Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1882 Vol. 5 N. 12

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
January 20th, 1882.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
171
The "Valse," the second number of the collec- and old-maidish mannerisms compelled retire-
tion by Mr. Brandeis, is written in the etude form, ment. It's fickle, is that same public. I ought to
and combines within that movement some really know, for I've had ample opportunity to learn its
oi*iginal melodic forms. It makes an acceptable whims and caprices. I have naught to complain
of. My career as an artiste has been, oh, so pleas-
salon etude and should be generally studied.
Mr. Brandeis has also written lately a song, ant. I have met not only applause and apprecia-
tion, but genuine friendship and regard. To re-
"Lady Bird," dedicated to Miss Emma Juch.
Mr. Julius G. Bierck has composed a valse he turn to Mr. Whitney: He is the first of my
calls "Toujours Belle" (always pretty), and dedi- admirers, and I know you won't think it vanity
when I say I've had my share of them. He is
cated the same to his "dear wife."
The valse is really "pretty," and it made UB feel horoughly liked by my people. Mamma is
pretty good to find a composer whose marital re- really fond of him, and looks forward to my mar-
lations are so happy that he still persists in calling riage with actual pleasure. On the whole, I think
his wife "dear," and dedicating a valse to her, my chances of connubial happiness are "as fair as
CHOIE QUIRKS.
which, in its title, implies that she is, to him, "al- the most, don't you?"
It was the fair soprano of
Needless to say that the scribe agreed, and was
ways pretty."
An orthodox church choir,
May she continue to be "always pretty" to him. disposed to believe that Miss Kellogg knew her
Who sat up in the gallery
Mr. Bierck's waltz, "Le beau Nicholas," is own mind when she said "yes" to the soft plead-
And hit the sacred lyfe.
rather labored, and is, consequently, wanting in ings.—St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Quite young she was, and pretty, too—
ease and grace of movement.
A plump and pleasing person—
Aldrich's "Persian Love Song" has been set to
THE CINCINNATI PRIZE COMPOSITION.
The tenor was a brawny Scot—
music by Mrs. Bertha Ford (Brentano, publisher).
R.
WILLIAM GILCHRIST, of Philadelphia,
His name J. H. McPherson.
It has a sympathetic blending of the poetic senti-
who won the Cincinnati prize of $1,000 for
ment with the flow of melody. This would be-
He loved the fair soprano, and
come more prominent if the phrasing were indi- the best original composition for chorus and
Would fain have married been;
orchestra, to be performed at the next May Musi-
cated.
But Birdie Blanche (that was her name)
cal Festival in Cincinnati, describes his composi-
The
accompaniment
is
correct,
and
no
attempts
Told him that was too thin.
at unnecessary display are made. The composer tion in the following language:
The composition is a setting of the 40th Psalm
The blonde contralto of the choir
has talent, and should devote time to the production
Was also young and fresh,
of more songs, as her ability in this direction is for soprano, solo, choru«, orchestra, and organ,
and has feur principal divisions, exclusive of an
And went from E to lower M
manifest.
Like one of the profesh.
A few typographical errors disfigure the last introduction, each following the other without
page in text and music. In the sixth bar fi-om the pause, and connected by a gradual "descendo" in
Of course, between her and Mias Blaache
end the first chord on the left hand contains a the orchestra. The opening of the psalm seemed
Arose a deadly feud;
to me to indicate a strong outburst of praise or of
superfluous b flat.
In no church choir are women known
We must also praise an impromptu by Vincent thanksgiving for a deliverance from trials, which
To live in sisterhood.
is intended to convey. But in-
Cyril, sent to us by the publisher, G. D. Russell, the introduction
of commencing with a strong outburst, I
One eve, when twilight gently spread
of Boston, Mass. It evinces spirit and musical stead
up to it from a very subdued beginning,
Its mantle over all,
judgment that retains it within the impromptu lead
working
up to a climax at the entrance of the
The members of this model choir
form. The typography is excellent.
chorus on the words "God is our refuge and our
Had met for rehearsal.
strength." The opening movement of the chorus
The church was somewhat dimly lit;
becomes a little subdued very shortly, as it takes
IS KISS EELLOGG'S ENGAGEMENT OFF?
The tenor and Miss Blanche
the words, "A very present help in trouble,"
LOUISE KELLOGG'S engagement up
Were first to get to what she called
is followed again by an "allegro confuoco"
with wealthy Whitney of Philadelphia has which
"This old deserted ranche." *
movement on the words, "Therefore we will not
been on the lips of the gossips for months past, fear
though the earth be removed, though the
They sat them down a corner in
and has proved to be an advertisement of the first mountains
be carried into the midst of the sea."
To wait until the rest
water. This popular cantatrice has seen her hand- This movement
into still another, a "furioso"
Should come along, and all the while
some bank account swelling still larger through movement, on leads
the words, "Though the waters
Their lucky absence blessed.
this general babble about her future husband and thereof roar, though
the mountains shake with the
the prospect of her leaving the concert stage for- swelling thereof." This
The blonde contralto, coming in
is followed by an elabo-
ever.
With wholly useless haste,
rate "coda," in which all the themes of the pre-
A gentleman intimately acquainted with Miss ceding movement are worked together, and which
Discovered the young tenor's arm
Kellogg, while conversing the other day about her brings the chorus to a close. The second division,
Around somebody's waist.
engagement to a representative of THE MUSICAL in E major, is marked by an "andante contempla-
She laid the case before the Board
CRITIC AND TKADE REVIEW, said that he feared the tive" on the words, "There is a river the streams
Of Elders, who, to show
marriage would never take place.
whereof shall make glad the city of God." This
Their reprobation of the hug,
"Miss Kellogg has not broken her engagement, movement is intended to be one of tranquility,
Declared that Blanche must go.
has she?" asked our representative.
varied with occasional passionate outbursts on the
"Oh, no! that is all right, but she isn't married words, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not
She went, but not until she had,
yet. It isn't the first time she has been en- be moved." A peculiar rhythmical effect is sought
Before a select few,
gaged, as you may remember."
by the alternation of 4—4 and 3—4 time, three
Remarked that other hearts would ache
"By the newspapers?"
bars of the first being answered by two bars of the
If she told what she knew.
"Yes, and really engaged, too. And then, you second. This movement ends very tranquilly on
It was her last and deadliest shot,
know, she isn't so anxious to pass under the matri- the words, "God shall help her and that right
And proved a funeral pyre
monial yoke, after all. She's too fond of having early," and is immediately followed by an "allegro
Upon which to incinerate
her own way, and she has had it for a number of molto," in B minor, on the words, "The heathen
The balance of the choir.
years past. A woman at her age is not so anxious raged, the kingdoms were moved; he uttered his
to get married as a young girl, and I shouldn't be voice, the earth melted." In the middle of this
Stern parents all with one accord,
surprised any day to hear that the engagement was chorus the soprano solo enters for the first time on
Made haste their girls to snake
broken off."
the words, "He maketh wars to cease upon the
Prom out the place where Scandal's tongue
end of the earth; He breaketh the bow and cutteth
Had 'gan itself to shake.
the spear in sunder." The chorus works up to a
CLARA LOUISE'S DAE LING.
Without some girls, a choir, I wean,
strong climax on the words, "He burneth the
"
T
T
'
S
funny,"
said
Miss
Kellogg,
the
Diva,
an
Is like unto the play
chariot with fire," which is suddenly interrupted
J_ evening or two ago, as she daintily ex- by a "decrescendo" on the words, "Be still, and
Of Hamlet with the Scandina-
haled a blue spiral from her La Ferme ceiling- know that I am God." This leads to the third di-
vian out of the way.
ward. "It's fxinny, but it's true, that Mr. Whitney vision, which is a return of the second division in
Hell hath no fury, some one says,
is the only man whom I could by any possibility E major, and which is played through almost en-
To match a woman's ire;
call my fate."
tirely by the orchestra, the chorus merely meditat-
But ere the poet made this bluff,
Supper was over, and the reporter and the great ing on the words last quoted. This leads to the
He should have joined a choir.
songstress were conversing, if such a participle is final chorus, which is a "fugue" in E major, with
^_
—Chicago Tribune.
admissible when nearly all the conversation is on alia breve time, on the words, "And the Lord of
one side—apropos of the congratulations tendered Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge,"
BEVIEW OP NEW PUBLICATIONS.
by the former upon the announced betrothal to toward the close of which a "gloria patria" is intro-
E have received from Brentano's Literary Mr. Whitney.
duced, being woven in with fragments of the
Emporium, Union Square, musical pub-
" I had only really known him," she went on, "fugue" to a strong climax. The whole composi-
lications by Brentano. We are pleased to find "fifteen days, when he proposed to me, and I ac- tion finishes with an impetuous "accelerando."
nearly each composition of more than usual musi- cepted him with as much assurance of my own My central idea was to make a choral and orchestra
cal merit. Especially meritorious are the six feelings as if I had been a .tender miss and he my work,—the solo, while requiring a good singer, be-
characteristic pieces for the piano by that excellent first suitor. Somehow he knows my ways. He's ing only secondary. The psalm seemed to be par-
a dear fellow, and I know we shall be happy, ticularly adapted for musical composition, as be-
musician, Mr. Frederick Brandeis.
No. 1, Gavotte,contains new and refreshing ideas though sometimes I think regretfully of the neces- ing capable of a varied, even dramatic effect.
which make it more interesting than the average sary abandonment of the stage and its necessary
gavottes that have been turned out within the last accessories."
ten years.
"Do you really mean to leave us to 'pine on the
HARVIEB'S CHEEK.
Ever since Theodore Thomas traveled over the stem?' Aren't we to hear your voice in public
country with his orchestra, playing "Amaryllis," when your name is Avritten '?iee Kellogg?'"
n P H E YOUTHFUL editor who is rattling round
the gavotte manufacturers have been busy. The
"I really mean it, and aside from the regard I _L in the chair occupied by Nym Crinkle goe«
worst feature was that the article was made for owe to Mr. Whitney's wishes, I know the dear out of his way to ask for a free copy of THB MU-
home consumption.
public so well that I feel sure that it will be a wise SICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW at this office. Then
This gavotte of Mr. Brandeis is one of the best move to leave it when regret will be both felt and he rehashes our exclusive news about Miss Kellogg
expressed, instead of waiting until a cracked voice without giving a line of credit to this journal.
of its class.
tons, but was useless except as an ornamental
ouriosity, because a piece is cracked out of its
side. Cologne has a bell weighing twenty-five tons,
cast from the metal of cannon captured from the
French during the late war, and in Montreal there
is the largest t>f all the bells on the American
continent. The largest bell in England is that in
Westminster Abbey. The ringers gave a tuneful
imitation of the Abbey chimes, and they also
rendered "The Huntsmen's Chorus, "and a number
of Irish, Scotch, and German airs, cencluding
with Dr. J. Bull's "America."—iV. Y. Times.
M
W
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW. .
172
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, January 10,1882.
HE Apollo Club concerts, with the assistance
of Mr. Theodore Thomas and an orchestra,
were the musical events of Christmas week.
On the first evening "The Damnation of Faust"
was given, with Miss Heckle, Mr. Knorr, Mr.
Clark, and Mr. McWade as soloists.
The chorus numbered about 150 singers.
The Apollo Club have sung this work two or
three times before; but on this occasion they
didn't have any rehearsal with the orchestra, and,
in consequence, there was a little uncertainty at
times that a more complete preparation would
have prevented. It is not quite right to expect a
chorus to do its best work, no matter how well
drilled they have been, without a thorough rehear-
sal with the orchestra.
Why this was not done, the management of the
Apollo Club alone can answer.
T
NOT UP TO THE STANDARD.
The instrumental part of the performance was
hardly up to the standard of last winter. Mr.
Thomas brought some seventeen men with him
from New York, and the rest of the band was
selected from our home players, and they had
hardly got used to working together.
However, their work was so much better than
that which we usually hear from our orchestra,
that we ought to be pleased with the performance.
Miss Heckle did not succeed very well with the
part of Marguerite. She was often out of tune.
TOO LIGHT FOB THE PABT.
Mr. Knorr, as Faust, was true to the score, but
unfortunately his voice was too light for the part.
This gentleman has been endowed by nature with
a fine tenor voice, of a sweet quality. His method
is a bad one, and prevents a free vocal delivery.
Hence, all he does seems contracted in utterance,
and the voice has a forced sound to it.
This can all be prevented by a different method
of vocal utterance, and keeping the throat free
from contraction, and allowing the large muscles
of the diaphragm to act as the motive power.
With a true method this gentleman wo aid be a
most agreeable and pleasing singer, for nature has
given him the vocal powers.
A GOOD "MEPHISTO."
Mr. Clark, the Mephisto, has a telling voice,
which is capable of much better work than he does
at present.
He sings the notes, but is unable to give a
melody with that flowing character of utterance
so necessary to a beautiful delivery.
The Italian style of sustained singing should be
his study for some time, until he had mastered the
secret.
Mr. Whitney's method of vocalization would
be a good example to follow.
"THE MESSIAH."
On the following evening this oratorio was given
with Miss Carpenter, Miss Johnson, Mr. Clark, the
tenor, and Mr. Grose as soloists. I was unfortu-
nately called out of town that day and was unable
to hear it.
The club was fortunate in having good audiences,
and opened their season with a marked sign of
appreciation from the musical people of this city.
PATTI.
This lady has been here in three performances
in Haverly's Theatre, presenting a mixture of con-
cert and so-called opera at each entertainment.
She gave the same selections that she sang in
New York, and an act of "Aida," "Faust," and
"Trovatore," respectively, at the different enter-
tainments.
On the first evening she did not have a large
house, for the high prices seemed to throw a cloud
even upon a Patti concert.
A POOB COMPANY.
The troupe is a very poor one, and with the
exception of Patti herself, there is nothing worth
the hearing for a truly musical person.
It is a disgrace for the management to offer such
singers on the same programme with Patti.
They might do for a fifty-cent concert, and the
audience would put up with the affliction on
account of its cheapness; but in an entertainment
of the character that a Patti concert.should have,
they are a disgrace.
On Thursday evening, when Patti offered the
"garden scene" from "Faust," she had a much
better house. Many persons availed themselves of
admission tickets, and in this manner obtained five-
dollar seats, for there was plenty of room, although
the house was comfortably filled.
The entire charm of the concert and act of the
opera was, of course, the singing of Patti.
She appeared to the best advantage in the opera
act. Her singing of the jewel song, and the love
duet that follows, was very beautiful, while her
acting was the picture of grace.
Her true place is in the opera. But in this
entertainment the concerted music was all marred
by the wretched support given her by the poor
singers that make up her company.
A PROTEST.
As Patti's visit to the country was entirely a
money making one, I suppose that it was good
business management to keep down expenses by
having a cheap company.
But I hope before long, that the American public
will not stand this kind of treatment. They have
the right to expect for a five-dollar entertainment
the best of singers in all the parts.
Patti may desire the entire returns to go into
her own pocket, and thus content herself with as
cheap support as may be obtained, but the public
has its rights.
Chicago people didn't rave over these concerts
by any means, although the management endeav-
ored to make them seem very brilliant affairs to
the outside public.
Patti is a beautiful singer, who owes a large
amount of her success to her perfect method.
Her voice is the result of proper vocal-develop-
ment rather than any wonderful gift, as is so often
supposed.
PATTI'S POINTS.
January 20th, 1882.
ALBANY, January 9, 1882.
News this week is a little scarce, although
musical events are numerous enough. Theo.
Thomas's orchestra gave two grand symphony
concerts on the 5th and 6th, and was greeted by
large and appreciative audiences. The selections
given were from the best composers, and in-
cluded the "Damnation of Faust," 4, and Liszt's
"Mephisto Waltz."
The most noticeable feature of the concert was
the new symphony, No. 5 in C minor, of Rubin-
stein's. It is a tribute of affection to the memory
of the late Grand Duchess Helene, who was a
friend of the composer. It is founded upon slave
melodies, which run in and out throughout the
whole composition. The Hungarian dances, with
the Magyer rhythm, were played superbly.
The concert concluded with the ballet "Sylvia,"
a recent work by a composer of the modern
French school, Leo Delibes. The concerts were a
grand success and proved that the city contains a
great many lovers of fine music.
AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.
Chas. Brown, the maniac horse clipper and
musical composer, will present "Elfins and Mer-
maids" at Music Hall on the 12th, 13th, and 14th,
with a company, as he claims, from the Standard
Theatre of New York. Parties desirous of seeing a
pantomime will probably attend.
Jerome Hopkins, composer of the alleged
"Oratorio of Samuel," will produce the same at
the Leland Opera House on the 13th with local
talent. Rice's Surprise Party will present "Cin-
derella at School" at the Leland on the 13th.
A grand concert under the auspices of the Bur-
gess Corps will no doubt attract a large crowd at
the Leland on the 14th. The artists engaged are
all of good reputation, and sing well. The oon-
cert will be under the personal management of
Leigh S. Lynch, and include Anna Teresa Berger,
Mile. Zela De Lussan, and Christian Pritch.
The Kellogg Concert Company is now under the
management of Geo. E. Oliver, and will appear at
Music Hall soon.
"Patience" has been offered by four different
troupes here already this season, and prospects for
several more now appear.
C. M. G.
I observed that she had a perfect control over
her breath, and that the larynx was free and un-
restrained in its movement; that the purity of
her voice was the result of purely formed vowels,
which extended to every note of her compass.
This made her pronunciation so perfect, and
gave her the power to express whatever phase of
sound she might desire.
Hence the tender, the brilliant, and the joyous
in vocalization were hers at command. It was the
old school of vocal method, as so many call it, but
in reality the only natural way to properly use and
develop the voice.
Hence we hear so many critics say "she sings
ROCHESTER.
like a bird," and contrasting her naturalness with
. ROCHESTEB, January 9, 1882.
the beautiful of nature.
FEW of the events and attractions which have
She has not a great voice in the sense of being
been, which are, and which will be, make
wonderful, but it is a perfectly developed organ,
and used according to the natural laws that govern up the following list:
Primrose and West's Minstrels, and Ford's Opera
pure vibration, and hence its beauty.
C. H. BBIXTAN. Company, at the Grand Opera House; Deacon
Crankett and Robinson's Humpty Dumpty Troupe
at the Corinthian Academy. This is what has been
ALBANY.
going on at the two houses since about January 1.
ALBANY, JANUABY 2, 1882.
Frank Frayne Combination is holding the
HE musical season in this city has been in- The
augurated in a most satisfactory manner, boards at present, while the coming attractions
and from present indications promises to be one are the Emily Melville Opera Company, for next
of the most brilliant known for a number of years, Saturday, at the Opera House, in the "Chimes of
numerous first class attractions having been an- Normandy" and "Patience;" at the Corinthian
Academy, Prof. Greiner's complimentary perform-
nounced.
ance of "Der Freischutz," by the Mtennerchor,
The Albany Musical Association, who presented on
the 12th inst.; Clara Louise Kellogg's farewell
"Elijah" recently with considerable success, are
hard at work upon another oratorio, which will be concert on the 16th, and the great Patti (per-
offered the latter part of the month. The name of haps) on the 19th.
These, with the numerous church and school
the production has not yet been announced.
entertainments, organ concerts, piano recitals, and
A CUTE "PHO3BE."
the like keep the average amusement seeker oc-
Ford's Opera Company sang ^'Billee Taylor" on cupied.
December 29, and "Patience," 30th, at Music
MADE AN IMPBESSION.
Hall, to good houses and with marked success.
The performances of the Ford Opera Company
Miss Madeline Lucette is a most charming sou- were wretched in the extreme, and they have cer-
brette, and, as Phoebe, she was "cute" and modest, tainly left a lasting impression upon the public
and sang very well. The chorus was, to use an here. It is a pity that any paper, even for the
expressive, if not elegant, phrase, "howling" tempting "twenty cents a line," will lend its voice
good, and showed themselves possessed of a in praise of such a combination of talent(?).
lung capacity quite remarkable for a troupe of Strange as it seems, it is nevertheless a fact, that
its size.
the company was heralded by most flattering press
The "Mascotte" was admirably sung by the notices from papers that ought to know better,
Wilbur Opera Company at Tweddle Hall on De- and were thought to be above such things. Even
cember 29, 30, and 31.
our own papers, in some instances, echoed the
The principal characters were sustained by Louis praise of these advertising notices, instead of crit-
Searle, who resigned from the troupe at the close of icising where the proper opportunity afforded.
their engagement here; Harry Brown, Jas. Brand
INTEBESTING YOUNG LADIES.
and Chapman, old favorites with lovers of bur-
The reception of the young ladies of the Opera
lesque, and they were fairly supported by a some-
what scant but handsomely dressed chorus. The Club, at Powers' reception rooms on New Year's
day, was a most successful affair. The afternoon
attendance was fair.
Miss Bessie C. Hamlin, who was recently a pupil was taken up with the usual New Year's calls un-
of Mme. Rudersdorf, of Boston, is singing soprano til eight o'clock, when the evening was devoted to
in St. Peter's church and teaching music in St. a social gathering of the members of the club
only. Dancing was the principal amusement,
Agnes' school.
Prof. T. Spencer Lloyd, organist at St. Paul's although this was interspersed with an occasional
church, has composed another anthem, to be pub- chorus, quartette, or song.
The club is now actively engaged in rehearsals
lished soon. Mme. Albani, who sang with great
success at Berlin in October, was formerly con- of "The Musketeers," which is to be produced
some time in the latter part of February, or early
nected with a church choir in this pity.
in March.
C M. G.
A
T

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