Books › Musical Courier 1910-03-02: Vol 60 Iss 9, 1910 › scan 32
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Musical Courier 1910-03-02: Vol 60 Iss 9, 1910
33 lines. Read by computer on 26 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 33. See the scan on archive.org.
1but he achieved so much in this line that he occupies a most honorable place in the rank of Russian composers. He belonged to the mighty group of composers, Dargomigjesky, Moussorgski, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakoff, headed by Mili Balakirew and Vladimir Stossow, the critic and writer on matters of art, both the most passionate and ardent patriots. The task of the group was to follow in the steps of Glinka—to create Russian music with entirely Russian melodies and harmonies. Tchaikowsky, although contemporary with them, stood apart and went his own way. The younger (present) generation followed in the path of the associated composers.
3The music of César Cui is not entirely in Russian style. There is a romantic tendency in it, which recalls Mendelssohn, Schumann and other composers of the west, but sometimes Russian melodies flow through Cui's harmonies. He has composed operas, works for orchestra, chamber music, piano pieces, songs, etc. He was also musical critic at a time when Russia needed interpreters of this kind to gain a footing on a level with the music of other nations. César Cui was one of the heroes who fought, sword in hand, straining every nerve to improve native music. In December, 1909, the Imperial Musical Society in Moscow gave a concert consisting entirely of César Cui's compositions with his scherzo, op. 1, under the conductorship of Ippolitow-Ivanoff, director of the Conservatoire of Moscow. César Cui was present and although advanced in age looked well in his splendid general's uniform with his breast covered with decorations. The audience greeted him heartily and the whole evening was a triumph for him.
5This season is quite a treat for musical people. We have never had such a great number of concerts as this winter. Even the symphonic subscription concerts amount to nearly fifty. And what is more to the purpose, they are exceedingly interesting, as first rate artists, conductors and soloists take part in them. The concerts of Sergei Kussewitzki are the novelty of the season. Their number is to be eight with an extra one (ninth) dedicated to Alexander Skriabin, at which the latter will perform his new compositions. It will take place in February. The first and second concerts were conducted by Sergei Kussewitzki with the cleverness and skill of a highly gifted artist and cultured musician. Godowsky was the soloist and charmed the audience with his lovely playing. Leonid Sobinoff was soloist at the second concert. He is a singer who always wins the sympathy of the audience with his clear tenor voice of rare beauty and his artistic singing. The third and fourth concerts were conducted by Oskar Fried from Berlin, a conductor of great strength and who possesses a deep insight into the works he leads, and Beethoven's ninth symphony was performed perfectly. The vocal quartet consisted of A. Neshdanowa (soprano), E. Sbruewa (alto), Sobinoff (tenor), W. Petrow (basso), all artists of the highest type. The choruses were well trained by L. Wassilief. The soloist of the concert, Leonia Kreutzer, performed Beethoven's E flat piano concerto. The new enterprise of S. Kussewitzki has stimulated the musical season in Moscow very much.
7The Philharmonic Society has existed about thirty years in Moscow, giving symphonic concerts and establishing a music school which attained the height of a conservatoire. Tina Lerner finished her musical education in it. The first concert of the season was conducted by Mlynarski from Warsaw, the second by Willem Mengelberg, who more and more begins to interest the world by his exceptional gifts of conductorship. He achieved immense success with Tchaikowsky's fifth, and the "Heldenleben" of Richard Strauss. Felia Litvin, the Wagner singer, sang "Isolden's Liebestod" wonderfully well. The third concert was conducted by Wassili Safonoff, who, after years of absence, reappeared on the concert platform and was heartily received by the audience. There was no end of applause and enthusiasm for his rendering of Tchaikowsky's fourth symphony and Rimsky-Korsakoff's "Scheherezade." Hubermann, the violinist, was the soloist and charmed the audience with his playing.
9Sergei Wassilenko, a highly gifted composer and skillful conductor, has organized symphonic concerts "in historical order" on Sunday afternoons at low prices, so as to bring music within the reach of every one, especially boys and girls free from school on that day. The large hall of the Conservatoire, with 2,500 seats, is always crowded. One of the concerts of Wassilenko consisted entirely of Wagner's music—parts of his "Nibelungen" and the last scene of the first act of "Parsifal," which was given for the first time in Russia. It was splendid. We cannot appreciate highly enough all that Wassilenko does for the musical education of the young by this series of historical concerts.
11ELLEN VON TIDEBOHL.
13Margaret Keyes Scores in Montreal.
14(By Telegraph.)
15MONTREAL, February 28, 1910.
16To The Musical Courier:
17Margaret Keyes, the American contralto, appeared here in aid of the Harvey Institute; singer scored a pronounced hit; called out numerous times; presented with three bouquets.
18H. B. C.
20STOCKHOLM MUSIC.
21STOCKHOLM, February 6, 1910.
22At his first concert, February 2, Joan Manen, the Spanish violinist, scored a great success. As Manen was unknown previously in Sweden, the audience was not large. Yesterday, at the artist's second appearance, the same hall was crowded with listeners. Manen will make himself a favorite of musical Stockholm, for he is one of the best violinists we ever have heard here. Of the program on the second evening, I must mention especially the Mendelssohn concerto, "La brilli" by Schubert, "Träumerei" by Schumann, and the chaconne by Bach. They were played marvelously. Miss Franco assisted at the piano. one of two readings
23At his first concert, February 2, Joan Manen, the Spanish violinist, scored a great success. As Manen was unknown previously in Sweden, the audience was not large. Yesterday, at the artist's second appearance, the same hall was crowded with listeners. Manen will make himself a favorite of musical Stockholm, for he is one of the best violinists we ever have heard here. Of the program on the second evening, I must mention especially the Mendelssohn concerto, "La brillis" by Schubert, "Träumerei" by Schumann, and the chaconne by Bach. They were played marvelously. Miss Franco assisted at the piano. one of two readings
25On behalf of the Berwall foundation a concert took place yesterday at Gothenburg with the assistance of Ernst von Dohnanyi, Hugo Becker, etc. The enthusiasm of the audience was marked.
27The new opera director, Captain Count Hans von Stedingk, is a knight of the American order of Cincinnatus. The father of his grandfather, field marshal K. B. L. K. von Stedingk, fought with great honor in the Revolutionary War of America, where he distinguished himself especially at Savannah in 1779.
29Leo Blech's "Versiegelt" will be heard at the Opera House this month.
31The excellent Beethoven interpreter, Wilhelm Stenhammar, is touring Sweden.
32L. UPLING.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.