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Bok, Edward William, 1863-1930

"A Dutch Boy Fifty Years After"

His mother did not play; and aside from the fact that his father
and mother were patrons of the opera during their residence in The
Netherlands, the musical atmosphere was lacking in his home. He
realized how welcome an outlet music might be in his now busy life. So
what he lacked himself and realized as a distinct omission in his own
life he decided to make possible for others.
_The Ladies' Home Journal_ began to strike a definite musical note. It
first caught the eye and ear of its public by presenting the popular
new marches by John Philip Sousa; and when the comic opera of "Robin
Hood" became the favorite of the day, it secured all the new
compositions by Reginald de Koven. Following these, it introduced its
readers to new compositions by Sir Arthur Sullivan, Tosti, Moszkowski,
Richard Strauss, Paderewski, Josef Hofmann, Edouard Strauss, and
Mascagni. Bok induced Josef Hofmann to give a series of piano lessons
in his magazine, and Madame Marchesi a series of vocal lessons. _The
Journal_ introduced its readers to all the great instrumental and vocal
artists of the day through articles; it offered prizes for the best
piano and vocal compositions; it had the leading critics of New York,
Boston, and Chicago write articles explanatory of orchestral music and
how to listen to music.


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