Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1882 Vol. 5 N. 14

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
February 20th, 1882. -
206
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
i want to converse with a bright and gifted mind; You must excuse me now, as I am going to take E. Aline Osgood, Miss Emily Winant, Herr Can-
one like yours, in fact. You are progressive. a champagne bath in my new marble bath tub. (I didus, Mr. Theodore J. Toedt, Mr. Myron W.
Mr. Georg Henschel. Other engage-
"You are a man of Mind (with a capital M). You un- have managed to obtain a little credit again, you Whitney,
ments are pending.
derstand the yearnings of a graduate of Oxford Un- see, and the common, ordinary, sordid traders Among the principal works which will be pre-
iversity for the beautiful, the noble, the elevating. who built the bath tub and who supply me with sented at the festival, are the "Missa Solemn*," of
Man of Mind—Y-e-es; of course I do.
the champagne have agreed to wait six months for Beethoven; the "Jubilate" and "Israel in Egypt,"
Handel; Bach's "A Stronghold Sure," and the
Myself—It is hard to come continually in con- their money. I think it is possible they may wait of
"Fall of Troy," by Berlioz. The closing scenes of
tact with men in this profession who have no ideas longer; but that is their lookout, not mine.)
"Gotterdiimmerung"—the finale of the Wagnerian
beyond dollars and cents. (Here I would drop After my bath, clad in my satin robe de chambre, Trilogy—will also be performed, with Mme. Ma-
my eyelids, and throw a soft, insinuating expres- embroidered with seed pearls, I shall recline upon terna as Brunnhilde.
At the afternoon performances, of which de-
sion into my eyes. I was nothing if not theatrical. my velvet couch, strewn with hot-house roses tailed
announcements will be given, the selections
It was very effective.) I am going to make a great and daisies (I gave my note for twelve months for will be such as to offer the greatest variety of in-
man of you in the piano business some day. (If the couch), and there, soothed into a voluptuous teresting music of the highest character, inter-
he was an artist, I would promise to advance him slumber by the twelve Oriental houris whom 1 have preted by the orchestra and the solo artists.
The direction of the Music Festival is confident
on the stage.) But we won't talk about that now. engaged solely to sing sweet lullabys to me, and
that if the most ample pecuniary guarantee, the
That would be coming down to business, and I sprinkle me with exquisite perfumes, showered most abundant musical resources of every kind,
yearn only to interchange intellectual ideas with from the tips of their rosy fingers, I will rest my- controlled with consummate skill, the utmost har-
you at present. (At this point the Man of Mind self and prepare for the next installment of my mony of purpose, and constant and generous co-
can produce a result worthy of the aim
would begin to swell visibly.) Let us talk of Confessions, in which I may tell how a musical pa- operation
of the enterprise and of the country, that result
intellect, of the development of ideas. (He per can be conducted so that it will have all the will be achieved.
would never by any chance get in a word; I always appearance of enormous success when there is
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, President.
monopolized the conversation.) With your ge- very little bottom to it.
JACOB C. FR——r>.
a & » .
\ Vice President,
nius and your brains, my dear fellow, you ought
DANIEL LORD, Jr., Secretary.
to be a leader of men, a great lawyer, a great
THE MAY MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
JOSEPH W. DREXEL, Ti-easurer.
politician, a great diplomatist. (Here the tafly
J. W. ALEXANDER.
HENRY N. WHITNEY.
TT^OLLOWING
is
the
preliminary
announcement
SETH LOW.
would have coated him pretty thickly.) And now I JT of the directors of the Musical Festival to be W. W. ASTOR.
FREDERICK D. BLAKE.
JOSEPH LYMAN.
must tear myself away from you. Your bright held in this city next May:
R. BUNKER.
EDWARD L. OWEN.
The first festival of the New York Music Festival WILLIAM
conversation has rested my jaded brain—and, by
FREDERICK CROMWELL.
C. A. PEABODY, Jr.
the by, I was saying that I could advance your Association, under the direction of Mr. Theodore JOHN D. ELWELL.
L. C. RODRIGUES.
Thomas, will be given at the armory of the Seventh B. T. FROTHINGHAM.
interests, and put you in the way of becoming Regiment
SAMUEL S. SANFORD.
of New York, beginning on the evening Dr. A. G. GERSTER.
HENRY SELIGMAN.
something more than a mere machine. I will of Tuesday, May 2,1882, and continue through the
ISAAC HENDERSON, Jr.
HERBERT SEYMOUR.
write something for my paper that will accomplish week.
J. OTIS HOYT.
CHARLES F. TRETBAR.
this end, and if you will let me have your cheque for There will be four evening and three afternoon RICHARD IRVIN, Jr.
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT.
performances,
which,
by
the
character
and
variety
one hundred dollars now—really, you know, only of the works selected, the power and training of LOUIS C. LEWIS.
WILLIAM A. WHITE.
Dr. FREDERICK ZINSSEB.
filthy lucre, that I do not value at all, and I know the chorus, the force and fullness of the orchestra, DANIEL A. LINDLHY.
that you value it no more than I do, or I would the renown of the solo artists, and the masterly
BRIGNOLI ON VACCINATION.
not mention it—at some time not far distant skill of the conductor, will offer at once a compre-
hensive
illustration
of
the
finest
musical
works
of
E
chanced
to meet the tenor whom our fore-
we will conclude this delightful conversation. the best masters and schools, and the completest
delighted to hear, and who still be-
(Cheque instantly forthcoming, and I would demonstration of the present extraordinary devel- longs to fathers
concert companies, in the office of the
depart well satisfied with the result of fifteen opement of musical art both in America and Eu- Everett House one day last week. He seemed to
rope.
be in a pleasant mood and was more talkative than
minutes' labor.)
The inception of a great musical movement of usual, if that were possible.
I can assure you, my dear sir, that when I be- this
character, wholly in the interest of art, and
"I don't believe in vaccination,"he said. "You
gin to take the public fully into my confidence with a view to a permanent musical fund for simi- get vaccinated and walk out that door to the street,
and impart some of the secrets which now weigh lar purposes, has been associated with the names and fall down and break your leg. You see, you
heavily on my mind, you will hear of such a stir of a large number of the most eminent citizens of see?"
this community as an earnest of the universal sym- We did not for one moment intend to follow his
in the musical world that you will think the day pathy
to which it appeals, and those gentlemen injunction. We did not break our leg, but we
of judgment has come for some people.
have most readily given it the sanction of their ap- continued to listen.
I will tell your readers the absolutely true inside proval.
"No vaccination for me," added the tenor.
An ample guarantee fund has been subscribed, "No, sir. I am a fatalist, a real fatalist. I think
history of my attempts to make trouble between
has provided for all preliminary expense, a man should take care of his system. I do not
piano makers, which I dignified with the title of which
and placed the enterprise upon the most satisfac- smoke any more, and I do not drink such drinks as
the "Piano War," and I will also relate how 1 tory financial foundation. The most gratifying irritate my throat. I am a fatalist."
came to have two diametrically opposite criticisms and sincere interest in the success of the festival We did not comprehend at the time being what
written about the pianist Joseffy, when he first has been manifested by the musical organizations fatalism had to do with bad wine, and up to the
of other cities, many of which will lend their effi- hour of going to press we are still absorbed in
came to this country.
cient aid to make that success triumphant. The hunting for the connection.
In the meantime, if you will permit me to in- preparations for the festival have been long in ac- "Why," said Brignoli, "look at Miss Kellogg—
dulge for an instant in your paper in a little of tive progress, under the general charge of an ad- all swollen from vaccination, and pain all over her.
visory council, aided by Mr. Thomas, and the ar- None for me! None for me!" And he sauntered off
my old time swagger and bluster, I will say for rangements
are all now far advanced toward com- toward his room to prepare for a rehearsal of that
the benefit of the many persons from whom I bor- pletion.
new and luscious aria, "M'Appari."
rowed money, or with whom I ran up heavy bills The most notable event of the preparations is
just before I lighted out of town, and who are con- the organization of two great choruses; that of the Joseph Herzberg, for twelve years a violinist in
orchestra of Wallack's Theatre, died suddenly
stantly bringing up such really insignificant mat- New York Chorus Society, under the presidency the
of the Hon. Carl Schurz, assisted by many emi- on February 12, in the hallway at Third avenue
ters in connection with what I call my "good nent citizens, and that of the Philharmonic Society and Fifty-fifth street. He was entering the build-
name!!!" that / advise them to betake themselves to of Brooklyn. Mr. Thomas is the musical director ing to attend a meeting of a Jewish benevolent
their prayers, as I intend to read their funeral serv- of these societies, and the results of his personal society. He was temporarily in the orchestra of
effort toward perfecting the choruses by constant the Bijou Theatre while "The Snake Charmer"
ices right quickly.
and effective rehearsals, have been already attested was running, and then had a paralytic stroke, that
Doesn't that sound well?
especially affected his right arm. It is supposed
by their public performances.
Has something of the old-time ring in it,
At the festival these choruses will be assisted by that he died of paralysis. He was married, but
societies from otIler cities, including the Handel was separated from his wife, who had brought a
hasn't it?
suit for divorce in November last. The case was
By the way, I can give you a full list of those and Haydn Society of Boston, theCecilian of Phil- before Judge Donohue for alimony and counsel
adelphia, the Oratorio Society of Baltimore, and
indebtednesses, if you wish to publish them; at the Worcester Festival Association of Worcester, fees pending the suit
least, I'll give you all I can remember. One small making altogether a force of 3,200 admirably dis- Madame Adelina Patti is to appear in Italian
head ought not to be expected to carry everything, ciplined voices.
opera at the Germania Theatre, formerly Wallack's.
The orchestra will be composed of 300 musicians, She will give a subscription of seven nights, com-
you know.
selected from among the best performers in New mencing on the 23d inst., when she will sing in
I may also state that I am consulting my lawyer York, Cincinnati, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Bos- "Traviata." She will sing in "II Trovatore,"
about a libel suit, which I wish to bring—on ton. The great organ will be constructed by Mr. "Faust," "Lucia," "II Barbiere," and possibly
paper—against an outrageously impertinent New Hilborne L. Roosevelt for the Festival Association. "La Sonnambula" and "Dinorah," on Monday
Mr. Dudley Buck will be the organist.
Tuesday evenings of the following four weeks.
York editor, who has had the effrontery to inti- The list of artists includes Mnie. Amalia Ma- and
Seats will be from four to eight dollars each, ac-
mate that / am a FRAUD.
terna, the greatest interpreter of Wagner, the cording to location. The subscription price for the
I, A FRAUD!!!— I—why all the world, and espe- original heroine in the performance of the Trilogy season will be fifty dollars. Since she left this city
cially Mr. Joseph Hale, who surely will never for- at Bayreuth, and whom Wagner has selected to Patti has given two concerts in Brooklyn, four in
the leading part in his new work, "Parsi- Boston, two in Philadelphia, three in Chicago, three
get the kind services I did him, will tell you that create
fal;" Miss Annie Louise Cary, who will make her in New Orleans, two in St. Louis, and one each in
I AM ONE OF NATURE'S NOBLEMEN!!!!!
last appearance in public at the festival; Mrs. Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
W
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
February 20th, 1882.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
207
I would not blame this audience had the song Memories, fantaisia, as given in
under
been delivered with poetic fervor, or with any at- date of January 28, we fail, after having care-
fully examined the above composilions, to dis-
tempt to ally the text with the music.
I would not blame any audience for applaud- cover the 1 xceedingly clumsy and alt >gether mis-
placed modulations in "Nights of Music," as also
ing Annie Louise Cary after she sings this song.
Annie Louise, however, is the only vocalist who the painful harmonic progressions, as, according
to the criticism, are located on page 3 in "Sad
ever understood the song.
(Signed by) H.A.CLARKE,
When she sang "Far, Far Away," she imbued Memories."
Professor of Music at University of Penna.
the words with such tender sentiment, and with
MICHAEL H. CROSS,
such musical expression, conveying distance and
remoteness, that one was carried to the far away Director of the Music and Organist of the Church
Swanee river, where the old folks were at home.
of the Holy Trinity—Conductor of the Cecilian
Society.
But you know Annie Louise is a remarkably
J . E . KoCHERSBEROER,
gifted artist, and one of those artists gifted witn
the quality and ability of conveying her own sym-
Professor of Harmony and Organist, etc.
E hear a great deal of talk about musical cul- pathies and emotions to the listener.
The original of this is in my possession.
ture—about the great advance in musical It was not the quality of the voice that did this,
T. M.
ideas that has taken place in this country during but the expression which permeated it.
the past twenty years, and how New York has With Patti, it is simply perfect voice quality;
PHTLADELPHIA, February 7, 1882.
been affected by this improvement.
but it seems as if la diva does not understand the Editor of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW:
We hear experienced musicians telling us of the song.
SIR—By reading my letter, under date of Janu-
ignorance of the masses twenty years ago; of the Here, however, is a digression that I did not in- ary 29, as written to the editor of
, you will
diminutive size of the audiences that patronized tend to make.
see that I merely asked him whether he would
the Philharmonic for two decades past; of the I was referring to the success of such popular publish the document above referred to, while at
popularity of commonplace musical organizations. songs with audiences that are supposed to possess the same time I asked for an answer.
We hear all this, and we begin to appreciate the musical culture.
He failed to reply, although nearly a week
fact that our city has become a musical centre; a The greater your appreciation of classical music elapsed between my letter and the publication of
city of refuge for misunderstood musical talents; is, the more distasteful will the popular music be his paper, but published the whole matter, with a
a home for the oppressed musician of all climes. to you.
note written by himself, and in which he con-
In the course of the many self-adulations we in-
If people become exercised over a poor rendition tinues to throw mud on me.
dulge in, we are continually losing sight of facts of a popular song, it compels one to lose confi- I have been before the public as a writer for
—stubborn facts, that are weekly, daily, and even dence in the much vaunted musical culture of thirty years, or more, and such a ferocious attack
hourly presenting themselves before our benighted to-day.
as the one in
has never been made on me
minds.
Yours truly,
Another episode that made me think about this before.
It is certain that people are more readily con- occurred at the last Symphony concert.
THEO. MOELLING,
vinced of their own advancement and advantages That prodigy, young Michael Banner, the vio-
No. 808 North Sixth street,
than of anything that could expose their defi- linist, played as an encore at the Public Rehearsal,
Philadelphia.
ciencies.
[The above was crowded out of our last issue.
February 2, an arrangement of the song, "Willie,
I know it will be a bitter pill for many to swal- You Have Left Me."
We are glad to accommodate Mr. Moelling, or
low, who have been exalting themselves in im- It was received with unbounded enthusiasm.
any one else among musicians and the music trades,
aginary flights, to have the beautiful castles which
On the night of the concert, February 4, he who seeks justice at our hands. We would advise
they have reared rudely and stiddenly torn to the played a Bach aria.
him, however, that he is dignifying the matter too
ground.
Ic was received with isolated instances of ap- much. The object of the fellow who handles his
Yet I am compelled to state a few truths which plause, and, as to any enthusiasm, there was none compositions so roughly, is simply to set musicians
are more essential to musical culture than all the displayed.
by the ears and make them rush into print with
mistaken views of enthusiasts.
Now, it must be remembered that this occurred indignant letters. That's his little game. Criti-
cism is a secondary consideration. We print these
As an instance which carries more weight with at Symphony concerts.
it than any argument or theory that can be offered,
These are the select concerts given here, and letters simply to point a moral: People who patron-
let me show you the results of Patti's methods.
they represent the cultured musical element in our ize this man are sure to regret it.—EDITOR MU-
SICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.]
Here is the greatest vocalist living coming to society.
this country and singing the most ordinary songs Yet to these very audiences Bach was an enigma,
and arias that have been written.
and "Willie" was fully comprehended.
DEATH OF HENEY TUCKER.
Every newspaper of prominence, including the Such episodes are not reassuring to the consci-
' 1HHE funeral of Henry Tucker, the musical com-
musical journals of the country, deprecated her entious lover of music.
poser and writer of popular songs, took place
action, but it appears that she was a better judge How is it that the many beautiful songs of i
on February 12, from the residence of his family,
of our taste than any one here.
Schumann, of Franz, of Gounod, of Rubinstein, 53
Downing street, Brooklyn. His death was caused
She persisted in singing the songs which she and of Schubert are not heard?
by a brain affection, from which he had been a suf-
first sang here, and continues to do so all over the
This is a pertinent inquiry.
ferer for years. He leaves a wife and three daugh-
land, and scores the greatest success and attracts
Why does the old Italian aria flourish, with its ters. The interment was at Cypress Hills Ceme-
the largest audiences at the highest figures ever popular encore every time?
tery.
paid to any vocalist that sang here.
There are answers to these questions, and these
It is not surprising that her success continues answers compel us to admit that we boast too Mr. Tucker was born on December 13. 182G, in
in the other cities of the Union, when audiences much about musical culture, which, in fact, does Kingston, Canada West, where his parents had re-
moved from Connecticut. He,was educated at Au-
here demanded encore upon encore after she sang not exist.
burn, N. Y., where he graduated at the academy.
"Home, Sweet Home."
The Bowery concert halls are crowded nightly
A great many people will say: "Ah! it was Patti with persons who encore the same old songs that In childhood he displayed a remarkable predilec-
tion for music and an aptitude for performing on
who sang these songs."
are encored at Steinway and Chickering Hall.
That would be a tangible excuse if the same We know them, and many that are dead now every instrument he could get access to. When fif-
teen years old he composed the Kingston waltzes,
kind of greeting would not be tendered to singers many years knew them.
which were played all over the country.
who cannot claim any artistic acquirements.
The great songs in the musical libraries are
He gave lessons on almost every musical instru-
The other night I was at a concert at Steinway rarely heard.
ment, but more especially on the piano, organ, and
Hall.
In their stead we hear popular airs, that every
A lady of voluptuous figure, with the good- one has known since childhood, and they are re- guitar. He was church organist in several churches
natured expression and disposition common to ceived with the same furore as they were twenty in this city. His principal work was the compos-
ing of music for sougs and arranging choruses and
stout people, sang a solo.
years ago, and still we have made tremendous cantatas,. When variety entertainments first came
The audience was large and apparently intelli- strides in musical culture!
NIOHTSNUTZ.
in vogue in this city he furnished music for many
gent.
of the ballads written by George Cooper. Eva
The aria she sang was one of the ordinary Italian
POINTING A MORAL.
Brent, a popular ballad singer of that time, sang
kind, composed a half century ago, and preceded
PHILADELPHIA, January 30, 1882.
only Mr. Tucker's compositions.
by one of the choicest vocal compositions known
After her death he used to say that no one but
Editor of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW :
to the cultured musical world.
SIR—I wrote to you a few days ago, enclosing she had ever done them justice. He composed the
Well, she sang it. and she sang it very poorly.
music for "When This Cruel War is Over," "Dear
, of January 28.
It had the catching form of the Italian aria of that a criticism taken from
Since then I have received a complete exonera- Mother, I've Come Home to Die," "Sweet Gene-
period which has permeated the brains of our pro-
tion from gentlemen like Adolf Neuendorff, Mr. vieve," and many others equally popular. His
genitors and left its imprint upon ours.
As I said, she sang it poorly, and I am firmly Michael Cross, Conductor of the Cecilian Society; ' 'Star of the Evening" quartette was very popular.
convinced that had she sung it still more indiffer- Mr. Hugh Clarke, Professor of Music at the Uni- For the last few years he composed the words of
his songs as well as the music.
ently, the encore she would have received would versity of Pennsylvania, etc.
I will enclose a copy of the document, and would
Among these latter productions are "When
have had more positive force in it than the pow-
erful one that greeted her at the conclusion ot the like to know whether you will insert it, if Mr. Starry Eyes Look on the Sea," "Go Softly and
Freund, of whom I have made a demand for doing Safely," ! "My Own Darling," a sequel to "Nora
aria.
O"Neil,' "Yes, I'll Write You a Letter from Home,"
As an encore, she sang "Down Upon the Swanee so in his next issue, should refuse to do so.
It is the total absence of the blemishes which "God Reigns, Oar Country Is Safe," composed
River."
Oh, what a grand old song that was, and is, to he accuses me of and the insulting manner in shortly ufter the death of President Garfield. His
which the article is written that has exasperated last production is a cantata called "Joseph and His
many ears!
Brethren," which has never been published.
Yours truly,
But it has been sung so many quintillian times, me.
THEODORE MOELLING.
Prof. Tucker, as he was usually called, was be-
that the walls of every concert room and every
low the medium height, and inclined to stoutness.
opera house in this country has a reserve stock on
He had a large head and a projecting brow. His
[Copy of the Document.)
hand that has, in the majority of cases, been
conversation was bright and witty, and his com-
hurled into it.
PHILADELPHIA, January 28, 1882.
pany was much sought. He was very industrious,
At the conclusion of this young and tender mu- Mr. Theodore Moelling :
sical romance the audience was fairly carried
DEAR SIR—Having read the criticism on your and hundreds of compositions bear his name.—N.
away.
pieces, "Nights of Music," waltz song, and "Sad Y. Sun.
W

Download Page 4: PDF File | Image

Download Page 5 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.