythagoras, father of Musical Science, counseled his disciples to refresh themselves at the fount of music before retiring to their couches at night in order to restore the inner harmony of their souls, and to seek strength in the morning from the same source.  Plato taught that music is as essential to the mind as air is to the body, and that children should be familiarized with harmonies and rhythms that they might be more gentle, harmonious and rhythmical, consequently better fitted for speech and action.

“Song brings of itself a cheerfulness that wakes the heart to joy,” exclaimed Euripides, and certain it is a large measure of joy surrounds those who live in an atmosphere of music.  It has a magic wand that lifts man beyond the petty worries of his existence.  “Music is a shower-bath of the soul,” said Schopenhauer, “washing away all that is impure.”  Or as Auerbach put it:  “Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

Realizing the influence of music, Martin Luther sang the Reformation into the hearts of the people with his noble chorals in which every one might join.  He called music a mistress of order and good manners, and introduced it into the schools as a means of refinement and discipline, in whose presence anger and all evil would depart.  “A schoolmaster,” said he, “ought to have skill in music, otherwise I would not regard him; neither should we ordain young men to the office of preaching unless they have been well exercised in the art, for it maketh a fine people.”  It were well if teachers and ministers to-day more generally appreciated the value of music to them and their work.

Music is an essential factor in great national movements.  Every commander knows how inspiring and comforting it is to his men.  Napoleon Bonaparte, who was not readily lifted out of himself and who complained that music jarred his nerves, was shrewd enough to observe its effect on marching troops, and to order the bands of different regiments to play daily in front of hospitals to soothe and cheer the wounded.  The one tune he prized, Malbrook, he hummed as he started for his last campaign.  In the solitude of St. Helena he said:  “Of all liberal arts music has the greatest influence over the passions, and it is that to which the legislator ought to give the most encouragement.”