Wa-Wan Press
Encyclopedia
The Wa-Wan Press was an American music publishing company founded in 1901 by composer Arthur Farwell
in Newton Center, Massachusetts
. The firm concentrated on publishing compositions by so-called Indianist movement
members—composers who incorporated traditional Native American
music into their works. Although it never achieved its founder's intentions of fomenting a classical musical revolution in the United States, the company saw success during its short 11-year history before being acquired and abandoned by G. Schirmer
in 1912.
's embracing of folk music
; during Dvořák's 1890s stint at the National Conservatory of Music
, the Czech called for American composers to develop a uniquely American style of classical music. During Farwell's own brief foray into academia at Cornell University
(1899-1901), he started composing short pieces based on Native American melodies. After leaving Cornell and settling in Newton Center, he fleshed out a compilation of American Indian Melodies. His search for a publisher of the work was unsuccessful, and, as a result, he founded Wa-Wan Press in 1901. The name "Wa-Wan", which means "to sing to someone", was chosen to honor one of the traditional ceremonies of the Omaha
.
The press was launched without financial backing, and operated out of the Farwell family home; its only employees were Farwell and his father, George. Its first issue in 1901 contained Farwell's American Indian Melodies and two works by Edgar Stillman Kelley
. Farwell hoped that the creation of the Wa-Wan Press would hail the beginning of a classical music revolution that would rebel against what he deemed a German "domination" of the nation's music. The American public, he believed, "saw everything through German glasses", and "a revolt against this domination was an absolute historical necessity".
For the first five years, the Wa-Wan Press published two books per quarter—one vocal and one instrumental—at an annual subscription rate of eight dollars. Subscriptions continued to grow, and in 1907, the company began printing monthly. That same year, Farwell founded the Wa-Wan Society for the "advancement of the work of American composers, and the interests of the musical life of the American people." The Wa-Wan Press later began publishing compositions in sheet music
form. Farwell provided introductions, program notes, and essays to accompany the aesthetic volumes, whose covers and typographical innovations were often designed by himself. Farwell took particular pride in his work, noting later that many publishers adapted his ideas.
In 1908, the firm started losing subscriptions and ran into financial troubles. By 1912, Farwell's enthusiasm for the press had waned, and he had become chief Boston
-area music critic for Musical America
. He agreed to the take-over of Wa-Wan Press by G. Schirmer, which soon abandoned the project. During its 11-year history, the press had published 37 composers (nine of whom were women), including Carlos Troyer
, Rubin Goldmark
, and Henry F. Gilbert
. In 1970, Arno Press and the New York Times resurrected the press' publications by issuing a complete, five-volume reprint with Vera Brodsky Lawrence as editor.
Arthur Farwell
Arthur Farwell was an American composer, conductor, educationalist, lithographer, esoteric savant, and music publisher.- Biography :Farwell was born in St Paul, Minnesota...
in Newton Center, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The firm concentrated on publishing compositions by so-called Indianist movement
Indianist movement
The Indianist movement was a movement in American classical music that flourished from the 1880s until the 1920s. It was based on attempts to synthesize American Indian musical ideas with some of the basic principles of Western music...
members—composers who incorporated traditional Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
music into their works. Although it never achieved its founder's intentions of fomenting a classical musical revolution in the United States, the company saw success during its short 11-year history before being acquired and abandoned by G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer Inc. is an American classical music publishing company based in New York City, founded in 1861. It publishes sheet music for sale and rental, and represents some well-known European music publishers in North America, such as the Italian Ricordi, Music Sales Affiliates ChesterNovello,...
in 1912.
History
Farwell was inspired by Antonín DvořákAntonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
's embracing of folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
; during Dvořák's 1890s stint at the National Conservatory of Music
National Conservatory of Music
National Conservatory of Music may refer to:* CNSM de Lyon, in Lyon, France* National Conservatory of Music * National Conservatory of Music of America, a school founded by Jeannette Thurber in New York City in 1885...
, the Czech called for American composers to develop a uniquely American style of classical music. During Farwell's own brief foray into academia at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
(1899-1901), he started composing short pieces based on Native American melodies. After leaving Cornell and settling in Newton Center, he fleshed out a compilation of American Indian Melodies. His search for a publisher of the work was unsuccessful, and, as a result, he founded Wa-Wan Press in 1901. The name "Wa-Wan", which means "to sing to someone", was chosen to honor one of the traditional ceremonies of the Omaha
Omaha (tribe)
The Omaha are a federally recognized Native American nation which lives on the Omaha Reservation in northeastern Nebraska and western Iowa, United States...
.
The press was launched without financial backing, and operated out of the Farwell family home; its only employees were Farwell and his father, George. Its first issue in 1901 contained Farwell's American Indian Melodies and two works by Edgar Stillman Kelley
Edgar Stillman Kelley
Edgar Stillman Kelley was an American composer, conductor, teacher, and writer on music. He is sometimes associated with the Indianist movement in American music.-Life:...
. Farwell hoped that the creation of the Wa-Wan Press would hail the beginning of a classical music revolution that would rebel against what he deemed a German "domination" of the nation's music. The American public, he believed, "saw everything through German glasses", and "a revolt against this domination was an absolute historical necessity".
For the first five years, the Wa-Wan Press published two books per quarter—one vocal and one instrumental—at an annual subscription rate of eight dollars. Subscriptions continued to grow, and in 1907, the company began printing monthly. That same year, Farwell founded the Wa-Wan Society for the "advancement of the work of American composers, and the interests of the musical life of the American people." The Wa-Wan Press later began publishing compositions in sheet music
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
form. Farwell provided introductions, program notes, and essays to accompany the aesthetic volumes, whose covers and typographical innovations were often designed by himself. Farwell took particular pride in his work, noting later that many publishers adapted his ideas.
In 1908, the firm started losing subscriptions and ran into financial troubles. By 1912, Farwell's enthusiasm for the press had waned, and he had become chief Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
-area music critic for Musical America
Musical America
Musical America is the oldest American magazine on classical music. Presently it is a website with a weekly online magazine. It is currently published by UBM Global Trade.-History:...
. He agreed to the take-over of Wa-Wan Press by G. Schirmer, which soon abandoned the project. During its 11-year history, the press had published 37 composers (nine of whom were women), including Carlos Troyer
Carlos Troyer
Carlos Troyer, born Charles Troyer, was an American composer known for his musical arrangements of traditional Native American melodies....
, Rubin Goldmark
Rubin Goldmark
Rubin Goldmark was an American composer, pianist, and educator. Although in his time he was an often performed American nationalist composer, his works are seldom played – instead he is known as the teacher of Aaron Copland and George Gershwin...
, and Henry F. Gilbert
Henry F. Gilbert
Henry Franklin Belknap Gilbert was an American composer and collector of folk songs. He is best remembered today for his interest in the music of African-Americans around the turn of the 20th century....
. In 1970, Arno Press and the New York Times resurrected the press' publications by issuing a complete, five-volume reprint with Vera Brodsky Lawrence as editor.