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27836A
THE
REV LW
flUJIC TfyVDE
VOL. XLII. N o . 1.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, Jan, 6, 1906.
MENGELBERQ ENTHUSIASTIC
About
\
-V
American Pianos, Orchestras, Compo-
sitions and Other Things.
William Mengelberg, the conductor of the Am-
sterdam Concertgebouw, who recently visited
this country for the purpose of conducting one of
the concerts given by the Philharmonic Orches-
tra, has expressed himself most enthusiastically
not only regarding the merits of the Weber piano,
but the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which he
characterizes "one of the finest orchestras in the
world." He said: "In my opinion it has no su-
perior anywhere; indeed, there are only three or
four others that can be compared with it—the
National of Vienna, the Queen's Hall of London,
and," he added, with becoming hesitation, "the
Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. But if I am go-
ing to praise my own orchestra at home I should
like to say a word for the one I am conducting
here, the Philharmonic. It, also, is an orchestra
of unusual beauty, but its lack of continuous prac-
tice throughout the year prevents its attaining
quite the same grade of perfection as the Boston
Symphony."
"Do most Europeans share your opinion of
American orchestras?"
"Yes; I think they do. During the last ten
years our respect for American music has risen
tremendously, and I think you can no longer ac-
cuse us of being unappreciative. Too many of
our musicians have been here before me for us
to believe any longer that our best orchestras
are superior to yours."
"How about American composers?"
Mr. Mengelberg tactfully refrained from sug-
gesting that they were few and far between, and
answered:
"Well, unfortunately, their works are not yet
sufficiently well known in Europe for us to form
a true opinion of them. With the exception of a
few such compositions as Loeffler's 'La Morte de
Tintagiles' and the 'Pax Triumphans' of Van Der
Stucken and some others, we are not very fa-
miliar with the products of your composers."
"Please do not forget John Philip Sousa, Mr.
Mengelberg."
"Oh, I beg your pardon. Very true, in the do-
main of light music Sousa is to be heard every-
where on the Continent and, for that matter, we
are fast becoming converts to your ragtime."
There is certainly room in New York for some
such organization as this. There is splendid
material to be had, and it only needs some prac-
tical work on the part of those interested to start
the ball rolling.
NO KUBELIK WORLD TOUR.
Violinist for Family Reasons Changes Plans—
To go to Mexico.
On account of his wife's desires Jan Kubelik
will not encircle the globe at present. Instead
he will pay a visit to Mexico and make a round of
the Southern States, and will go back to Bohemia
before he visits Australia and Asia. Kubelik will
practically live in a private car well into May
after leaving Chicago early in January. He will
go out to Vancouver and Portland on the North-
ern route, skirt the Pacific Coast down to San
Diego, then go across the desert to Salt Lake and
Denver, then down to the City of Mexico and
back to New York through Texas and the South-
ern States. It is a journey that would wear on
the patience and endurance of any man. Much
of the journey will be through barren desert
country, with long train rides between concert
stations. On the whole tour he will have only
a few stop-overs to rest from the riding.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL OF MUSIC.
Catholics Back Plan to Produce a Number of
High Class Oratorios.
Archbishop Farley and a great many promi-
nent Catholics in New York are putting on foot
a plan to produce a number of religious dramatic
oratorios of the highest possible class. It is
planned to develop a religious school of music.
The Dramatic Oratorio Society was organized
several years ago, and has worked along unpre-
tentious lines until last spring, when it pro-
duced the oratorio "St. Mary Magdalen," by
Stainer. It is planned to reproduce this oratorio
and to include about six others in their reper-
tory.
The oratorio society is under the direction of
Selma Kronold, who was one of the stars in
grand opera until her conversion to the Catholic
faith several years ago.
Mme. Kronold has received financial backing
from the clergy and many prominent Catholic
laymen in the work she has undertaken. Mrs.
Craigie (John Oliver Hobbes) will lecture on
January 11 at St. Francis Xavier's College for
the benefit of this musical undertaking.
SINGLE COPI
not be able to conduct it aft the Metropolitan
Sunday concert. Mr. Conried\ and I discussed^©
such a plan, but I did not care to appear at
Christmas holiday time."
GRIEG IN EXCELLENT HEALTH.
Preparing to Visit London Next Season—Will
Take Part in Concerts.
The most beloved (as well as the greatest) of
living musicians is Edward Grieg. The state of
his health does not permit him often to appear in
public, but whenever he does so, be it in Chris-
tiania or Vienna, or Paris, or London, the house
is always sold out long in advance. Some en-
couraging information regarding the great Nor-
wegian composer is contained in the London
Times: "An interesting event next summer will
probably be a visit from Grieg to take part in
some concerts which are being organized in his
honor in London. It is now a good many years
since Grieg has visited this country, where he
has so many warm admirers, and though con-
stant efforts have Seen made during recent years
to induce him to come again, his health has
hitherto always stood in the way of his doing this.
Happily, however, the latest reports as to his
condition are much more favorable, and at the
present time he' is looking forward eagerly to
coming next year under circumstances which will
invest his visit with unusual interest and eclat.
Dr. Grieg is passing the winter at Christiania,
where a friend from England who recently saw
him was rejoiced to notice the excellent health
and spirits which he appeared to be enjoying.
Every morning he leaves his hotel to visit the
establishment of Messrs. Hale, the leading piano
firm of Norway, where a magnificent music
room is placed at his exclusive disposal, while it
Is pleasant to know that of late he has been able
to take up again his creative work."
TO FOSTER AMERICAN MUSIC.
New Organization Will Have Aid of the Rus-
sian Symphony Society.
An organization to be known as "The New
Music Society of America," has been formed in
New York City for the purpose of creating condi-
tions favorable to the artistic activity of the
American composer, and of promoting perfor-
mances of serious new works of native origin.
CHICAGO'S IRISH CHORAL SOCIETY.
The New Music Society of America has invited
the Russian Symphony Society to interpret for it,
The Irish Choral Society, of Chicago, which is
through the medium of its orchestra and its con-
under the direction of Thomas Taylor Drill, re-
ductor, Modest Altschuler, the compositions to be
cen.tly gave the first of the season's concerts in
ZOELLNER'S PATRIOTIC WORK.
performed. The Russian Symphony Society has
that city, which was largely attended. This so-
ciety now numbers many excellent singers in its
Heinrich Zoellner regretted that he could not consented to extend the services of its orchestra
ranks, and it has made remarkable progress since remain to conduct an orchestra when his over- for the sake of furthering the cause of American
last season. Indeed, its work gives every evi- ture, "Under the Star-Spangled Banner," would music.
dence of careful training and rehearsals.
In the present season the society will give three
be played for the first time in this country. "It
This society is doing excellent work in bring- is dedicated to President Roosevelt, whom I concerts, with the aid of the Russian Symphony
ing to public attention the wonderful beauty of know," said Herr Zoellner. "It will be copy- Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall. The society will be
the music of Ireland, the folk songs of which righted in this country within the next few glad to receive orchestral scores from American
abound in that mysterious beauty that appeals weeks, and then can be played. It was received composers for consideration as to their availabil-
to the true music lover. The soloists at the well at Leipsic, and I would like to be present ity for performance. Selections from these
first concert were Mrs. Genevieve Clark Wilson, when it is played here. It carries the motives works will be made by the score committee, con-
who was heard to great advantage, and Mr. Wil- of the 'Star-Spangled Banner,' 'Columbia,' 'Dixie' sisting of Modest Altschuler, Rupert Hughes, N,
lett, who gave a splendid account of himself.
and 'Yankee Doodle,' I am sorry that I shall Clifford Page and Lawrence Gilmau,