Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE
TIMELY TALKS ON TIMELY TOPICS.
REVIEW
so popular, piano recitals are much better pa-
tronized, many attending who would not do so
otherwise, for the purpose of hearing the artist s
interpretation that they may reproduce it as
nearly as possible. It is needless to indicate that
when this spirit enters, much has been accom-
plished for the art of music. Under these con-
ditions the influence is no longer subtle but
direct.
The real New York season of music is practi-
It is announced that Paderewski will again
cally over, notwithstanding the fact that some \isit America next season, under direction of
very important events are still to occur in dif- Chrs. A. Ellis, of Boston. This matter is not so
ferent sections of the country, where they are interesting as is the question of what piano he
compelled to wait for the close of the season here will play, since it is an open secret that the rela-
to secure the artists they want. The festival tions were entirely broken between the pianist
The second concert of the New Music Society
season is about upon us. Of these the greatest and the great house of Steinway. The connec-
is the one to occur in Cincinnati, when Sir Ed- tion of pianist and piano is much more important took place at Carnegie Hall on Monday evening,
ward Elgar will conduct for the first time in this than the public could possibly understand or with Maud Powell soloist. The programme con-
country. Edward Elgar is well known here realize. It is not possible for a pianist to make sisted of George W. Chadwick's dramatic over-
through his "Dream of Gerontius" and "The a tour without the co-operation of the piano ture "Melpomene," a concerto for violin in D
Apostles," both having been given by the Ora- house, since the expenses of carrying the instru- minor, by Henry Holden Huss, and two con-
torio Society, ana his cantata, 'King Olaf," was ment around are beyond credence. Now, as a trasted pieces inspired by Milton's poems,
given by the Brooklyn Oratorio Society under matter of fact. Paderewski is not grateful to any "I/Allegro" and "II Penseroso," by David Stan-
Walter Henry Hall. His "Light of Life" was piano, because, in the first place, he demands it ley Smith, who is one of the faculty of the
given under Richard Henry Warren with the regulated to such a point of glassiness, which he Harvard University Department of Music. A
Church Choral Society, and his orchestral works calls brilliancy, and he pounds so mercilessly, new orchestral fantasie by Frederick S. Con-
by nearly all the large orchestras in this coun- that any beauty of tone is impossible. Upon his verse, entitled "The Mystic Trumpeter," had its
try. In addition to the great English visitor, the last visit in this country Steinways offered their first, presentation in New York. The orchestra
notable artists to appear at the Cincinnati Fes- ultimatum, that is, to use the instrument accord- was the Russian Symphony organization under
tival include Mme. Gadski, Corinne Rider-Kelsey, ing to their judgment in the matter of tone regu- direction of Modest Altschuler.
Janet Spencer, Louise Homer, Hei bert Wither- lation or not to use it at all. Paderewski was
Josef Lhevinne has proven one of the sensa-
spoon, Chas. W. Clark and Frangcon Davies. very indignant, not indignant, but furious be-
lions
of this season, so much so, in fact, that his
This will open in May.
yond the boundary of sanity, and when he sailed
Perhaps the next in importance will be held he did so without saying good-bye to any mem- return next year is assured. He is amused at the
in Spartanburg, S. C, April 25, 26 and 27, and ber of that house, with whom he had been iden- fact that he is the only pianist who never com-
in Richmond, April 30. The importance of this tified for so many years and who were directly posed. He is satisfied to be a great pianist, and
festival in the South will be due to the presence responsible for the Paderewski craze. There- his highest ambition is to be like Rubinstein.
of Walter Damrosch and the New York Sym- fore, as stated above, it will be interesting to He is, however, much interested in the young
Russian school and feels that it will be his
phony Orchestra. The festival will be conducted know what piano he will play.
pleasure next year to acquaint the American pub
under the auspices of Converse College, whos^
lie with more of their piano works. When
Choral Society contains 125 voices under direc-
March 29 Harold Bauer sailed on "La Savoie"
tion of Arthur L. Manchester. The soloists will for France, after one of the most remarkable Lhevinne returns next season he will bring with
include Mnle. Shotwell-Piper, Katherine Fisk, tours ever made by any pianist in this country. him his wife, and he will make a very long tour
Marguerite Hall, Ellison van Hoose, Kelley Cole. His recital at Mendelssohn Hall could not be in this country. He is very much impressed with
Francis Rogers, David Mannes, concert master described in words, nearly every criticism stat- this country, and says that it is the greatest
of the New York Symphony Orchestra, Clarence ing spontaneously that it was a burst of genius, country in the world, and if Russia were not his
home, he would rather it were America than any-
Eddy and others.
and that such playing was the most radiant sun-
Every year new localities come in with the fes- beam in an unusually brilliant season. Every where else in the world.
EMi! IK FUANCKS BAI'KH.
tival spirit. Some only for one day and others effort was made to induce him to return next
for several, but it is enough to show that a stone season, but all to no avail, since he has made up
AMERICA'S DISTINCTIVE NOTE
has been laid in the foundation upon which a his mind to go to the Orient and to tour Canada,
musical future is to be built.
not even coming by way of this country. Bauer In Music Defined by H. E. Krehbiel, the Well
says after that he will feel as though he knew
Known Critic and Author.
The discussion still at its height is that of something of the civilized countries, and as he is
conductors. New York, being practically settled an insatiable sightseer, he combines business and
Writing on "the distinctive note in American
with Safonoff, will make the question of other pleasure in this way. At the present time his music' in the Etude. H. E. Krehbiel says: "It
organizations all the more important, and in intentions are to remain in Paris, where he is thirty years since 1 began the study of Ameri-
order to satisfy the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has a very large number of American pupils can slave music, and I am still as interested in
the conductor must also satisfy New York, from waiting to study with him.
it, and as convinced of its potential capacity for
which that' organization draws a very large pa-
artistic development, as I have ever been. For
tronage. It is probable that for the lack of any-
Another departure this week is that of Raoul preaching the doctrine I have been well laughed
thing more suitable the Boston Symphony Or- Pugno, who has just returned from what he is at by my friends among the critics; but no harm
chestra may consider Fritz Steinbach, but in this pleased to call a glorious trip to the Coast. "I has been done. It was all in good nature, and
event it would only be for the year, after which have never played for more sympathetic, more they had scarcely closed their mouth, after the
others who are now unavailable may be free. intuitive audiences than those of California. 1 first guffaw with which the suggestion that In-
In connection with this be it stated that Felix enjoyed their sympathy as much as they seemed dian, but more especially Afro-American, melo-
Weingartner has asked to be released from his to enjoy my music, but alas! not one glimpse of dies might profitably be used as thematic mats-
contract with Walter Damrosch for next season sunshine did I get. Everything was so gray, all rial for artistic composition, before Dr. Dvorak
on the plea of poor health. It may be possible the more so after what I had heard of that won showed, with his quartet, quintet, and symphony
that next year he will be in bettter health and derful sunny country, but I am glad that I re- composed during his stay in America, that the
able to accept the Boston Symphony conductor- member it so happily as far as its musical taste laughter of the skeptics was as "the crackling of
ship should it be offered him. On the other hand is concerned, and some day I shall see its sun- thorns under a pot." In those works we find tha
it is possible that Mr. Damrosch will attempt to shine." Pugno's tour has also been one of tri- spirit of negro melody and some of its literal
bring Felix Mottl or Gustav Mahler, because there umph wherever he has been heard, and he cannot idiom, though there was no copying of popular
will be an opportunity for visiting conductors, return any too soon for the music lovers of tunes. Then came Mr. MacDowell with his "In-
since New York has been trained to want them America.
dian" suite (fruit of a conversation held as long
by the Philharmonic Society, which now for a
ago as 1885 in the Botolph Club in Boston), and
time will have permanently the great Russian
It was a master stroke on the part of the his exquisite pianoforte piece "From an Indian
favorite.
Everett Co. to have given the farewell Reisen- Lodge." Then my contention with the wise men
auer concert the way they did. Carnegie Hall of the East reminded me only of the old story of
It is also reasonable to expect another series was crowded to its utmost capacity on Wednes- Diogenes crawling out of his tub and walking,
of Sunday night concerts by the new Manhattan day evening, and the recital must have worked wordless, up and down in front of it, while he
Opera Co., of which Hammerstein will be the im- a decided benefit to the Everett piano and its listened to the arguments of the sophist who was
pressario. since he nas already engaged a well- home in New York.
busily proving that there was no such thing as
equipped man in the person of Leandro Cam-
motion. While the skeptical critics talked,
panari, who conducted sympnony concerts in
Among the probabilities for next year are Dvorak and MacDowell walked. To say the
Milan, where he introduced some of the great Gabrilowitsch, Carreno, Rosenthal, Lhevinne, to least, they set up fingerposts which will be looked
orchestral novelties. It is interesting to note say nothing of hordes of new names and new as- at more than once while composers are hunting
that while Leandro Campanari will be at the pirants for American honors. There is always for a distinctive note in American music.
Manhattan Opera House, his brother Giuseppe, room in America for great pianists who are in-
the eminent baritone, will again be a member teresting, whether on the recital platform or as
HOLIMANN COMING.
of the Metropolitan forces. Another engagement participants in chamber or orchesiral music.
made by Hammerstein is with Melba. who will
J o s e p h H o l l m a n n , t h o f a m o u s D u t c h 'cellist,
make a concert tour in the country and who will
An enthusiast on the subject of self-players re- is t o r e t u r n t o t h i s c o u n t r y n e x t w i n l e r l o r a
appear at the Manhattan.
marked that since the inside player has become l o n g t o u r .