Scan 5
Musical Courier 1892-05-04: Vol 24 Iss 637, 1892
107 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. Printed page 6. See the scan on archive.org.
1timate of Boston's critical opinion which one is forced to make after hearing Mr. Nikisch's band and reading some of the "Hub's" silly prejudiced articles. In startling contrast is the unanimity of the press throughout the country, which one learned pundit would have us believe is subsidized. Bribery on such a wholesale scale presupposes enormous wealth on the one hand and enormous corruption on the other, while some critics have been known to keep the wolf from the door in this manner, they are, nevertheless, the exception.
3All Boston flocks to listen to the orchestral concerts of Mr. Nikisch, and if Music Hall were twice as large it would still be filled. A well-known manager has offered an immense bonus on this season's receipts to the management of the orchestra if he could get control of it for next season. The progress of the orchestra throughout the country is almost triumphal. In all the large cities the same story is repeated—immense audiences, immense enthusiasm, and yet a handful of men whose acute sensibilities have been jarred upon by some fancied personal slight declare through the medium of their respective literary organs that Mr. Nikisch is a poor conductor; ergo, Mr. Nikisch must go.
5Therefore the logical conclusion is that Mr. Nikisch must go if these same critics have the power they lay claim to, or else they have no influence at home, and the New York "Sun" is correct when it states that Boston newspapers are not read outside of New England except by unfortunate exchange editors. The affair would be supremely ridiculous were it not for the contempt and discredit it casts upon the critical confraternity. How is the musical public of the country to believe in the value of musical criticism when they see such flagrant abuse of it as in this instance?
7In the "Beacon," after a severe attack on Mr. Nikisch last Sunday, there appeared this paragraph:
9The rapid growth in all the finest qualities of public performance made by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, of which Mr. Damrosch is the conductor, and his own marked improvement in directing, have been observed almost with surprise and commented upon favorably and significantly by the critic who heard his concerts in this town. There were a lesson and a warning in these concerts, but we cannot help doubting whether Boston will be profited by them as it should.
11The above must puzzle Mr. Damrosch when he reads it and positively amuse Mr. Seidl, the conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
13The truth of the matter is that anything that partisan passion and blind prejudice dictates serves to attack Mr. Nikisch.
15Here is a letter that speaks for itself:
17PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF BROOKLYN.
18To the Management of the Boston Symphony Orchestra:
19I have the honor to transmit the following resolutions, passed unanimously at a meeting of the board of directors of the Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn, held April 25, 1892:
20Resolved, That the board of directors of this society offer its congratulations to the management of the Boston Symphony Orchestra upon the brilliant series of concerts which it has given in Brooklyn during the past season;
21Resolved, That the thanks of this society are due to the conductor, Mr. Arthur Nikisch, for the high standard of the music which he has presented and for the rare excellence of the performances;
22Resolved, That this board fully recognizes the important results which have followed the establishment of the Boston Symphony Orchestra upon a permanent basis and desires to express its appreciation of the liberal spirit of devotion to the cause of music which has made such an orchestra possible.
23Respectfully,
24B. T. FROTHINGHAM,
25Secretary.
27Paderewski, who certainly knows what he is talking about, only last week praised the performances of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, all of which came to us by cable. Either the whole music loving public of the country has gone mad or else the half dozen disgruntled gentlemen of Boston are in the wrong. In this case, however, it certainly is vox populi, vox Dei.
29A Novel Program.—From the official program of the Adelina Patti farewell musical and operatic festival, next week, Patti will sing the following selections: The Jewel Song from "Faust;" "For All Eternity," by Mascheroni and "The Last Rose of Summer," on May 10; Eckert's "Echo Song," Arditi's waltz, "Se Saran Rose," and, with Fabbri, "Giorno d'Orrore," on May 12; "Bel Raggio," Gounod's "Ave Maria," and Arditi's "Il Bacio," on May 14. The chorus will sing "Thanks be to God," from "Elijah," a "Sanctus," by W. R. Chapman, and a chorus from "Cavalleria Rusticana," at the first concert; Weinzierl's "Love and Spring," and Wagner's "Hail, Bright Abode" at the second concert; Sullivan's "Lost Chord," and the Spinning Song from "The Flying Dutchman," at the third concert. This is a choral festival under the direction of Mr. W. R. Chapman, who promises 1,000 voices.
31PERSONALS.
33The Quick and the Dead.—In answer to Mr. F. M. Colston's communication from Baltimore printed in last week's issue of THE MUSICAL COURIER we are informed that of the list of the orchestra which played at Jenny Lind's concert in September, 1850, the following thirteen members are still in the land of the living:
34Mr. Anthony Reiff…Violinists
35Mr. George Bristow…Violinists
36Mr. Bahl…Violas
37Mr. Johnson…Violas
38Mr. Eben…Violas
39Mr. Brannes, now living in Hanover, Germany…Violoncellists
40Mr. Bergner…Double bass
41Mr. Preusser…Double bass
42Mr. Blaz…Bassoon
43Mr. H. Schmitz…Horn
44Mr. Heinike…Trombone
45Mr. Hilbrecht…Ophicleide
46Mr. Senia…Tympani
48Arens Returning.—Mr. F. X. Arens will leave Germany on the Normannia on May 6 to return to this country, where he will continue to reside.
50Bulow to Remain in Hamburg.—Hans von Bülow lately swore the oath of citizenship at Hamburg, where henceforth he intends to remain.
52To Make Love to His Grand aunt.—The following curious case is likely to happen soon at Weimar. Massenet's opera "Werther" is being prepared there for production, and the interpreter of the title rôle is to be the tenor Giessen, whose real name, however, is Buff. He is a direct descendant, in fact a grandnephew, of Lotte Buff, the daughter of the burgomaster of Wetzlar, who was the heroine of Goethe's famous novel upon which the libretto of Massenet's opera is founded. It thus will come to pass, upon the Weimar stage at least, that a grandnephew has to make love to his own grandaunt.
54The Mendelssohn Monument.—The Mendelssohn monument for the city of Leipsic, which has been modeled by the sculptor Werner Stein, has lately been finished at the Howaldt art work factory at Braunschweig, and is soon to be shipped to Leipsic. The Hanover "Courier" pronounces it one of the finest and most characteristic art works of the world.
56Buelow's Last Appearance in Berlin.—Hans von Bülow has declared that he will after all conduct the concert for the benefit of the pension fund of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and he has pledged himself not to indulge in a speech on that occasion.
58Gramann is Hurt.—The composer Carl Gramann, well known through his operas, "Melusine" and "Andreasfest," recently at Dresden fell from his horse and was badly hurt.
60Courier Callers.—Among others Victor Herbert, the 'celist and composer; John Rietzel, the violinist; Mrs. Arthur Friedheim, Miss Carlotta F. Pinner, Anton Seidl, conductor; Arthur Nikisch, conductor, from Boston; D. Melamet, conductor of the Baltimore Germania Maennerchor and composer of the Columbus first prize cantata; Louis Svecenski, violinist from Boston; Miss Amy Fay, pianist; Louis Lombard, director of the Utica Conservatory.
62For the Bonn Beethoven House.—Sarasate recently gave a successful concert at Bonn, the proceeds of which he handed over to the management of the Beethoven House at that city.
64Rubinstein in Prague.—In Prague Rubinstein lately gave a charity concert, at which both as conductor and pianist he appeared as interpreter of his own compositions. The two opera houses of the city took occasion to produce two of his works. The German Opera gave "The Children of the Heath," and the Landestheater "The Demon." At both theatres Rubinstein was the honored recipient of great public ovations.
66Composers to Conduct.—The music committee of the Vienna International Theatrical and Musical Exhibition has sent invitations to the following composers and conductors to conduct one of their own creations: Brahms, Bruch, Bruckner, Bülow, Cowen, Dvorak, Fuchs, Goldmark, Grieg, Levi, Mascagni, Massenet, Mottl, Rubinstein, Saint-Saëns, Schuch, Sgambati, Svendsen, Sullivan, Tschaikowsky and Verdi.
68Tenor De Reszke to Wed.—It is announced that Jean de Reszke, the tenor, who has been adored by society here as well as abroad, will be married late in the summer to the Countess de Maille. De Reszke is forty-five years old and a bachelor. His basso brother is married and has three children.
70Of course there are romantic stories about a desperate love affair of De Reszke's early in life. As a young, unknown tenor he loved the daughter of a prince, it is said, and the maiden returned his affection ardently, but the haughty father refused to give his consent and the girl is said to have died of a broken heart. That the handsome and favored De Reszke remained so long a bachelor has given color to the romance. But some of his most intimate friends have failed to vouch for the story.
72De Reszke will bring his bride to this country next fall. The tenor met the Countess de Maille at Bourbonte, a watering place in Auvergne, last year. She is described as a tall blonde and fascinating in presence.
74Emma Eames' Accident.—Vianesi is authority for the statement that Emma Eames had an accident on the Champagne on her return trip. Miss Eames is now laid up in Paris, in the hands of a physician, with a sprained or broken ankle.
76A Queer Story.—San Francisco, April 28.—Samuel G. Fleischman, a young San Francisco pianist, who has just returned from eight years in Europe, was billed to give a piano recital last night in Metropolitan Hall, but he had an attack of stage fright and fled to his home. A large audience waited till 9 o'clock, when the manager announced that an accident had befallen the performer and he could not appear. His old mother was sitting near the front of the house, and fainted when she heard the announcement.
78The family and friends returned to Fleischman's residence, and it was 11 o'clock before anyone thought of searching the premises for the missing man. He was found in the cellar lying on the floor in a dazed state, with a flute in his hand. When resuscitated he declared that he felt dizzy as he was about to enter the hall and knew nothing more. He evidently walked home, went to an old trunk, got out a flute, which was his favorite instrument when a boy, and attempted to play it. The doctor said it was an attack of vertigo induced by excitement. Fleischman has not recovered to-day and is confined to the house.
80A singular feature of the affair is that he has given many performances in Berlin. He has composed a symphony and a quartet for strings, both highly praised by critics. He has also written a symphonic poem based on Schiller's "Hero and Leander," which was produced in New York with success. Those who know him say he suffers from stage fright, precisely as Fechter did when playing a new part for the first time.—"Sun."
82A May Morning's Present for the Toedts.—Robert Jerome Toedt is the name of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Toedt's son, born last Sunday morning. Both mother and son are thriving and Mr. Toedt has been singing high C's with reckless profusion, so happy is he.
84Rummel's Sixth Recital.
86MR. FRANZ RUMMEL devoted his sixth historical recital to the works of Frederic Chopin entirely. This was his program:
88Ballade, op. 52. Etudes { op. 10.
89Mazurkas. op. 25.
90Impromptu, op. 29. Scherzo, op. 20.
91Fantasia, op. 49. Berceuse, op. 57.
92Sonata, op. 35. Valse, op. 48.
93Nocturnes { op. 15, No. 1. Preludes, op. 58.
94{ op. 27, No. 2. Polonaise, op. 58.
96Mr. Rummel astonished his warmest admirers by his unquestionable sympathy with the works of the great Pole. His fingers were shod in velvet in the nocturnes and preludes, and the mailed hand of the warrior was felt in the polonaise, fantasia and scherzo. Mr. Rummel played the F minor ballade, the fourth and seldom heard one, and played it with intense appreciation of its subtle meanings, and with such a complete control of the technical apparatus of Chopin that the "Schluss," a difficult and ungrateful portion of the work, has seldom been delivered with such passionate climactic effectiveness.
98The F major, A minor and A flat mazurkas; the A flat impromptu; the F minor fantasia; the B flat minor sonata; the G flat, E major, A flat, C sharp minor, C minor etudes (this last was played with tremendous bravura), the B minor scherzo, berceuse, the A flat valse; the C minor, G major, A major, F major, B flat major and E flat preludes were all beautifully played. The prelude in G and the valse had to be repeated. Mr. Rummel was at his best in the sonata, the last movement of which he played con amore.
100This afternoon he plays his seventh and last recital. It will consist of Liszt's B minor sonata and other numbers by Tchaikowsky, Ludvig Schytte, Grieg, Rubinstein, William Mason, Floersheim, Brandeis, MacDowell, Saint-Saëns, Godard, Bülow, Brassin and Liszt. It will be a notable recital.
102The C. C. S. Concert.
104AT the third service of the Church Choral Society, of New York, given in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Madison avenue and Forty-second street, Thursday evening of last week, the following works were performed: Air from suite in D major…………….. J. S. Bach Mass in C (op. 80)……………………….. L. van Beethoven "God is our hope and our strength" (Psalm XLVI.)…. Villiers Stanford The chorus was assisted by Mrs. Tyler Dutton, soprano; Mrs. Hattie C. Morris, contralto; Mr. James H. Ricketson, tenor; Mr. Franz Remmertz, bass, and an orchestra of fifty-five, Mr. Richard Henry Warren being the director. The society fully sustained its excellent reputation and gave the works with spirit and understanding. The volume of tone is excellent, and being recruited from the different church choirs excels in the singing of sacred works. The church was crowded by a large and fashionable audience.
106Miss Priestley Plays.—Miss Sophia Priestley will be the recipient of a testimonial concert at Chickering Hall this evening.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.