Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
really precious things that Leschetizky de-
velops in his pupils.
And then there is the habit he is always
counseling- of practicing away from the
piano, says Cleveland Moffctt in the Ladies'
Home Journal, not practicing with the hands,
but with the mind, by thinking out apiece,
note by note, passage by passage, until a
distinct and original idea of it has been ob-
tained. This work may be done, he says,
at almost any time, once the habit is
formed, and may be done with or without
notes.
*
JV/IISS NEALY STEVENS, the well-
* * known pianist, has the courage of
her convictions. In a recent talk she
says: " It is quite a popular fad nowadays,
to say that one may receive as fine a musi-
cal education in America as can be secured
in Europe. We certainly have some very
brilliant musicians, and music as an art
is taking high rank and some of the cities
are becoming noted as musical centers.
I may become unpopular in assuming my
position, but there is a certain air and finish
to be obtained under the masters of Europe
that is not obtainable in America. I do
not think that this will always be so, and
I believe that in time Europe will look to
America in music as it does in.other things
in which this country has taken the lead-
ing place.
" One thing is certain, and that is that
it is much harder to obtain a reputation
and recognition here than there. In Amer-
ica the people appreciate only the very
best, while in Europe, and Germany es-
pecially, they appreciate what you attain
and do not blame you for what you do not
possess. There are undoubtedly splendid
opportunities here, if the people would
only take advantage of them. Those who
hope to obtain a finished musical education
should first take every advantage of the
opportunities offered in this country. As
Patti said, the people of this country want
to obtain the art without the education. I
think that our lack of elemental training is
due to our ambitions—the people are al-
ways wanting something new. They want
too many fads.
"The people of Germany are very
grateful, while those of America are the
reverse. I think this difference is attrib-
utable to the long and thorough schooling
of the German people. You should em-
phasize the fact that students should se-
cure all that this country affords before
going abroad to study, which gives them
more time and greater opportunity to re-
ceive the rounding and finishing of the old
world masters without having to go
through the text books after arriving
there."
M E W YORK is not to hear two pianists
*• ^ who expected to return this winter.
One of these is Siloti, who appeared here
late last spring and made such a success
that he might have become famous if his
career had begun earlier in the winter.
Just as he was beginning to be most talked
about the season ended and the time for
pianists was over. It is said that he will
remain in Russia during the present year.
When Siloti came here it was on his own
responsibility.
In finding engagements
he was successful enough to warrant a
second season.
The other pianist who
has decided not to come here is a Hollander
who made his particular reputation as a
player of Bach. He was to have played
here first in January. The influx of pian-
ists this year was largely due to the knowl-
edge that Paderewski would remain in
Europe. That the field is already over-
crowded is apparent, and the success of
some of the eminent foreigners who have
appeared here has not been sufficient to
encourage others to come. This is, above
NICHOLAS SF.r.ASTIAX.
all, true of the pianists, who must do
something little short of wonderful if they
meet with popular success in any great
degree.
*
VjICHOLAS SEBASTIAN, whose coun-
* ^ terfeit presentment appears herewith
is one of the great favorites of the season
in musical and social circles.
He is a
promising tenor, well and favorably known
in London. Since his arrival here he has
sung with great success at a number of
private musicales. He will soon make his
appearance in Cleveland, O., Ann Arbor,
Mich., and with the Cecilia Society in De-
troit, Mich., under Henry Wolfsohn's
management.
M
ASCAGNI,at an interview with Queen
Margherita, the other day, said that
his next opera, to be ready about a year
hence, would be entitled " Le Maschere,"
the libretto again being by Illica.
JOSEF HOFMANN is one of the few
^
pianists who do not believe in ex-
cessive practice. He says that overpractic-
ing "makes one's mind grow stupid and
confused and naturally one's fingers follow
the brain,"
NOTWITHSTANDING his great repu-
tation abroad, Ernest Van Dyck has
not succeeded in making a great or endur-
ing impression here. As an impersonator
of character—an artist with a complete
command of all the resources of expres-
sion—it is admitted that he has few peers,
but it has been found impossible to over-
look the vocal side of his endeavors. In
this connection one of our leading critics
very correctly remarks: A great reputa-
tion abroad does not necessarily insure the
success of an artist in America. Proofs of
this fact are to be found in the records of
every musical season in New York. Cases
in point which may be cited are those of
the Ravogli sisters, highly esteemed in
London; Marie Van Zandt, pet of the
St. Petersburg public; Sybil Sanderson,
Sigrid Arnoldson, Tamagno and Las-
salle. These few names will suffice as
illustrations. They were all failures—
in a greater or lesser degree—in spite
of their established positions in the
operatic art.of the old world.
Another name of importance may
now be added to this list—that of Ernest
Van Dyck. In Europe he is considered
to be one of the great tenors of the
day. In London and Paris his visits are
regarded as gala events. In Vienna he
is a fixture.
At the Bayreuth Fest-
spielhaus he is accepted as the highest
exponent of the tenor heroes of Wag-
ner, and the role of Parsifal is held in
sacred trust for him. New York has
now made his acquaintance, and the
result is a feeling of surprise. It is
difficult to understand how he has be-
come famous. It would seem as if
such fame as has been awarded to him
should be reserved for one in whose
artistic equipment the several essentials
were more evenly balanced.
*
T H E Emil Paur Sunday concerts have
*
been abandoned for the present. It
was found that the competition of the
Opera House, with its many available so-
loists of rank, was too strong. It is said
there is a plan under consideration to in-
stitute a series of Sunday afternoon con-
certs.
A DELINA PATTI and Sibyl Sanderson
* * are the two richest prima donnas of
the time. Mine. Patti's fortune came from
a long and active career, which has scarce-
ly yet terminated, as her concert appear-
ances from time to time in London are
highly successful. An attempt was made
not long ago to persuade her to come next
year to this country, but she was unwilling
to take the journey. Miss wSanderson will
inherit her money through the death of her
husband, Antonio Terry. By the terms
of his separation from his first wife, Mr.
Terry's daughter is to live with her grand-
mother, although the father and mother
were both to see her at certain times. She
is the only person to share with the second
Mrs. Terry the large estate he left. The
first Mrs. Terry was a woman of wealth,
and left a fortune to her daughter. Miss