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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
In this way Mile. Chaminade had been
everything in his works. I often find a
kind
enough to run over her preferences.
complete work long. His influence, in my
Two
days after my visit she wrote me
"The first time I appeared at a concert," opinion, has been very bad in France.
these
lines:—
said Mile. Cecile Chaminade to Jean Ber- Composers without imagination have sup-
" I have a kind of remorse for having
nac in a recent interview, "was at the Salle posed that they could write like one who
forgotten
to speak to you of my unbounded
had
so
much
imagination!
And
all
do
the
Erard. Ambroise Thomas was among the
admiration
for Schumann. I know his
same
thing.
They
all
want
to
give
more
audience. When he had heard some of my
works
thoroughly,
and when I wish to please
than
they
can,
but
I
do
not
think
it
will
works he said aloud: ' I t is not a woman
myself,
it
is
Schumann
that I play. He is
last.
They
have
gone
as
far
as
possible;
who composed these, it's a man!' Formerly,
when I began playing in public, I had a and the best proof that the public only fol- for me the most exquisite of the romantic
wonderful assurance; but I have it no lows this forward movement from afar is school; but now, when they place him
longer, now that I know the public better. that they return with pleasure to the old among the classics, I cannot help finding
Nor am I alone in feeling these impres- music, into which they plunge as into a it amusing; for as to form he is certainly
sions, for most artists to whom I have pure stream. People will return, I think, the most fantastic and the most independ-
spoken on the subject feel them also. In to extreme simplicity. The classics, what- ent of all."
I |hope Mile. Chaminade's conscience
spite of the kindness of the public and ever some may assert, are not dead.
their sympathy for some of us, one is never Mozart and Haydn are immortal. In will now be at rest. Though still young,
sure of one's hold upon them. And it is music the 'Wagneriens' only know one the works of Mile. Chaminade are con-
this dread of not being always equally well name—Wagner! For them he is the past siderable.
" I have written about a hundred pieces
received that creates in artists about to and the future.
appear the ever-recurring emotion that
" I quite admit that red is a fine color, for the piano alone," she said to me, " with
always surprises the uninitiated. Notwith- but if we had no other we might get tired transcriptions for duets and for two pianos.
standing what I have just said to you, I am of it at length. Just see Delibes—what a I have also composed some concerted
sufficiently sure of my execution not to charming musician, full of heart and of pieces and choruses for women's voices,
require to keep continually at work and to ideas! Well, for the present, they will and a numberof duets. As to my melodies
practice the piano daily. Whenever I give have no more of him. All for Wagner, for piano and voice, there are about sixty
a concert I rehearse for a couple of days that is the maxim of to-day, and note that of them. When I was quite a child I wrote
before, and that suffices to recover my fin- those who talk the most of him are fre- music for ballets that my little friends
gering; but one must have worked during quently those who know him least. I have used to dance. You see, I was born a
long years to be able to take it up again often been able to ascertain it; for instance, composer!"
just when wanted.
when I am in company with people who are
"Do I think the piano the first of instru- not sincere I amuse myself with mystifying
The influence of music on the heart and
ments? Certainly; quite apart from all them. There was a journalist who had respiration is the subject of an interesting
professional views I can assert, without often turned his wit against me. The article in a European scientific paper. It is
any fear of being mistaken, that it is the chances of Parisian life brought us to- related that Dr. Patrizi, an Italian physio-
one which forms the ear best. Whatever gether one evening in the house of a friend. logist, had a patient with a wound in the
Reyer may say, it is the most complete in- The conversation turned on music. We skull which laid bare the brain. Music oc-
strument; it is also the only one that can even had some lively discussions as to our casioned an increase in the size of the brain.
be a reduction of the orchestra. With two preferences. In the conversation I had The effect on the cerebral circulation was
pianos one obtains effects that the 'orches- remarked that my opponent's convictions variable, the vessels being sometimes con-
trophobes' cannot deny. Then, again, were not always on a level with his knowl- stricted and sometimes dilated. Drs. Binet
there is the great organ ; what a wonderful edge. I resolved to play a trick on him. and Courtier experimented on a musician.
aid for the composer! Unfortunately it is Sitting down at the piano, I played him Isolated notes, chords and discords were
some fragments of 'Parsifal' and 'Tristan!'
not practical.
first tried. Both major chords and discords
'That is something like music!' he cried.
"How do I compose ? Sometimes travel- 'Ah! Wagner, what a genius!' I left him quickened the respiration, the discords
ing, sometimes at the piano, often at my to his enthusiasm; but what he never more especially. Minor chords tended to
table, but never in the morning. I must knew, and no doubt will never know, is retard respiration. When melodies were
gradually warm to my work. I prelude that the fragments of 'Parsifal' and tried it was found that all, whether grave
for ten days or a fortnight, and when the 'Tristan' that I had played to him, were or gay, produced quickened respiration
ideas come I set to work. I cannot work simply a few bars of my own composition! and increased action of the heart. The
lively tunes produced the greatest ac-
to order, but only by fits and starts."
' ' No, do you see, what has been good celeration.
Mile. Chaminade was asked what she
thought of England and the English, from remains good always, and the inspirations
o
of the heart last for ever. My own taste is
a musical point of view.
The British Orchestral Association has
"England," she replied, "is the country for Mozart, Haydn, and the ' Clavecinists.'
where they have the worst and the best I have a weakness for St. Saens, though I recently complained to Colonial Secretary
music. What the English like best, I acknowledge that he is not very attractive at Chamberlain that at all official functions
think, are the. grand and tuneful pieces first; but at all events he is sufficiently so imported players are engaged in prefer-
ence to Englishmen.
that draw nearest to chorals. They can to make one wish to hear him again.
"
I
like
Grieg
immensely.
He
may
not
appreciate music very well when they have
The celebration in honor of the eighth
time to understand. Light music, such as have great breadth, but what individuality, anniversary of the Manuscript Society held
we like in France, pleases them less. On and, above all, what a special color! His at Manhattan Beach Friday of last week
the other hand, at Vienna, where I also success just now is enormous, and I think was a decided success, about two hundred
gave concerts, the taste resembles much it will last.
members being present.
' 'In Brahms there'are very fine works, but
more that of Paris. It is the general
There is talk of erecting a statue of Hans
opinion in Paris that the provinces don't they are rather for professional apprecia-
understand music. This is a profound tion. But I do not care for Italian music, von Bulow, the eminent pianist and con-
ductor, in Hamburg.
error, as I know by my own experience. except for the people's songs."
What the departments won't have at all is
the music of the ' Sous-Wagneriens' that
has nothing in it but ennui! In Paris the
Over 4,000 vacancies—several times as many vacancies as members. Must have more members. Several plans ; two
public holds its tongue, but elsewhere the plans give free registration ; one plan GUARANTEES positions. 10 cents pays for book, containing plans and a $500.00
love story of College days. No charge to employers for recommending teachers.
audience would not take it so easily.
SOUTHERN TEACHERS' BUREAU.
/ Rev Dr. O. M. Button A.M. )
SUTTON TEACHERS' BUREAU,
S. W. Oor. Main & 3d Sts., Louisville, Ky. (
PRFBiniNT AND MANAGER
j 69-71 Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
" I admire Wagner very much.'but not Northern vacancies Chicago Office.
Southern vacancies Louisville Office.
Onejce registers in both offices.
CECILE CHAMINADE — HER
DISLIKES.
LIKES AND
TEACHERS WANTED!