Music Trade Review

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TRKDE
THE
:' What is the poor reader to think? Well one of the best-informed of living musi-
for him if he does not care and thinks to cians and his talent of imparting is quite
please himself, but alas! if he pins his faith as remarkable as what he knows. It has
upon the opinion of the baseball reporter; been suggested that Mr. Goodrich establish
a class of analysis and historical talk upon
there are too many curves.
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the programs of the Boston Symphony, the
I learn with pleasure that the San Fran- New York Philharmonic and the Kneisel
cisco Symphony Society is pulling itself into Quartet. He would open a new and valu-
form again. This time under direction of able light to many who think they are de-
Paul Steindorff, with Giulio Minetti as con- riving full enjoyment from these delightful
cert master. There is no reason why San concerts when, indeed, they are in all truth
Francisco should not have a symphony or- sealed books.
chestra of admirable attainments, for it has
Mr. Goodrich has paid a touching tribute
the musicians and also the people to support to the memory of the late Frederic Archer.
\ 1 7 H A T is criticism? What is opinion? the enterprise. Minetti is a violinist who In his home, Archer's picture is surround-
What is authority? Whatever these could take that same chair in the New York ed with a mourning band of black ribbon and
qualities may be, some of us accept them in Philharmonic and discharge the duties with a knot of crape. None knows better than
one way and some in another. The New eclat, for he is an exquisite violinist with a Mr. Goodrich the immensity of Archer's tal-
York Herald, for instance, makes the claim clear, incisive delivery, a very poetic, intel- ents, and all who regret the passing of a
that it does not believe in musical criticism, ligent and musical interpretation, and he is great light must regret this man's death.
and since the death of Albert Steinberg, it a man of breadth as also of culture.
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What Steindorff is as symphony conduc-
has engaged no critic. "The matter must
While we resent the attitude of the pub-
be treated in a purely reportorial manner," tor will remain to be proven. But his rep- lic to the artist, we can not fail to see that
says this very august and worthy paper. utation in opera is well-known and estab- more often than not the public is treated
"We write for the people and do not believe lished. San Francisco lost a great deal when with utter disdain by the artist whose lim-
that they care for musical criticism, they Fritz Scheel elected to make Philadelphia itless conceit and selfishness cause him to
want news and they shall have it." The his home. What Scheel's ability is has been forget that he belongs to that class of human
Herald takes a stand in which, indeed, proven by his remarkable success since his beings that is held in restraint by certain
there may be a certain amount of reason and hand has been at the helm of the Philadel- social conventionalities. In all business-life,
for that stand, it is not open to criticism. A phia Orchestra, although those who knew in all social circles there are unwritten (or
paper like an individual, is at liberty to its his work on the Pacific coast did not need perhaps in a book of etiquette we may find
opinions, the only question that arises is— the Eastern stamp of approval. Few cities them written) laws which make people en-
how far a paper or an individual may ex- can offer better material than San Francisco, durable if not enjoyable to each other. Like
press an opinion. The Herald, however, for the larger part of the orchestra players or dislike plays no part, it is simply a matter
claims to do one thing and in truth does are men of experience and ability. If I re- of courtesy or social requirements that keep
another, for while stating that it has no crit- member correctly, the most serious trouble people in friendly relations. But the artist
ic, that the work is assigned to a regular was the antipathy to playing "second fiddle,'' has wiped that out of his equipment and
reporter, it permits that reporter to offer his and it is a great pity that each chair cannot he meets the world with the understanding
opinion as to the merits or demerits of an be labelled "concert master," for of course that he is to do exactly as he pleases; no
they are all concert past-masters, and here's one else matters in the least; for all short-
artist.
comings his art is more than excuse enough,
Nothing more impossible or impertinent good luck to them.
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and it is the public's fault that he dares do
can be conceived than this course, for if the
Another man of great importance who has so. A few years ago when one of the
concerts are assigned to reporters, all that
they have the privilege of discussing are come east from San Francisco is Dr. H. J. world's very greatest artists visited San
points like the following: time, place, size Stewart, who received the call to assume Francisco, the Musician's Club or the Bo-
of audience, sex of artist, nature of art, ap- the organ at Trinity in Boston, to replace hemian Club, I forget which—or perhaps
plause accorded artist, appearance of artist, Horatio W. Parker who is now residing in it was both, gave an elaborate dinner in his
Europe. Dr. Stewart has made an enormous honor. Dinner-time came, guests came,
gowning of artist or of audience, decorations
success of his work, and in occupying one
of hall, how many recalls—if any—and noth-
. Did he send regrets? Not
of the most important positions in America, but no
ing else. If the work is done by a reporter,
a
line.
He
simply
considered himself beyond
he has given a very pointed demonstration
it is not within his province to say whether that we need not look to Europe for musi- the need of this. Moreover he is a superb
it was good or bad, for he probably does not cal salvation and culture; it may even come and cultured gentleman. No one who
know what constitutes good and what con- out of the much abused "wild and woolly." knows him can say otherwise.
stitutes bad.
One of the most glaring instances of dis-.
By the way, Dr. Stewart is one of three great
Criticism at best is a dangerous piece of organists to establish an organ school in courtesy on the part of an artist to the pub-
business; that which satisfies one man who Boston. The enterprise is meeting with lic, to a conductor, and to a confrere was
knows and understands, does not satisfy an- great enthusiasm.
seen at Carnegie Hall last week when Sliv-
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other who knows and understands. Again,
Speaking of organ-schools, nothing more inski offered a most unpardonable insult to
sometimes critics unite in praise of one thing fascinating can be conceived than the man- the audience, to Victor Herbert and orches-
and in condemnation of another, where on- ner in which A. J. Goodrich is conducting tra, and to Mine. Julie Rive-King. Because
lookers stand aghast at the verdict; for, con- the class on harmony, analysis and interpre- of his garrulous nature some disturbance
trary to all reason or reasons, there is no tation at Wm. C. Carl's organ school at the arose between himself and the house whose
possibility of accepting their statements as Old First, in this city. Mr. Goodrich is piano he was playing. Mine. Rive-King was
facts.
"MIGHTY
Is destined to be
SUNG WITH
Fthpihrrt
Npwfn'i:
IMMENSE SUCCESS
THE
CINCINNATI
LAK'
Mnst
A ROSE"
Pontllat
BY LILLIAN NORDICA
JOHN
CHURCH
Sona
T w o Kc s cach 40 cts
7 '
*
AT ALL HER ENGAGEMENTS
CO.
CHICAGO