Music Trade Review
Issue: 1902 Vol. 34 N. 1 - Page 7
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
7VSUSIC TRRDE
GREGOROWITSCH A GREAT ARTIST.
'"THAT finished and conscientious artist,
Charles Gregorowitsch, violinist, who
appeared recently with the Boston Sym-
phony Orchestra, for the first time in this
city since his American tour in 1896-7, was
t^iven a most enthusiastic welcome. He sel-
ected as his number the fifth concerto of
Vieuxtemps which he played in a masterly
manner revelling in a crystalline tone which
filled the house. The first movement was
CHARLES GRECiOROWITSCH.
played with an inspiring dash and brilliancy
and, throughout, the entire performance was
almost impeccable.
In this age when sensationalism seems to
be part and parcel of the exploitation of vir-
tuosi in the piano and violin field, it is grati-
fying to greet an artist like Gregorowitsch
who places his art above all else, and who
can command appreciation on this ground.
We are pleased to learn that Gregorowitsch,
who is under the competent management of
IT. M. Hirschberg, is duplicating through-
out the country his great success in New
York.
DTCHARD STRAUSS is a man of tri-
^ umphs in these days. His opera
"Feursnoth," a symbolical work based on
an old legend, has been sung with great suc-
cess in Dresden and accepted by half a doz-
en other German opera houses. The title
is scarcely to be translated into English,
but "The Need of Fire '"might best para-
phrase it. The composer calls the work a
"song poem," and it is said to possess most
of the qualities of his orchestral composi-
tions.
REVIEW
DIFFICULTIES THE ARTIST ENCOUNTERS.
istic temperament is all against it. The art-
TN an interesting interview which C. Fred ist's life is a hand-to-mouth existence; any-
Kenyon had recently with Maud Powell, thing between $10,000 and $100,000 a year
she uttered some vigorous words on present may be made from it, but the prizes are few
day conditions in the musical world, which, and far between.
however, have a pessimistic tinge.
"And of late years another difficulty has
"Yes—I myself should like to say some- sprung up. It is not only extremely hard
thing about music; it's a matter I feel very to obtain engagements, but at certain con-
strongly about," said Miss Powell. "The certs one is expected to pay for one's appear-
certainty of achieving fame which most mu- ance, and (mirabile dictu!) there are actually
sical students possess is not only pitiable, it a large number of men and women who are
is pitiful. When I see a young girl striding willing to do this. The ambitious sons of
along with a violin case in one hand and a wealthy bankers gain an entrance to certain
roll of music in the other, my heart aches concerts merely by the length of their purse.
for the sorrow and disappointment she will Of talent they have little, of money they
have to go through. Concert playing is no have a great deal—so that is how the trick
career for anyone unless he have powers is done. They put a premium on mediocrity,
absolutely above the average. And even then and concert managers begin to expect really
it is one of the most disheartening professions able artists to sacrifice sums of money just
a girl can possibly enter. A man like Kube- for the sake of appearing once or twice at
lik can get as many engagements as he wants, their concerts. I am glad to say I have never
but Kubelik is a technical giant, and I am not paul a cent for any one,of my appearances;
speaking of giants, I am speaking of the 1 would rather starve than encourage a sys-
ordinary run of violinists, pianists and vocal- tem which is ruining the prospects of so
ists, of whom there are scores. An artist many talented men and women."
has to seek engagements; they rarely come
j*
to him. He has to obtain letters of introduc-
ARONSON SUES FROHMAN.
tion to managers, he has to introduce himself D L'DOLPH ARONSON, after many
threats of lawsuits against theatrical
sometimes, and if he gets terribly snubbed,
manager
Daniel Frohman, to recover dam-
well, it's all in the day's work, and he has to
ages
for
an alleged breach of contract in
put up with it.
the
matter
of the American tour of Jan Ku-
"People say 'there's always room at the
belik, the' Hungarian violinist, has at last
top.' So there is, but how many people get
brought an action in the Tenth District Mu-
there? Not one out of every five hundred.
nicipal Court against Mr. Frohman to re-
A man or woman may become fashionable,
cover $100 upon a claim of breach of con-
but who understands fashion and who is able tract.
to fathom its strange eccentricities ? I know
Aronson still contends that Mr. Frohman
very well that it is extremely unpopular for
is
indebted to him in the sum of $10,000 as
a successful artist to talk in this way; he is
his share of the profits of the Kubelik tour
generally accused of being anxious to avoid
and announces that he will sue weekly to
future competition by discouraging young as-
recover the $100 from Mr. Frohman until
pirants ; but, believe me, I speak right from
he has obtained the full sum of $10,000.
my heart when I give Punch's advice to those The first of these suits will be tried on Mon-
about to marry—'Don't!' It doesn't pay ; and day, Jan. 6.
not only that, it is the most heartrending pro-
fession in the world.
CAR HAMMERSTEIN has been vis-
iting New Orleans, and is making
"Take my own case, for instance. I am
no longer in the first flush of youth—in fact, strenuous efforts to secure the French Opera
I've been before the public a fair number Company now appearing in that city for his
of years, but I haven't saved a cent! I sim- theatre in New York, opening up after
ply can't. Artists are supposed to dress well Easter. He has expressed himself as highly
both on and off the concert platform; they pleased with the thorough work of the or-
are supposed to stay at the best hotels when ganization, but definite arrangements have
traveling; and they are supposed to keep not yet been consummated.
up appearances in a thousand and one little CIGNOR SONZOGNO, of Rome, whose
ways which I needn't trouble to explain. ^ prize of $10,000 offered for the best
Added to all this, an artist is really only a opera by an Italian was won by Mascagni,
child—he doesn't understand the value of with "Cavalleria Rusticana,"has now offered
money because he receives it in fairly large a similar prize for the best one-act opera in
sums after half an hour's work, and he any language. He offers to produce the
spends it as quickly as he gets it. Not one successful work at his own expense at Milan
artist out of twenty is a good business man; on the occasion of the international exhibi-
it isn't natural that he should be. The art- tion in 1901.
PUBLICATIONS.
ORATORIO SONGS, in 4 volumes.
OPERA SONGS, in 4 volumes.
Soprano.
VOL.
I.
VOL. I. Soprano.
VOL. II. Alto.
VOL. II. Jlezzo Soprano and Contralto.
VOL. III. Tenor.
VOL. III. Tenor.
VOL. IV.
VOL. IV. Baritone and Bass.
Price $1.50 each volume.
THE
CINCINNATI
JOHN
CHURCH
NEW YORK
c o
Bass.
CHICAGO
THE
7VSUSIC TRRDE
GREGOROWITSCH A GREAT ARTIST.
'"THAT finished and conscientious artist,
Charles Gregorowitsch, violinist, who
appeared recently with the Boston Sym-
phony Orchestra, for the first time in this
city since his American tour in 1896-7, was
t^iven a most enthusiastic welcome. He sel-
ected as his number the fifth concerto of
Vieuxtemps which he played in a masterly
manner revelling in a crystalline tone which
filled the house. The first movement was
CHARLES GRECiOROWITSCH.
played with an inspiring dash and brilliancy
and, throughout, the entire performance was
almost impeccable.
In this age when sensationalism seems to
be part and parcel of the exploitation of vir-
tuosi in the piano and violin field, it is grati-
fying to greet an artist like Gregorowitsch
who places his art above all else, and who
can command appreciation on this ground.
We are pleased to learn that Gregorowitsch,
who is under the competent management of
IT. M. Hirschberg, is duplicating through-
out the country his great success in New
York.
DTCHARD STRAUSS is a man of tri-
^ umphs in these days. His opera
"Feursnoth," a symbolical work based on
an old legend, has been sung with great suc-
cess in Dresden and accepted by half a doz-
en other German opera houses. The title
is scarcely to be translated into English,
but "The Need of Fire '"might best para-
phrase it. The composer calls the work a
"song poem," and it is said to possess most
of the qualities of his orchestral composi-
tions.
REVIEW
DIFFICULTIES THE ARTIST ENCOUNTERS.
istic temperament is all against it. The art-
TN an interesting interview which C. Fred ist's life is a hand-to-mouth existence; any-
Kenyon had recently with Maud Powell, thing between $10,000 and $100,000 a year
she uttered some vigorous words on present may be made from it, but the prizes are few
day conditions in the musical world, which, and far between.
however, have a pessimistic tinge.
"And of late years another difficulty has
"Yes—I myself should like to say some- sprung up. It is not only extremely hard
thing about music; it's a matter I feel very to obtain engagements, but at certain con-
strongly about," said Miss Powell. "The certs one is expected to pay for one's appear-
certainty of achieving fame which most mu- ance, and (mirabile dictu!) there are actually
sical students possess is not only pitiable, it a large number of men and women who are
is pitiful. When I see a young girl striding willing to do this. The ambitious sons of
along with a violin case in one hand and a wealthy bankers gain an entrance to certain
roll of music in the other, my heart aches concerts merely by the length of their purse.
for the sorrow and disappointment she will Of talent they have little, of money they
have to go through. Concert playing is no have a great deal—so that is how the trick
career for anyone unless he have powers is done. They put a premium on mediocrity,
absolutely above the average. And even then and concert managers begin to expect really
it is one of the most disheartening professions able artists to sacrifice sums of money just
a girl can possibly enter. A man like Kube- for the sake of appearing once or twice at
lik can get as many engagements as he wants, their concerts. I am glad to say I have never
but Kubelik is a technical giant, and I am not paul a cent for any one,of my appearances;
speaking of giants, I am speaking of the 1 would rather starve than encourage a sys-
ordinary run of violinists, pianists and vocal- tem which is ruining the prospects of so
ists, of whom there are scores. An artist many talented men and women."
has to seek engagements; they rarely come
j*
to him. He has to obtain letters of introduc-
ARONSON SUES FROHMAN.
tion to managers, he has to introduce himself D L'DOLPH ARONSON, after many
threats of lawsuits against theatrical
sometimes, and if he gets terribly snubbed,
manager
Daniel Frohman, to recover dam-
well, it's all in the day's work, and he has to
ages
for
an alleged breach of contract in
put up with it.
the
matter
of the American tour of Jan Ku-
"People say 'there's always room at the
belik, the' Hungarian violinist, has at last
top.' So there is, but how many people get
brought an action in the Tenth District Mu-
there? Not one out of every five hundred.
nicipal Court against Mr. Frohman to re-
A man or woman may become fashionable,
cover $100 upon a claim of breach of con-
but who understands fashion and who is able tract.
to fathom its strange eccentricities ? I know
Aronson still contends that Mr. Frohman
very well that it is extremely unpopular for
is
indebted to him in the sum of $10,000 as
a successful artist to talk in this way; he is
his share of the profits of the Kubelik tour
generally accused of being anxious to avoid
and announces that he will sue weekly to
future competition by discouraging young as-
recover the $100 from Mr. Frohman until
pirants ; but, believe me, I speak right from
he has obtained the full sum of $10,000.
my heart when I give Punch's advice to those The first of these suits will be tried on Mon-
about to marry—'Don't!' It doesn't pay ; and day, Jan. 6.
not only that, it is the most heartrending pro-
fession in the world.
CAR HAMMERSTEIN has been vis-
iting New Orleans, and is making
"Take my own case, for instance. I am
no longer in the first flush of youth—in fact, strenuous efforts to secure the French Opera
I've been before the public a fair number Company now appearing in that city for his
of years, but I haven't saved a cent! I sim- theatre in New York, opening up after
ply can't. Artists are supposed to dress well Easter. He has expressed himself as highly
both on and off the concert platform; they pleased with the thorough work of the or-
are supposed to stay at the best hotels when ganization, but definite arrangements have
traveling; and they are supposed to keep not yet been consummated.
up appearances in a thousand and one little CIGNOR SONZOGNO, of Rome, whose
ways which I needn't trouble to explain. ^ prize of $10,000 offered for the best
Added to all this, an artist is really only a opera by an Italian was won by Mascagni,
child—he doesn't understand the value of with "Cavalleria Rusticana,"has now offered
money because he receives it in fairly large a similar prize for the best one-act opera in
sums after half an hour's work, and he any language. He offers to produce the
spends it as quickly as he gets it. Not one successful work at his own expense at Milan
artist out of twenty is a good business man; on the occasion of the international exhibi-
it isn't natural that he should be. The art- tion in 1901.
PUBLICATIONS.
ORATORIO SONGS, in 4 volumes.
OPERA SONGS, in 4 volumes.
Soprano.
VOL.
I.
VOL. I. Soprano.
VOL. II. Alto.
VOL. II. Jlezzo Soprano and Contralto.
VOL. III. Tenor.
VOL. III. Tenor.
VOL. IV.
VOL. IV. Baritone and Bass.
Price $1.50 each volume.
THE
CINCINNATI
JOHN
CHURCH
NEW YORK
c o
Bass.
CHICAGO
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