Scan 20
Musical Courier 1893-05-17: Vol 26 Iss 689, 1893
192 lines. Read by computer on 24 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 21. See the scan on archive.org.
1SECOND COLUMBIAN LETTER.
3Fourth and Fifth Symphony Concerts—America at the Auditorium—The "Trocadero" "Bulow Orchestra."
5At the Brahms' program on Tuesday afternoon were sixty people by actual count. The beautiful serenade was arctic in the frigidity of its rendering, and woe to the maiden receiving such a glacial compliment!
7The lovely quasi menuetto with the marvelous passages for oboe and woodwind and French horns alone approached to an ideal playing of the work. That frolicsome finale with the terrible piccolo glee, fell short of the wild Arcadian joy therein expressed.
9George Ellsworth Holmes (who ever reminds me of Ivan Morawski) sang a very attractive quartet of lieder. In the song form the great musician is a very magician, and easily carries all with him. In symphonic forms, however, he does not seem to touch the heart string of the great people; differing therein widely from Beethoven, who touches the nerve centre of humanity.
11The symphony in E minor No. 4, op. 98, begins with an allegro most fiercely wrought up, and well nigh does the great formalist forget his science and breathe the breath of life.
13The conductor was so absent-minded as to allow a very perceptible break to occur, which had well nigh a disastrous result, the embarrassment becoming demoralizing to all.
15The strange lapsus in the theme of the andante and the antique and unusual harmonic plot of this most melodious number was, however, the best piece of tone color work done in the series. The most magnificent flight of passion in the finale passioanato was superb in ferocity, but totally lacking in gradation.
17Mr. Thomas can take a lesson from the author of all his present troubles in building up a crescendo or in climaxing; in short, much of that finesse in shading so remarkable in Thomas' readings aforetime can now be missed by one who carefully follows his trend.
19His brass is rough and frequently unsteady; particularly one of the horns is a sad offender against ordinary routine. In short, the "fourth" concert can be very materially improved upon.
21Next week and the week thereafter we shall have an opportunity of hearing the crack orchestras of our three great rival musical centres side by side, and it will be the first time that such a comparison has been possible.
23Your critic is going to make a most conscientious point of arriving at a decided opinion—for himself—at any rate.
25I went down to the "Trocadero" the other night to hear the so-called "Bulow" Orchestra. It was a triumph of Chicago pluck not to be put out by such a calamity as the destruction of the great Armory. Just imagine it if you can, within a couple of days after the disaster, that Battery D was filled with an audience of admiring Westerners.
27But now to business. The orchestra is just such a one as can be heard in any German garrison town, i.e., it is a good average, all-round string and brass band, and it plays to the people and for the people.
29In standard military music they are immense, but in more ambitious selections they leave much to be desired. They play to please, and they accomplish that worthy object, which is by no means to be despised.
31A novel feature is the costuming of the band in old French or German uniforms, which seems also greatly to tickle the crowd. Alas, that our admired conductor, Thomas, but had a tithe of the shrewd doctor's foresight and acumen in managing the great public.
33The Russian singing and dancing troupes are truly refreshing in their unadulterated and uncouth harmonies and gestures.
35The savage "Trepak" is danced with appalling abandon by two youths whose fortunes will surely be made after this visit.
37I notice that Seidl is giving farewell concerts in New York preparatory to coming to the Spectatorium.
39Here in Chicago the last we heard of the venture was that it had suspended operations. I sincerely hope, however, that it was but a rumor.
41A most gorgeous spectacle is "America" at the Auditorium. Venanzi's music is very far fetched and frequently inappropriate, one song alone to Liberty rising to anything like originality.
43The main features, the marches and groupings, are magnificent and works of art in color and movement.
45I fancy it is the biggest thing of its kind ever attempted in America. The "popular, free" concerts at the fair every A. M. have been steadily growing in favor, in fact I believe they are killing the pay afternoons. I cannot for the life of me understand why it was thought necessary to charge one dollar admission to the symphony concerts, and then found wise to make the programs for the "pops" twice as attractive to the great populace. I would advocate the holding of mass meetings for the singing of national melodies, thereby familiarizing the masses with all the patriotic tunes.
47The people have some rights in this music department. Give them a lesson in the music that they love.
49I append popular programs for the week:
51MONDAY, MAY 8.
52March, "Queen of Sheba"………………………………………Goldmark
53Overture, "Ruy Blas"………………………………………Mendelssohn
54Andante, fifth symphony………………………………………Beethoven
55Suite No. 1, "Peer Gynt"………………………………………Grieg
56Waltz, "On the Beautiful Blue Danube"……………………..Strauss
57Germany……………………………………………..Moszkowski one of two readings
58Germany………………………………………Moszkowski one of two readings
59Spain……………………………………………..Wagner one of two readings
60Spain………………………………………Wagner one of two readings
61Vorspiel, Die "Meistersinger"………………………………….. one of two readings
62Vorspiel, Die "Meistersinger"………………………………………Wagner one of two readings
64TUESDAY, MAY 9.
65Choral and fugue……………………………………………..Bach one of two readings
66Choral and fugue………………………………………Bach one of two readings
67Overture, "Oberon"………………………………………Weber
68Wedding march and variations……………………………….Goldmark one of two readings
69Wedding march and variations………………………………………Goldmark one of two readings
70Symphonic poem, "Danse Macabre"………………………..Saint-Saëns one of two readings
71Symphonic poem, "Danse Macabre"……………………..Saint-Saëns one of two readings
72"Ave Maria"……………………………………………..Schubert one of two readings
73"Ave Maria"………………………………………Schubert one of two readings
74Scotch Rhapsody, "Burns"………………………………….Mackenzie one of two readings
75Scotch Rhapsody, "Burns"………………………………………Mackenzie one of two readings
76Scenes Neapolitaine………………………………………Massenet
78WEDNESDAY, MAY 10.
79Huldigung's March……………………………………………..Wagner one of two readings
80Huldigung's March………………………………………Wagner one of two readings
81Overture, "Phedre"………………………………………Massenet
82Theme and variations, op. 18……………………………….Brahms one of two readings
83Theme and variations, op. 18………………………………………Brahms one of two readings
84String orchestra. one of two readings
85Scherzo capriccioso………………………………………Dvorák
86Rhapsody……………………………………………..Lalo one of two readings
87Rhapsody………………………………………Lalo one of two readings
88Suite, Casse-Noisette………………………………………Tschaikowsky
90THURSDAY, MAY 11.
91Overture, "Jubilee"………………………………………Weber
92Andante from symphony in C……………………………….Schubert one of two readings
93Andante from symphony in C………………………………………Schubert one of two readings
94Hungarian dances, first set…………………………………Brahms one of two readings
95Hungarian dances, first set………………………………………Brahms one of two readings
96Second suite, "Peer Gynt"………………………………….Grieg one of two readings
97Second suite, "Peer Gynt"………………………………………Grieg one of two readings
98Waltz "Publicisten"………………………………………Strauss
99Prelude, "Le Dernier Sommeil de la Virgo"………………..Massenet one of two readings
100Prelude, "Le Dernier Sommeil de la Virgo"………………Massenet one of two readings
101Introduction……………………………………………..Wagner one of two readings
102Introduction………………………………………Wagner one of two readings
103Nuptial chorus, Third act "Lohengrin"……………………..Wagner
104March……………………………………………..Liszt one of two readings
105March………………………………………Liszt one of two readings
107FRIDAY, MAY 12.
108March, "Heroique"………………………………………Massenet
109Overture, "Ruy Blas"………………………………………Mendelssohn
110Last Mazurka, op. 88, No. 4, valse in A minor, op. 34, No. 2…Chopin one of two readings
111Last Mazurka, op. 88, No. 4, valse in A minor, op. 34, No. 2………………………………………Chopin one of two readings
112Suite, op. 42……………………………………………..McDowell one of two readings
113Suite, op. 42………………………………………McDowell one of two readings
114"Voice of the Forest," "Siegfried"………………………..Wagner one of two readings
115"Voice of the Forest," "Siegfried"………………………………………Wagner one of two readings
116Waltz, "Wine, Women and Song"………………………….Strauss one of two readings
117Waltz, "Wine, Women and Song"………………………………………Strauss one of two readings
118Polonaise No. 2………………………………………Liszt
120SATURDAY, MAY 13.
121Schiller March……………………………………………..Meyerbeer one of two readings
122Schiller March………………………………………Meyerbeer one of two readings
123Overture, "Festival"………………………………………Lassen
124Ballet music, "Sylvia"………………………………………Delibes
125Storm movement, ocean symphony………………………….Rubinstein one of two readings
126Storm movement, ocean symphony………………………………………Rubinstein one of two readings
127Waltz, "Village Swallows"………………………………..Strauss one of two readings
128Waltz, "Village Swallows"………………………………………Strauss one of two readings
129Benedictus……………………………………………..Mackenzie one of two readings
130Benedictus………………………………………Mackenzie one of two readings
131"Damnation of Faust," selection…………………………..Berlioz one of two readings
132"Damnation of Faust," selection………………………………………Berlioz one of two readings
134One unfortunate feature of the morning concerts is that the people will insist upon coming and going in a continual stream. This is of course very disturbing to all concerned, and might be remedied by dividing the program into three parts and permitting withdrawals only between the parts. As it is at present the people seem to regard the whole "free" music scheme as a mere side show.
136I would like to emphasize the fact of the out door band music being entirely inadequate, both as to quality, quantity and general dispersion over the grounds.
138But that will be all right when Johnny Sousa comes marching home; and we do miss Patrick Gilmore after all, don't we?
140Friday night—I have attended the fifth symphony this afternoon; 120 people present. "Egmont" music but coldly rendered, save the entr'acte. Even infallible Oboeist Bour was a little off, although his tone was as fine as ever. The septet was excellent. Bendix can tell you about the violins' error.
142The C minor was in every respect a model success. The "Free Pops." are to be translated to "Choral" Hall very soon, as more space will be imperative. Boston Symphony programs for next week are very attractive. Here follow programs:
144MONDAY, MAY 15—BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
145Conductor……………………………………………..Mr. Frank Kneisel one of two readings
146Conductor………………………………………Mr. Frank Kneisel one of two readings
147Soloist……………………………………………..Mr. C. M. Loeffler one of two readings
148Soloist………………………………………Mr. C. M. Loeffler one of two readings
150PROGRAM.
151Overture, "Benvenuto Cellini"……………………………….Berlioz one of two readings
152Overture, "Benvenuto Cellini"………………………………………Berlioz one of two readings
153Concerto, in A major, op. 26……………………………….Saint-Saëns one of two readings
154Concerto, in A major, op. 26………………………………………Saint-Saëns one of two readings
155(Por violin and orchestra.)
156Mr. Loeffler.
157Prelude, Adagio and Gavotte……………………………….Bach one of two readings
158Prelude, Adagio and Gavotte………………………………………Bach one of two readings
159Orchestration by Bachrich.
160Symphonic poem, "Le Rouet d'Omphale"…………………..Saint-Saëns one of two readings
161Symphonic poem, "Le Rouet d'Omphale"……………………..Saint-Saëns one of two readings
162Symphony, E minor, No. 5, op. 64…………………………..Tschaikowsky one of two readings
163Symphony, E minor, No. 5, op. 64………………………………………Tschaikowsky one of two readings
165TUESDAY, MAY 16—BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
166Conductor……………………………………………..Mr. Frank Kneisel one of two readings
167Conductor………………………………………Mr. Frank Kneisel one of two readings
168Soloist……………………………………………..Mr. Alwin Schroeder one of two readings
169Soloist………………………………………Mr. Alwin Schroeder one of two readings
170Overture, "Leone," No. 3……………………………….Beethoven one of two readings
171Overture, "Leone," No. 3………………………………………Beethoven one of two readings
172Symphony No. 2, in C, op. 61……………………………….Schumann one of two readings
173Symphony No. 2, in C, op. 61………………………………………Schumann one of two readings
174Concerto for violoncello and orchestra……………………..Saint-Saëns one of two readings
175Concerto for violoncello and orchestra………………………………………Saint-Saëns one of two readings
176(First and second movements.)
177Prelude and Closing Scene, "Tristan and Isolde"………….Wagner one of two readings
178Prelude and Closing Scene, "Tristan and Isolde"…………Wagner one of two readings
179Siegfried's "Rhine Journey," from "Götterdämmerung"……..Wagner
180Overture, "Tannhäuser"………………………………..Wagner one of two readings
181Overture, "Tannhäuser"………………………………………Wagner one of two readings
183An American program will follow the week after with symphony of Chadwick and works by Foote and McDowell.
185W. Waugh Lauder.
187Carl Jung.—The death is reported of Mr. Carl Jung, the well-known leader of the Crystal Palace orchestra. Since the death of Costa, Mr. Jung was also first violinist at the Händel festivals. He was an able orchestral leader and was greatly respected by his colleagues and his chief.
189Gounod and Baralbos.—During the rehearsals of the "Drams Sacres of Silvestre and Moraud" the director of the Vaudeville called on Gounod, who had composed the music, and said: "Dear master, do not you think the Baralbos incident could be more effective if underlined by an orchestral phrase?"
191Gounod made no reply, but buried his head in his hands, and then after ten minutes had elapsed cried out, "No! Decidedly, no! The fellow does not deserve music!"
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