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Musical Courier 1892-02-17: Vol 24 Iss 626, 1892
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1Seventeenth Seidl Popular Concert.
2THE seventeenth Seidl Pop. took place last Sunday evening at Lenox Lyceum, and this was the program:
4"Schiller March" …………………………………………….. Meyerbeer
5Suite, "Esclamonde" ………………………………………….. Massenet
6Aria, "A del mio dolce Ardoe" ………………………………. Gluck
7Antonio Galassi.
8Capriccio Espagnole ………………………………………….. Rimski-Korsakow
9Ballet suite, "Pazman" (by request), new comic opera …. Johann Strauss
10Eva Waltz, Pazman Polka, Pazman Waltz, Czardas.
11Violoncello solos—
12" Serenade" (first time) ……………………………………… Grumbacher
13"At the Spring" ………………………………………………… Davidoff
14Victor Herbert.
15Prelude and last scene ("The Wonder of True Love"), "The Captive" (first time) ……………………………………… Herbert
16In Memoriam Wagner, "Elegie" (first time) ……………… Geissler
17Aria, "L'Etoile du Nord" ……………………………………… Meyerbeer
18(Flutes obligato, Messrs. Oesterle and Rietzel.)
19Clementina De Vere.
20Ballet suite, "Coppelia" (by request) ……………………….. Delibes
22The new Strauss music is pretty and well scored, but not particularly original. The "Eva" waltz was the most original of these excerpts; Geissler's "Elegie" was very appropriately dedicated to the memory of Richard Wagner, for thematically and in color and treatment it recalls the dead master. The most interesting orchestral number of the evening was by far Victor Herbert's prelude and finale from his "Captive," which work it will be remembered was so successfully brought out at the last Worcester festival. Even as excerpts these two numbers are effective, and the workmanship and skill displayed are most worthy of praise. Herbert has a genuine gift of melody, and his treatment of "The Wonder of True Love" in the finale for chorus and orchestra is very broad and masterful. The jolly Celtic 'cellist was in the best of form, and played a serenade by Grumbacher and Davidoff's "At the Spring" in fine style. Anton Seidl as usual conducted forcibly. Next Sunday evening Mrs. Tavary, Scalchi, Galassi and Clodio will be the soloists.
24N. E. Conservatory Matters.
25WE may look with great satisfaction at the last pupils concert of the N. E. Conservatory of Music, given by its orchestral class under the conductorship of the professor of violin, Mr. E. Mahr. Whoever has the faintest idea of the immense difficulty of every description one is experiencing when trying such a task at a conservatory under ordinary circumstances where a similar thing under artistic conditions never existed will fully appreciate the great merit of Mr. Mahr in taking the trouble to get up an orchestral class. Considering the unequal forces he had to deal with, one remains certainly astonished at the result, which, viewed even with the most critical eye, must be placed among the most encouraging ones.
27Thus we have to give full praise to Mr. Mahr upon the happy achievement of his efforts, and only to congratulate him for the success of last Thursday night. The individual playing of each single pupil, as well as the orchestral playing, was characterized chiefly by a big and healthy solid tone and an energetic bowing, which, so we earnestly hope and expect, will enable this youthful orchestra to venture upon some composition of higher rank and greater difficulty of execution among the classical standard works.
29The B flat major symphony of Schubert, a genuine work of the "swan of song" (which, so we firmly believe, originates from Schubert's earliest epoch as a composer), was played with an astonishing finish of delivery and interpretation, full of careful mingling of light and shade (not in the rough, common meaning of the word), and the many young ladies and gentlemen forming the orchestra did full justice to themselves, giving at the same time all deserved credit to their able and indefatigable teacher and conductor, Mr. Emil Mahr. The said gentleman, for the last five years the head of the violin department of the N. E. Conservatory, studied with the great violin virtuoso Wilhelmj and later with Joachim, under whom he graduated after a course of five years at the Royal High School for Music at Berlin. He held the position of concertmaster in several prominent German orchestras, and before coming to this country filled the same position in the London orchestras of Hans Richter and Georg Henschel. Mr. Mahr has often since displayed his great ability and charm and thorough musical knowledge as soloist and chamber music player as well.
31The New England Conservatory has been lucky enough besides to secure the services of such an artist as Mr. Leo Schulz, from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a capital violoncellist and thorough musician as well.
33One item at the last pupils' concert shall not be forgotten—the "Night Song" of the late Louis Maas—and which was capitally performed by the stringed instruments and organ (Mr. Kelly). It proved to be a beautiful composition, full of poetic charm, fine melody and clever workmanship. This pupils' concert has been such a success that it is to be repeated in a larger hall in the city (Tremont Temple) by general request. A tiny pupil of Mr. Mahr's, Master Willie Traupe, about ten years of age, played Rode's Theme and Variations for violin, scoring an immense success and being recalled many times on the platform. No Wunderkind, but pure musical blood.
35The other musical events in the New England Conservatory, which took place and are to take place in Sleeper Hall, Boston, were a pupils' recital last Saturday afternoon; one last Monday evening, and a Beethoven recital to-morrow evening, given by Ferruccio B. Busoni, the talented Italian composer-pianist and professor at the conservatory. Mr. Busoni will play on this occasion the two sonatas, ops. 109 and 106, and the Liszt fantasy on the "Ruins of Athens."
37Musical Items.
38Miss Esther Butler in Columbus.—Miss Esther Butler, the soprano, had much success at the recent Arion concert in Columbus. The Ohio "State Journal," in writing of her, says:
40Miss Esther Butler, the soprano soloist of the evening, is a pupil of Mr. Courtney, of New York, and Miss La Grange, of Paris. The present is the second season of her residence in New York and the second since her return from Europe. Last evening was her first appearance in Columbus, though she has sung extensively in the West and Northwest. Her execution of the melodious aria from "Lucia" revealed a cultivated voice of pure quality and was thoroughly well done up to the closing portion, where her accompanist evidently lost his place and marred the latter third of the aria. Her work, the Gounod duet, and her subsequent group of songs, chosen with judgment and sung in refined style, resembling that of Mrs. Henschell, stamped her as an artist. Miss Butler's appearance with the Arions was not heralded, and she may be congratulated upon having won an artistic success.
42A. W. Sickner in the City.—Mr. A. W. Sickner, of Wichita, Kan., is on a flying trip East with his very clever hand guide for the elimination of bad hand positions of piano pupils. It is a clever device, and has so far won many warm expressions of approval from leading pedagogic authorities.
44Miss Alice Mandelick.—Miss Alice Mandelick, the talented and rising young contralto, has been singing with her usual success in a series of concerts in New York State. She has also been engaged by Mr. C. Mortimer Wiske for "Cavalleria Rusticana," to be given in concert form in Brooklyn, February 24.
46Seattle, Wash.—O. E. Pettis & Co. opened handsome music rooms in their new building February 4 and gave a grand musicale, in which Adela Lucy, dramatic soprano; the Rubinstein Trio, consisting of Roscoe Warren Lucy, piano; W. Vaughan Arthur, violin, and Dr. Thoresen, 'cello, and Miss Pauline Pettis and others participated. Seattle is evidently determined to hold its end of national musical culture well up.
48Mr. Carl's Organ Recitals.—Mr. William C. Carl, who has recently returned from his studies with Mr. Alexander Guilmant, is rapidly filling his concert dates. Monday he played a brilliant program with Mr. Gerrit Smith, at the North Church; on the 5th a testimonial concert at Bloomfield, N. J.; last evening a recital in the First Presbyterian Church, Jersey City; this evening, at the Baptist Tabernacle, a recital, and next Monday in Newark. Mr. Carl is a most welcome newcomer, who handles the king of instruments with great manual as well as pedal technic, whose registration is in the very best taste and whose phrasing is most musicianly.
50Pachmann Plays in the Philharmonic.—Vladimir de Pachmann, the pianist, will be the soloist of the last Philharmonic rehearsal and concert April 8 and 9. Mr. de Pachmann will play Chopin's F minor concerto.
52Thanks, Awfully.—"L'Impromptu," a new piece by Otto Floersheim, which Paderewski played at the Garden concert hall recital last week, was enthusiastically received, because of its delicacy, poetic sentiment, originality and high musical qualities.—New York "Press."
54Uncle Celestin.—"Uncle Celestin" was given for the first time in this city last Monday night at the Casino. It was a howling success, and Jefferson de Angelis has the funniest part he ever had since his inimitable squeak first broke on New York ears.
56Cable Clippings.
57LONDON, February 13.—The Philharmonic directors have abandoned their idea of shortening their programs by the exclusion of vocal music. They would, indeed, be wise to leave the drawing up of the program altogether to Mr. Cowen, their conductor, who understands the work far better than they can pretend to do, and who, moreover, might be trusted to make a more judicious choice of novelties. In the alternative they should look to the Crystal Palace for a model. The Philharmonic concerts, however, owe their success chiefly to the splendid orchestra, and it is therefore satisfactory to learn that the band will be almost identical with that of last year.
59Should the projected musical festival be held at Dublin next winter, Grieg will write a new cantata especially for the celebration and will go to Ireland to conduct it.
61The illness of Clara Schumann will inevitably call to mind the sad circumstances attending the death of her husband, the composer, Robert Schumann. The distinguished lady pianist is said to be suffering from melancholia, accompanied by a continuous sense of music in her ear. This, it is hoped, is merely a temporary nervous trouble, but considers it does upon a lady who has passed seventy-one years of age, and who has been before the public since 1828, it probably implies her final withdrawal into private life.
63Nothing has, by the way, yet been decided about the revival of "Cavalleria Rusticana" or the production of the same composer's "L'Amico Fritz." A syndicate has been formed by certain wealthy gentlemen to buy both works, and, if possible, to give performances of them. Or it is possible that the rights may be transferred for a period. Manager Lago, who, although he has wisely abandoned his winter, has announced his intention of having an early summer season. The report about a season of "Cavalleria Rusticana" in English at the English Opera House, is an old rumor revived. Mr. D'Oyly Carte has not yet decided to what uses he will put his theatre. "L'Amico Fritz" will, however, without much doubt, be witnessed in London in the course of the present year.
65The Prince of Wales, who is at present with his family at Compton Place, the Eastbourne residence of the Duke of Devonshire, will again make his public appearance directly after the official period of mourning for the Duke of Clarence has expired, when he will attend a concert of the "Amateur" Orchestral Society. It is probable that the Duke of Edinburgh will lead the violins. The Prince of Wales will not, however, attend public concerts or theatrical performances for some time to come. The Queen will renew her subscription for the royal box at the opera, but other members of the royal family will occupy the box during the spring season.
67Mr. and Mrs. Henschel's Wagner concert and Sir Charles Halle's sixth orchestral concert have been well attended, showing that the panic caused by the widespread prevalence of influenza is passing away. One curious result of the epidemic has been that the stalls at the concerts were not filled with ladies and gentlemen in conventional evening dress. The fear of contracting the disease led to the retaining of ordinary morning garments.
69Miss Emma Nevada made her début last Tuesday night in "La Somnambula" at the Paris Opera, and scored a great success.
71Sir Augustus Harris has declared his willingness to send a first-class Italian opera company to Australia next autumn if an adequate guaranty be forthcoming. Manager Musgrave is returning to Melbourne in the hope of obtaining a guaranty, the minimum of which is said to be £40,000.
73NEW YORK COLLEGE OF MUSIC.
74ALEXANDER LAMBERT, DIRECTOR.
75Mme. FURSCH-MADI, Principal of Vocal Department.
76ALL BRANCHES OF MUSIC TAUGHT
77Faculty comprises the most eminent instructors.
78NOTICE.—The New York College of Music HAS REMOVED to its new and handsome building
79128 and 130 EAST 58th STREET.
81MONTREAL, Feb. 11, 1892.
83Dear Sirs:
85I have been much pleased with the PRACTICE CLAVIER you so kindly placed at my disposal during my stay in New York, and its use has convinced me of its superior qualities as an instrument for the technical part of piano practice. I shall be glad to take one of your instruments with me to Europe, and will miss no opportunity to recommend your invention to artists and intelligent students of the piano.
87Yours truly,
89J. J. Paderewski
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