Luther Whiting Mason
Luther Whiting Mason | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 3, 1818 Turner, Maine, United States |
| Died | July 14, 1896 (aged 78) Buckfield, Maine, United States |
| Nationality | 
United States |
| Occupation(s) | musician, educator. Foreign advisor to Meiji Japan |
| Known for | musical education |
Luther Whiting Mason (3 April 1818 – 14 July 1896) was an American
foreign advisor to introduce Western classical music into the Japanese educational curriculum
.
Biography
Mason was born in
, and dynamics.While in Boston, he was scouted by the Japanese
Isawa Shuji
in 1872.
During his stay in Japan at
conservatory, the Tokyo Ongaku Gakkō, now part of the Tokyo University of the Arts. He also imported pianos
and other western orchestral instruments, and made efforts to "improve" Japanese musical taste by encouraging study of harmony and popular western tunes.
Although Mason expressed a strong desire to remain in Japan, his contract was not renewed, largely due to budgetary reasons.
Mason later made four trips to Europe, visiting Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden and England, observing teaching methods and collecting hundreds of music books.
Mason died in Buckfield, Maine on 14 July 1896 at the age of 78.
References
- Howe, Sondra Wieland. Luther Whiting Mason: International Music Educator. Harmonie Press International (1997). ISBN 0-89990-080-1
- Hall, Bonlyn G. The American Education of Luther Whiting Mason American Music, Vol. 6, No. 1 (Spring, 1988)
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