Scan 13
Musical Courier 1892-08-03: Vol 25 Iss 649, 1892
128 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 14. See the scan on archive.org.
1of persons who, by virtue of temperament and affinities, belong to the world of art but who sell their birthrights for a mess of pottage; who have not sufficient strength of will or force of character, or devotion to the ideal, to close their shutters on the neighbors over the way; who grow unmindful of the cloud of witnesses that encompass their round about, and who end in being—as Sir Hugo advised Daniel Deronda not to be—"melted down for the benefit of the tallow trade."
3The force, the fervor, the spiritual strength that should go to their work and develop it into art is dissipated on every chance comer and lost in a waste of emotional energy. The artist life requires, above all things, repose and serenity. It cannot be jarred upon with impunity. The moment it degenerates into anxiety, worry or a consciousness of undue pressure, that moment it is losing its grip on its true resources. The artist must live for his art—to a very great degree. As the spirit must work through its material instrument, the body, he must keep this instrument in tune. His food, his sleep, his exercise, his social intercourse must be so ordered as to subordinate all to this end of ideal achievement. Of course if the game is not worth the candle, that is another affair. For the moment it may be assumed that it is.
5"What are you going to do," asks Dr. Holmes, "when you find John Keats an apprentice to a surgeon or an apothecary? Isn't it rather better to get another boy to sweep out the shop, and leave him undisturbed to write his ode on a Grecian urn or to a nightingale? * * * What is forgotten is that every real poet, though of the humblest grade, is an artist. To get his best work he must be insured the freedom from disturbances which the creative power absolutely demands."
7"I am not decrying the life of the true artist," said Mr. Klessmer in that memorable interview with Gwendolen; "I say it is out of the reach of any but the choice organizations—natures framed to love perfection and to labor for it * * * your whole frame must go like a watch, true, true, true to a hair."
9George Eliot's words regarding art, spoken of the drama, are as applicable to literature as an art as are those of Dr. Holmes, which were applied to literary art, and each is equally applicable to painting, to music. The artistic organization must, perforce, be finely strong, and the gift implies its own responsibility. No one has any moral right to trifle with his higher genius. They are to be developed, not dwarfed; stimulated, not stifled.
11Life is a divine gift. To each individual there is an ideal, as the botanist tells us there is to the plant or the tree, toward which he must grow. This is the polarity of life, and success lies in keeping true to it. One who permits himself to be interrupted and interfered with at every turn, who postpones his important achievement for the sake of the unimportant trifle, is of about the same value to his day as would be a weather vane—the sport of every wind—to serve as a guide post.
13The artist himself must be his own judge of the apportionment of his time. He must recognize his responsibility to art as a sincere and a serious calling. If he is a worker in literature it is his duty to produce for the literary market the very best possible work in his power, though calls go unreturned and callers go away unseen. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon is an everlasting truth. It is the law and the prophets. One must cultivate the insight to discriminate between the important and the unimportant, the significant and the insignificant, and hold unalterable his fidelity to the true ideal.
15The life of art has its hardships, its deprivations and its sacrifices. The artistic power may be a cross or a crown, but its divine and ultimate destiny is not Calvary, but the Mount of Transfiguration.—Boston "Budget."
17New Bureau of Music.
19THE International Bureau of Music has just opened offices at 114 Fifth avenue, near Seventeenth street, under the management of Mr. Louis Blumenberg. The bureau is in communication with musical celebrities and artists in Europe and America and is prepared to secure their services for concerts, operas, festivals, church choirs, &c.
21Correspondence is solicited and a general survey of the movements and whereabouts of musical artists is constantly maintained. There has been a demand for a bureau of this kind in this city and the International proposes to supply it.
23A Serrano Pupil.—Miss Louise Engel is destined to make a hit next season when she appears before the public as a fully equipped vocalist. Her excellent mezzo-soprano has been carefully trained by her instructors, Mr. and Mrs. de Serrano, and this fact, together with her undoubted natural qualifications, will create for her a career. Mr. and Mrs. de Serrano have several brilliant pupils and next winter some of them will be heard in public. It is gratifying to note that meritorious teaching and thorough and conscientious work, together with the unquestioned ability of the Serranos, is surely telling. Miss Engel is an artistic singer who reflects credit on her teachers.
25Mrs. Sarah Metzger.
27Mrs. Sarah Metzger, No. 1823 Madison avenue, the wife of Mr. Louis Metzger, of the firm of Hamburger Brothers & Co., clothiers, No. 218 West Baltimore street, and one of the leading church choir and concert soloists of Baltimore, died yesterday afternoon from a tumor on the brain. Before her marriage she was a Miss Sarah Schloss, and sang for a long time at the Mount Vernon Church and the Oheb Shalom Synagogue on Hanover street. She had a most pleasing contralto voice, which she had under complete control and used with splendid effect. A thorough artist, she was much sought after for oratorio and church music, as well as concert music of high standard. She was widely known in the city, and will be mourned by a large circle of friends.—Baltimore "Sun," August 1.
29THE MUSICAL COURIER desires to add that Mrs. Metzger was by nature endowed with great musical gifts, and through culture and much conscientious study she became an artistic singer. But not only in music did she shine as an example. She was a woman of big heartedness and of charitable inclinations, and everyone who came in contact with her carried away the reflex of her pleasing personality.
31The New York College of Music.
33THE fourteenth annual catalogue of the New York College of Music, Alexander Lambert, director, has just been received. The season of 1892-3 promises to be as auspicious as last season.
35The following are officers and faculty of the college (128 and 130 East Fifty-eighth street):
37OFFICERS.
38Everett P. Wheeler …………………………………………..President.
39Latham G. Reed ……………………………………………..Secretary.
40Otto Rother ………………………………………………….Treasurer.
41Mrs. Edith Brookes …………………………………………..Matron.
42Alexander Lambert …………………………………………..Director.
43Mrs. Fursch-Madi …………………………………………..Principal Vocal Department.
45FACULTY.
46Piano Department—Alexander Lambert, director; Louis Oesterle, Leopold Godowsky, D. M. Levett, Florian Oborski, Paolo Gallico, Joseph Pache, Gustav Lévy, Whitney Coombs, Dirk Haagmans, Wm. Semnacher, Alice Hore, Berthe Pembleton and assistants.
47Vocal Department—Mrs. Fursch-Madi, principal; Carl Prox, Victor Clodio, Mrs. Levett, Wilhelmine Ertz, Charles Schachner, Whitney Coombs.
48Vocal Sight Reading Department—F. Damrosch.
49Violin Department—Henry Lambert, M. Sandberg and assistants.
50Violoncello Department—Apolph Hartdegen, A. Hoch and assistants.
51Organ Department—Dr. S. Austen Pearce.
52Lectures on History of Music—Wm. J. Henderson.
53Chamber Music Department—In this department students sufficiently advanced are instructed in chamber music, practicing in trios, quartets and quintets under the personal supervision of the professors.
54Wind Instruments—Soloists of the New York Symphony Orchestra.
55String Orchestra—Henry Lambert.
56Operatic Department—Mrs. Fursch-Madi.
57Solfeggio Class—Engagement pending.
59Philadelphia Correspondence.
61PHILADELPHIA, July 29, 1892.
63THE excessive heat of the past week, the worst experienced in many years, has had a depressing effect on the attendance at the Grand Opera House, where Gustav Hinrichs continues with unabated zeal his good work in the cause of grand opera at popular prices. Thirteen weeks of a particularly active season have passed and there have already been produced here more than the usual number of novelties and important revivals.
65For the first time this season Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots" was given on Friday evening with a cast as follows:
66Valentine ……………………………………………………. Koert-Kronold
67Marguerite de Valois ……………………………………… Van Canteren
68Raoul ……………………………………………………….. Guile
69De Nevers …………………………………………………. Del Puente
70St. Bris ……………………………………………………. Viviani
71Marcel ……………………………………………………… Clarke
72Urban ……………………………………………………… Risley
73A. H.
75Minneapolis Music.
77MINNEAPOLIS, July 29.
79NOTHING is ever done by halves in the "Flour City." From the entertainment of conventions to the visitation of the "Storm King" the entire figure is carried out. The "Father of Waters" goes on a rampage, rushing madly along between his green banks, ruthlessly tearing myriads of ambitious young saplings by the roots and hollowing out great chasms in the porous soil. The beautiful Minnehaha wildly flings herself over her rocky ledge and murmurs regretfully in her pretty basin at all the troublesome uproar among the "spirits of the air" who set in such commotion the angry forces of the elements. With the thermometer in the hundreds down comes a phenomenal rainpour, with its attendant variations of lightning and cracking, tearing thunder claps. Never within the memory of the oldest citizen has there been such terrible and damaging storms as have raged for the greater part of three days and nights, and to-day all nature smiles under a pleasant sunshine, as though nothing had occurred to disturb her serenity. With heat such as only Minnesota has the courage to muster, we all wondered how we could get up enough ambition to attend Andrews' organ recital at the Plymouth Church on the afternoon of Thursday the 28th, and at 5 o'clock, when even fig leaves would be a burden. In our behalf, however, the mercury most considerably descends to the point where silks, velvets and rich heavy woolen suitings are in most comfortable order, and the stay-at-homes wend their way with a keen relish to the centre of musical attraction.
81The free organ recital given at Plymouth Church by its organist, J. Warren Andrews, was a notable one. He was assisted by a few prominent musicians, and their program of popular and standard music was artistically rendered. Mr. Andrews played in his accustomed masterful style, and it would be impossible not to enjoy his work. Mr. Schlacter gave two solos upon the violin and 'cello, playing upon both instruments in a thoroughly musicianly manner. Miss Eva Lillian Merrill, with her beautiful contralto voice, delighted the audience with her sweet singing. Miss Sherriff, of Boston, a sojourner in Minneapolis, appeared three times in solos and once in duet with Miss Merrill. Her voice, although not sweet, possesses considerable volume and power, and she uses it well and with good taste and expression. Mr. Shumann as accompanist, with violin obligato, was a pleasing addition to the organ accompaniment. He handles the bow easily and with good taste. Mr. Andrews is a hard worker for his loved art, and is most ably seconded by the musical committee in his public spirited efforts in educating musical taste in this direction. He leaves on August 1 for a trip to his old Eastern home, where he will have an opportunity to take a much needed rest.
83THREE MUSICAL SERVICES.
85A most unique and decidedly interesting series of musical entertainments have been inaugurated at the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church during the absence of the pastor in July and August. There are three musical services to be given by well-known soloists and a trained chorus, organ and piano accompaniment, all under the direction of Thomas Taylor Drill. The first of these entertainments was given Sunday evening, July 24, at which time the "Cantata of Ruth" (A. R. Gare) was successfully rendered. The cantata was well sung, all parts being admirably taken and sufficiently trained. Considerable interest was felt in the appearance of Mr. William Courtney, tenor, of New York. The audience were delighted with his rich, powerful voice and effective singing, and when for an offertory he gave "Sound an Alarm" ("Judas Maccabaeus") Händel, the audience could not be restrained, Sunday though it was, but enthusiastically showed its appreciation in most vigorous hand clapping and cheering. Mr. Courtney possesses a robust tenor, which he uses with skill and taste. We are glad to record that Minneapolis looks forward with pleasure to the treat promised of hearing him in Rossini's "Stabat Mater," as also in several recitals. Mr. Drill (director) is certainly to be highly commended for his excellent work in organizing and drilling and for the interest he takes in pleasing the public taste. "Stabat Mater" will be given on the evening of Sunday, August 7. ACTON HORTON. one of two readings
86A most unique and decidedly interesting series of musical entertainments have been inaugurated at the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church during the absence of the pastor in July and August. There are three musical services to be given by well-known soloists and a trained chorus, organ and piano accompaniment, all under the direction of Thomas Taylor Drill. The first of these entertainments was given Sunday evening, July 24, at which time the "Cantata of Ruth" (A. R. Gare) was successfully rendered. The cantata was well sung, all parts being admirably taken and sufficiently trained. Considerable interest was felt in the appearance of Mr. William Courtney, tenor, of New York. The audience were delighted with his rich, powerful voice and effective singing, and when for an offertory he gave "Sound an Alarm" ("Judas Maccabaeus") Handel, the audience could not be restrained, Sunday though it was, but enthusiastically showed its appreciation in most vigorous hand clapping and cheering. Mr. Courtney possesses a robust tenor, which he uses with skill and taste. We are glad to record that Minneapolis looks forward with pleasure to the treat promised of hearing him in Rossini's "Stabat Mater," as also in several recitals. Mr. Drill (director) is certainly to be highly commended for his excellent work in organizing and drilling and for the interest he takes in pleasing the public taste. "Stabat Mater" will be given on the evening of Sunday, August 7. ACTON HORTON. one of two readings
88Honolulu Musical News.
90THE grand benefit concert to Bandmaster H. Berger, on his twentieth anniversary as bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, took place on the 2d at the Opera House, which was crowded in every part. The concert was under the direction of Mr. Wray Taylor, who the following day handed Berger a check for $681.25, the net proceeds. The concert, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, who was present, was a decided success. Following was the program, from which it will be seen that Ovide Musin, the violinist, took part:
91"Second Grosse Arie," for clarinet ………………………………………Neibig
92U. S. San Francisco Band:
93Waltz trio, "O'er Blooming Meadows" ………………………………………Wekerlin
94Kawaihaao Seminary Chorus:
95Song, "Wanderlied" ……………………………………………..Schuman
96Hon. P. R. Isenberg:
97Violin solo, caprice No. 2 ……………………………………………..Musin
98Ovide Musin:
99"Kinder Symphony," in C major ………………………………………Haydn
100Trumpet, Miss Atherton; cuckoo, Miss Patch; bells, Miss Ellen Hopper; triangle, Miss Parmelee; quail, J. Q. Wood; nightingale, Wray Taylor; rattle, G. E. Smithies; drum, Geo. H. Paris; piano, Profs. G. L. Babcock and Oscar Herold; 1st and 2d violins and 'cellos, by members of the Royal Hawaiian Band.
101Aria from the "Pearl of Brazil" ………………………………………F. David
102Annie Louise Musin:
103"Concert Scene" ……………………………………………..Kiesler
104St. Louis College Orchestra:
105"Flower Song," from "Faust" ………………………………………Gounod
106Miss Louise F. Dale:
107Quintet, selections from "La Favorita" ………………………………………Donizetti
108Piano, Miss Hopper; 1st violin, Miss McGrew; 2d violin, J. Lightfoot; viola, A. Marques; violoncello, Wray Taylor.
109Trio, "Three Little Maids," from "Mikado" (in costume) …………Sullivan
110Mrs. Bowler, Miss Nolte, Miss Liahman.
111"Trumpeter's May Song" ………………………………………Osgood
112Kamehameha Glee Club:
113Festival march, "Twenty Years" (new) ………………………………………Henry Berger
114Royal Hawaiian Band:
115The Ovide Musin Concert Committee left here June 4 for the Australian colonies. Musin and his wife made many friends here.
116Quite a number of concerts have been given of late at the Kawaihaao Church, all of which were well attended.
117The Oahu College Glee Club, with Miss L. F. Dale soprano, has gone on a tour of the islands. They are meeting with success.
118The Kamehameha Glee Club has also gone touring during the school holidays.
119The vacation of the schools begins next week, so we shall be quite in a musical way for a few weeks. HAWAII.
121The Mozartian System.—The all pervading principle of the Mozartian system was a conciseness of construction and unmistakable geography of tonality. Before Mozart melodic figures, subjects and keys, with all other theoretical addenda at the disposal of the creative musician, were confused. Mere bits of tune and jingle, with a brilliant passage here and there, constitute a movement or even a composition.
123Haydn had brought such chaotic and irregular theoretical lore into clear and definite shape, but Mozart simplified matters still more. Introducing the keenest outlines, the most beautiful figures, together with clear and lucid teachings, he defined the formal construction of the movement, section, repeat, &c., until now the musician or student can set out with his principal subject or theme, and having no misgivings concerning the dogmas of subsidiary subject, complementary keys and the like. Schooled in Mozart's principles of construction the student could pilot himself safely through the intricacies of the most advanced symphony, and it is for his labors and the pattern he set in this direction that the world of music delights to do honor to the name of Mozart.—"Blackwood's Magazine."
125New Ballet by Massenet.—Massenet has just composed a new ballet called "The Talisman."
127TEACHERS WANTED—Music school just opened, 11 miles from New York city, wishes to procure a portion of the services of a male vocal teacher; also a violin teacher. Address, giving reference, experience, terms, &c., "Music School," Hackensack, N. J.
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