PREFACE

Summary

In undertaking this work, the authors have been animated by the desire to present the true position of the British Empire in the world of music. A country is musical only by the music it produces for itself, not by what it takes from others. In this work, therefore, only what has been done by Britain's own sons and daughters is placed on record. It is probable that in no other nation is there, at the present time, greater musical activity, creative or executive, than is to be witnessed in our own; and this not only in the great centres of population and culture, but everywhere throughout the Empire. In this connection the work of provincial and colonial musicians has received its proper share of attention. The greater masters, already noticed at length in other similar publications, have been treated with brevity in order to afford space for mention of many worthy, if obscure, workers in the cause of Art, hitherto passed over by writers of biography. The very large number (probably over 40,000) of persons engaged in the musical profession at the present time will explain the apparent preponderance of notices devoted to living musicians. This part of the work, however, is intended rather to be representative than complete; and from various causes, in many cases only a bare outline could be accomplished. While some names may seem to have but slight claim to inclusion, it is hoped that no artist of eminence has been omitted.