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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
does not go to these things to hear, and teaches a good and needed lesson which is ^ U R R E N T representations at the Met-
think out the different morceaux that are timely in these days of personal assertive- ^ ^ ropolitan Opera House continue to
listened to; he, or she, go to meet Jack, or ness in art. The virtuoso has had his own reach a high artistic standard. No other
Jill, and incidentally to listen to the music, way too long. It has come to pass that lyric theatre could present such combina-
that is should any strain catch their ears. the public considers nothing in expressive tions of famous singers as nearly every
This occurs all the more particularly art but individuality. There have been so program contains. It is necessary only to
if a band plays of an evening. Then many geniuses of originality, with concep- take a retrospective view of the last week's
again very often the band plays a species tions that ranged from the sublime to the performances to convince one of the in-
of music far above the heads of their ridiculous, that the poor composer has comparable brilliancy of the present sea-
auditors, forgetting perhaps that while been forgotten. The question has not son so far as the principal singers are con-
their audience is large, the number of peo- been, "How does ' A ' interpret Beetho- earned. The season proper closed last
ple with taste for the higher class of mu- ven's ideas ? " but " What are ' A's ' ideas week in a blaze of glory with one of the
finest productions of "The Magic Flute''
sic is limited. The idea seems prevalent about Beethoven ? "
ever seen in this
among musicians that because they appre-
city. At the im-
ciate the classical, (or think they do), it is
mense cost of over
beneath their dignity to have any connec-
$20,000
Mr.
Grau
tion with popular music. Here, it would
provided an exact
appear to one who has watched the develop-
duplicate of the su-
ment of music for years, is the key to the
perb scenery which
whole situation. It is through popular
created such a sen-
music that the many must be educated.
sation at the Mo-
It must be understood that this kind of
zart f e s t i v a l s in
music need not, indeed should not be of
Munich. The four-
the trashy over-sentimental or in the other
teen
separate scenes
extremity of style. To the stranger in
were
all beautiful,
New York, and indeed other cities of the
some
of
them mar-
Union, it appears an incongruous thing
vels of the scene
that none of the regimental bands are
painters' and stage
ever heard on the street. Regiments do
carpenters' art. It is
not ever have a march out, thus giving
to be regretted that
their men and the public an opportun-
this superb produc-
ity of hearing the excellent bands which
tion was not given
are in many instances attached to them,
earlier in the season.
and yet there is no surer means of catch-
It would have added
ing the masses than in the combined dis-
to the pleasure of the
play of music and the military, besides
patrons of the Metro-
which it adds a glamour to the soldier's
politan and augmen-
life, and arouses the martial spirit in the
ted the manager's
rising generation. It must in justice be
profit. It is a mat-
said, however, that the giving of free con-
ter for congratula-
certs is the next best idea that presents
tion, however, that
itself, and every commendation, and as-
during the supple-
sistance should be meted out to this
mentary s e a s o n
scheme. This good work is, and has
which opened last
been, going on for a length of time in
Monday night, "The
New York. Among those individuals,
Magic Flute" will
and institutions that have contributed
be given s e v e r a l
their time and talents to this end, may
t i m e s . The pro-
be mentioned the following: The organ
grams outlined for
concerts given free by the South Reformed
ERNST VON DOHNANYI-
are of the greatest
Church, Madison avenue and Thirty-
Dohnanyi's appearance with the Boston
weeks
eighth streets, similar concerts at the Mar- Symphony both in this city and Boston these two
ble Collegiate Church, Fifth avenue and was a tremendous success. He chose interest.
Twenty-ninth street, the organ recitals of Beethoven's noble Concerto in G Major for T H E British representatives of music on
Mr. W. C. Gale at Harlem, the free bi- his debut and played it so beautifully, so * the commission of the Paris exposition
weekly concerts of the ^Eolian Co. at 18 dignifiedly, so reverentially as to arouse will be Sir Arthur Sullivan and Mr. F. H.
West Twenty-third street, the free concerts the greatest enthusiasm. He is an inter- Cowen. It is understood that British con-
at St. Mark's Church, Bowery, (of a mixed preter of the classic type. Everything he certs will be given with representative
nature) and the Peoples' Free Saturday does is primarily musicianly. He does programs and that both Sullivan and
Night concerts in the Metropolitan Temple, reverence to the compcser, subordinating Cowen will conduct. Two more com-
Seventh avenue and Fourteenth street.
himself entirely. There is no display of petent men could not have been found for
his skill, no perversions for the sake of ex-
hibiting special facilities of execution. He
is refined, dignified, modest. His playing
is of the purest type, honest, unaffected,
sane. His equipment is perfect—an ex-
quisite touch, a rare command of tone
T is too bad that Ernst Von Dohnanyi, color, a discreet control of force, a subtle
the young Hungarian pianist, did not skill in his emphases. At his recital of
visit America earlier in the season. He Tuesday last in this city he duplicated the
might have found more material profit in success achieved on his first appearance.
his excursion. To-day, as is customary On Monday next he will again be heard in
during the close of every season, the pub- an interesting recital program. The coun-
lic seems tired of the surfeit of music. It terfeit presentment which appears on this
would have been a loss, however, had this page is from one of his most recent photo-
remarkable pianist stayed away, for he graphs.
We might add to these the excellent con-
certs given nightly in all the leading hotels
and restaurants. All are contributing most
effectively in a measure toward a greater
appreciation of music in New York.
I
this purpose, and British music will not
suffer under their administration. Music,
it is understood, is to play an important
part in the exposition entertainments, a
special orchestra of 150 performers having
been organized by M. Colonne, and two
days a week are to be devoted to concerts
by foreign composers, French musicians
on those days finding no place on the
programs.
Under these circumstances, it is to be
earnestly hoped that Mr. Sousa, who is to
represent this country, may give the French
something besides two-steps and rag-time
and arrangements of "Nearer, My God to