Music Trade Review

8
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
and Haydn's " My Mother bids me Bind my Hair," served to confirm the
excellent impression already made by Miss Bailey in song-singing. Miss
Bailey was accompanied with much taste by Mr. Walter Damrosch. Mr.
Remmertz, who seemed a great favorite, sang Schubert's " Am Meer," which
was instrumented by Mr. Theodore Thomas in very effective and descriptive
style. This was received with much approval by the audience, and Mr.
Remmertz was obliged to add an encore. Mr. Pinner played with the
orchestra the first movement of Rubinstein's Concerto in G, a work we do
not hear very often. It furnished the pianist an opportunity for some fine
shading in the brilliant passages, and, with a " Polish song," Chopin-Liszt,
and the Liszt E major Polonaise, was played in the neat and finished style
to which we have become accustomed in the performances of this excellent
pianist.
On Saturday evening the third Saalfield concert took place, and offered
unusual attractions. Besides some admirable singing by Miss Cary, Mme.
Swift, Signori Galassi and Lazzarini, and a number of piano selections
played by Miss Lucia Violante, the orchestra under Signor Arditi performed
several interesting numbers, among others the well-known and favorite
Gavotte, " L'Ingenue," by Arditi.
H. D.
December, 20th. 1880.
OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENTS.
CINCINNATI.
PIANO AND OTHER RECITALS.—THE BARUS TESTIMONIAL.—PERSONAL MENTION.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 13th, 1880.
T would fill one of the ample pages of the MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE
REVTEW to notice, even briefly, all of the musical events, great and small,
that have transpired during the last fortnight. The season is at full tide,
and every evening makes some demand upon the time and attention of our
music-supporting citizens. We have had a perfect avalanche of piano-recitals
recently, displaying every shade of proficiency and inefficiency, from the
juvenile prodigy to the masterly performances of our vigorous egotist, Mr.
H. G. Andres. But let me get at them in the order in which they were
given, and, omitting all of an amateurist nature, the list will prove inter-
esting.
First came the recital of Karl Pallat, a German professor, who is
troubled with the belief that he has inherited the spirit of Beethoven. Mr.
Pallat emerges from his respectable retirement about semi-annually, and on
each succeeding occasion the critics note with surprise the wonderful pro-
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
gress that the gentleman has made—backward. He invariably attacks the
PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.
most colossal of Beethoven's Sonatas, and seems to succeed in making a
The Philharmonic Society, of New York, under direction of Theodore failure as often as he attempts to grasp their abstruse beauties. His playing
Thomas, gave the second concert of its thirty-ninth season at the Academy of is incoherent, and he lacks every qualification for a fine pianist. That
Music, on Saturday evening Dec. 11th, before the usually compactly filled Herr Pallat is, however, a good theorist and a very pleasant gentleman no
house. The programme, in its symmetrical arrangement and superb per- one familiar with the facts will deny.
formance, appeared extremely short, although it offered a substantial and
Following Mr. Pallat—in the order of the local piano-punishers—came
varied combination of works, and it must have become apparent to all who Mr. H. G. Andres, aided and abetted by numerous pupils. Mr. Andres has
were privileged to listen upon this occasion, that the Philharmonic orchestra for years been looked upon as a sort of lion among our piano players. He
is, at last, completely and firmly held in hand again by the master spirit, has also been very successful in his teaching, numbering among his pupils
which rules the baton with such magnetic power. Each individual member several who have won more than a local fame. Of these Mme. Rive-King is
of this gigantic and artistic organization seems to surrender himself to this a shining example. Mr. Andres' recital took place on the 4th, and two of his
genial guidance with the most cheerful obedience, and the result on Sat- pupils, Miss Lollie Jones and Miss Cferrie Melish, proved themselves very
urday was a positively flawless performance ; surprisingly so, when we keep promising scholars indeed.
in mind the mechanical and technical difficulties presented in the orchestral
On the 7th came the recital of Mr. Geo. Schneider, late of the College*
works of Liszt and Wagner which were given. It would have been a diffi- of Music. Of this gentleman it may be said that he is an artist acceptable to
cult task to discover a discrepancy of any sort, and from the sublime tragedy any audience, and, that his hearers were many, speaks well for our lovers of
depicted in the overture to " Coriolanus " to the intricacies and complica- piano music. The programme introduced some novelties by Grieg and
tions of expression in the Mephisto movement of the Faust Symphony, wel"
Bennet.
considered interpretations, full of sympathy and inspiration, held undis- Sterndale
the 2d we had a decided novelty in the shape of a 'cello recital, by
turbed powerfnls way over the listeners. Beethoven's " Corolan Overture," Mr. On
Hartdegen, who as I tried to remark in one of my epistles, is perhaps
may well be regarded as one of his immortal and soul-stirring masterpieces the A.
most accomplished performer on this instrument in America (your
when it can be heard in so perfect a form, and the beauties of Schubert's printer
before made me call him a violinist). His recent concert was made
unfinished symphony in B minor were brought out with exceeding smooth up entirely
of 'cello music with " filling in " furnished by a piano. It was
ness and poetic coloring. After the favorite works had been thoroughly
enjoyed, the final scene from the first act of Wagner's " Siegfried " (The Wed not only interesting for its novelty, but was a rare musical treat as well.
ding of the Sword), followed, Mr. W. C. Tower singing the part of Siegfried, There will be more like it during the winter.
But the best of the "recitals " thus far was that of Miss Cecelia Gaul, who
Mr. Max. Thurmann, that of Mime. Both soloists rendered their extremely
difficult music comparatively well ; Mr. Tower displaying ample vigor and is beyond peradventure with one exception, the finest lady pianist, residing
a full and agreeable voice, his principal fault lying in a faulty intonation at in America. Our local critics can find no flaw in her playing. Her reading
times. The part of Mime, the "miirrische Twerg" is not a particularly of the extraordinary works of the masters is certainly far above the capacity
grateful one in itself, and Mr. Treumann sang it correctly even if withou of many so-called artists, and in works of lighter texture she has that ability
any exuberance of spirit. But few voices can cope successfully with tin to make her themes "sing," which never fails of charming an audience.
requirements of Wagner's music and he may be said to treat the human voici Miss Gaul was assisted in her last concert by two other members of this
in a step-fatherly manner when we compare it with his orchestra. But it is in remarkable family ; whose home, by the way, is in Baltimore, though they are
orchestral effects that his powers of description, his force of expression, at present associated with our College of Music. Miss Emma Gaul is a
appear marvellously imposing, and the voice, losing its identity, so to say vocalist of uncommon promise her method is good and she sings with exqui-
forms one of the many instruments and adds its color to the great tone-paint- site expression, though it would be hard to judge of her powers by the
ing. Liszt's Faust Symphony filled the second part of the evening, and was music introduced on the occasion under notice. The other representative of
given in a manner which made its interesting subject perfectly clear an< this talented family introduced at the concert was Mr. Frederic Gaul, who
forcible. In the beautiful "Andante," characteristic of Oreichen, the sol aspires to fame such as glorifies the memory of Paganini and Ole Bull. He
instruments were finely played by Messrs. Brandt, violin, Schwartz Viols is evidently a good musician and an earnest student.
The Barus (not Barnes) testimonial took x>lace in Music Hall on the 29th
and J. Eller, Oboe. The concluding chorus mysticus, in which Mr. Towe:
took the tenor solo, was sung with dignity and in a precise and finishe( ult. Mr. Thomas was on hand, and conducted in a listless manner, which
manner, by the New York chorus re-enforced by the New York Liederkran: seemed to say that it was all a bore, not to say a " free blow." Ho did not
and Beethoven Maennerchor.
H. D. care what people thought, though; indeed, since his residence here, his man-
ner in public is what may be described as a cross between utter conceit
and patronizing condescension. He expects to be "warmly applauded,"
RELIABLE CRITICS.—The day after Mr. Constantine Sternberg's ap looks regularly for an " ovation," and as resolutely disregards the customs
pearance at the Baltimore Academy of Music, the following astonishing re of decency in such matters, treating every demonstration with the coolest
port surprised the readers of the Sun, published in the Monumental City contempt. But this is a tale full too oft told! The Barus testimonial was
" Mr. Sternberg played ' The Sweetheart,' by Balfe; ' Bonnie Sweet Bessie moderately successful, but did not show the outpouring of our musical people
by Gilbert, and a Polonaise, by Ferd. Laub." It is hardly necessary to ad that one would expect on such an occasion. This citv cannot overpay the
that the whole statement is untrue; Miss Fritsch sang the two former selec veteran for his zeal in musical matters, and in helping the people to oppor-
tions, and Wilhelmj performed the Lanb composition on the violin. Anc tunities for hearing good music, in the years that are gone.
they have a Peabody Institute and a Conservatory of Music in Baltimore
The ones interested in the Christmas "Messiah" performance art)
Why don't these institutions turn out musical critics of ability, who can helj showing great enterprise in the line of advertising. Elaborate cards are
toward the amelioration of the musical taste? We may think that we ar being distributed among the music lovers, and mammoth posters already tell
badly off in New York, but, compared to these cities, we live in paradise.
of the coming event in letters very high. The solo parts will be taken by
THE PET TENOR.—There was a very strong feeling for Signor Ravelli at th Miss Norton, soprano; Miss Cranch, contralto; Herman Lindau, tenor; Bis-
beginning at the opera season this winter, and an inspired tendency was choff, and Whitney. The orchestra will number about sixty, and the
shown to overrate his talent. It has been proved by this time, that it is all
In the way of personal items, I hear that Mr. Geo. E. Whitney is in
of no use, and Signor Ravelli is now recognized for all he is worth, a conven
tional tenor with a good clear voice, and very little else to recommend him the lamentable condition that made Thomas' life here so uneasy. In fact the
to the grace of opera goers.
distinguished organist longs for the classic shades of Boston. May he not
,
PIANO CONCERTS.— Charming Mme. Constance Howard has finished th leave us soon!
Carl Baetens, the double-bass performer and professor m the College,
series of Ante-New-Year Recitals. We should not wonder if we were in
formed that all. these pianists who have recited before Christmas will giv is blossoming out in song. He has published some very pretty pieces this
grand concerts during the second part of the season.
0ll
Mr. Otto Singer's new " Rhapsodie" for piano and orchestra, dedicated
PUBLIC DEMAND.—The genial manager of our Academy of Music in
formed his friends that there was a popular demand for a revival of Flotow' to Von Biilow, is completed.
" Martha." Firstly, we hardly believe that there was a public demand fo
Mr. J. H. Filmore, the author and music book publisher, was married
this opera; and secondly, how can a man with a sound mind speak of a "re Thanksgiving day.
. , . .
vival" of an opera the melodies of which are whistled by every corner loafer
Lastly
there
are
evidences
of
a
burning
desire in certain quarters to dis-
Flotow's opera never has left our repertoire, so we cannot see why it shoul
MEPHISTO.
be " revived " now. Of course, "Martha " is an easier opera than " Lohen cover the identity of
BOSTON.
grin," hence the " public demand," as stated by the manager.
APOLLO CLUB.—PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.—EUTERPE.—DWIGHT TESTIMONIAL CON-
THE SCHOOL TEACHERS.—A reception of the School Teachers' Associatio:
CERT.
was announced Saturday evening, Dec. 18. The artists are: Mr. Joseffy
BOSTON, Dec. 11th, 1880.
pianist; Miss Zelie de Lussan, soprano; Miss Jennie Dickerson, contralto
T last there bids fair to be a momentary lull in important concerts, and
Mr. Henry Brandeis, tenor; Mr. W. B. Foreman, baritone j Mr. C. E. Prat
the uneasy critic has an opportunity to collect himself. "Happy are
accompanist, and Mme. Sacconi, harpist.
I