Elson, Arthur

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Elson, Arthur

Elson, Arthur, American writer on music, son of Louis (Charles) Elson; b. Boston, Nov. 18, 1873; d. N.Y., Feb. 24, 1940. After training from his father, he studied at the New England Cons, of Music in Boston, Harvard Univ. (graduated, 1895), and the Mass. Inst. of Technology (graduated, 1897). He served as music critic of the Boston Advertiser (from 1920).

Writings

A Critical History of the Opera (1901; new ed., 1926, as A History of Opera); Orchestral Instruments and Their Use (1902; new ed., 1930); Woman’s Work in Music (1903; new ed., 1931); Modern Composers of Europe (1905; new ed., 1922); Music Club Programs from All Nations (1906; new ed., 1928); The Musician’s Guide (1913); The Book of Musical Knowledge (1915; new ed., 1934); Pioneer School Music Course (1917).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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