Music Trade Review

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THE
7V^USIO TRKDE. REVIEW
I (all, and it would seem necessary to change
the name as the size of the hall makes the
appellation of ''chamber music" decidedly an
error in terminology, yet the string quartet
can not be more out of place in Carnegie Hall
than a piano recital, and we have learned to
believe this quite the proper thing—in the
event that the pianist is great enough.
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And what shall we say of the Sunday
night popular concerts at the Metropolitan
()]>era House ? There are certainly two
sides to the question and to be perfectly
just one must present both. No one can
deny that the popular Sunday night concert
fills a certain demand or we may even call it
a need, for music is afforded to hundreds
who can not very well, or do not go to other
concerts. Good music is presented with the
best singers that the world affords, the best
available orchestra and conductor. (cer-
tainly the great Symphony orchestras are
not available), the best oratorios are given
in a superb manner, (there is always room
to cavil), and what more c;m be desired?
< )n the other hand, we all appreciate, with
regret, that these concerts cut with a' keen
blade into the possibility of our concert-giv-
ers to gain patronage, and it leaves the local
artist fairly on the verge of despair. Yet
we are back at the beginning of the old ar-
gument, and how can the matter be helped?
We are simply dealing with facts, not prob-
lems, for than this there is nothing harder.
Still. T believe if Damrosch, either Frank
or Walter, were to give popular Sunday night
oratorios, with the best talent available either
Carnegie or the Metropolitan might be filled
and music would thus be popularized by ele-
vating the public to the plane where it can
understand and appreciate the best—and
here it must be said that Gran has done a
great work and credit to whom credit is due.
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It is amusing to note the determination
with which people build idols for themselves
and the way in which they exert themselves
to keep these idols upon the pedestals. Judg-
ment, education, even common sense, play
no part, and some of us are too matter-of-
fact to believe in psychic phenomena. Still
we confront the "why"' with a heavy sense of
emptiness, for we know that it never will be
answered.
Again we have been delighted with a visit
from Paderewski, who is the foremost figure
in the pianistic world. This does not in any
sense mean that Paderewski is the greatest
pianist in the world, but that he, of all pian-
ists, is first in the eye of the people. To
what this position may be attributed is not
clear, and never will be made so. Tn some
respects Paderewski is supreme. It were
well nigh impossible to conceive that any Bloomfield Zeisler. For the satisfaction of
one could go beyond him in many things, many artists, who have their eyes on San
especially the minute details that go to make Francisco, but who do not know with whom
the great artist far beyond the pale of the to correspond, it is a pleasure to state that
virtuoso. Paderewski is the highest repre- Messrs. Alfred Bouvier and William Greene-
sentation of music under control of a liter- baum have taken up this very important
ary mind, a refined, delicate nature, and a work in San Francisco, and can hardly be
forceful determination. He never fails to anything but successful, for Bouvier was
the most successful theatrical manager that
hold the interest of his hearers, for he is al-
the West ever had, and Greenebaum has
ways original and always commanding.
always interested himself in musical mat-
He is gigantic in these qualities, in fact.
ters.
Yet on the Herculean side he is undeniably
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weak. There is a difference between a tre-
A huge testimonial concert is announced
mendously sonorous, powerful blow in which for Herman Grau, at Carnegie Hall. The
every note is distinguishable, and the waves participants will include grand opera artists
of sound roll full and strong with the majes- and theatrical combinations from all over
ty and the dignity of the ocean, and a crash- the city, and finally Rafael Joseffy is being
ing, smashing blow, under which the noblest urged to appear. If Joseffy can be prevailed
instrument wails in agony, and hearers wince upon to play, all the rest of the "talent" can
in sympathy not less than in pain. There be dispensed with as superfluous, for he can
i.; no begging the question, such failings fill Carnegie Hall to its utmost capacity, and
make it impossible to concede a man the first then he will turn away enough to fill another
place in the rank of pianists, especially when hall. Has any one forgotten the tremen-
there are those who are not guilty of these dous and fascinating power of this colossal
tresspasses. Even one might find an excuse artist—this modest, unassuming little man,
if. when working up to a tremendous climax, Joseffy.
a man's emotions fairly get away from under
Emilie Frances Bauer.
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his control and these crashes are the wild-
VAN
HOOSE'S
GROWING
POPULARITY.
est expressions of emotion at its most hyster-
LLISON
VAN
HOOSE
is to-day the
ical pitch. But not so in Paderewski's case,
foremost
tenor
in
America,
a position
lie elects to give these crushing chords as
preludes, interludes, and introductions to all which he has gained by his continued success
solos, and it is quite beyond understanding. every place in which he has sung during the
Neither are his interpretations always within present season. The demands for his ser-
understanding, for his pauses are carried out vices are growing every day, and last week
of all sense of rhythm, and his slow move- his manager, Henry Wolfsohn, closed for
ments are sentimental to a degree. Again be him the following list of important engage-
it said that, notwithstanding this, Paderew- ments. The Cincinnati Musical Festival,
ski is a most remarkable pianist and a still May 12th to 17th, at which he will share the
more remarkable personage in the musical leading tenor roles with Ben Davies. The
Louisville Festival, during the week of April
world.
21st and also the Kansas City Festival. In
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San Francisco is having its share of mu- addition to these he will be heard in a half
sic this season. Josef IJofmann has had a dozen other important festivals during the
perfect avalanche of success, and it is no month of May. During the middle of March
wonder that this artist has met with such Mr. Van Hoose will have three of the most
appreciation, lor that Western Metropolis is important engagements in New York City
extremely critical, and the degree of his art that has fallen to the lot of any American
is well calculated to win the most difficile. tenor in many years past. On the 14th and
Nordica, also, has just sung there with the 15th he is to be the soloist with the New York
success that might have been anticipated. Philharmonic Society, and in addition will
The Chicago Symphony orchestra with sing the tenor role in Liszt's "Faust." On
Aclolph Rosenbecker, conductor, will play a the 16th he will be heard in Wolfsohn's Sun-
season in that city and on the coast.
day concert at the Metropolitan Opera House,
Fannie P>loomneld-Zeisler, who has never when, with Mine. Gertrude Stein he will sing
found more ardent admirers any where than the second act of "Samson and Delilah," and
in San Francisco, is to appear there this sea- on Tuesday evening, March i8th, he will be
son, and all San Francisco is in delight in heard with the New York Oratorio Society
the anticipation of this rare Ireat, for no one in Carnegie Hall in "Paradise and Peri."
can get closer to the desires of the people,
. «*
and still remain more thoroughly ensconced
Master Philip Reitz is a musical prodigy
in her art than this same bewitching, bewil- of Evansville, Tnd., who is destined to be
dering l'ernhardt, of the kev-board—Fannie heard from.
MIGHTY
LAK'
A ROSE"
Is destined to be
SUNG
WITH
Sona
IMMENSE
SUCCESS
THE
CINCINNATI
LONDON
BY LILLIAN
NORDICA AT
JOHN
CHURCH
NEW YORK
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