Scan 35
Musical Courier 1899-10-11: Vol 39 Iss 1021, 1899
87 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE WEBER
2And the Artists.
3[From Last Week's COURIER TRADE EXTRA.]
5SAY what we wish and may, it is impossible to separate the artistic piano from the musical artist, to whom it is as essential an element in his daily, and we may say hourly, life as the airy breeze, we have had innumerable discussions as to the advisability of piano manufacturers of the highest order maintaining their association with the best elements of the musical world through their pianos and through their intimacy with the life and the conduct and the artistic pursuits of the leading and prominent individuals of the musical community. On many occasions it appeared as if the argument would favor dissolution of these relations, and there have been occasions when attempts have been made to cut away from a condition which was already called traditional, and to place the artistic piano of the century upon what has been happily and euphoniously termed "the commercial basis"; and yet the deeper and more pregnant the inquiry becomes, the more confirmed everyone is that it is impossible to take any artistic product and derive from it such results as its own structure—its own creative essence contains, if it is handled merely on a basis of pins, peanuts and potatoes; i.e., the commercial.
7Those pianos that have been utilized for the culture and advancement of music through the purity of their tone, the delicacy of their touch and their general artistic construction have, in their evolution, been subject to consultation with musical authorities as they progressed. Piano manufacturers inevitably, as they produce new ideas in their pianos, are anxious to take into consultation expert players and also singers, composers and conductors, and submit to these the results of their experimental operations. They depend to a great extent upon the consensus of general musical opinion, and if we look at it thoroughly we find that the best instruments are those that represent the agreement of a general consensus of opinion. This is an alliance that is based upon a purely artistic sympathy, and just because it is not merely a commercial question (except in a few cases that have left a very sad impress upon the musical world), and just because it is a mutual agreement to advance all along the line the development of musical culture, it is impossible to separate those who use the artistic piano from those who make it, which means the piano itself.
9These considerations are brought about by the conclusion of an arrangement which has just been perfected between the opera company at the Metropolitan Opera House and by the leading artists of the Metropolitan Opera House Company for the use of the Weber pianos in their homes in this city and wherever they may travel. People of that rank must, of necessity, use instruments of an order and a degree of perfection that fit the nature of their pursuits. They sing the most difficult vocal compositions, they themselves play music of a high order, and their accompanists who rehearse with them require artistic pianos that are not only satisfactory for pianists, but that will aid the singer in a full understanding of the complicated polyphonic work of the modern day for which pianos have become so thoroughly adapted through the artistic development of their tone capacity. These are some of the reasons why it is that only the better class of instruments can be utilized for such purposes.
11The Weber piano is thoroughly adapted for the work which it is destined to perform in connection with the coming season at the Opera House. It will be used without any consideration, it will be used sternly, and, at times, even harshly, under the bitter conditions of repeated rehearsals. Past history is a guarantee that it will come forth with greater credit than ever, particularly when we consider the fact that under the present management everything has been done to maintain the high standard of the Weber piano of the past and to make it in conformity with the best rules of modern pianoforte construction.
13New York College of Music.
15THE music hall of the New York College of Music was filled with an attentive audience last Saturday night, when the first chamber concert of the season took place.
17The program consisted of sonata for piano and violin, op. 19, Rubinstein; a group of German songs—"Wie berührt mich wundersam," Bendal; "Herzensfrühling," Wickede, and the Brahms Quintet, op. 34, for piano, two violins, viola and 'cello.
19Alexander Lambert was at the piano for both the Rubinstein Sonata and the Brahms Quintet, and his work was as artistic as usual. It is a pity the same cannot be said of the work of the violinist in the sonata and who also played first violin in the quintet. His conception was dry, academic and devoid of any force whatever.
21The songs were sung acceptably by Mrs. Ida Fraemke-Klein, who possesses a powerful musical voice, and whose musical intelligence is always acceptable.
23Novello, Ewer & Co.
25NOVELLO, EWER & CO. have just published a song entitled "When All the World Is Young, Lad," words by Charles Kingsley and music by Henry Lowell Mason. Henry Lowell Mason comes of a noted musical family, being the grandson of Lowell Mason, and the son of the late Henry Mason, of Boston, and the nephew of Dr. William Mason, of this city. He is associated with the Mason & Hamlin house, which has made him prominent during the last few years, although he is still a very young man. The composition is an illustration of musical sentiment and legitimate artistic ideas, the result of associations that must necessarily prove beneficial in the direction of art and culture.
27A Chance for a Good Voice.
29F. X. Arens informs us that he is looking for a shorthand writer with a good voice in exchange for about one and a half hours daily work as his private secretary. He is willing to give such a one a thorough vocal education. Applicants address 305 Fifth avenue, New York city.
31The Castle Square Opera Company.
33THE second week of the season at the American Theatre opened very auspiciously on Monday evening with Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet," with the following cast:
35Romeo…………………………………………………Joseph F. Sheehan one of two readings
36Romeo…………………………………………..Joseph F. Sheehan one of two readings
37Mercutio, his friend………………………………….Harry Luckstone one of two readings
38Mercutio, his friend…………………………….Harry Luckstone one of two readings
39The Prince…………………………………………………Percy Walling one of two readings
40The Prince…………………………………………Percy Walling one of two readings
41Paris………………………………………………………..Gus Baci one of two readings
42Paris…………………………………………………Gus Baci one of two readings
43Capulet, father of Juliet……………………………….Homer Lind one of two readings
44Capulet, father of Juliet………………………….Homer Lind one of two readings
45Tybalt, Juliet's cousin………………………………….Harry Davies one of two readings
46Tybalt, Juliet's cousin…………………………….Harry Davies one of two readings
47Friar………………………………………………………..Oscar Philip Regneas one of two readings
48Friar…………………………………………………Oscar Philip Regneas one of two readings
49Benvolio…………………………………………………Harold L. Butler one of two readings
50Benvolio…………………………………………..Harold L. Butler one of two readings
51Gregorio…………………………………………………Lyndhurst Ogden one of two readings
52Gregorio…………………………………………..Lyndhurst Ogden one of two readings
53Juliet, daughter of Capulet……………………………Yvonne de Treville one of two readings
54Juliet, daughter of Capulet……………………..Yvonne de Treville one of two readings
55Stephano, page to Romeo……………………………Marie Mattfield one of two readings
56Stephano, page to Romeo………………………..Marie Mattfield one of two readings
57Gertrude, nurse to Juliet…………………………….Della Nivin one of two readings
58Gertrude, nurse to Juliet………………………..Della Nivin one of two readings
60Miss Grace Golden made her re-entré after an absence of more than a year abroad, and she returned splendidly equipped. Her singing has greatly improved, and her histrionic qualities show that she has well utilized her vacation. She was enthusiastically received and showered with floral tributes. Joseph Sheehan also has greatly improved. He was a very satisfactory Romeo.
62Very artistic was Mr. Regneas as the Friar. Mr. Regneas has a remarkably musical bass voice. He enunciates distinctly, and sings with intelligence. Commendable is the fact that he does not overdo, and his singing shows sentiment, but not sentimentality. He is a fine artist.
64All the other singers did good work. The chorus was, as usual, good, but occasionally flatted, owing to the inability to hear the orchestra. When will this orchestra be improved? It can't be heard! It is too small! Even in the well-worn "Waltz Song" the orchestra could hardly be heard.
66Either the orchestra must be augmented or some conductor engaged who knows what is necessary. It won't do the way it is going now. The stage settings were fine.
68Next week "Aida" will be given.
70Communicated.
71Editors The Musical Courier:
73(no line here) one of two readings
74BAZIN'S delightful opera "Le Voyage en Chine," which, according to your Berlin correspondent, is a recent novelty in that city, and which, he thinks, would be very successful in New York if adequately represented, was produced by the Maurice Grau Opera Comique Company in the original French at the Fifth Avenue Theatre as long ago as October 24, 1882. Offenbach's only serious work, "Les Contes d'Hoffmann," was also given during the season.
76New York has never been famous for the production of operatic novelties, but in this case we were seventeen years ahead of the German capital.
78(no line here) one of two readings
79A. E. G.
80New York, October 6, 1889.
82D'Angelo Bergh Synthetic Course.
84The young teacher is trained to develop the voice along the lines intended by nature, never out of its proper limitations. A scientific reason is given for everything. This method is guaranteed to invigorate delicate persons, to develop health, and many leading physicians and throat specialists testify to this, sending numerous patients to her. There will be pupils' recitals this season, and those advanced will be introduced to managers, choir masters, and to the public at concerts specially arranged each season. The full course consists of thirty-five weeks, with daily lessons, and the senior pupils are awarded a teachers' diploma. Miss Bergh has also a course from graduate pupils, for those unable to pay her terms; this she personally supervises.
86Walter Henry Hall, the well-known organist, choirmaster and conductor, has been engaged as conductor of the male chorus known as the Musurgia.
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