Scan 12
Musical Courier 1893-04-12: Vol 26 Iss 684, 1893
104 lines. Read by computer on 26 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 13. See the scan on archive.org.
1tectorate of Empress Frederick. The greatest work among the entire literature of sacred music was on the whole very well sung on this occasion, but somehow or other the performance seemed hardly as impressive as it ever appeared to me heretofore. Whether this was caused by the performance or whether it was my own fault, that possibly I was favorably disposed, I cannot at this moment of writing tell, but shall find out next week when the inevitable comparison between the two performances must have an influence upon the subject. Certain it was that Gernsheim seemed to me hardly in touch or even in full understanding of or sympathy with Bach's master work, and this reflected upon the work of the chorus as well as the soloists. Everything, although sung with fair precision, seemed to drag a little and dynamic shading was hardly here and there observable. The placing of the numerically weak boy choir in front of the orchestra and chorus right around the conductor's stand was a mistake, as the Cantus firmus which they have to sing lost its effectiveness and got drowned in the multitude.
3The soloists, Misses Pia von Sicherer and Stephen and Messrs. Carl Dierich, Anton Sistermans and Dr. O. Schneider, were just satisfactory, but by no means more than that, with the sole exception of the baritone, Sistermans, who sings with taste and has a beautiful voice, but even he lacked the simple dignity which the part of "Christ" demands. Dr. Schneider, who tried to sing the various minor bass parts, was hampered through the fact that he had no high notes at all.
5In the orchestra the re-introduction of the woodwind instruments of Bach's time, viz., the oboe dicaccia and the oboe d'amore gave a peculiar and by no means unpleasing, though somewhat sharp and nasal flavor, especially in the accompaniments to the soprano and tenor soli. These instruments, which closely resemble our modern English horn and oboe respectively, were lent for the occasion from the collection belonging to the Royal High School of Music.
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9To-morrow night the ninth symphony with the Royal Opera House orchestra under Weingartner. That will be a treat!
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13Though usually they are here somewhat behind the United States they sometimes manage to get ahead of us. At the Theater unter den Linden (formerly named Ronacher) a new ballet entitled "Columbia" will be presented for the first time next Saturday night. Its chief feature will consist of—the Chicago exhibition.
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17Rubinstein will conduct (all reports to the contrary notwithstanding) his ballet "La Vigne," and his one act opera "Among Robbers" at the Royal Opera House about the middle of April, and at Kroll's his opera, "The Children of the Heath." From the Royal Opera House management I further learn that the intended tournée to London will definitely take place next spring. During May, June and July, 1894, the English capital will have opera in German (also ballet) by the complete personnel of the Royal Opera House, and that with special permission of His Majesty the Emperor.
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21Siegfried Wagner is still here and I met him several times in company of Dr. Muck. I am informed that the Bayreuth performances of 1894 will, as usual, begin by the middle of July, and that the chief attraction will consist in the first Bayreuth representations of "Lohengrin," besides which only "Tannhäuser" and "Parsifal," will be given. The "Nibelungen" revival has been dropped, probably for want of singers.
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25A successor to the late Conductor Dessoff, of Frankfort, has at last been found in the person of Dr. Ludwig Rottenberg, formerly of the Brünn Opera House, who has been engaged on a five years' contract after his trial conductings, which were greatly praised by the Frankfort critics.
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29The news that Arthur Nikisch will soon leave Boston has spread here with great rapidity and caused quite some astonishment. Not, however, to me. It is far better and more satisfactory to an artist of Nikisch's rank and abilities to be the intendant and conductor of the Pesth Opera House (a position similar to that held by Jahn in Vienna) than to be chef d'orchestre at Boston and be harassed by the Hub's voracious music critics, who howl like wolves in the teeth of every artist who dares to please the public longer than two seasons.
31If Col. Higginson wants to know the right man to take upon his shoulders the cloak of Nikisch let him apply to me at once and I will tell him whom to engage.
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35While I was writing the above a young Englishman was studying a recent number of THE MUSICAL COURIER, right here at the headquarters, with a view to subscribing. When he came to the Raconteur he suddenly halted and with a look of despair, pointing to the phrase "One more story and I will leave you in morceau," asked me what it meant. After reflecting for one moment I said to him: "You see, that is what for want of a better term I designate as one of the Raconteur's enharmonic-polyglot jokes. First you substitute for "peace" the word "piece" and then you translate that into French. See?" After having thuswise trepanned him he pretended to see, but whether or not he really saw I cannot tell. The fact however remains that he did not subscribe and that was the Raconteur's fault.
37O. F.
39Vienna Letter.
40VIENNA OFFICE THE MUSICAL COURIER.
41IX Schwarzenbergstrasse 15.
42March 26, 1893.
44THE seventh Philharmonic concert under Dr. Hans Richter presented the following program:
46Symphony G minor…. Allegro con bri…. Andante…. Menetto…. Allegro…. W. A. Mozart
48First performance at these concerts.
49Mazeppa…. Violin concerto…. Miss Frida Scotta
51Symphony E minor, No. 4…. Brahms
53The wonderful reform that the symphony model has undergone during a century was to be observed in yesterday's concert. The Mozart symphony, dating from the year 1770, is written more in form of a serenade than a symphony, a composition full of beautiful melodies and charming effects; on the other side, the grand symphony of Brahms, requiring the most intense power of mind on the part of the hearer to fully comprehend this magnificent work. Both symphonies were superbly played, the virtuosity of the orchestra having full play in the faultless execution of Liszt's "Mazeppa." Miss Frida Scotta, who played Saint-Saëns' very commonplace concerto, possesses good technical qualifications, but her intonation left a good deal to be desired. Her appearance is very prepossessing, and on this account, as well as for her performance, on the whole very pleasing, she was the recipient of a good deal of applause, and was three times recalled. The eighth and last Philharmonic Concert, which virtually closes the concert season, occurs on April 9.
55Eugen Gura gave his second and last song recital on March 20, with the assistance of Dr. Hans Paumgartner, pianist. Gura's selections were:
56"Olaf," op. 2…. "Tom, der Reimer," op. 135…. "Harald," op. 45…. "Der Nöck," op. 129…. "Der Edelfalk," op. 68…. "Der Zauberlehrling," op. 30…. "Mainacht"…. "Auf dem Kirchhof"…. "Blondel's Lied"…. "Sonntags am Rhein"…. "Liederkreis," op. 39…. Inter Fremde. Intermezzo. Waldgespräch. Mondnacht. Schöne Fremde. In Walde. Frühlingsnacht.
58Gura's singing on this occasion was a great treat in every respect, and the large audience demanded several encores, which the great baritone graciously granted. Dr. Paumgartner's accompaniments were beautifully played, the player being in full sympathy with the singer.
60The last nights of Strauss' operette, "Princess Ninetta," are being announced, in order to give the sourette, Pálmay, who leaves Vienna end of April, an opportunity of showing herself in some of her favorite parts, but probably more on account of the slender box office receipts, which have been in order ever since Strauss' latest creation crossed the boards of the Theater an der Wien. Metnana's comic opera, "Die Verkaufte Braut," with Theilmann in the leading tenor rôle, will be heard at this theatre on Easter Sunday for the first time. one of two readings
61The last nights of Strauss' operette, "Princess Ninetta," are being announced, in order to give the sourette, Pálmay, who leaves Vienna end of April, an opportunity of showing herself in some of her favorite parts, but probably more on account of the slender box office receipts, which have been in order ever since Strauss' latest creation crossed the boards of the Theater an der Wien. Smetana's comic opera, "Die Verkaufte Braut," with Theilmann in the leading tenor rôle, will be heard at this theatre on Easter Sunday for the first time. one of two readings
63Miss Ella Pancera gave her annual recital in the Bösendorfer Saal on Tuesday evening, March 21, to a very large and fashionable audience, comprising the élite of Viennese society. The program was:
64Sonate, C major, op. 1…. Allegro. Andante. Scherzo. Finale. one of two readings
65Sonate, C major, op. 1…. Allegro…. Andante…. Scherzo…. Finale. one of two readings
66Ballade, in form of variations on a Norwegian melody, op. 24…. Grieg
67Traumesswirren…. Schumann
68Romance, "L'Alouette"…. Glinka-Balakirew
69Etude, E major…. Chopin
70Polonaise, A flat, major…. Amadei
71Impromptu (the top)…. Leschetizky one of two readings
72Impromptu…. Leschetizky one of two readings
73La toupie (the top)…. Leschetizky one of two readings
74Liebestraum…. Liszt
75Marche militaire…. Schubert-Tauszeg
77Miss Pancera's playing was as near perfection as could be, combining greatest technical brilliancy, easily surmounting all difficulties, with natural musical feeling and deepest thought. In many respects Miss Pancera's style reminds one of Stavenhagen. In the Chopin numbers she proved herself vastly superior to that pianist, whilst her playing of the Grieg "Ballade" and the Schubert-Liszt "March Militaire" was a revelation even to those most familiar with her accomplishments. Miss Pancera was loudly applauded throughout the evening and had to respond to several encores, demonstrating by this success as well as by many former ones her right to be placed among the very foremost rank of pianists of the present day.
79There is a very strong movement on foot, headed by all the leading members of the aristocracy, to get Theodor Reichmann back to his former position at the Imperial Opera. Notwithstanding his very sudden departure from Vienna and the reasons concerning his congé, Reichmann has still retained all his former popularity and I should not at all be surprised if the popular feeling in his favor should be successful. In that case there would be a very important change in the managerial department, which I will at present only hint at, as all my suppositions may after all prove premature. Reichmann is at present in town, having returned from a most successful engagement at the Royal Opera in Munich.
81Eduard Gärtner, a most successful and very popular baritone, gave his annual song recital on Wednesday evening, March 22, when he had the valuable assistance of Messrs. Willi and Louis Theru, the pianists. The program ran as follows:
82Canzone, "Le Violette"…. Scarlatti
83"Ganymed"…. Schubert
84"Auf dem Wasser zu singen," Florio…. Schubert
85"An die Nachtigall," Atlas…. Carlos Theru
86Romance, A flat major, op. 48…. Raff
87Tarantelle, D minor, op. 82…. Messrs. Theru.
88Lied eines Schmiedes, "Die Löwenbraut"…. Schumann
89"Die Lichende schreibt"…. Brahms
90"Koum, hohe Sommernacht," Volkslied, op. 7, No. 4…. Brahms
91"Wehe, so willst du mich wieder, hemmende Fessel, umfangen?" Sandmännchen…. Ed. Schütt
92Etude mignonne…. Gounod
93Bachantenzug from "Philemon und Baucis"…. Messrs. Theru.
94Waldesruh (MS.) "Vor dem Fenster"…. Grädener
95Bárcarola from "La Gioconda"…. Ponchielli
96Aria from "Der Liebestrank"…. Auber one of two readings
97Aria from "Der Liebestrunk"…. Auber one of two readings
99Mr. Gärtner is the possessor of a well trained baritone voice, of beautiful quality, which he knows well how to use. His singing is at all times artistic and his mezza voce is particularly fine. He met with well deserved and genuine success, and responded to several encores. Messrs. Theru charmed the large audience, which included Crown Princess Stéphanie, with their well chosen and splendidly played selections, their encores being Chopin's etude in F minor and valse D flat major.
101"Manon," Massenet's opera, which celebrated its fiftieth anniversary on Monday last, has been the most successful work the Imperial Opera has produced for many years. The box office receipts from November, 1890, till last week amounted to over 160,000 florins. However it would take more than this sum alone to cover the deficit which, as I am told, the books of the total receipts show. There has been a great deal of ridiculous talk in professional circles about the unfriendly feeling supposed to exist between Theodor Reichmann and Director Wilhelm Jahn, some going so far as saying that should the popular baritone be re-engaged at the Opera Jahn would instantly withdraw from the directorship of the Opera. To contradict all these rumors I wish to state the simple fact that Reichmann on Tuesday last called upon Jahn at his office in the Opera, and, not finding him at home, left his card. On the afternoon of the same day Mr. Jahn drove round to Hotel Sacher, where Reichmann always puts up when in town, and returned the call. So, you see, it is not very likely that such an exchange of courtesy would take place were the above mentioned gentlemen not on speaking terms. Professor Epstein told me a very good story at my last lesson, which, I think, will bear translating. A celebrated operatic composer while traveling in the Italian mountains was taken prisoner by bandits, who led him to their chief. When asked what position he occupied the composer remarked that he was in the habit of writing operas, whereupon the bandit leader asked him to sing an aria from some original opera. The composer started and sang through a whole recitative and aria, the whole crowd of bandits being moved to tears and sobbing aloud. After the close of the performance the chief went up to the composer and said: "My friend, you can go. I see you are a thief like myself, and I can take nothing from you." Tableau!
103Leschetizky has been very ill of late and unable to give lessons. He left for Ischl on Monday last to benefit from a change of air. Meanwhile some of his pupils are studying
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