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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MUSICIANS AND THEIR
HUMOR.
Music was for a long time in the narrow
circle of stiff formality. Long centuries
passed before music began to go down to
the deepness of the human heart and
make itself felt as the reflection of human
sentiments and the expression of the
struggles of the soul. With the develop-
ment of music, began to blossom the humor
of musicians, and it possesses a special
character.
If one reads attentively the biogra-
phies of celebrated musicians, he cannot
help making the observation that the more
the artist was struggling for life, aspiring
not only to fame, but also to a proper
condition of life, the more he was full of
humor. It seems that humor is an addi-
tion to talent, the sun which lightens the
gray and sad life of the artist and which
does not permit him to fall in despair at
the time of his hard fight for life.
"If artists did not possess what those
so-called 'honest people' denominate light-
heartedness," said a very noted painter
to me once, one who in his life had manv
sad moments, "it would be impossible
for him to endure so much suffering, and,
notwithstanding that, to produce good
work."
Optimism is the inseparable comrade
of the good humor of an artist. It is
impossible to say if the first is the con-
sequence of the second, or the contrary.
Anyway, it is a fact that artists, to the
end of their lives, believe in a better future.
When the proposition was made to Bee-
thoven to make a new contract with his pub-
lisher, the master thought to make a great
deal of money, and began to dream about
a magnificent house, horses, etc. After
such a difficult life, still he had hope! Do
you think that even with such a profound
artist that was only light-heartedness?
No art is so parodied as music, and no-
thing persecutes us so obstinately as bad
music. From the bad picture you can
turn your eyes and avoid the disagreeable
impression. You are not obliged to read
bad poetry, and even if you did your ner-
vous system is not much troubled. Rut
how can you avoid bad music, when your
neighbor, having no talent, tries to sur-
mount the difficulties accumulated in the
potpourri of " Trovatore ? "
A real musician, when he meets such
music, at a time when he is not busy, is not
only as much impressed by its bad qualit} 7
as common mortals, but finds in it a comic
side, and, with great sharpness, he catches
it, and afterwards makes a parody of the
parody.
The incomparable poet of the piano,
Chopin, sometimes had moments of such
humor, and among his friends he made
upon his loved " Pleyel" such tricks that
the whole audience were laughing, even to
tears. Sometimes he showed how his
pupils played falsely, or he made a parody
of his mazurkas as played by some dilet-
tanti, or imitated a drunken man who could
not sing. These were observations taken
directly from life, full of truth and
character.
H. EVAN WILLIAMS.
THE M. T. N. A. CONVENTION.
The following is a summary of the pro-
gram partially arranged for the convention
of the Music Teachers' National Associa-
tion, to be held in the Grand Central Pal-
ace, this city, June 24th to 28th inclusive.
Performance on Monday evening of Handel's
" Messiah," with chorus of 1,500, orchestra, organ
and eminent soloists ; Mr. Frank Damrosch, direc-
tor.
Selections at various concerts by the Metropoli-
tan Permanent Orchestra (Seidl's); Mr. Arthur
Claassen, director.
Saint Saens' pianoforte concerto, Wm. H. Sher-
wood and Metropolitan Orchestra.
Violin concerto, Bernhard Listemann and Met-
ropolitan Orchestra.
Addresses by Dudley Buck, the composer, and
the Rev. Dr. Chas. Cuthbert Hall, President of
Union Seminary.
Lecture pianoforte recital, by Edward Baxter
Perry.
Lecture recital by Mrs. Regina Watson, of Pitts-
burg, on " Early French Music."
Two selections at Saturday evening concert by
the Arion Society of Brooklyn (100 male voices);
Arthur Claassen, director.
Conference on Music in the College and Univer-
sity, Prof. Geo. Coleman Gow, of Vassar College,
chairman; college presidents of America and emi-
nent European and American musicians.
Conference on Public School Music Training and
Popular Music Culture, Mr. W. L. Tomlins,
chairman; committee of supervisors and prominent
teachers of music in public schools.
Conference on Methods and Results in Music
schools, Mr. Chas. H. Morse, Brooklyn, chairman.
Conference of Musical Journalists, Mr. Louis C.
Elson, of Boston, chairman.
Conference of National Association of Elocution-
ists and Music Teachers' National Association on
Monday morning.
An afternoon devoted to the musical work of wom-
en. Mrs. Theodore Sutro presiding, and leading
women artists, composers, players, singers, writers.
H. EVAN WILLIAMS.
One of our metropolitan
singers whose fame is stead-
ily augmenting in all sec-
tions of the country is H.
Evan Williams, the noted
tenor. Within a brief period
he has attained an enviable
position as one of our lead-
ing concert and oratorio
singers.
He has sung at the con-
certs given by the leading
societies all over America
with remarkable success, and
has only just returned from
Indianapolis, where his su-
perb singing was highly
appreciated. Wherever Mr.
Williams has appeared, the
critics have been profuse in
:lieir compliments.
Mr. Williams' voice is of
iieautiful quality, and the
skill with which it is used
denotes careful and devoted
study. En passant, it may
be said that Mr. Williams'
salary at the Marble Col-
legiate Church, this city,
$2,500 a year, is probably
the largest salary paid any
one church singer in this
country.
Model church service by united boy choirs ar.
ranged by Entertainment Committee, Miss Laura
Sedgwick Collins, chairman.
Chamber music concerts, recitals, essays, ad.
dresses, discussions, etc., etc.
The production of prize compositions written
for this occasion, comprising a cantata for mixed
voices, unaccompanied part song for male or mixed
voices, string quartet, organ, pianoforte and violin
solos, and song with accompaniment of pianoforte
and obligato instrument.
On Sunday: Two services by William C. Carl in
First Presbyterian Church; choral service at First
Baptist Church, Brooklyn. Mixed choir of 200
voices, E. M. Bowman, organist; service at St
Michael's Church.
Invitations to these and other interesting ser-
vices is given by the American Guild of Organists.
Addresses appropriate to the occasion by eminent
divines.
Excursions on Saturday morning and afternoon
on the Bay and up the Hudson River on steamer
Mohawk.
Banquet, sight seeing excursions, shopping par-
ties, social gatherings, M. T. N. A. theatre parties,
etc., etc.
Grand, Square and Upright
PIANOFORTES
. These instruments have been before the pub-
lic for fifty years, and upon their excellence
alone have attained an
Unpurchased Pre-Eminence*
Which establishes them as UNEQUALED
in Tone, Touch, Workmanship and
Purability.
Every Piano Fully Warranted for Five Yean
WM. KNABE & CO.
WAREROOMS
48 5th Ave., near 20th St., New York
tm & 24 E. Baltimore St., Baltimore .