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54
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Conducted by B. B. Wilson
ART IN WRITING OPERETTAS.
Franz Lehar Airs Some Interesting Views on
That Subject in Recent Interview—No Spe-
cial Rule to Follow, He Says—Art Much
Changed in Last Decade.
Speaking to the New York Tribune correspond-
ent, Franz Lehar discussed the question of the re-
vival of the art of writing operettas. After pay-
ing a warm tribute \o the American theatregoers,
who always, he said, treated him so well and so
indulgently, he added :
"Our art has considerably changed in the last
ten years. The era of 'operetta-kings,' yes, and
'operetta-shepherds,' is past. What we want is to
put as much realism and as much truth in our
work as is possible. I believe that the coming
operetta will solely be based on the observation of
life, of course in a light and cheerful way. Oper-
ettas may even place before the public eye some of
the social questions of the hour. Why not? We
will certainly not employ the usual dramatic means
to solve these questions, but will substitute charm
for violence. That, according to my view, is the
outlook of the operetta."
Asked how and when he writes, the famous
composer replied:
"There is no special way of writing an operetta.
Every one has his own habits, methods and ideas.
As far as I am concerned, 1 first study the libreUo
completely and only conclude that study when
the musical framework of each character is
clear in my head. Then I begin to live
with a score of new friends, viz., the personae
of my play. I see them, hear them and
generally I listen to them. We have great times
together and when they have something to say or
to sing which I think is particularly clever—well,
1 simply write it down. I make notes incessantly,
and that is the most pleasant part of my work.
When I have gathered enough of die right musical
stuff, then begins the labor of orchestration. And
then the fun is over."
MAKING A " M P M N RECORD TIME.
"Hesitate Me Around, Bill," by William Jerome
and Malvin M. Franklin, Finished in Less
Than Ten Minutes, According to Report.
GEORGE EDWARDES TO RETIRE.
Chronic Illness Responsible for Decision of Fa-
mous London Manager and Producer—Won
Fame in Musical Comedy Field.
(Special to The Review.)
Some songs, especially those of the popular
variety, have been written under particularly in-
teresting and peculiar circumstances, and among
them is to be included the new waltz song, "Hesi-
tate Me Around, Bill." According to the story,
William Jerome, the well-known and successful lyric
writer, visited the offices of the Theodore Morse
Music Co. for the purpose of keeping an appoint-
ment, and while there heard Malvin M. Franklin,
a young musical comedy composer, playing over
a waltz from one of his new scores. Mr. Jerome
was impressed with the possibilities of the number,
and although not acquainted with Mr. Franklin,
persuaded the latter to permit him to collaborate
in supplying .the lyrics for the piece. The pair
got together and the complete song is said to
have been completed within ten minutes. William
Schultz. the arranger, then took the number and
had it ready for the hands of the printer the
next day. Just a case of hitting while the iron is
hot.
"AMERICAN MADIT_MUSIC GAINING.
Compositions by Americans Being Found on
Increasing Number of Concert Programs—
Entering the Operatic Field.
That American-made music is winning its way
to favor is evidenced in the following editorial
from an exchange:
The spectacle of an American conductor leading
an American orchestra in a program of American
compositions is one which ought to appeal most
effectively to American patriotism. That is the
spectacle which is to be presented twice annually
by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the latest
fruits of the gospel of American music which has
been preached so insistently for so many years and
apparently to little purpose. But such able ex-
TED S. BARRON IN CHICAGO.
pounders as Glenn Dillard Gunn, who is to conduct
General Manager of Metropolis Music Co. Meet-
the Chicago organization, seem to be at last pene-
ing with Success in Pushing Numbers Pub-
trating, or surmounting, the walls of prejudice,
lished by That Concern—To Add to Catalog.
which have for so long shut out American music
and musicians from an adequate hearing before
(Special to The Review )
American audiences.
CHICAGO, I I I . , April 6.—Ted S. Barron, general
manager of the Metropolis Music Co., New York,
Who would have predicted, a dozen years ago,
who has been traveling extensively through the
that the greatest operatic organizations ever as-
West in the interests of this house, stopped off re- sembled in all the history of musical art would be
cently in this city preparatory to making- a tour of
presenting grand opera in English, written by
the South. Mr. Barron has met with considerable
Americans? Yet the "English department" of the
success in featuring the several numbers published
artistic activities of the Chicago and New York
by the Metropolis Co., including "In the Shadow
Metropolitan companies has successfully negotiated
of the Dear Old Blarney Stone," "Vesper Chimes," this amazing feat and with the most gratifying re-
"Let Me See Your Rainbow Smile," and others.
sults. The storming of the operatic ramparts ought
to presage the triumphant assaulting of the less
Several numbers will be added to the catalog of
strongly fortified concert stage. Perhaps in an-
the company in the near future.
other dozen years the phenomenal spectacle will be
PATENTS MUSICAL CHART.
presented of American audiences not only receiv-
A musical chart designed as an aid to the stu- ing but demanding programs of American writers,
.dent of music in self-instruction, as well as an aid presented by Americans—and also by foreigners,
to the teacher in imparting the underlying prin- who will be required lo pay to the source of their
rich earnings the small compliment of learning the
ciples and precepts that constitute the foundation
of harmony and the construction of the scales, language, or at least the music, of their audiences.
was patented this week by Joseph W. Scroggs, of
Kingfisher, Okla. (No. 1,091,856).
PRODUCING SAI_NT=SAENS' OPERA.
The invention has for its primary object a sim-
That ever young old man, Saint-Saens, the
ple and effective device which will be an aid in veteran French composer, is taking an active inter-
studying harmony and in learning to. play the est in the production of his opera, "Le Timbre
piano or organ. The chart is cleverly conceived
d'Argent," which is to be produced in Brussels.
and excellently worked out and should indeed
The opera has been in a great part rewritten and
prove an aid to teachers and students alike.
developed, bringing it absolutely up to date. Saint-
Saens came direct from Cairo to Brussels to direct
Smith—Do you believe in the sympathetic in- the rehearsals and seems to be as full of enthusi-
fluence of music?
asm as a youngster of twenty. "Le Timbre
Brown—Sure; whenever I hear an automobile d'Argent" was produced in Paris in 1877, but it
siren I always start into a quick-step.
was much too far ahead of its time.
LONDON, March 29.—'George Edwardes, ' the
world-famous producer of musical comedies, has
decided to retire permanently from any active par-
ticipation in the affairs of the three theaters which
he controls, the Gaiety, Daly's and the Adelphi,
and those properties will be merged under the
control of one company, which will conduct them
in the future.
Mr. Edwardes has been ;i chronic sufferer from
gout and other kindred troubles for some years.
He now despairs of ever gelling well and he has
given up hope of ever being able to return to the
active work of producing musical comedy. That
he will be greatly missed in the theatrical world
goes without saying, for there is no one else here
who has approached him in ability, and lie stands
in a class by himself as a producer of musical
comedy.
The retirement qf Mr. Edwardes will leave J. A.
E. Malone in full charge of the Edwardes produc-
tions and theaters. Malone is widely known in the
I'nited States.
WRITES NATIONAL SONG.
Trained Nurse in Iowa Composer of Song That
Is Being Used in Canadian Schools and Has
Been Praised by the King.
(Special to The Review.)
MANCHESTER, IOWA, April 6.—Miss Alma Con-
stance Murray, a capable trained nurse in one of
the local hospitals, having come to this city from
Toronto, where she began her career as nurse, has
composed and had published a new patriotic song,
"Hail Mighty Empire," which has been accepted
for use in many of the schools of Canada and
which seems destined to become one of the, if not
the, national songs of the Dominion.
Not only have the people of Canada accepted the
song as their national anthem, but the King of
England has shown his approval of it and it is
now being taught and used extensively in the
schools of the Dominion.
DEATH OF ROBERT HIRSCHFELD.
Robert Hirschfeld, the musical composer and
director of the Mozarteum School of Music in
Salzburg, Austria-Hungary, died there Thursday of
last week. He was born in 1858. In 1884 he was
appointed a professor of musical aesthetics in the
University of Vienna. Among his writings was a
monograph on Jean de Muris. He prepared operas
by Haydn, Mozart and Schubert for the Imperial
()pcra in Vienna.
Cleveland has a composer—priest—Father Fran-
cis L. Clovis—who is rapidly coming to the front
as a song writer. Cecil Fanning, when he comes
to the Hippodrome on April 1!), will sing two of
his Cleveland composer's selections. Songs by
Father Clovis have been sung by many prominent
artists recently.
We Are the Publishers oi the Waltz Song
Success
"Just Because It's You"
From Ivan Caryll's New Musical Comedy
Success
"The Little Cafe"
CHAPPELL & CO., L t d .
41 East 34th St., - NEW YORK
TORONTO
347 Yonge St.,