Fiddler with a Cause

Reviews 165 other is, however bad or mixed" (59). 'Jack Fiction': Recent Achievement in And Tory Anderson (using Madame the Mormon Novel" best demon- Bovary as his main text) speaks of the strate the very high-minded and uni- truth of action as experiential—much versal aims of the book's first, more profoundly involving, more theoretical section. Although I think complete in terms of consciousness, Cecilia Conchar Farr and Phillip A. than ideas and judgments. "This is Snyder are incorrect to say that Henry where fiction comes in. Good fiction is David Thoreau "looks to Nature as a refined life. It gets at the heart of the singular Other to his Self" (205), I see meaning of life without ever talking what they're after in doing a compari- about it like sermons do" (73). son-and-contrast between Thoreau The first part of Tending the Gar- and Terry Tempest Williams, whom den, then, establishes the significance in religious life of truly free reading they regard as a "Self-in-Relation." and writing. The second part deals in They are promoting relational percep- practical criticism, bringing specifi- tion, and in a way this is what Tending cally Mormon examples under scru- the Garden is all about: seeing the tiny. Here, to my mind, Levi Peterson's world relationally means to transcend tribute to Juanita Brooks's courage the dualistic, egoistic identity. It and overriding faith, and Eugene En- means to live freely, moved by empa- gland's discerning, hopeful "Beyond thy. Fiddler with a Cause Leroy Robertson: Music Giant from the commenced work on her father's bi- Rockies. By Marian Robertson Wilson ography and either performed in or (Salt Lake City: Blue Ribbon Publica- conducted many performances of his tions, 1996). works during my twenty-two-year tenure with the Utah Symphony. Reviewed by Ardean Watts, Pro- Marian Robertson Wilson's book fessor Emeritus of Music, University is essential reading for those who of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. would understand music in the Amer- LEROY ROBERTSON WAS ONE OF MY ican West during her father's lifetime mentors. I played in the Brigham and since, for that matter. Her per- Young University orchestra under spective as a devoted daughter is him in 1945-46, studied music theory seasoned by her own professional from him as a graduate student at the competence as a language scholar and University of Utah in 1955, and was editor. The book is replete with detail, appointed to the U of U music depart- amply documented, and yet provides ment as a faculty member during his intimate access to Robertson's private chairmanship in 1960. I was inter- life—fortuitous for the reader since viewed by the author shortly after she he granted glimpses of his personal 166 Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought life rather grudgingly. put, particularly in his home state. The first section of the book deal- Robertson's international acclaim ing with his family background up to began with his receiving the Henry H. the time of his marriage reads like a Reichhold prize of $25,000 in 1947 in a classic rural Mormon family saga competition open to all composers of though presented in a graceful literary the Western Hemisphere, perhaps the style. The author's view is broad and largest single award ever given to a authoritative, her treatment rich in de- composer up to that time. His acclaim tail, with her unequivocal devotion to as a composer is better known but not her father evident on every page. The more important than his untiring Robertson of the biography seems too work in creating the foundation for much an individualist to be an arche- the culturally rich environment for typal Latter-day Saint, but his Mor- which Utah has a deservedly national mon roots seemed to serve him well reputation. As a pioneer in the estab- throughout his personal and profes- lishment of symphony orchestras in sional life. Utah which could give creditable per- One doesn't need Marian's testi- formances of the great masterworks, mony to affirm his role as Utah's lead- he deserves our thanks and our ing resident composer of classical praise. I have heard Maurice Abrav- music. His eminence during his life- anel speak his name with the highest time has not been seriously chal- regard hundreds of times both for his lenged, to my knowledge. The proof compositions and his work as a music of the pudding is in the consumption. educator. His pioneering effort to pro- I continue to be nourished by the in- vide a home on the University of Utah tegrity, imagination, lyricism, and the campus for a major symphony orches- impeccable musical craftsmanship of tra (the Utah Symphony) became a his works. I treasure a stereo record- model that has been emulated but not ing of his Book of Mormon Oratorio, exceeded. which was described by critics as Thanks to this biography we are "monumental, historic," and "one of treated to a liberal amount of the Rob- the musical masterpieces of the twen- ertson wit and wisdom. However, one tieth century," recently reissued on can never get the full impact without CD by Vanguard Classics in Europe hearing his own droll voice intoning but not currently available in the USA. it. That I had the opportunity on a The author informed me recently that daily basis to enjoy it was a joy of my performance, publishing, and record- student days. In spite of notable suc- ing royalties worldwide continue at a cesses, this biography is full of great consistent and ongoing rate. Western and unrealized expectations. He is United States performances are sadly one of many composers of a high or- not keeping pace, which forces us to der whose works have not achieved conclude that the adage that prophets the level of familiarity they need and are without honor in their own coun- deserve. He dealt with disappoint- try applies to composers as well. In a ments philosophically in the spirit of a time when support of symphony con- line penned in some class notes while certs seems to be on the wane, it he was a graduate student at USC, would appear that better use could be "Transitory trials are nothing to the made of this giant's considerable out- life of the soul." Reviews 167 The jury is still out when it comes ers our country has produced. This to defining with any degree of satisfac- book generously fills a compelling need tion if there be such a thing as "Mor- that we face our own history. Marian's mon" or even "American" music. If book reminds us both of what we have that issue is ever to be resolved, it must had and what we may have forgotten. include taking Leroy Robertson's out- It is a fitting way to have marked two put seriously. His branches reach out singular centenary celebrations in 1996, over the wall requiring that his output the birthdays of the dean of Utah com- be measured against the finest compos- posers and the State of Utah..

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