Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1902 Vol. 34 N. 9

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRSDE
an honored citizen of San Francisco. Aside with Professor George C. Edwards (Uni-
from his musical equipments, which are of versity of California), presiding. The mu-
the highest order, and his talent which may sical numbers given were a group of songs
rather be called genius for teaching, Lisser by Mrs. Edward F. Schneider, who has
is a man of rare education and of intellectual charge of the vocal work at Mills, and the
gifts which would make him a power among Raft sonata Up. 78, for piano and violin by
Louis Lisser and Giulio Minetti, the very
men of letters.
Besides the larger classes which he has efficient instructors of piano and violin. The
always had in San Francisco, the entire de- school vocal chorus gave a couple of songs,
partment of music of Mills College, the and the Doxology closed the memorable
largest and most exclusive woman's college event. No testimonial was ever more thor-
of the Pacific Coast, has been in charge of oughly deserved, and that he may long en-
Lisser, who spared neither energy nor fi- jo v the fruits of this honor and of his la-
A17HEREAS one can hardly say the sea- nances to make it an institution where music bors is the wish of innumerable friends
"
son is nearing a close, yet we arc
throughout Europe and America.
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brought very forcibly face to face with the
Talk of foreign invasions—Germany is
fact that there is but one more evening and
having its concert halls flooded with French
one afternoon concert of the Boston Sym-
artists and such artists: Pugno, Risler, Thi-
phony, and two of the New York Philhar-
baud, Marteau. Meanwhile Rosenthal and
monic.
(iabrilowitsch are arousing fiery enthu-
This fact makes one reminiscent, and
siasm in Paris, by their rare talents, and
gives rise to a desire to look over the sea-
America is enjoying the cream of the world.
son just passing. The great orchestras
I Jut, indeed, America is contributing its
have never seemed fuller in their gifts,, both
share or talent also, as all who have heard
in programs and in soloists presented.
of the triumph of voung I lartmann well
Emil Paur is to retain the conductorship
know. Arthur Hartmann is a young violin-
of the New York Philharmonic, much to the
ist from Boston, where he studied with C.
delight of his army of admirers. A remark-
M. Loefiier and, if 1 mistake not, his theoret-
able personality is that of this great con-
ical studies were made with Homer A. Nor-
ductor. Always beaming with enthusiasm,
ris. Hartmann has made one of the great-
and with optimism, he has the conception
est sensations ever achieved in Europe by an
and the depth to go to the very dregs of the
artist of any nationality, and he will appear
dark side and to realize the tragic note in
in all the great musical circles of Europe. He
its most human form or rather the human
has played with orchestra in Vienna, Leip-
note in the most tragic form. Never has
sic and other German cities, and in recital.
Paur's breadth been shown more forcibly
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than during the season past, when he has
Meanwhile it must not be supposed that
gone from the wilds of America to those of
\merica is not receiving some of the pupils
Finland's icy shores, to reveal musical treas-
which Europe has to give. ()ne of the most
ures which the several countries may have
remarkable young boys I have ever heard is
to offer. What glorious independence is
quietly stowed away in New York, studying
l.OUIS LISSEK.
Paur's! He dares be original, whether in
for dear life with the unsurpassable pianist
was as carefully and as thoroughly taught
readings, or selections, or even in doing as
and teacher, Joseffy. The lad is a young
as in the most ably conducted conservatory
he sees fit upon matters in general. He
of music. Under these conditions it may be Hungarian with a spiritucllc face, and the
leaves shortly for Europe, where his sons
understood over what a vast territory this temperament and fire of a gypsy. There is
are in school. While there, Paur will ap-
man's influence extended, and how much of no such thing for him as technical difficulty
pear in London as pianist—and be it under- the musical life of the coast is colored with while he sweeps all before him in a whirl-
stood, he is a good one; he will probably his thought. In appreciation of his devo- wind of musical inspiration which is rem-
astonish our English friends not a little with tion to the art and his value to those who in- iniscent of the art of Joseffy, his instructor.
his ability and his versatility.
clined to music, his friends and pupils com- !>ut we will hear more details of the boy
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bined in the erection of a building at Mills later.
Speaking of versatility—it is not very well
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College, to be called Lisser Hall, as a tribute
This season has seen the Sunday concert
known that Kreisler, who has swept things
violinistic before him this season, is quite and a monument to perpetuate a name dear fairly inaugurated. It has been successful
fascinating as pianist. In the Wiener-walt- to all music-lovers of the Pacific coast, and when the attraction has been great enough
zer he is perfectly enchanting. But why to all who know it. The structure is beau- to make it so, and less so when it has not.
not? He is Viennese and Prince of Bo- tifully designed, and built on the lines of a But it is undergoing the period of experi-
Greek Temple, with perfect acoustic prop-
hemia.
ments, and as to the result—nous verrons.
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erties and an artistic and attractive auditor-
The height of novelty was reached in this
While our Eastern musicians are brought ium, with seating capacity for i ,200. The direction last Sunday, when the Kneisel
to the realization that there is no place for capacity was tested and the house was over- Ouartet appeared at Carnegie Hall in popu-
them in the Hall of Fame, one of the great- flowing at the dedication which was as- lar concert. Of course, be it understood the
est pianists and pedagogues of America has suredly the crowning point of Lisser's life term "popular" refers to prices, as any one
been honored by having a Hall of Fame as the expressions of love and appreciation knowing this magnificent
organization
erected and dedicated to him while he lives came from the trustees, the president, the knows that musically it stands for nothing
to grace it, and to direct matters connected faculty, the students and the Alumnae of but the best and the greatest. It is doubt-
Mills College.
with it.
less that hundreds of people were thankful
This is the token of appreciation that has
The program of the dedicatory exercises for the opportunity to hear the Kneisels,
been extended by friends and former pupils was opened by a chorus with accompaniment who do not or can not avail themselves of
of Louis Lisser, of San Francisco, Cal., of violins, harp and harmonium after which this pleasure at their subscription concerts.
who for, at least, twenty-five years has been there were addresses by Mrs. Susan Lin- The reason for this is because the entire
at the head of everything that was great in coln Mills, Lit. D., Professor Thomas R. Ba- house is practically sold out by subscription,
the musical life of the Pacific coast. Not only con (University of California), Hon. Hor- and if this is not the case such is the general
as artist, teacher and patron has Lisser been ace Davis, (former President of the Univer- impression. It was, however, very start-
an ideal figure, but no less so as a man and sity of California), Rev. Charles R. Brown, ling to hear chamber music in Carnegie
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
7V^USIO TRKDE. REVIEW
I (all, and it would seem necessary to change
the name as the size of the hall makes the
appellation of ''chamber music" decidedly an
error in terminology, yet the string quartet
can not be more out of place in Carnegie Hall
than a piano recital, and we have learned to
believe this quite the proper thing—in the
event that the pianist is great enough.
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And what shall we say of the Sunday
night popular concerts at the Metropolitan
()]>era House ? There are certainly two
sides to the question and to be perfectly
just one must present both. No one can
deny that the popular Sunday night concert
fills a certain demand or we may even call it
a need, for music is afforded to hundreds
who can not very well, or do not go to other
concerts. Good music is presented with the
best singers that the world affords, the best
available orchestra and conductor. (cer-
tainly the great Symphony orchestras are
not available), the best oratorios are given
in a superb manner, (there is always room
to cavil), and what more c;m be desired?
< )n the other hand, we all appreciate, with
regret, that these concerts cut with a' keen
blade into the possibility of our concert-giv-
ers to gain patronage, and it leaves the local
artist fairly on the verge of despair. Yet
we are back at the beginning of the old ar-
gument, and how can the matter be helped?
We are simply dealing with facts, not prob-
lems, for than this there is nothing harder.
Still. T believe if Damrosch, either Frank
or Walter, were to give popular Sunday night
oratorios, with the best talent available either
Carnegie or the Metropolitan might be filled
and music would thus be popularized by ele-
vating the public to the plane where it can
understand and appreciate the best—and
here it must be said that Gran has done a
great work and credit to whom credit is due.
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It is amusing to note the determination
with which people build idols for themselves
and the way in which they exert themselves
to keep these idols upon the pedestals. Judg-
ment, education, even common sense, play
no part, and some of us are too matter-of-
fact to believe in psychic phenomena. Still
we confront the "why"' with a heavy sense of
emptiness, for we know that it never will be
answered.
Again we have been delighted with a visit
from Paderewski, who is the foremost figure
in the pianistic world. This does not in any
sense mean that Paderewski is the greatest
pianist in the world, but that he, of all pian-
ists, is first in the eye of the people. To
what this position may be attributed is not
clear, and never will be made so. Tn some
respects Paderewski is supreme. It were
well nigh impossible to conceive that any Bloomfield Zeisler. For the satisfaction of
one could go beyond him in many things, many artists, who have their eyes on San
especially the minute details that go to make Francisco, but who do not know with whom
the great artist far beyond the pale of the to correspond, it is a pleasure to state that
virtuoso. Paderewski is the highest repre- Messrs. Alfred Bouvier and William Greene-
sentation of music under control of a liter- baum have taken up this very important
ary mind, a refined, delicate nature, and a work in San Francisco, and can hardly be
forceful determination. He never fails to anything but successful, for Bouvier was
the most successful theatrical manager that
hold the interest of his hearers, for he is al-
the West ever had, and Greenebaum has
ways original and always commanding.
always interested himself in musical mat-
He is gigantic in these qualities, in fact.
ters.
Yet on the Herculean side he is undeniably
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weak. There is a difference between a tre-
A huge testimonial concert is announced
mendously sonorous, powerful blow in which for Herman Grau, at Carnegie Hall. The
every note is distinguishable, and the waves participants will include grand opera artists
of sound roll full and strong with the majes- and theatrical combinations from all over
ty and the dignity of the ocean, and a crash- the city, and finally Rafael Joseffy is being
ing, smashing blow, under which the noblest urged to appear. If Joseffy can be prevailed
instrument wails in agony, and hearers wince upon to play, all the rest of the "talent" can
in sympathy not less than in pain. There be dispensed with as superfluous, for he can
i.; no begging the question, such failings fill Carnegie Hall to its utmost capacity, and
make it impossible to concede a man the first then he will turn away enough to fill another
place in the rank of pianists, especially when hall. Has any one forgotten the tremen-
there are those who are not guilty of these dous and fascinating power of this colossal
tresspasses. Even one might find an excuse artist—this modest, unassuming little man,
if. when working up to a tremendous climax, Joseffy.
a man's emotions fairly get away from under
Emilie Frances Bauer.
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his control and these crashes are the wild-
VAN
HOOSE'S
GROWING
POPULARITY.
est expressions of emotion at its most hyster-
LLISON
VAN
HOOSE
is to-day the
ical pitch. But not so in Paderewski's case,
foremost
tenor
in
America,
a position
lie elects to give these crushing chords as
preludes, interludes, and introductions to all which he has gained by his continued success
solos, and it is quite beyond understanding. every place in which he has sung during the
Neither are his interpretations always within present season. The demands for his ser-
understanding, for his pauses are carried out vices are growing every day, and last week
of all sense of rhythm, and his slow move- his manager, Henry Wolfsohn, closed for
ments are sentimental to a degree. Again be him the following list of important engage-
it said that, notwithstanding this, Paderew- ments. The Cincinnati Musical Festival,
ski is a most remarkable pianist and a still May 12th to 17th, at which he will share the
more remarkable personage in the musical leading tenor roles with Ben Davies. The
Louisville Festival, during the week of April
world.
21st and also the Kansas City Festival. In
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San Francisco is having its share of mu- addition to these he will be heard in a half
sic this season. Josef IJofmann has had a dozen other important festivals during the
perfect avalanche of success, and it is no month of May. During the middle of March
wonder that this artist has met with such Mr. Van Hoose will have three of the most
appreciation, lor that Western Metropolis is important engagements in New York City
extremely critical, and the degree of his art that has fallen to the lot of any American
is well calculated to win the most difficile. tenor in many years past. On the 14th and
Nordica, also, has just sung there with the 15th he is to be the soloist with the New York
success that might have been anticipated. Philharmonic Society, and in addition will
The Chicago Symphony orchestra with sing the tenor role in Liszt's "Faust." On
Aclolph Rosenbecker, conductor, will play a the 16th he will be heard in Wolfsohn's Sun-
season in that city and on the coast.
day concert at the Metropolitan Opera House,
Fannie P>loomneld-Zeisler, who has never when, with Mine. Gertrude Stein he will sing
found more ardent admirers any where than the second act of "Samson and Delilah," and
in San Francisco, is to appear there this sea- on Tuesday evening, March i8th, he will be
son, and all San Francisco is in delight in heard with the New York Oratorio Society
the anticipation of this rare Ireat, for no one in Carnegie Hall in "Paradise and Peri."
can get closer to the desires of the people,
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and still remain more thoroughly ensconced
Master Philip Reitz is a musical prodigy
in her art than this same bewitching, bewil- of Evansville, Tnd., who is destined to be
dering l'ernhardt, of the kev-board—Fannie heard from.
MIGHTY
LAK'
A ROSE"
Is destined to be
SUNG
WITH
Sona
IMMENSE
SUCCESS
THE
CINCINNATI
LONDON
BY LILLIAN
NORDICA AT
JOHN
CHURCH
NEW YORK
ALL
Two Keys, each 40 cts.
HER
ENGAGEMENTS
co.
LEIPS1C
CHICAGO

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