Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
ing it is quite a different affair; the eye
does not cease to be occupied one moment
by that which it entertained in the preced-
ing one. On the contrary, it is acknowl-
edged that a picture is, or should be, ad-
dressed to the eye in toto. It is the affair
of an instant of time; its color is merely
one of the embellishments of that instant;
and though it may contain the fullest har-
mony, it should be the harmony of one
key, if one feeling is intended to be pro-
duced by it; there being nothing of the
contemplated elements of the instant of
time and the certain limited surface of a
picture, sufficiently analogous to a series of
chromatic deflections and absolute transi-
tions from one key to another in music, to
warrant any digression or perform a reso-
lution the necessity of which, in music,
such digression would require.
end in itself. Ruskin's words will stand
reading twice.
,*
ISS ISABELLA BEATON, although
a young artist, has already attained
a conspicuous position among the fore-
most American pianoforte interpreters.
She received a thorough training under
the most brilliant teachers, including the
great Moszkowski, in the art-centers of
Europe, and possessed as she is of marked
musical talent and temperament, has all
the qualifications that go to make up a
great pianist.
The good opinions expressed of this art-
TN this age of mediocrity and superficial-
1 ity, the following words of that great ist's efforts in Europe have been dupli-
cated in all sections of
this country where
Miss Beaton has ap-
peared. In addition to
her work as a pianist
Miss Beaton can justly
claim a position of
eminence as a com-
poser. Her works have
been played by some
of the leading orches-
tras and have attrac-
ted the attention of
musicians in both con-
tinents. Miss Beaton is
under the management
of Chas. L. Young.
and higher uses, as through the in-
strumentality of song." Recognizing this,
the time may soon come when music will
be considered the most important subject
taught in our schools. The best means of
culture is singing. Music is at home a
friend, abroad an introduction, in solitude
a solace, in society an ornament, and we
heartily agree with the following beautiful
quotation: "Music is God's best gift to
man; the only art of heaven given to the
earth, and the only art of earth that we can
take to heaven."
M
'"THE influence of vocal music as a moral
'
force has been universally acknowl-
edged ; and how it secures this result may
well be worthy of our consideration. Direct
instruction will not prove very successful
in instilling in the minds of children those
moral and religious truths which will
shape their lives and control their future
actions. But when a child learns some
truth expressed in the words of a favorite
song, its influence goes with him at all
times. The boy forgets the oath or impure
jest when through his mind comes stealing
1 HE anniversary of
some sweet melody he has learned in the
school-room. Dr. Brooks has wisely said:
the birth of Cho-
"A school song in the heart of a child will
pin which occurred on
do as much for his character as a fact in his
Thursday,March i.was
memory or a principle in his intellect."
celebrated by Vladimir
Because the impressions of early child-
De Pachmann, the fa-
hood are the most lasting, does vocal mu-
mous Chopin interpre-
sic become on of the greatest agencies in
ter, by a recital at
the formation and moulding of character.
M e n d e l s s o h n Hall,
We cannot begin to estimate the influence
when he devoted his
on the future life of the children exerted
entire program to the
by the songs learned in the schoolrooms of
famous Polish com-
to-day.
poser. It is needless to
say that the perform-
To develop the intellect is not sufficient;
MISS ISABELLA BEATON.
we must go deeper than that if we would mind—Ruskin, who recently journeyed ance was one highly enjoyed by those present.
do the greatest good to the child, and across the Styx to another sphere of activ-
show him there is a higher development,— ity, is timely. Writing to a young friend IT ENRI MARTEAU is to return here in
a development of the soul life. Only as a few years ago, he said: " I want you to *• *• March and will play first with the
we recognize the inefficiency of "direct feel that long and steady effort—made in a Philharmonic Society. He is to perform a
teaching" to secure higher development contented way—does more than violent ef- concerto by Sinding which hasnot been given
do we value and appreciate the influence fort—made for some strong motive—or in this country before. He was very suc-
cessful during his recent tour in Germany.
of the music in securing the desired re- under some enthusiastic impulse. . .
sults.
I am afraid of this prize-getting temper in
IR ARTHUR SULLIVAN'S setting of
you—chiefly, I suppose, because I have
Rudyard Kipling's " T h e Absent-
OOD music exerts a wonderful power suffered much from it myself—vanity of Minded Beggar," has broken all records in
for good over the heart, and a little various kinds having caused me the waste English musical history. More than 60,-
song may influence the destinies of the of half my life, in making me try to do 000 copies were sold in three days. The
world. It is said a song heard on the things better than I could, or to do things composer has arranged it as a march, for
street so touched a good woman's heart that I couldn't do, or to do them in ways orchestra.
that she made a home for a boy-singer in that would bring me credit instead of
her house, and saved to the world— merely in the proper way. . . . It is p\ISCOURSING on singers and climate,
not by any effort of which you can possibly *—' Mr. Spanath notes that the American
Luther.
Music is the universal chord to which the be vain that you will do great things." sopranos — Nordica, Eames, De Lussan,
hearts of all men vibrate.
Well has a Golden words these that should find a per- Susan Strong and Susan Adams—are less
writer expressed:
" Songs containing manent and prominent place in the mental apt to disappoint audiences than the im-
moral precepts, and lessons and songs of library of every musical composer—in fact, ported songstresses, perhaps because they
are acclimated. Among the men singers
the affections generally, will surely develop they might well be written up in every at the Metropolitan there are no Ameri-
like sentiments in the children who sing school room. It is regrettable that to-day cans, while among the foreign men the
them. In no way can a code of morals be so many are neglecting the substance for tenors seem to be much more liable to
taught, or the sensibilities and emotions be the shadow—coming to regard art as a colds than the baritones and basses—the
so trained and developed into their better means of prize-getting rather than as an latter being always "op deck."
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