Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TT is reported that Manager Gran has
*• made an offer to Miss Lillian Blauvelt
for next winter's Metropolitan Opera-
House season. Miss Blauvelt, whose Euro-
pean appearances have been very success-
ful, has taken the offer tinder considera-
tion.
*
A USTRALIA is developing- a singer who
**• gives fair promise to be a successor to
Mme. Melba. Her name is Amy Castles,
and although only sixteen years old, she
has a remarkable voice and rare musical ap-
preciation. She will be sent to Europe for
the best musical training that can be ob-
tained.
*
I ITTLE BESSIE SILBERFELD, who
*—' achieved such a success as piano soloist
at the series of concerts in connection with
the Musical Festival given in the promin-
ent cities of Maine, under the direction of
William R. Chapman the early part of the
month, left for Europe on Saturday with
her sister Mamie, who also possesses un-
usual musical talent, being accompanied
by their mother and brother. They will
probably remain in Berlin for a few years
where they will further pursue their mu-
sical studies.
The proficiency already attained by both
girls is remarkable. Since their earliest
years they have been under the personal
care and instruction of Prof. Wm. M. Sem-
nacher, head of the National Institute of Mu-
sic, 179 East Sixty-fourth street. He has
watched over them with as much solicitude
as a gardener over a favorite flower. Noth-
ing has been spared to give them a sound
musical foimdation tipon which could be
erected a great musical structure as artists
of the first rank.
The recent success of Bessie the oldest
of the two children is something of which
Mr. Semnacher has good reason to feel
proud.
Her wonderful technique and
mature musical comprehension, aside from
her conceded natural talents, is unquestion-
ably due to the thorough training received
at Mr. Semnacher's hands. His work in
this connection is the more creditable be-
cause it has been entirely a labor of love.
Long ago he recognized the '' divine spark "
not only in Bessie but in her sister and he
has nursed and cultivated their musical
aspirations up to the present day when they
give such great promise musically.
Seldom indeed does it fall to the lot of a
child of fourteen to receive such com-
mendatory notices as Bessie Silberfeld did
during her recent tour under Mr. Chap-
man's direction. The following excerpt
from the Daily Star of Rockland. Me.,
is a sample of the many criticisms which
have reached this office:
Miss Bessie SilberfeUl is as dainty and talented a
little Miss of fourteen years as the world has ever
seen. She has the touch of a giant in those slender
arms, too, .and the wonderful tones of the Everett
grand rang out last night in a way that would have
done credit to Carrenoor Rive-King. Her three long
numbers—including the very difficult Liszt " Rigo-
letto"—were a test of endurance as well as ability
that the young artiste met with apparent ease and
pleasure.
The Kennebec Journal terms Bessie
Silberfeld " a wonder," and says " H e r
breadth and technique are simply marvel-
ous." The Eastern Argus of Portland,
Me., considers her " a musical prodigy of
the rarest promise," and says " H e r left
hand work with a strength of wrist, its de-
cision and force are even more remarka-
ble than the crisp and pearly runs and
trills of her right, while the whole was
performed with artistic appreciation and
intelligence."
" A genius and wonder" is what the
Bangor Daily Whig and Courier terms Bes-
sie Silberfeld, and says: " H e r pianoforte
playing would do credit to many of the
soloists of more years of experience and
acknowledged ability."
The Portland Daily Press says Bessie
Silberfeld is " A musical phenomenon.
With surprising technique and with ad-
mirable refinement she masters the gems
of Liszt and Chopin and other composers."
These are only a few of the many com-
plimentary things which have been said
regarding this clever little artist, all of
WM. M. SEMNACHER.
which must be pleasing to Prof. Semnacher.
for in many instances his name has been
linked with hers.
Prof. Semnacher has the greatest affec-
tion for the Silberfeld children, a feeling
which is entirely reciprocated. While
abroad they will be under his guidance as
far as their musical career is concerned.
Wherever they go they will reflect credit
on their capable teacher.
*
A GREAT deal is being said about the
** largeness of the rewards of the little
group of sweet singers who make possible
the splendid productions of opera in the
cities of America and Europe. But is not
the fact just the reverse?
Consider the great demand for great
singing. Consider how many millions of
human beings in America and Europe can
sing. Consider how many thousands sing
well and strive for years upon years to
perfect their voices so that they may make
a creditable public performance. Then
consider that out of all these thousands
less than a score are found who are able to
sustain the great parts in the grand operas.
In no other art is there the opportunity
and the encouragement that there is in the
singing art. Yet in no other art do so few
survive in proportion to the number who
have talent—so very, very few achieve
great reputation. Why?
*
DADEREWSKI'S success during his
*
tour of Great Britain just closed has
been unprecedented.
In London the
receipts at his last concert were over $6,000
and in Glasgow he had an audience of over
4,000 people.
In Paris he broke all
records by filling a house with receipts of
14,800 francs.
Paderewski will spend his summer vaca-
tion at his home in Switzerland, and will
sail for this country in October. His •
forthcoming tour is exciting much interest,
and already tickets are in demand for his
several recitals in New York.
*
T H E appointment of Clarence Eddy as
1
official organist to represent the
United States at the Paris Exposition, is
an admirable one. He is making extensive
plans whereby the world will be given an
opportunity to note the advance America
has made in the art of music. In the
course of a talk before his recent departure
for Europe he said: "Put briefly, my
idea is that there ought to be at the Paris
Exposition a thorough expression of the
best in musical art, as well as an exhibition
of the music trade. For example, we should
send our best orchestra there, our best
singers and our best artists in every branch.
I believe that the Chicago Orchestra
should go, as Theodore Thomas is the
representative orchestra leader in this
country. There are many names in the
profession here that easily stand in the
front rank, such as Earaes and Nordica,
and why should not such as they be per-
mitted to give expression to our musical
art? It depends entirely upon the expo-
sition* authorities whether this is done or
not. I have talked the matter over with
Mr. Peck and the plan meets with his ap-
proval, "and I do not believe the Paris offi-
cials will have any objection to make.
The idea is simply to show Europe that
America is fast assuming an important po-
sition in musical art and • its advancement.
The idea is large and will take a great
deal of labor to work it out. I believe,
however, that there would be little diffi-
culty in getting the consent of our best
artists. I have talked with some of them
and have everywhere met with encourage-
ment. When I return home in September
I hope to have the matter well along to-
ward accomplishment."
*
T H E extraordinary rapidity with which
* Handel composed his oratorio " T h e
Messiah" has always excited wonder. Ac-
cording to his autograph score he com-
menced it "August 22, 1741"; the first
part was completed "August 28"; the sec-
ond part, " September 6" ; the third part,
"September 1 2 " ; the instrumentation
(such as it is) filled in "September 14"—"
in all, only twenty-four days!
This has excited comment for the last
half a century, and Dr. Crotch among a
number of others, considered that Handel
was the king of plagiarists. Crotch says: