June 3rd

At the beginning of 2009, my esteemed mother suggested I start a journal.  I laughed it off; I had started a thousand "dear diary, today I ....." in my lifetime, and none lasted past a week. She insisted I at least try, and bought one of these for me and herself.  Again, I didn't take it so seriously, but I began the dumb thing. Sometimes I forget to write down my fragmented phrases for a week and I have to catch up.  But since it only gives about five lines, there's really no excuse.  Now it's my record of my past and present.  And here's why I'll keep doing it.

I read tonight that this time one year ago, I was in Philadelphia with my father. It was on this day that we saw these remarkable sights/sites that day:

The home of Presser Publications on the 1700 block of Chestnut Street

I took this picture as I was going through volumes at the Philadelphia Free Library, so I don't have exact date of when this appeared in The Etude.  But I would estimate in the early 1920s.
The home of Presser Publications today.  A Dress Barn and Sephora reside on the bottom floors; I'm not sure whether the upper floors are occupied or not.

And the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers, Germantown Pennsylvania

from The Etude December 1913, pg 862

















There's a posted notice from around 2008 on the edge of the property that stated a proposal to tear down the building and build a "six story, one hundred and fifty family dwelling".  I guess the historical society took care of it.  I understand the buildings surrounding it are much prettier.  It would be more utilitarian and practical to tear it down.  The building and grounds are incredibly rundown, overgrown--but that's partially because of the landscaping done initially.  The Etude often had pictures advertising the home and its immaculate gardens and ponds.  Today, it's so overgrown now that it's impossible to hop the fence in the back (believe me, I tried).
This unassuming building is part of the Presser legacy; it should be preserved, made into a museum of Philadelphia musical history (or something along those lines).



And one year later....  I submitted a document to my thesis committee that I hope does justice for these locations.  A document that, in part, attempts to scratch the surface at the impact of The Etude upon its readers.  Research that I hope can perpetuate a renewed interest in this man, his creation, and its impact upon American musical society.
It was this day, at this point in my research trip, that got me to here today, one year later [well this and about a thousand stops along the way.]  But this day was when I realized the importance of Theodore Presser Publications at a specific time in history.  So important that it took up most of a city block.  So important that it built a massive retirement home for its readers.  But like the magazine today, the buildings and their significance are long forgotten.

There's two things that really get to me: old books and old buildings.  And I thank Theodore Presser for giving me this legacy to study and preach.