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THE:
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
SUNDAY MUSIC IN SCHOOLS.
MILDENBERG'S COMIC OPERA,
IN the current issue of the "Ethical Rec-
ord," Laura Josephine Post calls attention
to the fact that during the past winter Pub-
lic School No. 33, in West Twenty-eighth
street, has been open each Sunday after-
noon so that the parents and children of
the neighborhood might pass quiet, happy
hours listening to simple but good music.
This fact the "Record" writer regards as
marking "the dawn of the day when the
public school shall be the bright spot and
the helpful center of activity of the neigh-
borhood."
It is noted regarding the behavior of the
audiences that "at first it was difficult to
prevent stamping, whistling, etc.; but
those who attended the concerts soon
learned what was expected of them and be-
came quiet and polite."
As to appreciation of music, it was
demonstrated that "poor performers could
interest their listeners with only the sim-
plest English songs, and their instrumental
music was visibly trying* to the audience;
but the genuine artist, the efficient musican
who had a message and spoke to the heart,
could play or sing anything—even songs
in a strange language—and command the
attention of his hearers to the end."
So it is seen that besides furnishing a
safe and cheerful resort for several hun-
dred tenement people each Sunday in win-
ter, during hours that might otherwise
have been either dull or perilous, the open
school-house exerted an elevating influence
on deportment and gave opportunity for
expansion to what cannot but be a helpful
sense of beauty in art. Even in the face
of these good results there are those who
will insist on no more Sunday concerts.
The argument of wisdom and good will is,
however, that far from closing No. 33 next
winter we shall open still other school
buildings—many of them !—to the first-
day work of music, a real missionary.
A MUSICAL event of considerable im-
portance was the presentation for trial
and copyright purposes of "The Wood-
Witch," a romantic-comedy opera, by Al-
bert Mildenberg, one of the best known of
New York's teachers, and a pianist of
superb attainments. The plot was select-
ed and drawn up by Mr. Mildenberg, and
the book was the work of Willard Hol-
comb. The music, needless to say, is by
Mr. Mildenberg, whose gift of melody is
one of his most pronounced talents.
It is not the good luck of many to have
such success at a performance of this kind,
which, after all, was at the mercy of ama-
teurs with a very few exceptions. Helena
Fredericks, formerly with the Bostonians,
was all that could be desired in the little
role and lent many personal charms to the
character and its delineations.
The music is simply delightful from the
public of America, and it would not be sur-
prising if The Wood-Witch made fame and
fortune for its composer.
EAST SIDE MUSICAL WORK.
A M E E T I N G was held in Cooper Union
recently to interest the audience of
the People's Symphony Concerts in a
scheme for extending the work of that or-
ganization next season. Mr. F. X. Arens,
who was chiefly active in starting the Peo-
ple's Symphony Concerts and who has
done much work in directing them, pre-
sided, and there was a gathering of east-
side music lovers that nearly filled the hall.
Much interest was shown in the scheme
that Mr. Arens presented. He proposed to
establish an association with a paid mem-
bership to be formed under the auspices of
the People's Symphony Concerts, and those
present were also invited to fill out slips
that were distributed and to become an-
nual members of the latter. Mr. Arens laid
stress on the fact that the movement was
not a charitable but an educational one,that
by joining the association and paying the
annual fee of a dollar those who gained the
benefits of the concerts would show that
they were not merely beneficiaries bu£ par-
ticipants in the work.
The auxiliary work to be carried on next
season is for the purpose of offering to the
audiences of the Cooper Union concerts a
kind of music that cannot be placed on the
programmes of the larger concerts, by
carrying on a series of chamber concerts,
vocal and piano recitals, and special lec-
tures on musical topics.
K
OPERA HOUSE RENOVATION.
A N U M B E R of important changes are
^
to be made in the Metropolitan Opera
House during the next few months. These
will be principally in the direction of dec-
oration. A new and enlarged foyer will be
built for promenaders. The general decor-
ALBERT MILDENBERG.
ation of the theatre and the draperies will
be
entirely renewed. These alterations are
first
note
to
the
last.
At
no
point
does
it
PARRY'S "WAR AND PEACE."
to
be
done by the companv that owns the
get
away
from
what
may
legitimately
be
C I R HUBERT PARRY'S "War and
theatre.
The arrangements of the orches-
called
light
opera,
notwithstanding
the
fact
^ Peace," produced at the final concert
tra
will
also
be changed. The wooden wall
that
the
man
who
wrote
it
is
a
thorough
of the season at the Albert Hall, is hardly a
piece d'occasion; but it certainly is not the musician, and one whose work in classical that surrounds the pit will be removed and
genial composer's best work. It was prob- lines is well known. The orchestral scor- will be replaced by a brass railing. A
ably written more or less at high pressure, ing is admirable and the music through- sounding board will be put in place along
for Parry is a busy man, and the choruses out is written with the pen of a master. the part of the stage that extends the
were delivered at the Albert Hall piecemeal. But it is what Mr. Mildenberg intended length of the orchestra pit.
The work is an ode in which the orchestra that it should be. It is light and catchy
CREMONINI DEAD.
(the weak part of the Royal Choral So- and as all such music is—reminiscent, if
ciety's force), play an important part, and from no other cause than its very catchy C D O U A R D D E R E S Z K E this week re-
ceived word of the death of the Cre-
it deals with the fierceness of war, as con- nature.
monini,
the Italian grand opera singer, in
trasted with the more enduring joys of
Mr. Mildenberg made a master stroke
lumecoming and peace. The London of originality and gave it a fascinating Cremona, Italy, ten days ago. Mr. de
Music Trades Review says: "Sir Hubert dash of color by the introduction of a true Reszke received the news in a letter from
has written some good broad choruses, Hungarian scene with the weird traditional his brother, Jean, written from Paris.
which are not at all difficult, and will prob-
Cremonini was a tenor well known in
music of that people. The Czardas is pre-
ably make his work popular with choral
this
city, where he was first heard several
societies, while there is also an effective sented without a strain of effect to do so, years ago in "La Boheme." He was a
tenor solo and a very fine dime. The per- but it is entrancing in its color and effect. member of the Grau opera company for
formance might have been better if Sir There are several marches, waltzes and ro- some time and became known for his
Frederick Bridge had conducted, for mantic arias if the word aria may apply work in lyric roles.
neither orchestra nor choir quite under- to light opera.
In a word Mr. Mildenberg has produced
WILL CONVENE IN ASHEVILLE.
stood Sir Hubert's beat."
something, which, if properly handled,
Music Teachers' National Associa-
' T H E present musical season in London, should delight thousands of people for
tion will hold its convention at Ashe-
* which runs much later than in this many months in every city in America. ville on June 30, July 1, 2 and 3. I t is be-
country, is quite brisk. During the past There has been nothing more artistic and lieved that the location will prove to be
month upwards of two hundred concerts more compelling since Robin Hood made more satisfactory than that of last year's
were given in London.
itself felt upon the entire music-loving convention, which was Put In Bay.