Scan 23
Musical Courier 1895-07-17: Vol 31 Iss 802, 1895
78 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026. Printed page 24. See the scan on archive.org.
1class of musicians in Japan, called Gakkooneene, ranks with the most eminent men—politicians or warriors—of their country; they devote themselves exclusively to the cultivation of sacred music, they are all distinguished instrumentalists, and are thoroughly familiar with musical theory. I may add here, that while in China sacred music has lost its tradition, in Japan, the Mikado, who is head of the church (the same as the Czar in Russia), still maintains the best orchestra in the country.
3This orchestra, which devotes itself entirely to sacred music, has in its repertory a number of pieces of such ancient origin that the vocal text is lost, and the musicians, though they play them, know neither the name nor the meaning of those compositions; all of which is often and much more forcibly exemplified in this country and in Europe. The second class is composed of such as play no other than worldly music, with the exception of a few Koto players who know the different tonalities as well as the common notation; the majority are totally ignorant of theory or the system of notation; they rank with the tradespeople, which cast is lower than the first. The blind form the third class, which is divided again into two categories, that of the Kengee and their inferiors, the Koto. This class devotes itself to very ordinary music, no doubt the kind that some people write about, calling it "meaningless, barbaric noise."
5(To be continued.)
7Musicians Go to Europe.—Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Titus, of Worcester, Mass., will go abroad for a year or more. Mrs. Titus will study for grand opera in Paris.
9New Damrosch Engagements.—Rosa Eibenschütz, contralto, and Gisella Stoll, soprano, have just been engaged by Mr. Walter Damrosch for his season of opera in German.
11The Carris' Vacation.—Ferdinand and Hermann Carri, of the New York Institute for Violin and Piano Playing, go to Nantucket this week, and return September 15.
13The London Wagner Society.—Mr. Edward Dannreuther, whose services to the Wagner Society of London, England, date back for more than twenty-five years, has recently consented to accept the presidency of that organization. He succeeds the Earl of Dysart.
15Miss Millard's Bicycle Trip.—Mary Millard, the prima donna of the Sphynx Company, playing at the Casino, lost control of her bicycle on the steep grade on 145th street between St. Nicholas avenue and the Seventh avenue driveway on Monday afternoon. The brake refused to work and Miss Millard put her feet upon the rests and started to coast down the hill. She sped down at a terrific speed and finally collided with an Italian's push cart loaded with cream. She was not seriously injured.
17making the exercise complete. When the entire piece is gone over in this manner but once, so wonderful is the memory of Dr. Wood that he can play the piece through without assistance, and will always retain it in his memory. So perfectly is Dr. Wood schooled in musical form, which is a higher branch of music only acquired after years of study, that he can often anticipate Miss Burdette in the reading of a piece of music that he never heard before."
19Hinrich's Season.—Gustav Hinrich's season of English grand opera next winter in Philadelphia will include forty nights and thirteen matinées of opera and twelve orchestral concerts. Emma Nevada and Sig. Vignes will probably head the company.
21M. Douillet in Portland.—M. Pierre Douillet, who was connected with the New York College of Music as far back as Neupert's time, and until quite recently, has been in Portland, Ore., for several weeks.
23M. Douillet gave two recitals last week to small but appreciative audiences. He has gained a few sincere friends and admirers among those who are really interested in artistic work. His program included works of Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Rubinstein and Scarlatti; also several charming little compositions of his own.
25The varied numbers brought out his versatility of expression and perfect grasp of all technical difficulties. His treatment of the Erikling, Schubert-Liszt, was a masterly bit of playing, and the Steinway piano, a parlor grand, responded nobly to all demands.
27M. Douillet will make a pleasure trip to the Sound countries, after which he will resume his duties in the female college of Sherman, Tex.
29The Arion of Columbus.—The Arion Club of Columbus, Ohio, is perfecting plans to erect an auditorium for its use. The building as projected will seat 4,000 people. The estimate of the cost is $200,000.
31Oscar Franklin Comstock.—The Meadville Morning Star announces the engagement in that city for one year of Oscar Franklin Comstock as teacher of piano, organ, theory and harmony. Mr. Comstock has filled important positions in several churches and schools and has had wide experience as choral director for various societies. As a musician he is a strong acquisition to the faculty.
33Elene Eaton.—Another fine singer, Elene Eaton, has been secured by the Worcester Festival Committee. This dramatic soprano will sing St. Paul and Israel in Egypt.
35An Aramenti Pupil.—Miss Trenkman, who sang so successfully with Sousa's Band at Manhattan Beach last Saturday, is a pupil of Madame Julia Aramenti. Madame Aramenti sang at Asbury Park last Sunday.
37Miss Evans at Nantucket.—Miss Katharine W. Evans, the well-known singer and teacher, is spending her vacation in Nantucket. She will resume her work September 1.
39The Blind Organist.—One of the most remarkable musicians in the world is Dr. David D. Wood, the organist of St. Stephen's Church, Philadelphia. He is totally blind. "When he desires to learn a piece of music he seats himself at the piano or organ," says the Philadelphia Record, "and Miss Burdette, his private secretary, stands near him with the music in her hand. She describes to him the music by telling him the key and giving him the time and movement. Then she reads the notes for several bars, which are intended for the right hand movement. The reading is done as fast as the lips can move. Then as she starts to read that part of the music intended for the left hand, Dr. Wood plays what she has already read for the right hand and follows her words with the left hand, thus
41THE PRINCIPAL ARTISTS IN AMERICA—Season 1895-96.
43LILLIAN BLAUVELT, the Young American Prima Donna Soprano.
45FRANGCON-DAVIES, England's Greatest Baritone; April and May, 1896.
47MARIE VANDERVEER GREEN, Prima Donna Contralto; Concerts, Oratorios, Musical Festivals.
49MRS. KATHERINE BLOODGOOD, Contralto; Concerts and Oratorio.
51GEORGINE VON JANUSCHOWSKY, Dramatic Prima Donna of the Imperial Opera House, Vienna; for a short season in America.
53MARIE BARNARD, Prima Donna Soprano; Concerts, Oratorio, Etc.
55FANNY BLOOMFIELD-ZEISLER, Pianist.
57MYRTA FRENCH, Prima Donna Soprano; Opera and Concerts.
59ELISE FELLOWS, Violinist; her first season in America; Concerts and Recitals.
61MAX HEINRICH, Baritone; Oratorio, Concerts, Song Recitals.
63MISSES SCHAFTER AND MILLER, Ensemble Pianists; Concerts and Recitals.
65AND WM. H. RIEGER, America's Leading Tenor.
67CHARLOTTE MACONDA, Prima Donna Soprano; Concerts, Oratorio, Opera, Etc.
69JANET METSIK, Prima Donna Contralto; Concerts, Oratorio, Opera.
71CURRIE DUKE, Violinist; Concerts and Recitals.
73ELEANOR MEREDITH, Prima Donna Soprano; Concerts, Oratorio, Etc.
75LAURA MOORE, Soprano; Concerts, Etc.
77For Terms and Other Particulars Address Wolfsohn's Musical Bureau, 131 East 17th St., NEW YORK.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.