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| Emil Młynarski (Wikipedia) |
The May 1915
edition of The Musical Times carried
a pen portrait of Emil
Młynarski who at that time was the principal conductor of the Scottish
Orchestra. The essay concluded with a
statement by Młynarski about the aims and objects of the Festival, as
well as a listing of the concert programmes. Much of what Młynarski
writes about the ‘neglect’ of British music both in the United Kingdom and
elsewhere seems remarkably familiar a century later.
Emil Młynarski
wrote:
The character of
this Festival is retrospective. It is not for the purpose of introducing the
music of new and unknown composers, for it is believed that whatever public
demand there is for this is amply provided for by the efforts of other organizations.
In the programmes of the three concerts, none but those composers who have
already won distinction are represented. The music played is exclusively
British, and consists of what is, in the opinion of the selection committee,
the best and most characteristic written and produced during the past ten
years. Though actual novelty has not been a credential for inclusion in the
programmes, a first-rate work that is unfamiliar has obtained precedence over
one that is well-known.
As conductor of
the Scottish Orchestra for five seasons, I have been acquainted with many
British works, and have been surprised that their composers were so little
known on the Continent and, indeed, so much neglected in their own country. The
reason for the neglect of the British composer abroad is largely that the
foreigner has so few opportunities of hearing British music, even in Britain.
Performances are so scattered and so irregular that no clear idea can be conveyed
of the growth and development of British music.
Important musical
organizations, having no Government grant or wealthy patrons, have to please to
live; experience has shown that, under existing conditions, the British composer
is not profitable.
A series of
Festivals in London in May-June might do much for the British composer abroad,
and lead to a fuller development of British music at home…
…I desire to
express my great appreciation of the artistic support afforded by Mr. Thomas
Beecham, whose enthusiasm has been such a great factor in musical progress in
this country.
Musical Times,
May 1915
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