Henry Edward KrehbielHenry Edward Krehbiel (1854-1923) was an esteemed American music critic and musicologist renowned for his extensive tenure as the principal music critic of The New York Tribune, spanning over four decades. Krehbiel, among Richard Aldrich, Henry Theopilus Finck, W.J. Henderson, and James Huneker, is regarded as a member of the 'Old Guard', a cohort of prominent music critics located in New York who played a pivotal role in establishing a distinctively American approach to criticism. The critic displayed a pronounced inclination towards empiricism, often engaging in the active pursuit of firsthand experiences, accounts, and original sources in his writing. He independently formulated his own findings rather than relying on existing literature by other authors. Krehbiel, being a proponent of meliorism, held the belief that the primary function of criticism was to provide endorsement for music that had the capacity to elevate both the human spirit and intellect. Furthermore, Krehbiel argued that criticism should not only serve as a mechanism for shaping individual preferences, but also as a vehicle for enlightening and instructing the general public. The instructional guide titled "How to Listen to Music," authored by the individual in question, enjoyed significant popularity among the music-consuming public in the United States from 1896 to 1924. Read More Read Less