January 5th, 188 i.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
13
•came upon the vowel e (as in " Grief," etc.), for she invariably had to change going into the depths of such scientific researches and experiments in my
*
her mode of emitting the tone, and (the vowel passed) immediately retnrned youth.
There is another class of people who need a warming-up from a little
to her throatiness, giving thereby a striking change of timbre. Yet she sang
very expressively in " Then shall the eyes," and " He Was Despised," and sunlight thrown upon their works. I allude to unscrupulous music dealers.
made a good impression. Mr. W. C. Tower, the tenor, was in good voice When a dealer neglects to protect his own name, from a mercantile point of
and sang unexpectedly well in "Behold, if There be Any Sorrow." I say un- view, what is more natural than to see him wallowing in the mud as a hypo-
expectedly, for I anticipated his best success rather in the heroic numbers, as crite and liar ? Should a party leave him out in the cold and buy from
he is a tenor robusto ; yet, though he sang "Thou Shall Break Them " very another dealer, he is subjected to the following method: Some shyster nius-io
well, it was not nearly such a dramatic performance as I had expected of teacher (—or, rather, butcher) is engaged to call on the purchaser, " just to
see the new piano." The following conversation occurs: Butcher—" What
him.
Mr. Henschel sang very well in " B u t Who May Abide." especially in the did you pay ? " Purchaser—" Four hundred dollars!" Butcher—" What! well
Larghetto movements (the Prestissimi were not nearly so well done), and his they did rob you, for I can buy such pianos for two hundred dollars a piece.
clear, uncut phrases were marvellous ; but his great success was in " T h e The piano is out of tune ! The touch is not good! There is no other piano
people that walked in darkness," which I have never heard so impressively in this city like it, at least, I never heard of the make, never saw one before!"
given, the timbre of the voice was so exquisitely adapted to the subject and etc., etc. Now, these very dealers who are behind such miserable half-de-
the whole was so artistically and naturally finished that it deserves the rare mented tools are generally the most unprincipled fellows, who dose their
word—perfection. But in " Why do the Nations," the singer was quite patrons with everything— CHEAP. I know of one—a Christian young man of
inferior, and in '' The Trumpet Shall Sound " was not comparable to Whitney. fine address and appearance—who sold a poor school teacher a bogus piano
In the latter, the trumpet (cornet) broke numerously, and this may have had for only four hundred dollars, making about three hundred dollars clear profit.
Is not this theft ? Is it not plunder ? Is it not getting money under false
an effect in disconcerting the singer.
'
Of the chorus singing there is not much new to be said. When they are pretenses ?
A concert given here a few days ago was a grand success musically.
unable to sing the "Messiah " with accuracy and beauty, you may expect
Abt to write symphonic poems and comic songs to be sung at the Harvard Mrs. Oreigh gave a finely-executed piano solo ; so did Mrs. Pontins. The
most attractive feature was a violin solo, the "6th Concerto," by De Beriot—
concerts.
I noticed an improvement in the altos; their part was not over-balanced, by Prof. Edward Blitz—a pupil of the celebrated Leonard in Paris. I am
as it has sometimes been. In fact, throughout the evening the choral balance glad to learn that Mons. Blitz has been engaged as the teacher of the violin
was praiseworthy. That most difficult number, " F o r Unto Us a Child is in a conservatory which is being started here. His execution is astonishing,
Born," was so finely rendered that it received an encore, which was, and his perfect ease and grace, his re23ose and his fine bowing make him at
however, declined by the conductor. The sopranos, in some numbers, gave once popular. He is certainly the best violinist in this part of the State and
thin, tired tones; but this was infrequent. " His Yoke is Easy " was just a the best one who has ever been here.
trifle blurred, but where the choral work is so well done, it is unnecessary
" A Happy New Year to you all!"
MARK F. LOW.
to delve for slight blemishes.
NASHVILLE, TENN.
The "Pastoral Symphony " was finely shaded by the orchestra, who take
the reprise much softer than the commencement, and make a good effect
PROFESSOR IJURKOWITZ'S ENTERTAINMENT.
thereby. The way in which they shaded the last note into nothingness was
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 27th, 1880.
surprisingly delicate. The strings were a trifle scratchy in " Oh, Thou that "VJASHVILLE was overrun with opera troupes last season, but, owing to
Tellest" (the chorus). The Music Hall was crowded on the occasion, _ \
the small amount of success that attended many of thorn, they have
although it was a stormy night; yet I am sure no one regretted venturing steered clear of our city during the present winter. Since the departure of
•out. I, for one, was glad to have a little of the wickedness which I have Emma Abbott, we have had quite a lull, until Prof. Burkowitz and his pupils
imbibed through St. Saens, Liszt, Berlioz, and Wagner, washed out by gave us a pleasant entertainment on Thursday night, Dec. 23rd, at the New
Handel.
Masonic Theatre. This cozy little place was crowded to its utmost capacity
I will close my letter, as I have commenced it, by an original thought— by the elite of our city. The following programme was performed:
" I wish you a happy New Year!" As the Turks say, "May your shadow
1. Piano Duet, " Lucretia Borgia," Miss Ida Frankland and Mr. Bur-
never grow less; may the unspeakable delight of criticizing concerts in a kowitz. 2. Chorus, " Rover's Joy," Nashville Singing Association. 3.
manner to please everybody, and offend nobody, ever be yours, and may Piano Solo, " Gavotte," Miss Nannie Baxter. 4. Song, " I Guess You Have
jackasses bray upon the graves of the grandmothers of all your enemies."
All been There," Master Walter Keith. 5. Piano Solo, " Nocturno," Miss
L
Mamie Freeman. 6. Aria, " I Tamburelli i Castagnetti," Miss Lulu Paine.
- C E -
7. Violin Solo, " Fantaisie from Stradella," Master Abe Goodman. 8. Aria,
MANSFIELD, OHIO.
" O Mio Fernando," Miss Mattie Danlap. 9. Wedding March—for twelve
MUSIC BUTCHERS.—FRAUDULENT MUSIC TEACHERS.—UNSCRUPULOUS MUSIC DEAL- hands on two pianos—Misses Emma, Joe and Clara McCrory, Lillian Gor-
don, May Bell Keith, Lillie Fuller, and Mattie Ferris. 10. Character Song,
ERS.—AN EXCELLENT CONCERT.
Lily Burkowitz. 1. Female Chorus, " The Distant Chimes," Society and
MANSFIELD, Ohio, Dec. 27th, 1880.
Class. 2. Gottschalk's Arrangement of " William Tell," Miss Alicia Gibson
UR musical city seems more musically inclined than ever. The high and Mr. Burkowitz. 3. Cavatina, " U n a Voce Poco Fa," Minnie Burkowitz.
pressure brought by the musical people causeth the Editor of the 4. Violin Solo (by request), "Fantaisie to Norma," Master A. Goodman. 5.
Mansfield Courier to awake from his lethargy and to call out to the world Vocal Variation to "Carnaval de Venice," Miss Mattie Gordon. 6. Piano
that: " Mansfield has 23 professors and professoresses of music, six butchers Solo, "Alice," Miss Jennie Gibson. 7. Chorus, "Farewell," Nashville
and three lamp lighters." I must leave it to your imagination to decide Singing Association.
where the joke is—whether on the music teachers or the butchers, for I hope
While all executed their numbers acceptably, I would especially men-
the editor is not cruel enough to make light of a " lighter." But as it is
claimed that " the Dutch have frequently the hind part foremost" this tion Master Abe Goodman, This talented little fellow (not over seven year3
enfant terrible probably desired to say that we have 23 music butchers ! Why of age) executed his two violin solos, "Fantaisie de Stradella"and "Fantaisie
not ? The only doubt would be caused by his low estimate of the number. from Norma," with much skill. I predict for this young gentleman a bril-
A. B. L.
Not long ago I was visiting a prominent music teacher while he was liant future.
giving his first lesson to a pupil who had been taking lessons for over two
BINGHAMTON, N. Y.
years of various music butchers. Such they certainly must have been for
REMENYI CONCERT.
the pupil could not tell the difference between a whole and a half note, and
BINGHAMTON, N. Y., Dec. 30th.
•was perfectly bewildered with regard to the notes, in fact could not tell one
from the other, yet played a waltz and a polka. When my friend had T } EMENYI, the violinist, performed here last night, Dec. 29th, 1880, before
finished the lesson he remarked : " D o you still consider me a pessimist ? XV an audience numbering 1,000. He was assisted by Mr. H. W. A. Beale,
Would you not almost be compelled to question the sanity of parents ?" No pianist ; M. Edmund De Celle, tenor, and Mile. Renie Reignard, soprano.
doubt, the blame rests entirely with the parents ; you cannot blame these All of the artists were well received, especially Remenyi, who seemed
self-made music teachers if they ply their avocation so long as they can find pleased with the interest and enthusiasm manifested by the large number of
cultured people present. The night was cold but that did not deter the
dupes and victims.
* # *
Allow me an example. A man buys a colt. He desires to have it well people from turning out to hear a fine concert.
trained to work. He enquires of those he considers " well posted " for ad-
COLUMBUS, 0.
vice, and also whether the colt has points to make a good roadster. After
AN EXCELLENT CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT.
much hesitation and contemplation, he settles on a man whom he considers
the most capable of training the colt and with whom there is no danger of
COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 20th, 1880.
having it spoiled. But how with his daughter's musical training. Any one
FINE chamber music concert was given at Comstock's Opera House, on
will do to begin with, if it is only cheap. Should an acquaintance say that
Wednesday, Dec. 15th. The programme was a good one throughout.
she has concluded to give lessons, (all one has to do to become a teacheress— It opened with the Quartette in D,—Mendelssohn, and was effectively played
to conclude), and that she would like to have the little daughter for a pupil, by Messrs. J. Bayer, J. Goel, A. Buckley and T. H. Schneider, as was also
the parents have not the courage to refuse—it would make bad feeling. the Andante and Gavotte from string quartette, A. Bazzini.
Whether the applicant is qualified or not, that is not taken into considera-
Mr. Lindau was the vocalist. In his Recitative and Aria from " Elijah,"
tion. Such parents seem to abandon their responsibility, or they would not he gave an exhibition of firm, smooth singing, and fine musical perception.
show more regard for an almost worthless beast than for their own offspring.
Mr. Lindau was heard here for the first time on this occasion, and made
How many teachers have not heard such a remark as : " I don't know what quite a favorable impression. His other number was "Immortelles,"—
possessed my parents when they put me under such a teacher "—if through Kiicken.
anger and disappointment such a one does not forget filial duty and utter
Miss Caroline Schneider in the •' Wedding March " and " Fairy Dance "
stronger complaints. But it is then too late. A little fortune has been —Mendelssohn—Liszt, was charming. She is a resident of this city and a
wasted ; aud what is worse the child's chances of becoming a fair musician player of whom one never tires. To the genius with which nature has en-
have been forever ruined.
dowed her, has been added the fruits of much study both at home and
The same remarks apply to vocal as to piano instruction. From the abroad. Miss Schneider possesses power, technical skill, and clearness of
execution, one would think that the majority of pupils had been learning by execution, combined with the rarest of gifts, geniality, which makes her
listening to a howling, yelping canine do homage to the moon. What else playing always satisfactory. In response to a heady encore she gave us an
could cause them to sing: "Da—ha—ha—ling, I—hi—haw, grow—ho—hing, impromptu, by Rheinberger, called " T h e Chase."
O—hold," giving at the same time as true an intonation as a cat, when a bad
Vieuxtemps' "Fantaisie Caprice," rendered by Mr. Bayer, was well
boy's toe is on its tail. The further down the toe, the higher the tone. received.
What a magnificent crescendo and decrescendo. I do not know how Mr.
Mr. T. H. Schneider contributed a cello solo, a Warum, b Arlequin, by
Howard would classify it. Could it be called an "opposing movement," or D. Popper, adding greatly to the evening's enjoyment.
The programme
a tone produced by " forcing muscles ?" Nevertheless, the quality of tone closed with the Finale from Quintette in A, op. 83,—C. Reinecke.
or timbre depends a good deal on the size of the " toe." But pardon me for
LISTENER.
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