THE
Jj
Kteieat (Mfa
With which is incorporated THE MUSIC TRADE JOURNAL.
YOL. III.
N E W YORK, OCTOBER 20TH, 1S80.
No. 6
his famous orchestra, for, to tell the truth, it is not his former orchestra. Of
NATIONAL MUSIC.
some of the men have come back to him, but those who are at Koster
F late the idea has taken root, of classifying the music composed by living & ourse
Bial's, or at the opera, with few exceptions, have preferred to remain where
composers, after the nationality of the writers. A symphony has been they
are. Rumor has spread that Mr. Thomas has been engaged at the
performed by Cowen, in London, and the English critics speak of English Metropolitan
Concert Hall for a year ; and on the strength of this long term
music. Here in New York there is a great deal of talk just at present about musicians accepted
engagements with him ; but the fact is, that his engage-
Russian music, and even people who have never seen the empire of the Czar, ment at present is only
for three months ; and should the management of the
are named among composers of Russian music.
Metropolitan
Concert
Hall
during this time find out that Thomas, with his
Of course a man has a right to be called an Englishman, if born under orchestra, is not a paying investment,
they will hardly feel inclined to renew
the British flag, just as the Stars and Stripes make the free-born American the engagement.
citizen ; but the place of birth cannot make the music especially adapted to
Mr. Thomas has so many things to attend to that he cannot give his
the country in which it was written. Take for instance Saint-Saens, a
thorough Frenchman, but his works are so unlike the French taste, that he whole time to the concert-hall, and we suppose that Mr. Dietrich will assist
finds the real appreciation of his talent beyond the boundaries of his own lim, as on former occasions. Mr. Thomas is undoubtedly a great conductor ;
country. Even Hector Berlioz was only partly in sympathy .with his coun- with some more inborn fire he would be one of the greatest on the globe.
trymen, and his ideas, when uttered in France, were evidently not calculated What he can do with an orchestra is known, and we are not the last to appre-
iate all he has done ; but we cannot believe that music without him has no
to satisfy French musicians.
harms
at all; that without him our musical affairs in the United States
As there are three different .schools of music, there can be three different would go
to the dogs. Mr. Thomas, it seems, induced by his friends, who
styles: the German, French and Italian; although even in these styles the always have
given him bad advice, undertakes too much. In one enterprize
process of amalgamation has been performed, and it is impossible to draw he is "assisted"
by Mr. Dietrich; in another Mr. George Matzka "assists "him;
exact boundaries. Beyond that no national style has existed, and never will in
a third venture Mr. George F. Bristow has become his " assistant." That
exist as long as Harmony, Rhythm and Melody cannot be reinforced by a proves
that Mr. Thomas' enterprises are on a dualistic basis, and if he be
fourth ingredient, which is not in existence.
really the genius he is proclaimed (a view we do not share), his assistants
An American composer does not write ximerican music, because such a would spoil the better part of his work.
thing does not exist, and we do not think Fred. Cowen will be delighted to
Mr. Thomas seems to have become the trade-mark for a certain kind of
hear his new symphony termed " English music." Why it should be Eng-
lish music, we do not know, except that it deals with national melodies, ntertainments, and, taking the practical view, he is perfectly right if he
makes the best out of his reputation. People will wonder that we do not
which we do not think it does.
all Mr. Thomas a genius. Geniuses generally have broad, inspiring ideas,
The term " Russian Music," has come prominently to the front, and it and
failed ever to discover anything of the kind in Mr. Thomas. We
seems that Tschaikowski is considered the representative of it. But never- have we
always considered him an excellent conductor, a man, born and made
theless it is hardly so. If there are Russian National composers, who have
done something for the music of their country, we must mention Glinka and by practice, to rule over an orchestra—a perfect drill master. What some
Dargomierschki, who have used national melodies for their works. Tschaik- mthusiasts talk about the orchestra, superior to all others in the world, is
owski, the Russian, and one of the most influential composers of the present xaggeration. You cannot do this thing in two or three months. Mr.
age, is just as much Russian in his style, as Saint-Saens is French. It is Thomas' orchestra, formerly, was a wonderful organization. To bring the
really nonsense to speak of Russian music, and to make Scharwenka, Grieg new band, which performs at the Metropolitan Concert Hall, to the same
and Moczkowski adherents of the Russian school. Scharwenka is a Pole, degree of excellence, will take a good while, at least longer than the present
and so is Moczkowski, and Grieg is a Dane. People twaddle about these engagement of Mr. Theodore Thomas lasts.
It is needless to say that the engagement of the renowned conductor with
things, without having the faintest idea of what they are talking.
his orchestra is of great interest to the musical profession and the music
There is a new school in Germany, originally formed by followers of loving
of New York. New orchestral works will be in constant re-
Robert Schumann and antagonists of Richard Wagner ; they call themselves hearsal, public
and every week will offer novelties of European composers. As long
disciples of the " Neu Deutsche Schule " (New German School). To this as Mr. Thomas
is at the Metropolitan Concert Hall, the concerts of the Phil-
sect belong Brahms, Saint-Saens, Tschaikowski, Grieg, Moczkowski, harmonic and Symphony
will find it hard work to surpass the pro-
Scharwenka, and many other less important German composers. The dis- grammes there. The first societies
three nights of the winter season already gave a
ciples of this school, which should be called the New Romantic School, do treasure of new works, which
the dilettanti of our city. The man-
not exactly follow the same principles, nor are all of them hostile to Wag- agement of the hall has divided delighted
the term of Mr. Thomas' engagement into
ner's tendencies; but nevertheless they meet on common ground, which is so gala nights and ordinary performances.
On gala nights, on which occasion
international that the difference of nationality can be of no value. We do Mr. Thomas conducts himself, the hall takes
the shape of a regular concert
not count Liszt, Raff, or Rubinstein among the adherents of the new German hall, with reserved seats, an arrangement which
likely will not suit the
school. Liszt has formed his own style, Joachim Raff follows different ideas, beer-vender. On the more democratic evenings most
Dietrich will appear as
and Anton Rubinstein only now and then shows his tendencies and inclina- conductor, and the regular admission of 25 cents Mr.
will remain in force. It re-
tion towards the new style.
mains to be seen how the whole arrangement will work before any conclusion
The new German school is at present en vogue ; it represents the age of for the future may be drawn. It is needless to say that the opening nights
intellectual music ; composers belonging to this school are all intelligent and the ftvenings following drew brilliant crowds into the hall, and gave the
men, but many among them rob music of one of her sweetest charms, viz., best proofs that the public was glad to see their old fa voriteback in the posi-
poetry, and the direct expression of feeling. We find so much brain work, tion of conductor of concerts, which blend good music and social intercourse.
and very often BO little real musical feeling, that we are afraid the next gen-
We hope that Mr. Thomas will not ignore the value of this social inter-
eration will see the end of the New German School. Out of its midst a
new school will be formed, which will suit the artistic demands of our chil- course, and arrange his programmes accordingly. Should he relapse into
dren and grandchildren. At present the new German school is in power, his former mistake in making programmes too heavy for the taste and ear of
and many benefits have been derived from it, for intellect in music must not the average listener, the good work, which could be accomplished, will only
be half done.
be undervalued, if symphonic works are taken into consideration.
The orchestra on the opening night was in good trim and played with
We hope that Russian music, and English music, and Chinese music, will
be left alone. What is the good of deception ? They do not exist, and will verve and strong volume of tone, even through the disturbance of a threaten-
not exist, and in our age of national amalgamation, have no right to be ing fire ; the ladies in the audience seemed frightened, wanted to leave the
hall; but Mr. Thomas kept on playing Rubinstein's Ballet music from
mentioned at all.
" Feramors," and the rising smoke was rapidly extinguished. Many novel-
ties have been performed during the first week of the winter season ; not all
A CHANGE OF BASE.
f I "^HE winter season at the Metropolitan Concert Hall was inaugurated on of them are remarkable, but most of them are interesting. We shall devote
J_ Wednesday, Oct. 13th. When the new hall was opened in May last, our attention to the hall and keep the state of affairs on record. The change
many friends of the enterprize pretended to know that Theodore Thomas was of base has auspiciously begun; may it continue to remain in this blissful
taken in view for the concerts, and Rudolph Aronson only just installed state.
there, to carry the business through the summer. A number of the stock-
holders are Mr. Thomas' most ardent admirers ; and nevertheless, we do not
THE AMATEUR MANAGER.—We have in our city a young lawyer, Mr. S.
think that Thomas ever would have taken possession of the hall, if Aronson V. Speyer, who fills his leisure time by musical enthusiasm and interest in
had proved an efficient conductor. Mr. Aronson, the most energetic busi- classical concert enterprises. His enthusiasm is genuine, and he is a severe
ness man we can imagine, and talented to a certain degree, had a splendid critic. Another feature of his existence is the management of Chamber Music
chance, and could have worked himself into the position as conductor of concerts in private houses. He acts the part of the manager splendidly, and
permanent concerts, but he proved that he is not capable of filling the posi- keeps his troupes, comprising both amateurs and professionals, in excellent
tion satisfactorily, and his orchestral performances could not be compared to trim and constant practice. The star of his enterprises is Mme. S. A. Rachau,
those at the other concert-hall. We do not wish to insinuate that Mr. Aron- an excellent pianist, and well known in musical circles as an efficient teacher.
son has not his good qualities, but his programmes were weak, and ruin Mr. Speyer has no reason to give up his handsome law practice, but should
threatened the enterprize, if continued on the same basis.
he choose to do so, he could make his bread and butter in the managerial
Mr. Aronson, one of the stockholders himself, is too clever not to have line. He sometimes acts as performer on the violin and viola, but even his
seen that, and the basis had to be changed. On Wednesday Mr. Thomas best friends cannot be brought to a high pitch of enthusiasm by his instru-
gave his first concert at the hall, with his own orchestra; we cannot call it mented performances,
O
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