Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1880 Vol. 3 N. 6

October 20th, 1880.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENTS.
11
Mdlle. Belocca sang " Ah qual Giorno," from " Semiramide " and other
pieces. The contralto quality of her voice strengthens with time, and her
chest notes are much the best of her register. The pure Italian method and
the clean execution were very welcome after so much slip-shod work of this
illegitimate performances that are committed in their name. Let kind which is heard nowadays from the throats of raw singers. Speaking
everybody travel under their own firm, and not use great names as a catch- for myself, there was no selection given during the evening which gave more
penny. It is not absolutely to anybody's discredit to have the diplomas of the pleasure than a trio for female voices, " Faccio un inchino," from Cimarosa's
Leipzig and Stuttgart conservatories ; still it will be well to distrust such per- old opera of "II Matrimonio Segreto." This was given by Gerster, Belocca,
sons. They might be said to come from "poor, but dishonest parents." and Mme. Marie L. Swift, and the former singer managed to infuse a good
Mr. Heimendahl is a fine violinist, and, in conjunction with Mr. Liesegang, the suggestion of its strong dramatic possibilities, when given in its proper place
cellist (whose wife, under the nom de plume of Marie Wolff, is one of our most in the opera. It made me wish to hear the whole opera. But the staid au-
successful German actresses), assisted by Priegnitz, 2d violin, and Allen, dience of conscientious concert-goers permitted the number to fall flat.
viola, have commenced a cyclus of chamber music soirees. The first took
Mme. Carreno played, for the first time here, Grieg's " Norwegian Volks-
place last night with the following programme : 1. Quartette (E flat) leban,"
the newly arrived Russian pianist, Constantin Sternberg, played
Mozart. 2. Recitation and Aria—"Joseph," Mehill. 3. Quintette, (0 for your which
citizens on the 7th inst. It is of local, rather thun musical interest,
Major), Schubert.
although the themes are treated very interestingly at times. But the fair
The ensemble was good. The most pleasing rendition was given to the artist's best number was Liszt's E major Polonaise, in which she not only
Menuetto in the Mozart number, and the Andante in the Quintett, in which made the most of all the effects, but seemed to toy with the enormous diffi-
•the 2d cello was discreetly played by Mr. Zotzmann. Mr. Knorr, our tenor culties. Mme. Carreno's reputation was decidedly advanced among musi-
jpar excellence, sang with especial verve. His improvement is very marked. cians who heard her at this concert ; and although she appeared in the often
Mr. Tetedoux has come from Pittsburgh, where he has led the Gounod Club, unsatisfactory position of first on the programme, this first number won a
and is a most welcome addition to our very scant number of good singing very hearty encore. Mme. Sacconi, the neAv harpist, gave the impression of
masters. The best teacher we ever had here was a Mr. Carozzi, but he turned delicacy and neatness, rather than force; and, after all, nobody can get force
out to be a bad egg and had to go to Havana suddenly for his health. out of a harp.
Another new singer is Mr. Chas. H. Clark, who is the tenor at the Third
This Gerster concert was the opening of a popular series of entertain-
Presbyterian Church, and vocal teacher at the Chicago Ladies' Seminary. ments,
begun here 12 years ago by manager T. B. Pugh, and widely
Mr. Clark sings with great taste and judgment, and has a very dramatic voice. known as
Star Course. There will be other notable musical events in
He excels in German songs. Mr. Phelps, who by his departure broke up the the series the
to which I shall doubtless have occasion to revert. Among these
Carlotta Patti Troupe, has also settled here, and I hear is very successful. will be Joseffy's
set down for October 28th. The Star Course
The pianists praise his singing, and the singers his piano inlaying. Between manager has many concert,
times given fine musical entertainments here, among
Ihe two he certainly must do something well. Then we had a short visit from them
concerts by nearly all of the celebrities. He put 6,000 into the house
Mdme, Cappiani, who seemed to have come on a sort of a short " foraging
to hear dear Ole Bull after most other managers had dropped him as a
expedition." Her stay was limited to ten days, and she was willing and even once
out card. He was the only manager here who ever ventured to engage
x anxious, as I understand, to take pupils for that length of time. But some- worn
once great, but very unmanageable singer, Mme. Rudersdorff; and I
how the singers did not " enthuse," in spite of private musical soirees, etc. that
A similar project in regard to bringing Mme. Rudersdorff here fell through don't think Pugh has ever since felt happy about that experience.
The renewed charms of " Piano Row," which as I recently told you have
last summer. She was to be here for four weeks, and pupils were invited to
register. Whether the people thought that they might succeed in learning been recently emblazoned upon the outer walls, through the liberality of
all she could teach them in that time, or whether her demands were too mod- city councils, to whom the block belongs, have been further supplemented by
erate, I do not know ; perhaps it would have been selfish and too mean to interior and window decorations. Several of the agents have endeavored to
deprive Boston of her even for that short time. Among the other new arri- outvie each other in this respect. After Mr. Getz had finished fixing up and
vals are Messrs. Leavett, Wellenstein, and Chas. Koelling, pianists. Mr. newly lettering his fine new window with the talismanic word " Weber," his
Leavett is a brother-in law of John Trendsen, and Mr. Chas. Koelling is the western neighbor, Mr. Blasius, hurriedly scratched out the old lettering of his
well known manufacturer of piano music, wholesale and retail. Mr. Wellen- Steinway front, and brought out a sign twice as big as Weber's. In his zeal
stein must do his best, for it would be a pity if such a talented pianist to add still further to the attractiveness of his window, he smashed a grand
piano through the costly French plate-glass, and the glass and lettering both
and clever composer should have to return where he came from,
had to be done over again. Weber's chief display seems to be the very
Church concerts are commencing rather early this winter. The proper fancy inlaid piano which he exhibited here at the Centennial, and which it
time for them is after Lent, when the musical season is at its end, and people seems, from this present exhibit, was too gorgeous ever to find a purchaser.
will go to almost anything. In this case, however, the menu is tolerable, and My excellent old friend, James Bellak, shows in his window an Emerson up-
will not make anybody sick :—1. Piano Quartette, Ballet Music, "Rienzi," right of prodigious gaudiness. Col. Gray, I saw the other day, haranguing
"Wagner, Mrs. Smith, Miss Morton, Mrs. Hadduck, Mr. Shafer. 2. " How a delinquent carman with all the energy and volubility which he would ex-
Fair Art Thou," Wiedt, Mr. Me Wade. 3. (a) Nocturne, Field ; (b) Men- ercise in fighting an obnoxious motion in the board of health, and only less
xietto, Boscovitz ; (c) " The King's Hunting Jig," Dr. John Bull. 4. Scherzo, earnestness than he displayed when engaged in selling a Schomacker Grand or
Paola Giorza, Miss Dutton. 5. Rondo Brilliante, op. 5, for two pianos, G, Upright, with magnificent butternut case, to the Commissioner of Agriculture,
Schumann, Mrs. Hadduck and Mr. Shafer. 6. Italian Symphony for 8 hands, Leduc, who was here from Washington a fortnight ago. I forgot to say that
Mendelssohn. 7. " Lovely Spring," Coenen, Mr. Clark. 8. Impromptu' in Getze's window there is an "oil painting" understood to represent the
Mazurka and Valse, Chopin, Mr. Boscovitz. 9. "Devotion," Schumann^ frisky Lotta in one of her bucolic moods. I hope before he gets the next
Miss Dutton, and some other numbers. Mrs. Hadduck is the prime mover issue of your paper, he will have sold that canvass, or given it away.
in this affair, and declares she will never do it again. If it was not so indis-
An anecdote in your editorial paragraphs some time ago, commenting on
creet I might add that Mrs. H. is especially gifted for making that kind of
a previous one from your Boston correspondent, reminded me of one which
cake, known as "Angel's Food."
Thomas Ryan, of the Mendelssohn Club, related. Once, in Boston, that too
I reserve a report of our conservatories, orchestra and singing societies delicate, over-refined, Chopin-like Otto Dresel, was rehearsing the great
for my next letter, if I live long enough " to tell the tale."
Schumann Quintette in E flat. When it came to the part of the club in the
E. L.
" Funeral March," Dresel insisted that they began in 6-8 time. This criticism
was reiterated until at length Wulf Fries, who, as Ryan explained, was the
HOWE'S PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
fighting-man of their quintette, took the pianist to task, giving him to under-
stand that a club which had played in the E flat quintette 700 times probably
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 15, 1880.
knew what it was about.
n p H E genuine season of music having fairly arrived, it is pleasant to have
I know of nothing more promising of pleasure to advanced musicians than
J_ had it opened in this city with a musical event of national importance. the fact that David D. Wood, the celebrated organist of St. Stephen's, is pre-
I allude to the Gerster concert of last Monday evening at the Academy of paring another organ recital. This player is the ablest I have ever heard,
Music. The demands of the programme absorbed quite an unusual amount and as a theoretic musician he holds no second place, I assure you. Twice
of first-class talent. Mdlle. Belocca, the beautiful Russian contralto, in the last dozen years he has given these organ recitals to invited guests,
appeared in four numbers. The popular and amiable pianist, who hails from each time with a wonderful bill of organ music, and as good vocal numbers
a more genial clime, Mme. Carreno, gave two. The new harpist, who has as the noted choir of St. Stephen's is capable of furnishing. The first of
come with Col. Mapleson from Italy, Mme. Sacconi, made her debut. Sig these musical repasts was furnished in 1868, the second in 1872. Now, after
Lazzarini struggled through a good deal of hard work during the evening! eight years, he is preparing a third one. The programme is magnificent. In
Then " that incomparable leader," as Mr. Lumley used to call him in Lon- the first place, and it is always simple justice to put this organ player first,
don, Signor Luigi Arditi, was on hand to accompany Gerster, and used up a Mr.Wood is to play the following very important numbers: A choral prelude
pair of fresh gloves applauding Sacconi.
and fugue in C minor, by Bach ; Handel's organ concerto in G ; Mendels-
Naturally, before all of these artists in importance came Mme. Gerster sohn's organ sonata, No. 2 ; Mr. Wood's own arrangement, for four hands, of
herself, looking her best, and singing superbly. It was her first concert in the " Auf dem Bach," from Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, in which he will
America, and her first appearance in this country since her return on the 3d be assisted by Mrs. Anna W. Bunting, organist of Christ Church, W. P., and
inst. Mme. Gerster's numbers were "Ah! non credea,"from " Somnambula " an adagio, by Merkel. The vocal numbers are also of remarkable interest.
and a new polka cantabile, which Arditi has just composed for her entitled The " Gloria," from Cherubini's Mass in C, and that magnificent work of Schu-
"Fior di Margherita." This latter met with an unwonted success, taking bert's, " Miriam's Song of Triumph," with soprano solo, and a chorus of 20
the audience of 4,000 people by storm, and being honored by the demand for carefullly selected voices, are to be given, Miss Abbie Whinnery singing the
a third repetition.
solo in the latter. The concert will occur about Nov. 10, and will be well
It presents all of the peaceful qualities of the composer's style, although worth a trip from New York to hear it.
as its name implies, it is of a more legato character than "II Bacio." For an
HOWE.
encore to the first number Mme. Gerster responded with another work by
the same composer, the " Tortorella Waltz," so that Arditi gained almost as
ALASTOR'S BALTIMORE LETTER.
many laurels at the concert as did Gerster.
The popular prima donna was greeted with amass of floral tributes, some
BALTIMORE, Oct. 19, 1880.
of them magnificent in dimensions. She was very much delighted with the
WEET
strains
of
music
have
had
very
little
chance to be heard during
warm nature of her reception; and in the few words which your correspondent
the ten days' fete of our Sesqui-Centennial. The rumble of heavy
passed with her during an interval of the programme, she paid an enthusias- wagons
bearing " historic tableaux," the clangor of bells, the tramp of pro-
tic tribute to the excellence of our Academy of Music as a place to sing in
eleven-and-a-half miles long, marching and counter-marching,
saying, " I t helps the voice, instead of hindering, to sing here." Doctor cessions
and being cheered, the thunder of artillery, and the unlovely strains
Gardini, the diva's husband, sets as much store by her reputation as did the cheering
sundry imported sheet-iron bands—these have conquered music in our
husband of Catalini in his estimate of that great singer, and his admiration of
city during the past 10 days. Some of the bands were very fine, as, for ex-
for her great gifts is quite pleasant to witness.
ample, the Marine band from Washington City, a government institution,
( Continued from page 9.)
S
12
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
and kept up to the highest mark of practice ; but even such bands as these
were at a disadvantage, for other bands of the sheet-iron persuasion ceased
not to perform in their immediate vicinity.
It is a theme worthy of the serious consideration of those having authority,
how to dispose of several street bands in one procession, so as to cause the
least amount of torture to the spectators. If there be anything worse than a
provincial brass band, it is two provincial brass bands playing at the same
time, particularly when one is playing " The Star Spangled Banner," and
the other is whooping it up with " Shoo Fly." Yet this has been the fate of
Baltimore during the past gala week. There have been bands from Pitts-
burgh, from Harrisburg, from York, from Cumberland, and even from obscure
and unknown villages, who have tooted and banged during the past ten days,
until the Goddess of Harmony has been compelled to wear cotton in her
ears. The term ''dulcet," as applied to the art, is a horrible mockery, and
the music that
"Softer falls
Than petals of blown roses on the grass,
Music that gentler on the spirit lies
Than tired eylids upon tired eyes—
Music that brings sweet sleep down from the blissful skies,"
seems a reminiscence of the remote past. Not of this kind surely was the
" Star Spangled Banner, " when sung by 200 voices of the consolidated Ger-
man choral societies at the Schutzen Park. Berlioz gave it as his opinion,
formed after a ripe experience, that music in the open air is impossible. All
the precious qualities of tone, whether vocal or instrumental, seem to evapo-
rate in open air. The abyss of space drinks up the resonance and leaves only
the harsher vibration. Still, on patriotic occasions, one must not be over
critical, and so your correspondent delivered himself up to be thrilled. Two
hundred voices, with pronounced German accent, thundering out its " Star
Spangled Banner," was certainly a sensation.
One of our choral societies has ceased to exist.
The Baltimore Glee
Club, a society of young gentlemen, who for several years have given charm-
ing concerts to select and fashionable audiences, is reported disbanded. The
•word "given " was put in italics because that club never charged admission,
but bore all the expenses themselves, and fashionable society always attended
the entertainments with that cordiality and unanimity that Baltimore invari-
ably shows to a free treat.
But it is further reported, upon what authority your correspondent can-
not at present ascertain, that the Baltimore Glee Club goes over in a body to
the Wednesday Club. If this be so, it will not be a death, but an apotheosis.
They will pass to a higher sphere.
One thing, which it is already decided the Wednesday Club will give
during the coming season, is the oratorio of " Elijah." As soon as the bustle
of our century-and-a-half fete is over, the study of the chorals will begin.
There can be little doubt that it will be handsomelv rendered, for a more
difficult work by Handel was performed last season. A chorus that can phrase
and shade a fugue of Handel, need fear nothing, except, perhaps, Bach.
Though the rehearsals of "Elijah" are to begin soon, yet the performance
will not be until during Lent. Who are to be the soloists is not yet announced,
and probably not yet determined.
ALASTOB
GAEL'S NOTES FROM BURLINGTON, IOWA.
BURLINGTON, la., Oct. 4, 1880.
October, 20th, 1880.
Both of our music houses seem to be busy, especially Mr. James A.
Guest, who is wholesaling a large number of pianos and organs.
Our Orchard City Band has a benefit next week. Success to them.
CAUL.
THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.
HE plans for the new opera-house at Madison avenue and Forty-third
street have at last been adopted. J. Cleaveland Cady, of No. I l l Broad-
way, is the architect. The plans are described as preliminary, and no ar-
rangements have yet been made respecting the interior decorations, uphol-
stery, &c. The board of directors adopted designs and specifications for
the building, at the same time directing the executive committee to conclude
the purchase of the land and proceed with the work. E. P. Fabbri is chair-
man of the committee. The plans are for a structure of pressed brick, with
terra cotta trimmings, fronting 200 feet on Madison avenue and 190 on the
side streets. The walls will be 90 feet high, surmounted on the side of the
main entrance by a pitched roof and tower, the whole 110 feet in height.
The architecture is a mixture of Italian and composite, without too much
ornamentation. The auditorium will seat between 3,000 and 3,100 persons, and
will be divided into the parquet, or orchestra, the parterre, or first row of
boxes, two additional tiers of boxes, a balcony, and a gallery. There will be
110 boxes altogether, with small salons, or ante-rooms, opening out of them.
Each box will seat five persons comfortably, and can be made to accommo-
date six. The height from floor to ceiling of the boxes will be 7 feet
8 inches. There will be 788 seats in the parquet, 580 in the balcony, and
seating room for 1,180 in the gallery. The interior will be plain, no money
being wasted on decorations. Special attention will be paid to heating,
lighting, ventilation, and means of exit. From each tier there will be three
exits—one on Vanderbilt avenue, one on Madison avenue, and one on Forty-
third street—two of which in each case will be separate and independent of
all others, each being carried directly to the sidewalk and surrounded by
closed and. independent walls, thus preventing all counter streams of people
and choking up of passages. There will be four independent entrances to the
parquet. The total width of the staircases connecting the floors with the
street will be 58 feet, viz : one of 12 feet in width, one of 4 feet, one of 10
feet, two of 6 feet, and two of 8 feet. In addition there will be a stair-
case 5 feet in width, connecting with all the floors. All the staircases will
be of iron, slate, and marble, and fire-proof throughout.
T
PRIZE COMPOSITION.
H P H E Musical Festival Association in Cincinnati has issued a circular,
X offering a prize of $1,000 for a musical composition. " The fifth
festival of the Cincinnati Musical Festival Association will be held in Cincin-
nati in May, 1882, and, in pursuance of the policy adopted by it in connection
with its last festival, the association offers a prize of $1,000 for the most
meritorious composition for chorus and orchestra, to be performed on that
occasion. Competition shall be open to all citizens of the United States,
irrespective of place of birth. The following distinguished authorities have
kindly consented to act as judges in conjunction with Theodore Thomas,
viz. : Herr Kapellmeister, Carl Reinecke, Leipzig, and M. Camille Saint-
Saens, Paris. Works offered for competition must not occupy more than one
hour in performance. A full score, and piano scoi-e, accompanied by a sealed
letter, must be placed in the hanis of the committee on or before September
1, 1881, and should be addressed to ' Committee on Prize Composition,
Musical Festival Association, Cincinnati, Ohio.' The scores must not con-
tain the name of the author, but must bear a fictitious name. The accom-
panying sealed letter must bear the same fictitious name on the outside,
and also a return address, and must contain within the name and address of
the author. No letter will be opened until a decision has been reached
awarding the prize, and then only the letter of the successful competitor.
The other compositions and letters will be returned to the return address in-
dorsed on the outside of the sealed envelope. The author of the prize com-
position shall own the copyright of his work, but the association shall have
the right of performance at any and all times, and also of publishing such
copies as it may require for its use free from copyright. The scores sub-
mitted of the successful composition shall belong to the association."
than politicians are entertainments and music teachers in Bur-
X lington at present. We have no less than fifty teachers,and all apparently
have something to do. Prof. Rogers, the new organist of the Congregational
Church, has already established his reputation as an organist and pianist, and
we predict for him great success here. He is a thorough musician, and plays
understandingly. On September 26th, Sunday morning, the choir sang the
best we ever heard them, the selections being appropriate and good. Miss
Nelson's solo was a perfect gem. Miss Spencer, the contralto, surprised us
with a beautiful solo, and we know she can do even better as soon as she
overcomes her nervousness. The music in the song was marred by the solo
of Mr. Lehr, which was sung so wretchedly that even some of the old stand-
bys, who seem bound to accept everything as good, smiled and then frowned
at him. We cannot help but think he sang so purposely, for it doesn't seem
OFFENBACH'S FUNERAL.
possible for a singer, who pretends to be good, to sing from a half to a quar-
ter off the pitch. Mr. Lehr should confine himself entirely to quartette or f I ^HE funeral of Jacques Offenbach was celebrated at the Madeleine on the
chorus singing until he cau at least sing in time. We trust he will (like the X morning of the 7th,with great pomp and ceremony. The hearse, drawn
gentleman he is) take this just criticism in the same kindly feeling as it is by two horses, and hung with black and silver trappings, left the house of
given, and try to improve his careless singing. Last Sunday we noticed mourning on the Boulevard des Capucines at a quarter to 10 o'clock. I t was
a new basso in Mr. Lehr's place—Mr. Joy, formerly of the Baptist choir. loaded with wreaths sent by the theatres of Paris and of nearly every
Why this change was made is a mystery, and a great mistake. If Mr. Joy European capital. Among them was a tasteful offering from the Galeries
was*put there for ornament (that is about all he is good for), we had rather St. Hubert, Brussels ; another from the London Alhambra, and another from
have Mr. Lehr back to fill both requirements. Mr. Dillen, the new tenor, as the Opera Comique, inscribed in letters of gold with the words " Les Contes
a singer, is not a success, and the directors should get either another one in d'Hoffman."
his place or some one to help. If he was as much of a singer as he is a gen-
The service began punctually at 10 o'clock. The church was tastefully
tleman he would be a valuable acquisition to this choir. The music on the hung with black and silver. In the centre was a handsome catafalque draped
morning named was not up to the standard, the constant changes in this choir with black and surrounded by silver candelabra. The funeral procession was
keeping them " b?-oke up " most of the time. Sunday evening a Mrs. Dan- preceded by a detachment of soldiers of the line with fixed bayonets, who
iels, of Detroit, sang a solo. She has a moderately sweet voice, not powerful took up their position at the side of the altar. The deceased was entitled to
enough for such a large room, and her articulation is very bad.
military honors, having been a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
The mass was admirably sung by Faure, Talazac, and several other great
Miss Nellie Hall's benefit was a failure. The concert was only fair.
Prof. Richards' playing was decidedly rusty, owing doubtless to his neglect artists of Paris. Faure made a profound impression by a masterly rendering
of practice during his late trip abroad. Prof. Roney, a new comer, did not of the " Pie Jesu." During the service several fragments of the dead com-
surprise us with his piano solo, it being only ordinary. The Misses Kline poser's " Contes d'Hoffman " and " Chanson de Fortunio " were executed.
sang a duet, which was the most enjoyable of all, and they received a de- The cortege left the Madeleine about half-past 11 for the Cemetery of
served encore. Miss Nellie Hall's friends applauded her efforts, though we Montmartre, followed by a large number of the friends of the deceased.
heard nothing but an ordinary ballad sang in an ordinary manner. We are Among them were nearly all the artistic celebrities of Paris.
at a loss to understand why Miss Hall has gone east to cultivate her voice.
Mr. Rogers, assisted by Miss Nelson, Miss Gay and Miss Spencer, gave
EMBAKKAS DE RICHESSE.—One of our conservatories announces two
a charming little musicale, at the Congregational Church parlors, on Friday harpists as teachers connected with the institution. Are there so many
evening, Oct. 1.
people in New York desirous of learning this instrument ? If it should be-
Gustav Heyner's Orchestra, we learn, is making rapid progress. Now come the rage, the harp may take the place of the piano in the drawing-room
if L. will only keep them together and supply the music at the theatre for a little while. From Scylla to Charybdis ! But how nice it would be for
(which is galling), the community will rise up and bless him.
sweethearts! Imagine him blowing the cornet, and her squeezing the strings
Mr. Frank Wilcox, who wanted to chastise your correspondent, has left of the harp, and in the expectoration of their musical feelings their souls be-
the city. We advise all correspondents to look out for him and not say come united, and they become purer and nobler beings. The mere idea of
anything about his favorites, for he carries a big boiler and can generate such happiness brings tears into our eyes, and we forget for the moment
what sufferings the ear would have to bear.
lots of steam.

Download Page 11: PDF File | Image

Download Page 12 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.