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Musical Courier 1893-05-17: Vol 26 Iss 689, 1893
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1McKinley bill, and especially that portion of it placing a duty upon musical instruments and supplies.
3The report of the executive committee was concurred in.
5A paragraph in the evening end of Mr. Scripps' combination, purporting to quote a member of the league as saying that the symbolism in the sign of the league "was rot," was denounced as a falsehood by the convention. The delegates expressed great indignation over the matter. Musicians are naturally emotional, and some of them, feeling the grievance deeply, indiscriminately denounced the entire press of the country. Wiser counsel was brought to bear upon the more emotional delegates, who felt that their sacred art had been insulted and trampled upon by the afternoon organ, and the matter was smoothed over. A committee will probably wait upon the paper to find out why this gratuitous insult should have been given.
7The evening session of the musicians was devoted to committee meetings until about 11 o'clock. Those members who did not attend the committee meetings went to the theatre and in other ways sought pleasing diversion. At 11 o'clock the local musicians, over sixty in number, serenaded the guests at the Russell House. The first selection played was the "Columbian March," composed by Harry Zickel, of this city. It is a composition of merit, and was warmly applauded. Other selections were the "Oberon" overture, Meyerbeer's "Torchlight March" and the "Lion's Chase." Then the musicians formed in line and proceeded to Harmonie Hall, where a social session was held, a large silver loving cup, presented to the National League by the New York local union, being brought into active service to emphasize the feeling of good fellowship which exists among the members.
9MEETING OF MAY 10.
11The most important matter brought before the National League of Musicians at their session yesterday morning at the Russell House was the report of Wm. Wolsieffer, chairman of the committee on army and navy bands. The attitude of the league toward Government military bands is incorporated in the following address to "the American public:"
13Address On Government Bands.
15During the past eight years the musical profession of this country, through their organization, the National League of Musicians of the United States, has been seeking relief from the grievous consequences of two great impediments to earning a livelihood; that is, the unjust and unfair competition of Government army and navy bands, and foreign contract musicians. The courts, departments, Congress and President of the United States have been appealed to time after time, protests long and loud have been entered, bills were introduced in Congress, hearings of Congressional committee meetings were attended, facts, evidences and arguments were presented, and memorials prepared and distributed, but all without avail.
17This vigorous agitation has established the fact that the Government is unwilling to pay its musical employés living compensation, and thereby encourages the army and navy bands in seeking outside musical business other than Government duties in competition with and by under bidding their civilian brethren. Also that the Government, in violation of the spirit of the Alien Contract Labor law, allows the importation of foreign musicians, by designating them all, without discrimination as to their standard of musical proficiency, as coming under the provision of the law which excepts "artists." It is also painfully manifest that there exists a popular delusion, fostered by the public press, which is antagonistic to the musical profession and the stand it has taken upon these questions.
19Thus the only course left the American musician is a most earnest appeal to the American public's sense of justice and fairness, to the end that the existing popular misunderstanding of the cause of the musicians of this country may be corrected, and in accordance therewith such pressure brought upon Congress by petition and 'otherwise as to insure the necessary legislation by which the grievances referred to will be removed.
21The disposition to attach a political bearing to these questions is not generally entertained, as they have no relevancy to any of the political issues, and it is not likely that either of the great political parties would deem them sufficiently significant to advocate as national issues. Besides, the popular indorsement of the musicians' appeal is sought upon the broad principles of justice towards tax-paying citizens, engaged in the pursuit of an honorable existence by means of an elevating profession, which brings delight and enjoyment during hours of recreation to the toiling inhabitants of this greatly beloved country.
23Without entering into a criticism of the law, which permits foreign artists to come here "under contract," thereby depriving "American" artists of the same protection which is accorded to all others who labor (in the broad sense), that they may live in the pursuit of happiness as vouchsafed to all owing allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, it is most emphatically denied, that foreign musicians landing here under contract are all of them artists. Musicians the world over are only "exceptionally" artists, which truth must sooner or later prevail to the enlightenment of the press, government officials and the general public.
25The World's Fair occurring before the past and present efforts of the musician citizens have been finally successful, unfortunately places them in an apparent position of antagonism to the legitimate musical features from foreign nations, officially provided for and sanctioned by the respective Governments, to become attractions of the great International Exposition. To such, and only such foreign musicians, there is positively no opposition on the part of the National League of Musicians of the United States, whose members are equally as public spirited as any of their fellow citizens. It is against the speculators, who use cheap foreign and United States Government musicians, with which to deprive the citizen musicians of engagements throughout the country legitimately theirs, and which would revert to them but for the under bidding practiced by these speculators, that the musical profession is directing its efforts, and the public is appealed to for a great popular verdict in its favor.
27The measure before Congress concerning army and navy band competition involving increased pay for these government employés, it is given out that for political reasons of economy no salaries would be raised, and thus is continued the great injustice of preying upon the means of livelihood of its own citizens by this great government by allowing in the most undignified manner its musical employés to enter into competition with civilian musicians upon terms of the greatest inequality.
29Certainly a careful, unbiased consideration of these grievances should create for the American musical profession the strongest sympathy and support of the American public.
31C. H. William Ruhe, president; Jacob Beck, secretary; John Hunt, Owen Miller, William Wolsieffer, chairman army and navy band committee, National League of Musicians of the United States.
33The afternoon session was devoted to the consideration of the reports of various committees. In the evening the members of the league, by special invitation, attended the Sousa concert at the Auditorium.
35Musical Items.
37Lenox Choral Society.—The Lenox Choral Society, Maud Morgan, director, will give its last concert on Saturday evening at Madison Hall, Harlem.
39A Benefit Concert.—A benefit concert will be given next Tuesday evening, May 23, at the Lenox Lyceum, for that well-known Catholic Mission, Society of San Raffaele (113 Waverly place), under the auspices of the Most Reverend Archbishop Corrigan. A program of unusual excellence is promised. Among the well-known artists who have volunteered their services may be mentioned Mrs. Kate Rolla, Miss Olive Fremstad, Miss Margaret Krause, Miss Gerladine Morgan, Mr. Emil Fischer, Mr. Albert G. Thies, Mr. Hans Kronold and Mr. Leopold Godowsky. The world renowned South American students from Lima, South America, have also tendered their services. Tickets can be obtained at the Lyceum and at Schubert's music store.
41Forsyth's Pupils—A piano recital by the pupils of W. O. Forsyth, of Toronto, Canada, will be given in St. George's Hall to-morrow evening, Misses Van Etten, Lucy and Lillian Kennedy, Lailey, Proctor and Evison, and Messrs. A. T. Burns and C. C. Forsyth will participate.
43Mr. Bratter of the Staats Zeitung.—Mr. C. A. Bratter, who has had charge of the musical department of the New York "Staats Zeitung," now occupies the foreign editor's chair, which has recently been vacated by Dr. Senner, who is now Emigration Commissioner.
45Seidl at the Garden.—Anton Seidl and his orchestra began a short engagement at the Madison Square Tuesday evening of last week, which will terminate this week. The Spectatorium is supposed to open about June 20, and Mr. Seidl and his orchestra will go West about the beginning of next month.
47Covent Garden Opera Season—LONDON, May 15.—Sir Augustus Harris opened his grand opera season at Covent Garden this evening with "Lohengrin." Mrs. Melba took the part of "Elsa." The Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Teck, the Princess Mary of Teck and the Duke of York were present.
49Popular Opera at the Grand.—Mr. Gustav Hinrichs and his excellent company are at the Grand Opera House for a short engagement beginning Monday night. "Il Trovatore" was sung respectfully Monday night last, with Tavary, Payne Clarke, Lizzie MacMichal, Messrs. Campanari and W. H. Clark in the cast. Mr. Hinrichs conducted. Last night "Maritana" was sung, and to-night an act of "Ernani" and "Cavalleria Rusticana." The balance of the week will consist of repetition performances. Mr. Edmund C. Stanton is now the manager of the house. The audiences have been large.
51Some International Bureau Artists.—Rosa Linde, the contralto, has just returned to the city. She has met with great success on a recent tour with the Gilmore Band.
53Lila Kavanaugh has been engaged to take the part of the Fairy Queen in "Adonis," at the Casino. Besides being very attractive, she has a remarkably fine soprano voice.
55Alma Reynolds-Bullocke has recently met with flattering success in Rochester and Buffalo. Her voice is a rich soprano.
57Miss Amelia Sarti, the Italian violinist, who recently created an excellent impression at Mrs. Cappiani's musicale, is among the foremost lady violinists in this country. She is engaged in several cities in Pennsylvania during the present month.
59Mr. Percy W. Mitchell, the violinist, and Miss Grace Milton, soprano, have recently returned from a successful tour with the Mozart Symphony Club.
61All the above artists are under the management of Louis Blumenberg, of the International Bureau of Music.
63A TEACHER of music with proper credentials can secure a good position in a female institute at one of the most famous health resorts in the South. (German or French preferred.) A man and wife are desired. The lady can also find employment in the school if she can teach German or French. Address W. P. Ellis, Manager, Bailey Springs, Ala.
65Music for the Violoncello.
67A PROPOS of violoncello music, I send you a list of my accumulation:
69VIOLONCELLO AND PIANO.
71Abend Lied—Schumann.
72Adagio e Allegro (Op. 70)—Schumann.
73Adagio (Op. 29)—Franchomme.
74Adagio (Op. 38)—Bargiel.
75Air Varié (Op. 4)—Franchomme.
76A la Hongroise—Lachner.
77Album, Seven Pieces (Op. 28)—Del Valle de Paz.
78Albums Célèbres (two vols.)
79Amusing Pieces—Reinagle.
80Arie—Durante.
81Aubade e Scherzo (O. 61)—Godard.
82Au Bord du Russeau—Fischer.
83Ave Maria—Schutert.
84Ballade (Op. 25)—Davidoff.
85Berceuse—Dunkler.
86Canzone and Tarantella—Raff.
87Canzone—Bruch.
88Caprice—Klengel.
89Caprice Hongroise—Dunkler.
90Chanson à Boire—Dunkler.
91Concerto—Schumann.
92Concerto in D—Molique.
93Concerto in D—Tartini.
94Concerto (Op. 101)—Haydn.
95Concerto (Op. 100)—Goltermann.
96Czardas—Fischer.
97Daniel Fantaisie (Lee)—Leduc.
98Duo Concertant—Ries.
99Duo Concertant (Op. 151)—Kummer.
100Élégie—Mendelssohn.
101Elfentanz—Popper.
102Fantaisie, Fille du Régiment (Op. 8)—Stanlein.
103Fantaisie, Don Juan (Op. 8)—Chevillard.
104Fantaisie Hongroise (Op. 4)—Stanlein.
105Fantaisie Nord (Op. 7)—Stanlein.
106Fantaisie Originale—Dunkler.
107Fantaisie Russe (Op. 1)—Demunck.
108Fantaisie (Op. 51)—Kummer.
109Fantaisie (Op. 56)—Kummer.
110Fantasiestücke (Op. 78)—Schumann.
111Feuillet d'Album (Op. 52)—Popper.
112Four Pieces (Op. 20)—Davidoff.
113Fourth Gavot—Popper.
114Gavot—Bach.
115Gavot—Rameau.
116Gavot (No. 2)—Popper.
117Impromptu (Op. 29)—Jonas.
118Intermezzo—Goltermann.
119Irish Fantasia (Op. 8)—Hausmann.
120L'Absence—Dunkler.
121La Fileuse—Dunkler.
122La Mainconia—Dolmetsch.
123Largo—Popper.
124Le Concert au Salon (six vols.).
125Le Lac de Côme—Servais.
126Mazurka (6, Op. 51)—Popper.
127Mazurka Fantastique—Popper.
128Mazurka I.—Popper.
129Melodie e Burlesca—Noskowski.
130Montferina—Hummel.
131Montferina—Stern.
132Nah—Linblad.
133Nocturne—Chopin.
134Nocturne (Op. 59)—Goltermann.
135Opera Albums (three volumes).
136Three Duos—Lindley.
137Three Duos (Op. 29)—Viotti.
138Four VIOLONCELLOS.
139Feierlich's Stück (Lohengrin)—Serenade (Op. 29)—Lachner.
140Grutzmacher.
141Religioso e Nocturne—Goltermann.
143VIOLONCELLO AND VIOLIN.
144Grand Duo Brillant Russe—Bockmühl.
145La Muette de Portici (Op. 119)—Dotzauer.
146Six Duos (Op. 5, Vol. 1). Ditto (Vol. 2)—Hoffman.
147Three Duos (Op. 2)—Romberg.
148Sonatas—Corelli.
149Variations on God Save the King (Op. 38)—Servais.
151VIOLONCELLO STUDIES.
152Caprices and Exercises (Op. 15)—Six Sonaten—Bach.
153Lindley.
154Dodici Capricci (Op. 25)—Piaatti.
155Eight Studies (Op. 106)—Kummer.
156Eight Studies (Op. 46)—Schröder.
157Method—Duport.
158Method (Op. 30)—Lee.
159Method—Merrick.
160Twelve Studies (Op. 107)—Dotzauer.
161Twelve Studies (Op. 70)—Dotzauer.
162Twenty Exercises (Op. 11)—Merk.
163Twenty-four Studies—Hunerfurst.
164Twenty-four Studies (Op. 38)—Grutzmacher.
166It would be interesting to have similar lists from leading professionals.
167Yours, &c.,
168FRANK WINTERBOTTOM.
169PLYMOUTH, April 16, 1893.
171—London "Musical Opinion,"
173WANTED—Additional professors of piano, organ, harmony and composition for the Utica (N. Y.) Conservatory of Music—artists of reputation who can furnish high references as to character, and who have given palpable proofs of their ability as teachers. Others need not apply. It is desired that first letter be exhaustive. From the 20th till the 22d, inclusive, call on Mr. Louis Lombard, the director, Hotel Waldorf, New York city.
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