The Music of Hindostan c17.166

c17.166

On the other hand, it seldom runs riot in absolutism. Since it is vocal rather than instrumental, melodic and not harmonic, it seldom travels far from those broad human requirements which gave, in song, the first impulse to musical expression, and which, through whatever subsequent developments, still form its ultimate justification.¹ Since concerted song is rare the personal element is not put in commission, and the appeal of the music is therefore more immediate. At the same time it never ceases to be a purely musical appeal. For whereas in our songs development has proceeded increasingly on other lines than those of pure melody,² in India the singer’s tones can still carry all the artistry which his mind can conceive. And while in England, especially, concerted music has always been highly prized, and rightly so, for its social element,³ it is apt to fall short of the highest ideals, since it is never so easy to find an artistic crowd as an artistic individual.