Scan 5
Musical Courier 1904-04-20: Vol 48 Iss 1256, 1904
49 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1the piano, but here in Berlin, where we hear grand opera every night in the week and during eleven months of the year, there is no necessity for such a thing. Wagner's music is so thoroughly orchestral that it is most unsatisfactory when played on the piano. In fact, robbed of its scenic effects, its text and its orchestral garb, it sounds poverty stricken. Cortolezis' efforts were in vain, needless to state.
3The Joachim Quartet, with its Beethoven program, at the Cercle Artistique in Brussels, scored a success the like of which the Belgian capital rarely has known before. Through the efforts of the Countess of Flanders, King Leopold decorated Joachim with the Leopold Order.
5A Shakespeare statue will be unveiled in Weimar on April 23. The statue is the work of Otto Lessing, the Berlin sculptor. The day before the unveiling a special performance of "Hamlet" will be given in the Weimar Theatre with Josef Kainz in the title role.
7Beethoven's "Ninth" symphony was given a noble interpretation at the symphony concert of the Royal Orchestra under Weingartner. The solo quarter was composed of Herzog, Götz, Sommer and Hoffmann.
9Besides the symphony and Gluck's overture to "Iphigenie in Aulis" a most venerable novelty was heard—a Bach suite in C major for two oboes, bassoon and string quartet. It is a pleasing, melodious work, full of humor and happy ideas. It shows us the great Leipsic cantor in an amiable, almost mirthful mood. The "novelty" was received with real enthusiasm.
11Gustav Mahler's third symphony was recently played for the first time at the tenth Gürzenich concert in Cologne, under the composer's direction. It was warmly applauded by a small part of the public, but owing to its bizarre effects it made, on the whole, an unfavorable impression. Some of the ultra-moderns in Germany see in Mahler a new musical Messiah, other a lunatic.
13Carl Weinberger's new comic opera, "Schlaraffenland," had an immense success at the première in Prague, March 27. The text is taken from Ludwig Fulda's poem.
15The funeral of Joseph Rebicek, late conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, was held Monday afternoon, the interment being in the Dorotheenstadt Cemetery. The Berlin musical world was represented by deputations from most of the leading musical institutions, the Singakademie, the Stern Conservatory, the Concert Direction Wolff, and the Tonkünstler Orchestra, &c. There were also deputations from other cities. The Philharmonic Orchestra attended in a body. There were many costly floral offerings. As the coffin was lowered into the grave the Philharmonic Orchestra played the chorals "Wenn ich einmal soll Scheiden" and "Wie sie so sanft ruhin."
17The Popular concert Wednesday evening was a Rebicek memorial. Among other things his B minor symphony was played.
19As yet no conductor has been chosen to succeed Rebicek. There have been many applicants, and several have been tried at private rehearsals, but without satisfactory results thus far. A decision must be reached within the next three weeks. It is not an easy position to fill. As there are seventy-five "Popular" concerts during the season, the programs must necessarily include an immense number of orchestral works, and they must be varied and interesting. The conductor must be not only routed and reliable, but he must be also a comprehensive and eclectic program maker. The accompanying of soloists is another of his manifold duties, for the Philharmonic Orchestra is engaged by nearly all the visiting virtuosos. Moreover, the conductor must not be above conducting at "beer concerts," for it is the fashion at the Philharmonic "Pops" to sit at tables and smoke and drink beer—and other beverages. This seems strange to Americans at first thought, but these "Pops" are nevertheless very high class concerts. The orchestra is one of the best in the world and the programs embrace about everything of value in the orchestral literature. Another feature of the Philharmonic system that would not suit every conductor is his dependence, to a certain extent. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is a corporation. It has no financial backing, because it needs none. It has no "directors" or "supervisors" other than those chosen from among its own members. It makes its own laws, and abides by them. Hence, it choses its own conductor, and although he is master in the way of program making, appointing rehearsals, giving orders to the members, &c., yet the orchestra is in a position to dictate to him if it sees fit. He is not absolute monarch of all he directs. And, finally, though it is an honorable position, the real glory of the leadership of the orchestra goes to Nikisch, who comes from Leipsic every fortnight and leads ten subscription concerts during the season. So it will be seen that the position, all in all, is a difficult one to fill satisfactorily. Yet for acquiring large experience and routine there is no position equal to it anywhere in the world.
21Perosi's latest oratorio, "The Last Judgment," is just completed. The first performance will take place at Rome, April 4, with the assistance of the chorus of the Sistine Chapel and the best soloists that can be found in Italy. On April 11 Perosi will conduct the jubilee mass during the Saint-Gregor ceremonies, and on the 22d he will conduct his "Last Judgment" at the Warsaw Philharmonie.
23Lewis L. Richards, a promising young American pianist from Ann Arbor, Mich., is spending a few weeks in Berlin. Mr. Richards studied at home with Alberto Jonas, at the Michigan Conservatory of Music. At present he is studying in Brussels with Arthur de Greef, the eminent Belgian pianist.
25Another young American pianist who promises great things for the future is Louis Dimond, of New York, a former pupil of Rafael Joseffy, and now a pupil of Teresa Carreño. Young Dimond, who played for me, has an excellent technic, and he is full of youthful fire and enthusiasm. He will probably play here with the Philharmonic Orchestra next fall.
27A music society has been formed in Algiers, with an orchestra of eighty musicians, mostly amateurs, under the direction of Bruneau. The first concert will be given April 17, when E. Guglielini, the French violinist, who made his début here last week, will be the soloist. He will play the Mozart E flat concerto.
29Lately I heard a boy play the violin in private who deserves special mention. He is Maximilian Pilzer, from New York. This lad, who is only fourteen years old, is already an artist. He played the "Chaconne," the Bruch G minor concerto, and Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen" with a mastery truly remarkable in one of his years. He has the real violin nature and is one of those rare and specific violin talents. Pilzer has studied in Berlin for the last four years, first with Gustav Holländer (the director of the Stern Conservatory) and later with Joachim at the Hochschule. The boy has a reliable technic, a warm tone, and an intelligence and insight quite exceptional. His virtuosity and dash, as shown in "Zigeunerweisen" will surely please the public. A striking looking boy, Pilzer might be taken for an American Indian. He is to give a concert at Beethoven Hall April 9. In a field where the overproduction is so great it is a serious matter to predict a career, yet in Pilzer's case I am willing to assume the responsibility of foretelling a brilliant artistic future.
31Last evening Bach's "St. John's Passion" was given in the Philharmonie before a large audience composed of "working people only," as the tickets announced, which were sold, including the program book, for 10 cents. Truly a most praiseworthy undertaking is this, to reach the people with the great art works. It means a big stride forward in the culture of a nation. In Germany of late the movement to reach the masses with good musical productions has been general. The Emperor started the project with the collection of folksongs which he ordered made. Then folks concerts were given in various German cities, prizes were offered for the best folksongs by living composers. The leading periodicals devoted a good deal of space to articles on music for the people, and in various ways public interest was aroused in the movement. Last night the working people listened to the Bach concert with reverence and deep interest and there was no doubt that the occasion accomplished its object more than satisfactorily.
33Ernst Kraus, who is now in America, has requested the intendant of the Royal Opera to prolong his leave of absence for private reasons. It expires May 10. The Royal Opera, it seems, is not inclined to do this. In fact, great dissatisfaction is felt over Kraus' protracted absence, and it is hinted that there is likely to be a break soon between the singer and the institution. It is further rumored that Louis Arens, who made such a great success in "Siegfried" here on the 26th, will be Kraus' successor. I mentioned Arens' success in my last budget. He has a powerful and beautiful heroic tenor voice, and this, combined with his musicianship and histrionic talent, makes him an ideal Wagner tenor.
35Concert and opera list of the week:
36SUNDAY, MARCH 27.
37Beethoven Hall—Alexander Heinemann, vocal.
38Philharmonie—Morning, Philharmonic Orchestra benefit concert; evening, Philharmonic "Pop."
39Logenhaus Hall—Maria Russelt, vocal.
40Royal Opera—"Der Evangelimann."
41West Side Opera—Afternoon, "The Trumpeter of Säkkingen"; evening, "The Gypsy Baron."
43ANTONIA MIELKA
44FORMER PRIMA DONNA OF THE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN OPERA.
45Vocal and Dramatic Lessons.
46Arthur Nikisch writes: "Antonia Mielka is an artist of the first rank. She combines imposing dramatic talent with genuine vocal art. As a teacher I can recommend her most warmly. BERLIN, March 13, 1904."
47ADDRESS:
48Hohenstaufen St. 12, Berlin, W., Germany.
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