Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1902 Vol. 34 N. 1

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
7VSUSIC TRRDE
GREGOROWITSCH A GREAT ARTIST.
'"THAT finished and conscientious artist,
Charles Gregorowitsch, violinist, who
appeared recently with the Boston Sym-
phony Orchestra, for the first time in this
city since his American tour in 1896-7, was
t^iven a most enthusiastic welcome. He sel-
ected as his number the fifth concerto of
Vieuxtemps which he played in a masterly
manner revelling in a crystalline tone which
filled the house. The first movement was
CHARLES GRECiOROWITSCH.
played with an inspiring dash and brilliancy
and, throughout, the entire performance was
almost impeccable.
In this age when sensationalism seems to
be part and parcel of the exploitation of vir-
tuosi in the piano and violin field, it is grati-
fying to greet an artist like Gregorowitsch
who places his art above all else, and who
can command appreciation on this ground.
We are pleased to learn that Gregorowitsch,
who is under the competent management of
IT. M. Hirschberg, is duplicating through-
out the country his great success in New
York.
DTCHARD STRAUSS is a man of tri-
^ umphs in these days. His opera
"Feursnoth," a symbolical work based on
an old legend, has been sung with great suc-
cess in Dresden and accepted by half a doz-
en other German opera houses. The title
is scarcely to be translated into English,
but "The Need of Fire '"might best para-
phrase it. The composer calls the work a
"song poem," and it is said to possess most
of the qualities of his orchestral composi-
tions.
REVIEW
DIFFICULTIES THE ARTIST ENCOUNTERS.
istic temperament is all against it. The art-
TN an interesting interview which C. Fred ist's life is a hand-to-mouth existence; any-
Kenyon had recently with Maud Powell, thing between $10,000 and $100,000 a year
she uttered some vigorous words on present may be made from it, but the prizes are few
day conditions in the musical world, which, and far between.
however, have a pessimistic tinge.
"And of late years another difficulty has
"Yes—I myself should like to say some- sprung up. It is not only extremely hard
thing about music; it's a matter I feel very to obtain engagements, but at certain con-
strongly about," said Miss Powell. "The certs one is expected to pay for one's appear-
certainty of achieving fame which most mu- ance, and (mirabile dictu!) there are actually
sical students possess is not only pitiable, it a large number of men and women who are
is pitiful. When I see a young girl striding willing to do this. The ambitious sons of
along with a violin case in one hand and a wealthy bankers gain an entrance to certain
roll of music in the other, my heart aches concerts merely by the length of their purse.
for the sorrow and disappointment she will Of talent they have little, of money they
have to go through. Concert playing is no have a great deal—so that is how the trick
career for anyone unless he have powers is done. They put a premium on mediocrity,
absolutely above the average. And even then and concert managers begin to expect really
it is one of the most disheartening professions able artists to sacrifice sums of money just
a girl can possibly enter. A man like Kube- for the sake of appearing once or twice at
lik can get as many engagements as he wants, their concerts. I am glad to say I have never
but Kubelik is a technical giant, and I am not paul a cent for any one,of my appearances;
speaking of giants, I am speaking of the 1 would rather starve than encourage a sys-
ordinary run of violinists, pianists and vocal- tem which is ruining the prospects of so
ists, of whom there are scores. An artist many talented men and women."
has to seek engagements; they rarely come
j*
to him. He has to obtain letters of introduc-
ARONSON SUES FROHMAN.
tion to managers, he has to introduce himself D L'DOLPH ARONSON, after many
threats of lawsuits against theatrical
sometimes, and if he gets terribly snubbed,
manager
Daniel Frohman, to recover dam-
well, it's all in the day's work, and he has to
ages
for
an alleged breach of contract in
put up with it.
the
matter
of the American tour of Jan Ku-
"People say 'there's always room at the
belik, the' Hungarian violinist, has at last
top.' So there is, but how many people get
brought an action in the Tenth District Mu-
there? Not one out of every five hundred.
nicipal Court against Mr. Frohman to re-
A man or woman may become fashionable,
cover $100 upon a claim of breach of con-
but who understands fashion and who is able tract.
to fathom its strange eccentricities ? I know
Aronson still contends that Mr. Frohman
very well that it is extremely unpopular for
is
indebted to him in the sum of $10,000 as
a successful artist to talk in this way; he is
his share of the profits of the Kubelik tour
generally accused of being anxious to avoid
and announces that he will sue weekly to
future competition by discouraging young as-
recover the $100 from Mr. Frohman until
pirants ; but, believe me, I speak right from
he has obtained the full sum of $10,000.
my heart when I give Punch's advice to those The first of these suits will be tried on Mon-
about to marry—'Don't!' It doesn't pay ; and day, Jan. 6.
not only that, it is the most heartrending pro-
fession in the world.
CAR HAMMERSTEIN has been vis-
iting New Orleans, and is making
"Take my own case, for instance. I am
no longer in the first flush of youth—in fact, strenuous efforts to secure the French Opera
I've been before the public a fair number Company now appearing in that city for his
of years, but I haven't saved a cent! I sim- theatre in New York, opening up after
ply can't. Artists are supposed to dress well Easter. He has expressed himself as highly
both on and off the concert platform; they pleased with the thorough work of the or-
are supposed to stay at the best hotels when ganization, but definite arrangements have
traveling; and they are supposed to keep not yet been consummated.
up appearances in a thousand and one little CIGNOR SONZOGNO, of Rome, whose
ways which I needn't trouble to explain. ^ prize of $10,000 offered for the best
Added to all this, an artist is really only a opera by an Italian was won by Mascagni,
child—he doesn't understand the value of with "Cavalleria Rusticana,"has now offered
money because he receives it in fairly large a similar prize for the best one-act opera in
sums after half an hour's work, and he any language. He offers to produce the
spends it as quickly as he gets it. Not one successful work at his own expense at Milan
artist out of twenty is a good business man; on the occasion of the international exhibi-
it isn't natural that he should be. The art- tion in 1901.
PUBLICATIONS.
ORATORIO SONGS, in 4 volumes.
OPERA SONGS, in 4 volumes.
Soprano.
VOL.
I.
VOL. I. Soprano.
VOL. II. Alto.
VOL. II. Jlezzo Soprano and Contralto.
VOL. III. Tenor.
VOL. III. Tenor.
VOL. IV.
VOL. IV. Baritone and Bass.
Price $1.50 each volume.
THE
CINCINNATI
JOHN
CHURCH
NEW YORK
c o
Bass.
CHICAGO
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
s
THE
THE INFLUENCE OF PAINTING ON MUSIC.
HT HE color value of music has been elo-
quently and sympathetically estimated
by Emil Sauer, the distinguished pianist, and
now head of one of the German conservator-
ies, in this wise: "I may truly say that I
have found an inspiration in art that has
greatly aided my music, and that there is not
an art gallery in all Europe that I have not
seen and that 1 do not love. I believe that
I have learned more from painting and the
study of it that is of benefit to me than I
derived even from Nicolai Rubinstein, great
as is my debt to him. Few artists are equal-
Miss CI.ARA KARRINGTON, VIOLINIST.
7VYUSIO TRKDE
REVIEW
GRIEG AND HIS MUSIC.
THE BAYREUTH PROGRAM.
R1EG is always true to the Norwegian ""T HE official announcements of the next
Bayreuth season have reached this city.
coloring, and the freedom of gesture
Seven
performances of "Parsifal" will be
and motion characteristic of peasant life is
given
with
two complete cycles of "Der Ring
in his music. The strong contrast produced
des
Nibelungen"
and five representations of
by marked emphasis and rhythm, combined
"Der
Fliegende
Hollander." The festival
with syncopation, the constant recurring ef-
fects of light and shade through proper atten- will begin on July 22(1 and end on Aug. 20th.
tion to dynamics, are very marked. He is,
MISN HANNAH L KEENE.
however, always within the bounds of good I\AISS HANNAH L. KEENE, prima
taste, and is never excessive or extravagant.
donna soprano, will make her debut
Grieg has been likened to Chopin; indeed, in this city in the Astor Gallery of the Wal-
he has been called the "Chopin of the North" ; dorf-Astoria, on Friday evening, Jan. 31st,
but if this designation is intended to suggest under the auspices of the Cherokee Club.
the idea that he is in any sense an imitator,
the comparison is unjust. Both composers
belong in general to the same type and ge-
nius, and both have written exclusively in
the smaller art forms; but the individuality
and personality of each are as distinct as his
nationality. As writers for the pianoforte,
pure and simple, who thoroughly under-
stand the nature and the possibilities of the
instrument and invariably conform to its
idiomatic requirements, they both, with Schu-
mann, stand at the head ; but, like Schumann,
Grieg is more than a pianist-composer, and
is far ahead of Chopin in the matter of in-
strumentation for the orchestra.
Grieg's revolt against German classicism
MISS HANNAH I . KEENE.
was the healthy instinct of a man who has a Miss Keene also appeared at the New
message to deliver, and seeks for it the most York Press Club on Tuesday afternoon, Dec.
natural means of expression. His esteem for 31st. At the Press Club and at the Astor
the highest and best in German music was Gallery concerts she was assisted by an instru-
none the less, and he would doubtless be mental trio from the Charles L. Young
among the first to acknowledge how much School of Music, 305 Fifth avenue. This
he has profited by its influence; but his imag- trio includes Ada M. Kittridge, pianist; Clara
ination and feeling were imbued with the Farrington, violinist; and Charles Russell,
legends, the traditions, the folk-songs, and violoncellist.
poetry of the peasant, and the scenery of
Notwithstanding the deficit of the last mu-
Norway. He has expressed and translated
sical
festival at Worcester, it has been de-
these into music, and thus has directed the
attention of the outside world to his native cided to repeat the festival next autumn, and
land, and brought its distinguishing charac- the rehearsals of the choruses will commence
teristics more clearly into view. There are in January.
other Scandinavian composers of great talent
THE CHARLES L. YOUNG
and merit who have contributed to this re-
[flusical glut) § qmusemetu directory
sult ; but as Norway is bolder and more rug-
(Copyrighted 1901.)
ged than Sweden and Denmark, so Grieg in
CHARLES
his music discloses corresponding qualities T h e most complete and reliable
L. YOUNG
book of information ever pub-
to a greater degree than do his Scandina- lished in reference to first class
AMUSEMENT
entertainments and allied inter-
vian confreres.
CO.
This is his special mission, and well has he ests.A Necessity to Every
General Information
Bureau and Ad-
Manager, Artist, Conser-
accomplished it, or rather is in the process of
vertising Agency.
vatory, College of Music,
accomplishing it, for he is yet in the prime
Private
Teacher and
No Registration
Musical Club.
of life, and, being still engaged in compos-
EDITION,5,000. 1,000 pages
Fee-
:
ing, there is reasonable expectation that the
world may continue to be enriched by the Cloth covered. I l l u s t r a t e d . Artists booked and
Engagement s
Price, $3.00.
productions of his genius.
ly good as to color and form; and the chief
present lack is color. A musician must like-
wise have experience before he can teach;
and a pianist, to convey musical intelligence
to an audience, must have a thousand uncon-
sidered attributes. An untraveled player will
not, for example, play as will one who has
seen and known the world. Music is the
grand profession that includes love, hate,
pathos, grandeur, sublimity, with here and
there a flash of color, a dash of humor and
the small trifles that go to make up the har-
monious whole. Music should not be ob-
jective, but rather subjective. There seems
to me ever to be a harmony betwen art and
music, and I worship at the shrine of Velas-
quez, who appeals to me as the greatest of
painters, especially in the matter of color;
and the two that come after him in the order
of merit are Titian and Rembrandt. Velas-
quez teaches me much. When I look at one
of his pictures, as I have done in Madrid,
and see there ten thousand shades of black
and gray, he shows me as nothing else can
the possibilities of color significance and
gradation, and it thus becomes possible for
me to apply something of the same color
grades to music, and in the interpretation of
it to give to music a color value that it were ""THE city of Paris has just offered a prize
impossible to obtain otherwise."
of $2,000 for the best symphony or
drama to be submitted by a Frenchman on
/VAISS CLARA FARRINGTON, violin-
or before Dec. 1st, 1903. Expense to the
ist, a pupil of Cesar Thompson, and
amount of $4,000 will be incurred in the pres-
a teacher of the violin in the Charles L.
entation of the work by the city.
Young School of Music, made a big hit
j*
in her playing at the New York Press Club
p S E P H SUK'S new orchestral suite, "A
on Dec. 14th. She appeared in an instru- *-* Fairy Tale," and Richard Burmeister's
mental trio from Mr. Young's School of so-called dramatic tone-poem for contralto,
Music on Dec. 31st, at the New York Press with the text of Tennyson's "The Sisters"
Club, and will also assist Miss Hannah L. and with Mme. Schumann-Heink to sing it,
Keene at her concert in the Astor Gallery will be the novelties of the fourth Philhar-
of the Waldorf-Astoria on Jan. 31st,
monic program on Jan. ioth and nth,
secured.
Artists are requested to send in their names and permanent
address, or change of address, at once.
Note: THIS COnPANY is NOT controlled by any NEWS-
PAPER, and is under the personal management of
VdlltUt
u23
Broadway, N. Y. City.
All our instruments contain the full iron frame and
patent tuning pin. The greatest invention in the history
oC piano making. Any radical changes in the climate, heat
or dampness, cannot affect the standing in tone of our in*
•truments, and therefor* challenge the wortf that
-Till e«cel anjr otfetC

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