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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
In speaking of the performance of a
Fantasie for organ and orchestra which was
recently given in England, the Musical
Times analyzes the effect of the combina-
tion of the two great musical powers. The
following suggestive points are made: The
most striking point, the resonant climax,
imposing as it was, contained a lesson
rather than expressed a success, regarding
the extreme rarity of the successful union
of the full power of a large organ with the
modern orchestra. The chief difficulty
may be said to lie in conflicting condi-
tions of the two great tone atmospheres.
The artificial harmonics of the organ come
too much into collision with the pervading
natural harmonics so extensively created in
the orchestra. Then there is the rigid
tuning of the unbending organ tone strug-
gling with the elastic temperament of the
orchestra. Besides these main points of
sound producing divergence there must
be added the cold, inexpressive tone of
the imitative organ registers when heard in
conjunction with the real instruments in the
hands of loving players producing sounds
in single notes under direct personal effort.
In truth, as far as the combination of the or-
gan and orchestra usually tends to make
sympathetic, effective music, it must be
allowed the deep pedal notes producing
sounds, beyond the power of single-toned
instruments governed only by fingers or
brought into existence by the power of hu-
man lungs, form the most striking organic
tone independence.
0
The Seidl question is being fully dis-
cussed in musical circles. The fact is that
the maestro is doing his reputation much
injury by the "in and out" quality of his
work, says the World. A musician of his
standing must be conscientious. If he is
not so he is not a true artist, and is not
entitled to the consideration of the public.
Mr. Seidl's sins are those of carelessness
and indifference. At recent concerts—
even at those of the Philharmonic Society
—he has plainly shown that he does not
recognize the obligations which every
musician owes to his art. He seems to be
content with the material benefits he is
enjoying.
All this is very regrettable. New York
is unfortunate in its orchestral equipment.
Our orchestras are either temporary or-
ganizations or superannuated bodies.
Their work is necessarily unsatisfactory.
The situation is one which calls for radical
treatment. The difficulties in the way are
numerous. Some of them cannot be sur-
mounted by any one man, but if Mr. Seidl
wished he could start the work of reform.
He is to-day without a rival in New York.
This position is really an autocratic one,
and its powers, if properly used, would do
wonders in the way of remedying the not lacking in realism. The " Fantasie
musical ills of the community. But then Appendicitis" has not yet been programed
Mr. Seidl is, perhaps, indifferent to the by Seidl.
future. He is certainly lending color to
©
the report that he is accumulating the dol-
The late Franz von Suppe was one of
lars with the plan of returning to Europe the most productive composers of the day.
for good next year.
He wrote over 2,000 compositions, and in
the papers left at his death was the unfin-
©
One of the most important private col- ished operetta, " T h e Model," which two
lections of musical autographs, that made Viennese composers completed. A further
early in the century by Beethoven's pub- examination of his papers has brought to
lisher, Artaria, is about to be offered for light the music, well advanced, of a three-
sale in Vienna. It contains among other act opera and a one-act farce, both works
things, the last movement (with the choral written some years ago. Suppe's widow
finals) of Beethoven's choral symphony, to has asked Adolf Muller, an excellent musi-
secure which it is understood the German cian, to complete the three-act operetta.
©
Emperor is willing to give a large sum, as
A
great
many
of
our program-makers
the autograph of the first three movements
is already in the imperial library at Ber- would do well to study the following from
lin. The MSS. of Beethoven's "posthu- W. F. Apthorp'spen and then "paste it in
mous " quartet in C sharp minor, three their hats." It is excellent: " The 'damn-
numbers of the "Missa Solennis," the the-public ' sort of program making can
pianoforte sonata op. n o , the sonata op. have only one good result—the gradual
102, and some of the "Egmont " music, compilation of sets of printed concert bills,
are in the collection, together with three which, when duly bound as books and dis-
symphonies, twelve quartets, and several played on library shelves, can be pointed
songs by Haydn, an overture for orchestra out with pride as incontrovertible evidence
and a number of songs by Schubert, and of a high degree of musical culture in the
a few MSS. by Mozart. The collection, community."
©
originally formed by Domenico Artaria,
Music lovers in this city are having a
who died in 1842, is to be dispersed, owing
to the death of his son, Augustus Artaria, surfeit of good things in the way of con-
who also was a noted picture fancier, and certs this season. So far the public has
the possessor of some of the best examples bravely responded to the calls on its time.
It has crowded into halls and theatres, ho-
of Rembrandt.
tel, ball and banquet rooms without sign
©
What is the test of immortality in of fatigue or satiety ; but the season is only
melody ? What is the secret of the survival beginning. There is some danger of sur-
of so man}' well-known vocal and instru- feiting, which will be followed by a spell
mental numbers? Its first essential is of lassitude, and then—
©
absolute simplicity. Its second is complete
Mile.
Alice
Verlet
will begin a concert
sympathy with some universal feeling.
tour
about
the
first
of
February, under the
But what is the rest?
direction
of
Victor
Thrane.
The tour
In all such melodies there is something
will
include
all
the
large
cities
of the
too high and fine for intellectual analysis.
United
States
and
Mexico.
She
will
be
If it were not born in all men, then such
assisted
by
a
number
of
distinguished
melodies would be intelligible only to the
few, but the most striking fact about them artists.
is that the measure of their beauty is also
Caeb, Eycbanoe, iRentefc, also
that of their popularity. Whether or not
Solfc
on itaey payments
the mind is educated in melody, they take
hold upon it and never let it go. Such
productions are rightly called works cf
genius.
©
The music at the churches Christmas
day was of the best. The several organists
and choirmasters had vied with each other
in the preparation of programs, in which
the history of ecclesiastical music was fully
illustrated. The influence of the Musical
Art Society was to be noted in the selections
made at several churches. Alexandre
Guilmant, the French organist and com-
poser, who is now here, was complimented
by performances of various of his composi-
tions.
o
Prof. Hans Ulrich has recently con-
tributed to Chicago's fame as a center of
musical art by composing the "Fantasie
Appendicitis." It is purely a descriptive
composition, and the writer having gone
through the awful agonies of the fashion-
able disease, believes his master work is
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NEW YORK.
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