Books › Musical Courier 1907-06-12: Vol 54 Iss 24, 1907 › scan 12
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Musical Courier 1907-06-12: Vol 54 Iss 24, 1907
115 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 11. See the scan on archive.org.
1This is the season of music festivals in Germany. Unfortunately, the two most important, the meeting of the Allgemeiner Deutscher Musikverein and the Nether-Rhenisch Festival, will occur at the same time, namely, from June 29 to July 2, the former at Dresden, the latter at Cologne. It was bad management on the part of the committees to have these dates clash, as many musicians and critics from all parts of Germany would have liked to attend both affairs.
3The festival of the Allgemeiner Musikverein is the most important and the most interesting of all the many German spring festivals, because it purports to bring out and make known the most important new compositions of the year. It will be held at Dresden, as stated above, under the patronage of the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and with the assistance of the Dresden Royal Orchestra, which will be augmented to 120 men, under the leadership of Ernst von Schuch, and with the assistance of the Petri and Lewinger quartets, and singers, etc., from outside. The program will be as follows:
5SATURDAY, JUNE 29 (MATINEE).
6(First Chamber Music Concert.)
7String Quartet, op. 25 (first performance)………….August Reuss
8Serenade, for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Contrabass, Harp and String Quartet (first performance)………….Bernhard Sekles
9Piano Trio, op. 21………………………………………Wilhelm Rhode
11SATURDAY, JUNE 29 (EVENING).
12Performance of Max Schillings's Opera, Moloch.
14SUNDAY, JUNE 30 (MATINEE).
15(Second Chamber Music Concert.)
16String Quartet………………………………………Arnold Schönberg one of two readings
17String Quartet…………………………………………..Arnold Schönberg one of two readings
18Piano Quartet, in B major, op. 7, for Violin, Clarinet, Cello and Piano………………………………………Hans Pogge
19Songs, with Piano Accompaniment………….Courvoisier, Kienzl, Thuille
21SUNDAY, JUNE 30 (EVENING).
22Performance of Richard Strauss' "Salome."
24MONDAY, JULY 1 (EVENING).
25(First Orchestral Concert.)
26Prelude and Fugue, for Orchestra…………………E. N. von Reznicek
27First Love, Song Cycle, for Solo Tenor and Orchestra, op. 28………………………………………Ludwig Hess
28Kaleidoscope, Original Theme and Variations, for Orchestra op. 30 (first performance)…………………Heinr. G. Noren
29Overture to Christ-Eiflein……………………………….Hans Pfitzner
30Loke's Ride, Ballad for High Voice…………………Franz Moser
31Ikarus, for Baritone and Orchestra…………………Heinrich van Eyken
32Symphonic Festival March……………………………….Ludwig Thuille
34TUESDAY, JULY 2 (EVENING).
35(Second Orchestral Concert.)
36Overture to a Dream, op. 45………………………..Georg Schumann
37Two Songs, with Orchestral Accompaniment………….Karl Ehrenberg
38Aus schwerer Stunde.
39Lied der Sehnsucht.
40Spring, a Song of Life and Combat, op. 8, Symphonic Poem, for Orchestra……………………………….Paul Scheinflug
41Symphonic Intermezzo, from the Opera Riquet………….Hans Sommer
42Two Ballads, for Baritone and Orchestra, op. 18….Julius Weisman
43Symphonic Poem, Mazeppa……………………………….Franz Liszt
45This program has by no means met with universal approval. The chief purpose of these festivals is to bring out important novelties, and many of these works are not novelties, having been heard before, while many of them are of little importance. Moreover, the production of the well known "Salome," which has been given at all the principal operas of Germany and is thoroughly familiar to everybody, is, to put it mildly, superfluous. But then, Richard the Mighty is president of the society—et voila tout! On the other hand, such a distinguished composer as Hugo Kaun, whose string quartet won the greatest success of all the works performed at last year's festival at Essen, gets no hearing this year at all. In view of his great success last year and in view of his international importance as a composer, he should have been represented by an orchestral composition, but the ways of committees are often past finding out.
47Tomorrow, at Eisenach, the special Bach Festival will begin, given for the purpose of dedicating as a Bach Museum the house in which Johann Sebastian Bach was born. A number of little known Bach compositions will be performed, besides well known works. In the Bach Museum can be seen for the first time the original oil paintings of three generations of Bachs—Johann Ambrosius, Johann Sebastian and Friedmund Bach. The festival will last three days.
49The program of the eighty-fourth Nether-Rhenisch Music Festival, which will be held in the Cologne Opera House, under the direction of Fritz Steinbach, will be as follows:
51SATURDAY, JUNE 29.
52Brandenburger Concerto, in G major…………………J. S. Bach
53Cantate, O Ewigkeit du Donnerwort…………………J. S. Bach
54Motet, for Eight Voice à Capella Choir, Singet dem Herrn……………………………….J. S. Bach
55Overture to Leonore, No. 3……………………………….Beethoven
56Trio, for Soprano, Tenor, Bass and Orchestra………….Beethoven
57Symphonie, No. 9………………………………………Beethoven
59SUNDAY, JUNE 30.
60Variations on a Haydn Theme, for Orchestra………….Johannes Brahms
61Rhapsody, for Contralto, Male Chorus and Orchestra.Johannes Brahms
62Piano Concerto, in D minor……………………………Johannes Brahms
63Frederic Lamond.
64Songs………………………………………Johannes Brahms one of two readings
65Songs…………………………………………………Johannes Brahms one of two readings
66Johannes Messchaert.
67Festival and Memorial Text, for Eight Voices à Capella………….Johannes Brahms
68Symphony, in C minor, No. 1……………………………Johannes Brahms
70MONDAY, JULY 1.
71Overture to Oberon………………………………………Weber
72Violin Concerto………………………………………Tschakowsky
73Mischa Elman.
74Aria………………………………………Amy Castles. one of two readings
75Aria…………………………………………………Amy Castles. one of two readings
76Symphonic Poem, Don Juan……………………………….Richard Strauss one of two readings
77Symphonic Poem, Don Juan……………………………Richard Strauss one of two readings
78Selected Parts from Parsifal……………………………Richard Wagner
79Overture to Meistersinger……………………………….Richard Wagner one of two readings
80Overture to Meistersinger……………………………Richard Wagner one of two readings
82The Omaha World News Herald of May 3 published an article on Joseph Gahm, the pianist, formerly of that city, now studying in Berlin, saying that he had been compelled to serve in the German army, with a prospect of continuing in the service of the Kaiser for two years to come. There is not a word of truth in this assertion. I am personally acquainted with Mr. Gahm and can testify that he is pursuing his studies here as hitherto, and has been in no way molested by the German authorities.
84Dr. Otto Neitzel is translating into German Massenet's latest opera, "Therese," which will be produced at the Berlin Royal Opera next season.
86That brilliant young American pianist, Myrtle Elvyn, conquers wherever she goes. She made her debut in London on May 7 and appeared again on the 15th, achieving on both occasions a pronounced success, both with the press and public. She has also played at the salon of Mrs. Ronalds, one of the leaders of London society, and as a result she has received many "at home" engagements.
88Felix Mottl has come out of the Munich Theater scandal with colors flying. In the testimony it was shown that his record as conductor of the Royal Opera has been blameless, and Ernst von Possart said it would be a great pity were he to leave Munich as a result of the scandal. When he appeared at his conductor's desk for the first time after the trial, he was loudly cheered and overwhelmed with applause. Cries of "Don't leave Munich!" and "Stay with us!" sounded all over the house.
90Sergei Kussewitzky a Significant Addition to the World of Music.
92A welcome newcomer on the concert platform is the great contrabass as played by Sergei Kussewitzky. What wonders he performs on it! How he makes it sing—both joyful and sad strains; how he tells us stories of joy and hope! And again, with what delightful prowess fingers and bow combine, dancing a whirling waltz for his enraptured hearers! His power over the unwieldy instrument is endless; he completely bends it to his will, and as his will is a wise and genial one, the results justify the lavish praise bestowed by press and public.
94Press notices follow:
96At the concert given by Sergei Kussewitzky and Alexander Goldenweiser, both of Moscow, we had the rare spectacle and aural treat of witnessing an artist appear with the contrabass as solo instrument (i.e., it was carried on after him), and to hear him call from the gigantic violin, which overtopped him by a head, much more beautiful sounds and succession of tones than could ever have been deemed possible. With closed eyes it was quite easy to imagine oneself listening to a violoncello, but a grumbling tone from the deepest depths reminded one every now and then that a rumbling bass was being executed upon. I heard a self-composed concerto for contrabass, with piano accompaniment, which attracted specially in the andante. Herr Kussewitzky had ample occasion to refute the old view that the contrabass is incapable of elegant runs. Wholly at ease with the instrument, he could produce on it all results a cello is ordinarily capable of; he especially understands how to let it sing, softly and warmly, and partly in deliciously pure flageolet tones. These charming qualities were very noticeable in an intermezzo, by R. Glère, while his own "Valse Miniature" permitted him to distinguish himself by a swinging treatment of his ponderous instrument.—Leisic. 1906.
98The contrabass is a stranger in the concert room, and is only very rarely made the subject of virtuosic handling. Sergei Kussewitzky created a sensation last season by his tremendous art; this time he simply awoke frantic applause in the Bechstein Hall. His achievements on the contrabass are technical marvels. No kind of difficulties seem to exist for him. Handel's sonata, transcribed by Simandi; a theme with variations by Stein, and several smaller items, mostly originally written for the violoncello, formed the program.—Berliner Lokal Anzeiger, Berlin, December 1, 1903.
100Ludwig Wullner in Hamburg.
102As everywhere, so in Hamburg, Ludwig Wullner created a profound impression. He is equipped in a rare manner by means of his natural gifts, enhanced by a singularly liberal education, to meet the well nigh exorbitant demands which confront the portrayer of Wolf's songs.
104The following criticism conveys some idea of the success which he attained:
106Dr. Ludwig Wullner gave his second ballad evening of the winter yesterday, the hall being absolutely sold out. His success was as thorough, as entire, as brilliant as before. Herr Conrad von Bos again acted as a perfect accompanist. This time it was necessary to be a champion in this art as well, for the whole evening was dedicated to one composer, and above all, to one who has never solely filled out an evening in Hamburg before. Nobody had had the courage to choose this composer, who is frequently feared by singer and audience, often dangerous to the public—Hugo Wolf. It is hardly Wolf's fault that he is so wrongly criticised. He demands not only a musical education of the very highest degree, but a penetrating literary and poetical understanding as well, 'truth of expression only, the words not to be an opportunity of showing off the music. Wullner carried off the songs with all his eminent powers, with a fine sense of his own poetical feelings, strong passions and warm temperament and a dramatic liveliness which was fascinating in every way. This evening proved Wullner's capabilities; he stands today almost alone in his way. Nobody can serve Wolf with such comprehensive, musical and declamatory ableness as Wullner alone. Wullner had to give several repetitions and was not left in peace until he pacified the audience with numerous encores as well. His performance was excellent in every way—physically as well as mentally.—Neue Hamburger Zeitung, March 26, 1907.
108Hugo Kaun's Harmony Classes.
110Yielding to requests on all sides, Hugo Kaun, the famous composer, will start classes in harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, score playing and musical analysis at his private studio, Berlin, W., Habsburger Str. 13, beginning September 30. He will take four pupils in a class, which makes the fees for each one-quarter of the terms for private lessons. Mr. Kaun also accepts private pupils as hitherto, and will send prospectus on application.
112A Hungarian opera called "The First Sin," by Zajic, was given in Agram recently in commemoration of the seventieth birthday of the composer.
114The concerts which drew the largest audiences and won the most recognition in Munich this winter were those of the Kaim Orchestra (under the leadership of Schnevoig), Spiering, Vecsey, Stavenhagen (who gave a series of symphony concerts), Mascagni and Drechsel, who gave a concert of his own compositions. Among the chief orchestral works heard were Boche's "Taormina," Kaskel's orchestral "Ballade," Louis' "Proteus," Courvoisier's "Olympian Spring," Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," d'Indy's second symphony, Busoni's "Comedy Overture," Bruckner's eighth symphony, Strauss' "Heldenleben," Franck's D minor symphony, Schillings' "Hexenlied," Bruckner's ninth symphony, and a number of Mascagni's selections, which the composer directed in person.
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