Music Trade Review

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January 5th, 1882.
154
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
get along with this class of scholars has always
been a great mystery to me, for it is simple common
sense that, in order that any apparatus shall per-
form its functions properly, it must be in perfect
order.
Just here I must stop and ask the teacher -why
he objects to his pupil receiving proper medical
treatment for
cite any number of cases to bear out his state-
ments. But, granting all this, who is to blame?
Certainly not the pupil, since he or she should
have been taught differently. Again, the argu-
BALTIMORE.
ment may be advanced that many of these cases
BALTIMORE, December 29.
of giving out of the voice may be the products
of inferior teachers. But this point is not r T^HE all-absorbing musical topic here is the
tenable, from the fact that many of the cases of JL approaching performance of Mendelssohn's
"PLAYED OTJT" THROATS
"St. Paul," which is to take place to-mor-
LARYNGEAL DIFFICULTIES.
I have met hare been under the direct tutel- row night, December 30,—public rehearsal to-
And again, why he so often cautions his scholar to which
of some of the so-called first masters of this night. The Fifth Regiment Armory has been
beware of throat specialists. Is it because that, age
Setting aside disease, there is no reason un- selected as the most suitable hall for the purpose.
being totally ignorant themselves with the struc- city.
heaven why the vocal organs, if properly man- The experiences of last May, when the "Messiah"
ture of the human musical instrument, they are der
should not last as long as any other portion was given, justified the gentlemen, who are taking
afraid their pupils will glean some information on aged,
of the human economy. The Supreme Being made the most active interest in the "Oratorio Society,"
the subject, and thus expose the teacher's ignor- them
the ordinary period of life. Age, of in their permanent selection of this hall for the
ance? I am afraid, after much thought upon the course, to last
have some deleterious effect, the future performances by the Society.
subject, that the above answer is, in the main, cor- same as it should
upon the limbs, etc., namely, a stiff-
Unless some public-spirited gentlemen will
rect. Does the teacher suppose that gentlemen ening and has weakness.
In support of this statement donate a large sum of money for the purpose of
of the medical profession, who have devoted the many cases may be cited,
notably those of Sims building a music hall, adapted in all respects for
best part of their lives in the study of any partic-
large chorus and orchestral performances, the
ular branch of the science of medicine, are incom- Reeves, Wachtel, Jenny Lind, etc., etc.
pstent to treat the diseases pertaining to that Taking into consideration the above facts, I am Oratorio Society will be obliged to take the arm-
branch? Regarding the ignorance existing among forced to the inference, either that a great deal of ory of the Fifth Regiment for the concerts they
the majority of voice-trainers concerning the struc- ignorance exists among many professional teach- will give.
ture of the vocal organs, I have had many remark- ers, or that they are possessed of an enormous Rehearsals, under Prof. Fritz Finke, have been
able examples. NoD long since a prominent Ital- amount of total depravity. Not one case of in- progressing very satisfactorily, notwithstanding
ian master, when asked in what direction do the jury to the vocal organs, nor a dozen, but hundreds, the talk of many chronic grumblers that infest
have brought about this conclusion in my own the town. The sale of tickets has been large
vocal cords run in the throat, made the
mind. Scarcely a day passes that some singer, enough to ensure a genuine financial success, and
STARTLING DISCLOSURE
with whom I am brought in direct contact, does as that is even of more importance, at present,
than an artistic success, we all feel happy. The
that they run upwards and downwards, —that is, in not open upon a
predominant idea is, to place the Oratorio Society
the same direction as the laryngeal tube itself.
LONG TIRADE
I should be pleased to hear the tones resulting against some special teacher for injuring or ruin- upon a safe and permanent financial basis, and then
from such a condition of affairs.
ing his voice. One gentleman with a special amount progress in the path of art.
Another prominent teacher of the same school of grievance wanted to publish his experiences in If we had philanthropic citizens here, who
vouchsafed the equally astonishing information, a pamphlet, and spread it broadcast for the edifi- would endow such an institution as the Oratorio
Society, all the unpleasant episodes connected
that the two vocal bodies were located at the base cation of the uninitiated.
of the tongue. A third expressed the idea that Where there is so much smoke there must indeed with money-making would, as a matter of course,
there was but one tube in the throat, and that both be a little fire, and, therefore, it behooves the truly be superfluous; but I am sorry to say, that among
food and air traversed the same canal. I might go good and conscientious teacher to expose, in the all the millionaires of this antiquated city by the
on, ad infinitum, giving illustrations such as the fullest manner, the class of quacks illustrated bay, none have sufficient appreciation of the artistic
above, if I chose. Such ignorance is thoroughly above, who, by their evil doings, bring disrepute to place a few ducats where they would do the
inadmissible in this enlightened age, and should upon the entire musical profession. As an illus- most good.
by no means be tolerated.
tration of strain of the vocal cords, I will narrate
INTERESTING TO PROF. HAMERIK.
I have already incidentally alluded to one prime the case of a lady now under my care. Miss The Peabody Conservatory of Music continues
cause of strain of the vocal cords, namely, the mis- B
consulted me about six weeks ago, com-
flourish in its peculiar quiet way. Prof.
judgment of the "voice" of the singer. I will plaining of inability to sing for any lengthened to
Hamerik continues to give his lectures,
now consider for a moment another factor in pro- period without the supervention of hoarseness, Asger
large audiences away and informing a
ducing the same result, namely, the endeavor to accompanied with pain in the neighborhood of the driving
small number of people about things which they
hold the voice-box still during acts of vocaliza- larynx. Upon making a laryngoscopic examina- can
read to better advantage in the old and dilapi-
tion.
tion of the vocal organs, I found the vocal cords dated musical encyclopedias of the Mercantile
The advocates of this peculiar "method" claim congested and thickened, and in a very flabby Library.
Last season, during the delivery of his
that by so doing, not only is the power of the condition, their natui'al state being very firm to
so-called, Prof. Hamerik, in speaking of
voice enhanced, but that its brilliancy is increased. the eye. Upon questioning my patient, I learned lectures,
him to Shakespeare, and com-
Whether this is so or not, I am unable bo state; but that during the three months prior to her visiting Handel, the likened
valuable yet transitory works of old
this I can assuredly say, that this "method," so- me, she had been under the tutelage of a lady pared
Handel to the immortal works and ideas of the
called, if persevered in for any length of time, who had misjudged her voice, and endeavored to great
William.
will, if it does not permanently injure the vocal develop a soprano from a mezzo-soprano!
This year our young Hamerik is talking wildly
cords, engender faulty habits of singing, which
Upon pushing my inquiry further, I ascertained on the "^Esthetics of Music." He seems to pos-
will take much time and labor on the part of a that besides the symptoms already mentioned, it
the facility and unction of resigning himielf
good teacher to correct. If the reader will glance required a great deal of effort and foi'ce to bring sess
the inevitable influences of fashion.
for a moment at my article captioned "How We out tones that were hitherto rendered very easily, to Sooner
or later (probably later), I will let you
Sing, "in the work already referred to, the why and showing positively that the vocal cords were much know something
the Peabody Concerts, and
the whereforo of the above statement will be weaker than normal. We may therefore infer that I have a mind to about
the system of instruc-
readily understood. In the paper alluded to, it the injury done to the vocal organs was the direct tion prevailing at investigate
institution and give your
will be found that the very movements which this effect of the teaching, taking into consideration readers an idea of that
what is going on there.
method seeks to control are absolutely essential to the pupil's statement, that, prior to the course of
correct singing.
GEISTINGEK'S
APPEARANCE.
lessons above alluded to, her singing was effortless,
In true singing, as the vocalist ascends the and productive of neither hoarseness nor pain.
The most important event in music here lately
scale the larynx gradually rises in the throat until 33y WEST '/AUD STKEET.
was the appearance of Maria Geistinger, th« ver-
the highest note in the register is reached, when
satile German actress and singer, She appeared
The
pupils
of
the
Salem
Academy,
Salem,
N.
C,
the voice-tube will have attained its greatest height,
at the Concordia Opera House, and gave a series
having been drawn up to a point nearly on a level recently gave a soiree musicale, and, under the di- of performances, such as we have read of in your
rection
of
Signor
D'Anna,
presented
the
following
with the chin. If now the vocalist descends the
reports about her. She is undoubtedly a most
Bcale, the larynx will lower itself until the lowest programme in a creditable manner: Part first— remarkable artist, and I am fully convinced that
note is arrived at, when it will regain its original 1. Paraphrase on Lorelei, for eight hands, Nesvadra, she is now of the opinion that Baltimore poases»e«
position. There is not the slightest doubt about Misses Patterson, Pace, E. Morehead and Rorer; a remarkable orchestra. During one of the per-
this statement. I have noticed it many times myself, 2. My true love has my heart—song, Blumenthal— formances Mme. Geistinger became really enraged,
and my views have been corroborated by many Miss Parker; 3. Convent Bells—piano solo, F. and, throwing her fan on tli6 stage, she gave
other experts in this branch of science. The Spindle?-—Miss Hunter; 4. Madre Pietosa Vergine up in utter despair.
question now arises, How will this method injure — Cavatina, La Forza del Destino, Verdi—Miss
AN UNWILLING CONFESSION.
Lineback; 5. Con voi ber—Strofe, Carmen, Bizet—
the delicate cords?
I am forced, although most reluctantly, to ad-
In order to hold the lai'ynx in one position during Sig. D'Anna; G. Duo for piano and organ—Faust,
vocalization, the large muscles external to the Ketterer and Durand—Miss Vest and Sig. D'Anna; mit that we are not able to furnish a reliable or-
organ are brought into action (bodies which ordi- 7. Yieni al Mar—Melodia, S. D'Anna—Mrs. H. E. chestra for any occasion of prominence. We
narily have notliing to do with singing), and these Fries. Part second—1. Sinfonia Eroica—first have undoubtedly some meritorious musicians
acting directly antagonistic to the internal laryn- movement—Allegro con Brio—Grand duo for two here. I may mention Mr. Geo. Schafer, a Leipsic
geal muscles (the only true vocal muscles), impose pianos, Beelhoven—MissPinkham and Sig.D'Anna; Conservatory student, a musician of ability, and a
altine in Babylonia—Cavatina, Semi- performer of much merit.
a much greater force on the vocal bodies than 2. Eccome
Rossini—Miss Lineback; 3. Momento Mii- Yet Mr. Schaefer cannot devote any of his at-
should under any circumstances be employed. It ramide,
solo, Moszkowski—Sig. D'Anna; 4. tention to orchestral performances. He would be
is this extra force which does the harm, and finally sicale—piano
When thou art near—song, RulHvan—Mrs. H. E. most happy to do so, I am sure, but the remuner-
results in a strain of the vocal cords. I must again Fries;
5. Trcs jolie—waltz for four hands, E. Wald- ation is so abominably small that he is obliged to
beg indulgence in putting another query to the teuffel—Miss
Pinkham and Sig. D'Anna; 6. Quis decline orchestral.engagements.
professional singing teacher, namely: Why is it est Homo—Stabat
Mater, Rossini—Mrs. H. E.
a splendid acquisition to an orchestra,
that so many good voices bi*eak down at so early Fries and Miss Lineback;
7. Norma—-Grand Fan- He a is thorough
musician and the best violinist
an age?
aisie et Variations, Thallerg— Miss Vest and Sig. being
in this city; and, in consequence, he cannot play
Scarcely a day passes but what I am consulted D'Anna.
for a figure which may be a pretty fair allowance
by persona of from twenty-five to thirty-five,
whose voices have all worn out. I knoAv that all The directors of the Brooklyn Arademy of Music for a drum stick.
the teachers will immediately jump at the conclu- have desired to connect that building with the Fire Yet, here's the rub. Musicians without any at-
sion, that the singers alluded to have abused their Department by telegraph. Fire escapes are also to tainments, or auch as have no other means to earn
a living than by utilizing their instruments, play
tliioiita, aud each individual master will, no doubt. be erected at the rear of the building.
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE