-' S - - - -' A- 4 -' - ,..- ,< -- . , . Pace Four THE MICHIGAN DAILY Sunday, February 24, 1957 Sunday, February 24, 1957 THE MICHIGAN DAILY The. Music Layman A Review of Vincent Sheean's New Book, First and Last Love' THE EMOTIONAL PROBI Mental Medicine Men Are Giving Their Advice to Worrie< "FIRST AND LAST LOVE" byj Vincent Sheean; New York, Random House; 305 pp.; $4.75. By A. TRIOLO IN HIS latest book versatile writ- er Vincent Sheean undertakes a real and deeply personal labor of love which is to give testimony concerning his life-long commit- ment to music as a listener. He does not admit to ever having en- gaged actively in the making of music of any sort. His purpose is therefore to represent the point of view of the intelligent layman. It must be said at once that the book has a special focus. At the outset Mr. Sheean readily concedes that cf all the forms of music which he has come to know "the most normative and enduring was the 'impure' form, the quasi-muscial and quasi-dra- matic, the distinctly literary and indirect invention known as opera." It is not that he does not ex- press genuine regard for sym- phonic music, chamber music, German lieder, or pay homage to J.S. Bach, but the essence of the book is the evolution of his oper- atic awareness and taste. The book's distinctive quality is that its author has had the enviable opportunity to see and hear opera in all its native and not so native habitats throughout the Western world during his long career as free lance writer and correspon- dent. He begins by recalling-rather murkily, I fear-his earliest, frag- mentary contact with opera dur- ing August Chatauqua time in Pana, Illinois, and subsequently we see his development in Chica- go, New York and Europe. He gives himself free rein in the mat- te: of the reflections and impres- sions which his experiences sug- gest. The book's form is there- fore quite free despite its under- lying chronological framework. BEING neither professional mu- sician, psychologist, sociolo- gist, nor philosopher Mr. Sheean does not pause long over theor- etical speculations on the mean- ing and value of music-listening, The question, however, is a fas- cinating one and as a sensitive observer of the contemporary scene Mr. Sheean is vitally inter- ested in the role of music. He briefly mentions, and at once discards, such contentions as William James' idea that mu- sic must justify itself by inspir- ing the listener to some ethically good deed. The act of listening to music for its own sake without a thought of practical purpose or result, he tells us, is a relatively modern phenomenon in the his- tory of man and furthermore it is restricted to Western culture. Its supporters are growing in number and in breadth of appe- tite. How has this come about? Mr. Sheean poses the question but hardly dares even to adumbrate an answer. He knows and values his Freud but is not happy with the general thory of "sublimation" as an ex- planation. Whatever the answer may be, he is content to fall back upon the belief that we have achieved an additional dimension of experience and the possibility of a better being as a result of the development. He makes an act of faith in the value of music as an agent impregnating our modes of thought and feeling, widening and deepening our per- ceptions. There is, of course, nothing new or startling in these gener- alities but Mr. Sheean's purpose is not to attempt profound analy- sis but rather to offer a sort of free association biography to his readers hoping that it will shed_ some light on the relationship of music to life. OUR author confesses himself to have been from his youth a chronic sufferer of the disease called Schwarmerei. He defines it as one "prevalent in opera houses and concert halls, which shows itself in breathless and senseless adoration of either artists in gen- eral or some artists in particular." Principal among the artists whom he has singled out for ad- miration are Madam Lotte Leh- mann and Arturo Toscanini. To Lotte Lehmann, who became his personal friend, he dedicates his book. His very warm and endur- ing regard for this great lady is everywhere apparent. So awed was he of Toscanini that he was never able to originate a 2 emark in the presence of that musical ti- tan. These artists and many oth- ers - outstanding among whom are Mary Garden, Frida Leider, Kirsten Flagstad, Marian Ander- son, Chaliapin and Bruno Wal- ter - appear over and over again as Mr. Sheean describes, and gives, his impressions and convictions on operas, performances, person- alities, opera houses and cities. He recreates the musical atmosphere of Milan, Vienna and Salzburg effectively if not magically, for his style is somewhat journalis- tically flat. It will surprise no one that Mr. Sheean's mature taste fastened upon late Wagner, late Verdi, Mozart, Der Rosenka- valier, Fidelio and Wozzeck. Vincent Sheean the political writer is never quite out of the picture even in a book on music. He has much that is of interest to music, musicians and the total- itarian state. He defends the rec- ords of the vast majority of musi- cians during the Hitler-Mussolini era. What is more significant is his insistence upon considering the musician as a non-political person, almost by definition, and therefore one who cannot be judged by political standards. He takes a strong, even impassioned stand against what he calls the "Star Chamber justice" and the "ghoulish vendetta" which char- acterized the post war period. Such things as the effort to keep Furt- wangler from conducting the New York Philharmonic or similar demonstrations against Geiseking and Von Karajan are utterly re- pulsive to him. The pages dedicated to the elu- cidation of this position by a man who fiercely prides himself on his early conceived and lasting hatred of Hitler and scorn for Mussolini are of no little interest. The con- troversy belongs to the very re- cent past. We have touched upon only a few of the questions which Mr. Sheean discusses at greater or less- er length. We might have said more of his disquisition on Wag- ner or his views of the problems of American singers in learning operatic repertoire, or those on atonal music, and the role of the gramophone in our time. Let him who will take up the book and read. There is surely something for almost everyone. -A. Triolo By JAMES ELSMAN Daily Staff Writer ONE wonders, when surveying the many counseling facilities for students on this campus, if students aren't becoming excess- ively reliant on "scientists and specialists" to make their decisions and resolve their emotional prob- lems. Psychiatrists at the Mental Hy- giene Unit of Health Service, psy- chologists at the Student Counsel- ing division of Rackham Hall, religious advisers at Lane Hall, academic counselors, and residence hall staff personnel are over- worked, attempting to resolve psy- chological problems students can- not solve themselves. Arthur Van Duren, chairman of the freshman and sophomore fac- ulty counselors, is convinced stu- dents have shown "a definite in- crease in emotional instability and indec.ision ever since the post-war veterans' bulge." Heightened University concern with the effectiveness of the coun- seling program was exhibited re- cently when James A. Lewis, vice- president of student affairs, ap- pointed a committee to "consider the present status of the counsel- ing system and recommend changes if they are needed." David W. Baad, assistant to the dean of men and executive secretary of the Counseling Committee, said results of a questionnaire sent to 1,270 students would be made public within two weeks. The Long Wait . . There is some overlap between the functions of the Division and those of Mental Hygiene, although a student who "shows symptoms of physical or psychological ill- ness" is usually referred to Mental Hygiene every year, Prof. Van Duren revealed. He reported his office was short-staffed because of space limitations. Prof. Van Duren defines the function of his staff as "seeing that a student has motivation for college and that his aptitude lines up with his vocational desire." Be- cause 60 percent of the entering freshmen change their vocational directions before they graduate, the counselors are booked solid. No other counseling unit on campus handles as many students as the above three. C. Grey Austin, program assistant at Lane Hall, reported no waiting list for the Hall's four counselors and that only six students visit the counsel- ors regularly. Prof. Elton B. McNeil of the psychology department and a member of Ann Arbor Family Service, mentioned another area where students receive counsel- ing. The Service, a Community Chest social case agency, does 12 per cent of its interviewing with married students. He remarked that some students seek mental counseling from local psychiatrists and analysts. No Proofs .. THE INCREASED number of students seeking psychological counseling was explained by Prof. McNeil this ,way: "Our culture, because of a freer discussion of mental illness recently, is aware of the existence of emotional dis- turbances, and we know how pro- fessional counseling can be help- ful." He said that, although there has been speculation about it, psychologists have not yet design- ed a way of proving people are becoming crazier. Thus, we have a situation where students on this campus and people in general are flocking to queue up in waiting lines outside psychiatrists' doors. This situation is a reflection ceen your color slides "erE on our new 'SLIDE PRO J ECftTO0R r: upon individualism in today's so- ciety. People are becoming less able to make up their own minds and resolve their own mental ill- nesses. Admittedly psychiatrists and mental counselors are needed to care for the few in society who have serious mental illnesses, but it is hard to escape the conclusion that many people are getting mental counseling who don't need it. This isn't tne fault of the mental "scientists" who have res- ponded to a demand. It is the fault of today's lan- guid individual. He lacks mental self-sufficiency and is the puppet of the power of suggestion. Every time he reads about-and even Life Magazine has given him com- mon currency-mental abnormali- ties, he immediately gives himself an introspective psychiatric ex- amination. His conclusion is that he is af- flicted with every mal-function- ing in the nomenclature of psy- chiatry. This is something like the occupational disease of medi- cal students, who often convince themselves of having fifteen or twenty diseases before they fin- ish school. :,",:" :r::..... e. .:........; ..... .; .:::.. ".:.rfl.'.v..,..v"::.f*":S::.":.. t.,fr" . yv:" s... .. .. . . . . . . . ..... fi :. :": ......... }i. Via,{ W4IZA lw i uk J" aid. :': (.V { f ' f ;ti: ;:fi: v f 1 (;: f'.t AF " { 4i S> 41.i Ti } .T ': ' hti T.f E <" lC t $ } ^ti [ 1 ' R i j } ti ! J Sl : } ][l 4y } Y: r i i a " " ti i F; fi;:;'. ti Eliy ':yF + THE THINKER Amp- ! 1 ' ' : ry : curve conscious? 0NE thing common to the three ... no role in life most important counseling units Hygiene. The Division takes a role on campus-Mental Hygiene, Stu- in vocational planning as well as dent Counseling, and academic other problems of psychological advisers-is a waiting list.oth ndoes o pmen o. a Dr. Theophile Raphael, a Men- tal Hygiene psychiatrist, said the L.n. U staff of two psychiatrists and eight pgU * "specially trained counselors" AT THE academic counseling working esoterically in office 218 offices for freshmen and sopho- is "not large enough" to meet the mores, more than 100 students are student demand. Dr. Raphael de- referred to the division and Mental scribed Mental Hygiene's work as " m o re c lin ic a l" th a n a n y o th e r p rf r e d o n c m p s performed on campus. The psychiatrist reported his office counsels about eight per cent y r I of the tudent body a year and yeI EreaIlIIJ "could see more if we had the til sow® facilities." Dropping out of school, medication, and transferral to Neuro-Psychiatric Institute are , y s nx cases. Patients report the non- directive technique is widely em- ployed in consultation. This con- sists virtually in the patient talk- ing to the wall while the counselor offers no more encouragement than "Yes.. . yes . . . um huh." Like all other University coun- seling, the Mental Hygiene pro- gram is voluntary, confidential, and free of charge. 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The division's staff members handled nearly 600 individual students last year and expects more this year. Prof. Segal thinks the increased work load of the Division results from the search of "bright people growing up in a complex civiliza- tion for their role in life." He, thought the University's support of extensive counseling services indi- cated an awareness that the ability to learn is somewhat dependent on emotional stability. This is one a offered! Its s gives you all- clearest proj Keystdne Sli( . cardboard or Filter elimin Restful blue- Ask our sale ..2 Y o-U R HE f the finest Slide Projectors we've ever uperior optical and condensing system Iover brightness.... the sharpest, ection you've ever seen. These new de Projectors accept all 2" x 2" glass, metal mounts. Exclusive "Eye-Ease" ates blackout between slides. green light prevents eyestrain. esmen for a demonstration. KEYSTONE K-500 (500-watt) 2" x 2" Slide Projector. 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