Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1880 Vol. 3 N. 3-A

DEVOTED TO MUSIC, MUSICIANS, AND THE MUSIC TRADES.
DOMESTIC
.AJSTO E X P O R T
TR-A-IDE.
to those who have adopted this notation to show the results of its use witl
advantage to themselves. Students who have desired to do so have reac
Editor and Proprietor.
from it (at sight) the same passages as were read in other schools from th<|
established notation, and, in comparing the one with the other, I hav<
always made the fullest allowance for its many imperfections, and thi
greater difficulties which its employment involves. At every annual exami
Published on the 5th and 20th of each month,
nation the questions set on paper have been, so far as possible, translate!
At 849 Broadway, corner Fourteenth Street,
into it. The outcome of the Christmas examination of 1878 was that agains
1,764 students who sang from musical notation, only 207 sang from toni
"DOMESTIC" BUILDING.
sol-fa ; and that against 5,131 papers presented in the former notation, ther
I Post-paid one year, invariably in advance,
$3.00 were only 441 in the latter.
SUBSCRIPTION :
I entreat your Lordships to bear in mind that the question here raised
I Single copies
10
is not one of methods but of notations. Let who will teach and who wi]|
NEW YORK, AUGUST 5, 1880.
learn on whatever method he pleases, but let not the sanction of your Lore
ships be further given or implied to a notation or alphabet absolutely ui
known outside of Great Britain, the closest acquaintance with which fails
MUSICAL EDUCATION IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE.
enable its possessors to read music as it is ever written by musicians.
(Concluded.)
Some time must of necessity elapse before the changes I have propose
[Condensed from Dr. Hullah's report in the London Musical Standard.]
can be made, for if made at once the education grant for "music" noi
But the direct bearing of this greater amount of musical culture is no made to elementary schools must at once be reduced to zero. Being mad|
more evident in the German elementary school than in our own. The re- however, I am fully persuaded that they will bring about changes as grej
sults of the teachers' work, as I have repeatedly shown, are generally the in our own schools as has been brought about of late years in those of Be
poorest conceivable. Whereas in Switzerland, in Holland, and in Belgium, gmm and Holland; and, as a consequence, in the course of a generation
such results are in an eminent degree satisfactory. The schools of Holland refine the habits and manners of our own poorer classes to an extent u\
and Belgium more especially present instances without number of children precedented in any age or country.
I have, &c,
of the humblest class, of the ages of nine and ten, who can not only sing
(Signed)
JOHN
what they have learned with taste and refinement, but sing at sight passages
of considerable difficulty with as much ease and evident intelligence as they
would show in reading literary passages within the range of their compre-
THE "FIDDLE" WITH A PEDIGREE.
hension. The teaching of notes has gone along with or immediately fol-
A FARCE IN FOUR SCENES.
lowed the teaching of letters, and the one has presented no greater difficulty
than the other. I must not omit to mention that the Belgian and Dutch
Dramatis Personce.
schools have a great advantage over the German in the fact that their higher
EDWABD WAENER, a collector of violins in Brooklyn.
music classes are generally taught by a professor, " un maitre de musique
GEBHAED GUNDEEMANN, a dealer in and mender of violins in New Yorkj
apart," whose time and attention are devoted chiefly to this branch of mu-
HENET MoiiLBERG, a Brooklyn musician.
sical instruction ; the " accidence " only of musical grammar being entrusted
to a school teacher, from whose care the pupils are eventually passed on to
SCENE I.
that of the professor. Dr. Von Aken, school inspector for South Holland,
Gundermann's Store in New York.
expressed to me a strong opinion that music could only be effectually taught
under this arrangement.
G. (Showing a violin to Warner). Look here ! A splendid instrument
But music in the schools of Brussels has still another advantage over just the thing for you. I give it to you for $250.
W. May be fine enough, my friend, but I never buy a violin witho
that in all others I have visited ; the teaching of it is frequently and compe-
tently inspected. A musician of high repute, M. Auguste Bouillon, makes knowing exactly the pedigree. I must be sure where the instrument com*
occasional " surprise" visits to every school in Brussels during the hours from before making any purchase.
G. I shall try to make inquiries, and let you know then.
when the music lessons should be going on, notes whether the teacher and
W. All right. I shall call here again in about a week. (Exit.)
his class are at work, hears the lesson or a portion of it, and makes his re-
marks to the class publicly as it goes on, and to the teacher privately when
SCENE H.
it is over. This organization, as yet extended to the capital only, is in pro-
cess of extension to the whole country.
The Same.
I am disposed to think that there are in England means and appliances
(Two days later.)
whereby musical instruction in our elementary schools might be made to
HENRY MOLLBERG. (Entering.) Hello, Gundermann! Anything n^
equal that of Holland, and even of Belgium.
in the shape of instruments ? Ah, I see ; here is a genuine Italian
The musical instruction given in our normal schools might, in special here
Let me look at it.
instances, be carried further than it is, and students who show especial tal- strument.
You can look at it as long as you like. It is a fine instrument,
ent for the subject might at the end of their two years' training for the deed G.
can be easily sold for $1,000. But there ! Look at that o
school, be sent to the projected Royal College of Music at South Kensing- violin. ; and
I bought it very cheap, and patched it up. It has a fine tone,
ton, with a view to their formation into a body of music masters in towns or sounds like
an old Italian fiddle. A few days ago an old gentleman
districts where a sufficient number of schools to occupy the time of each one here, who seems
take interest in violins ; he would have bought it,
of them could be found together. Teachers of this class need not anywhere wanted to know its to
and as I did not wish to tell him that I bou
supersede the schoolmaster in his musical work, but they might aid him, it at a pawnbroker's history,
auction, he did not care to buy it. I do not know
both in the higher and the lower. Schoolmasters who did not need such name of the gentleman,
but he said he would come back.
aid, and who felt sure that without it they could meet the requirements of a
M. Now, why did you not invent a history ? Let me sit down here
competent inspector, could and would of course decline to accept it.
; I shall prepare a pedigree that will take any amateur
Whether this scheme or any other like it be adopted or not, it is, as I a few moments
(Sits down and writes. After a while he hands a paper to G.)
have represented to your Lordships again and again, of the first importance storm.
that the work of music teaching in schools aided by Government grants be that'll do, and satisfy your Maecenas. Good-day. (Exit.)
inspected at least once a year by musicians competent to the task. I have
SCENE m .
already suggested to your Lordships means by which such inspections might
The Same.
be carried into effect. I will only here suggest in addition, that some of it
might be tindertaken, as I am sure it would be willingly, by professors con-
(Six days later.)
nected with the new college, and that in connection with the reorganization
WAENEE. (Entering). Well, have you found out something about
of that college the class of students I have proposed to form be considered, violin I saw the other day ?
as well as the occasional employment as inspectors of its professors.
G. I have, sir, and prepared a little memorandum for you. (Handir
The first change in the present state of things in elementary schools paper to W.)
caused by the adoption of this scheme would be the giving an altogether new
W. (reading). "When Spohr, the great violin-player, was traveling
interpretation to the word "singing." This word should only be under- Italy, he came through Cremona, and happened to find there an excel]
stood to represent singing from notes, and those musical notes. Your Lord- violin. He took a fancy to it and purchased it. He played on it contj
ships will already have seen that in only one of the places I visited in my ally, till he concluded to use it in all his concerts on account of its giga
recent tour is any other than the recognized musical alphabet or notation in tone. It remained in Spohr's possession till his death, and Vieuxte^
use. Nowhere, save in Genoa, did I find, or hear mention of, any other. concertizing at Cassel, heard of the beautiful instrument and bought^
The sanction of the Committee of Council on Education was given some the heirs. When Vieuxtemps came to America, he brought it with hi
years since to the use of another notation in English normal and elementary sold it to a rich bachelor, who took a pride in it. After the death
schools. In the latter this notation is, I am told, much used ; but in the man it went into the possession of a nephew of his, a young scapegrace,]
former I find it at present in only three* out of 41 English normal schools, did not understand the value of the instrument, and he sold it to Ge>|
and in three^Bfit of seven Scottish. Every opportunity has been afforded Gundermann for tlie - jaBBl^^MiP_-"_ n Ah, I s e e ; if I pay you $;
^"
~ e is the
CHARLES AVERY WELLES,
THE
MUSIC
TEADE
CHINESE ORCHESTRA.—A Chinese orchestra is said by those who have
heard it, to consist of a gong, a horn, and a bunch of fire-crackers, the last
Lobby of the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
being used ad libitum. Hint for Rud. Aronson.
(Two weeks later.)
NOVELTIES IN VIENNA.—Rubinstein's "Nero," Verdi's "Don Carlos,"
(Performance of " II Trovatore," with Adini and Arambura. In the Delibe's "Jean de Nivelle," Ponchielli's " Joconda," and Jonciere's " Dimi-
lobby many loungers, who consider the performance unworthy of the City tri " will be the novelties at the Vienna Opera House.
of Churches and the fame of Her Majesty's Opera Company. Among the
MME. HOWARD.—Mme. Constantine Howard has gone for the summer to
loungers are Warner and Mollberg).
Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert, and will prepare an elaborate programme for a
M. How do you do, Mr. Warner ? Haven't seen you for a century.
W. I am all right. I wish my wife hadn't the notion of listening to series of piano recitals at Steinway Hall next season.
[those infernal hackneyed performances.
TURNER.—By the last Australian steamer Charles H. Turner sailed from
M. By-the-by, I have seen in New York the other day a splendid violin the Hawaiian
Islands to rejoin his fiancee, the intention of the couple being
for $1,000, a genuine Italian instrument. It would be a splendid acquisition to proceed to Australia
and produce " The Royal Middy " and other operas.
for your collection.
WHAT NEXT.—It is related as a fact that M. Saint-Saens, the well known
W. Really ? But do you know the history of that violin ?
M. Bother history. That is all humbug. A few weeks ago an old fool French composer, and his wife were refused admittance at the Grand Hotel,
|vas at Gundermann's store, and wanted to know the pedigree of a patched- in Paris, the other day, because they had not brought a letter of introduction.
violin for which $250 was asked, and as there was no pedigree, he did
SIR JOHN GOSS.—Queen Victoria has awarded a pension of $350 a year
lot buy. Gundermann told me about it, and I wrote down a wonderful to Lady
Goss, and a pension cf $300 a year jointly to the two Misses Goss,
nistory about Cremona and Spohr, and if the old fool has read it I am sure in consideration
of the services to music rendered by the late Sir John Goss.
le must have closed the bargain.
KETTEN,
PATTI,
ETC.—We hear from Australia that Ketten is the rage in
W. (dumbfounded). Oh yes ! very likely ! good-bye, I must join
Sydney, biit that the Patti concerts were anything but a success. The next
wife.
(Warner has since given up collecting violins, and has taken a fancy to Australian steamer will take as passengers Miss Louise Beaudet and the
Boyer Concert Troupe.
is. Whether he asks for the history every time is doubtful.)
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.—Many alterations are being made in the interior of
the Academy of Music. A small army of mechanics are at work, and the
new decorations and alterations on which at least $5,000 is being expended,
will be completed August 20.
WENIGE.—Oscar Wenige, the pianist, is at Brown's Station on the Ulster
GERSTER.—Mme. Gerster's return with Mapleson's Company in the Fall
id Del. Railway.
is positively announced. Her reception in London has been very favorable.
BERLIOZ—Berlioz considers Beethoven's "Overture to Leonore"tobe The Saturday| Review says that, "People who did not hear Jenny Lind, may
find consolation in hearing Mme. Gerster.
finest overture.
BOITO.—Signor Boito, the composer of the successful new opera,
BURNED.—The Theatre de la Grande Rue de la Guillotiere, has been
"Mefistofele," is a man of reserved tastes. He was present at the second
lrnt down at Lyons.
performance in London, and, then refusing all the homage, banquets and
LANDER.—Lander, of this city, has been engaged to furnish the music at dinners of his enthusiastic countrymen, he took refuge in the country near
|ie new Casino, Newport.
Milan.
FANCELLI.—The Florence Sislro announces that Sig. Fancelli is engaged
LISZT AS A CONDUCTOR.—Herr Richard Wagner wrote after seeing Liszt
\r next season at the Scala, Milan.
conduct "Tannhauser": " I was astonished on recognizing my second self
STRAKOSCH.—It is stated that the Strakosch Bros, have secured Marie in his achievement. What I had felt in inventing this music he felt in per-
forming it; what I wanted to express in writing it down he said in making
Tan Zandt for a season in the States.
-b sound."
MALTIN.—Mile. Maltin, of the Theatre Royal, Dresden, has been created
PIANO GYMNASTICS.—They begged him to play a little. He seemed to
a Royal Chamber-Singer of Saxony.
feel bashful at first, but after a while began to play vigorously. "What
VELING.—Miss Lulu Veling, an eleven year old pianiste, is announced to power!" said a listener to the owner of the piano. " Yes," exclaimed the
latter, in alarm, "he seems, to have considerable muscle ; but he ought to
appear in concert during the season.
know that this isn't a gymnasium.
GRETRY.—M. Gretry says that French composers put their pedestal on
MONTAGUE.—Miss Annis Montague (whom the Hawaiians persist in call-
stage, and the statue in the orchestra.
ing Mary A. Cook, and in regarding as their own particular star), celebrated
SUPPE'S NEW OPERA.—Suppe is writing a new opera, to be called her reappearance at the Hawaiian Islands by a concert in Honolulu, at the
[saline," and to be produced in Vienna.
Kawaiahao Church, in June. The concert is reported to have been a
MARKSTEIN.—Miss Henrietta Markstein, the pianist, is spending the success, Miss Montague's share of the programme receiving very liberal
applause.
immer at the Ocean Hotel, Long Branch.
ACCIDENT TO GERSTER.—Mme. Gerster, while playing in "Linda di
NEW PARIS OPERA HOUSE.—It is stated that a new Italian Opera House
Chamounix" at Her Majesty's Theatre on the 8th inst., accidentally slipped
11 be erected in the Boulevard Haussmann, Paris.
and fell on her back in the second act, while she at the fall of the act-drop
WERNER.—Charles Werner, the violoncellist is in Shandaken, and as- lay directly across the path of the curtain, being saved from imminent dan-
[sted at a church benefit there on Monday evening, July 26.
ger by the presence of mind of Mile. Tremelli, who lifted her up bodily and
CORNET PLAYING.—Many persons are leaving Irving Place, because an carried her out of harm's way. It was not therefore surprising that Mme,
Gerster did not appear at her best.
lateur cornet-player has taken up his quarters in that street.
ASHLEY.—William W. Ashley, the tenor singer of New York, who was
OLE BULL.—The London World says : " The famous violinist, Ole Bull,
delivered to Detective Holmes, on July 23d, in the Tombs Court, was ar-
I'll, and has been obliged to cancel his Swedish engagement."
on July 24th, before Judge Donohue, and pleaded "not guilty."
MAUREL.—M. Maurel has sung in Paris for the first time, the part of raigned,
He also stated that he was not ready for examination. He was held for the
hpJiistopheles, and his complete success is generally acknowledged.
Grand Jury on a charge of false pretense. He is charged with defrauding
ARNOLD.—Mr. Richard Arnold, the violinist, has selected a place in the Mr. Rodney Hickey, of Troy City, out of a horse, wagon and harness,
[inity of Brockett's Bridge, New York, for his villegiatura this Summer.
valued at $1,000, and a girl named Hubbell of $1,000 under promise of
D'OYLY CARTE.—D'Oyly Carte has prevailed upon Mr. Abbey to let him marriage.
Booth's Theatre in January with Gilbert and Sullivan and their new
THAYER.—Thayer, the organist, says:—"Whether professed Christian
a.
or not, I consider the organist's first duty is to consider his playing, and all
acts in the sanctuary as worship. To enter the place for personal display,
ARONSON.—Rudolph Aronson, the young American composer, pro- his
show what skill is in feet and fingers, to exhibit his knowledge in the art
giving concerts a la Julien soon. Let him begin by giving concerts a to
of registration, to simply earn some money, or have a fine entertainment, is
lusicienne.
all false and wrong ; and if sooner or later he meets with failure or rebuke,
JOSEFFY.—Joseffy and party recently applied for rooms at the Tremper let such an organist consider it well deserved. I hold that no person,
ise, Catskills, but owing to the rush, a satisfactory suite of rooms could believer or infidel, Christian or heathen, has any right to step foot inside a
church door without a full sense of the sacredness of the place."
be obtained.
ALLEN.—Professor Allen, of Boston, who leads the orchestra at the
MACFARREN.—Mr. Walter Macfarren has been compelled to resign the
House, Newport, divides with Lander the duty of supplying the new position of conductor at the Royal Academy of Music, London, on account
ino with music.
of an affection of the eyes. It is stated that this eminent musician's sight is
such that he is unable to see the printed words or notes in a score, and
GAYARRE.—Senor Gayarre, the Spanish tenor, who is so popular in Lon- now
at the last concert he conducted he had no book before him, for the
I, was in his youth a blacksmith at Pampeluna. For the season at Covent that
reason that it would have been of no use to him. Happily, the connection
|den he gets $12,500.
of Mr. Walter Macfarren with the Royal Academy of Music will not be sev-
' BLEND TOM.—Blind Tom, who now wears the name of Prof. W. F. Ray- ered. The professorship of pianoforte-playing, which he has held for 34
id, is the composer of a "March Timpani." Why not call it "Tin- years, he will retain, merely resigning to another a post the arduous duties
of which he was unable to adequately fulfill.
py," and have done with it.
I EMMA ABBOTT.—The Emma Abbott Opera Company will begin its season
ABBOTT COMPANY NEXT SEASON.—Miss Emma Abbott's English Opera
luirty-five weeks in Chicago, on the 6th of September, opening with Company for the coming season will comprise, besides the prima donna her-
liod's "Romeo and Juliet."
self, Mme. Julia Rosewald, Miss Theresa Marcy, Mrs. Zelda Seguin, Miss
CONCERTS AT RICHFIELD SPRINGS.—Mrs. Florence Rice Knox, Mr. Fritsch Pauline Maurel, Sig. Brignoli (who will make his first appearance in the
lerr Remmertz have been giving concerts at Richfield Springs, under English troupe), Mr. Castle, Mr. Frank Augustine, Mr. A. E. Stoddard, Mr.
Ellis Ryse, Sig. Servero Strini, and Mr. A. W. Tarns, with Sig. Tomasi as
lanagement of Mr. Proctor.
conductor. Among the additions to the repertory are Goun^^s " Mireille "
SACRED SONG.—The ven
, which com-
in Grove 01
SCENE IV.
f
MUSICAL NOTES.
I

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