The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-12
MUSICAL REVIEW.

The publisaecs, taking advantage 0; Bateman's in
tenton 10 open The season OF opfra bofr at Nibo's
with oaenhachs most charming WORK Barbe
Beae" are 'ru ing out the gems OF iaa; opera and
potpourrs fan t'!as, &C., in large nulnDe.s "Barbe
Beue' Is Iay % eror to either LA Belle ilcene' or
LA Grande DQrhesse'' in musical point OF view;
but unfortunately lew OF the arrangements now be-
fore us give faithful picture OF the opera. A fan
tasia in an opera should be something more han the
principal airs strung together; there sloI.d he form
and Individuality in Il, and some attempt 10 condense
all its most strSing features in immature shape.
Some respectable musical names ere ESQ attached
to certain sopgs ard dance music VIII ID very
little evidence Of novelty or aotiy 10 got ont OF
the old hacknsfed course pursuea for yea IN COM
positions OF Tins Kind. The suminer Is .oDloiy an
unfortunate season FOR our composers, 'or EN- they
seem 10 be in comatose state In egard TO
music. TaGlng IN general all the compositions
we have reviewed for the las SIX months,
during which he works Of some Of tie most cele-
braed tompos5r, IA europe and Ame:lc. al the
present day nav oeen submitted to Us Tor c?ticism
there is one gratifying conclusion to be drawn. We
have here IN ;ns country talent FOR Gus al compo-
sition fully equai and in many superior 20 our
transat!anc ghoors. Pattlson ana Mi.s nave mr.
nished the American public with some uus urpassed
fantasies ANA caprces, and j. r. Thomas and Per-
rings ballads are sung everywhere. Il would be
dficut TO snatch Bristow in orchestra nd oratorio
works. grea; deal OF what we were compelled to
designate as trash comes from Europe aud is pub
shed there. The sensible advice winch we have
given repeatedly 10 publishers seems TO aave had
due effect, for very seldom we now come
across piece across which mus" be writ
ten the ominous word trash" The style
in which compositions are published now also de-
serve much commentator. One OF the publishers in
AZ
months, acting on advice published all their
works In a form which no London or Paris houses
can excel and the publishers. as general rule are
aterly very chary about the character OF the pieces
to which Their names are attached. it was sadly
needed for the profession and the public for the
HERALD to take up this all important subject and
compel publishers and composers to do their duty
towards their patrons. There will be shortly meet
ing OF all the music publishers of the United states
AT Long Branch and one OF the principal SUBJECTS 10
missing views Of The HERALD In regard 20 The duty or
music publishers towards the pubic ana towards
composers. We would oner th!s convention q
little seasonabe advice. publishers should adop!
some rule by which composers may DE assured
Of Justice and fair play. There IS not the
slightest why music costs ten times De much
in America as it does in Europe, and we would re-
commend ali publishers to follow the example Of
Pond 4 Co. and bring out works IN a handsome,
convenient and iegible form. Peters has very nne
title pages bat printed music instead Of engraved,
| and many OF the other publishers try to economze
on the most vital points The American pubic are
| beginning understand what the duties Of music
publishers are. so that those gentlemen, as u mere
| matter OF business, should carefully examine the
facts we have repeatedly laid before them
Dltson q CO. publish the following
dancers Quadrine,n from 'Barbe Beue," ar
ranged by j. ;. Knight pleasing Arrangement of
| the principal airs in ofenbach's opera.
| % Scnottish" rom the opera for dance music,
very poor and unnteresting.
''rhe Kiss Waltz" from the same opera. far in
ferior 10 the similar waltZes in la Belle Ueienen or
ia Grande Duchesse.p The ''proclamLt on theme
in this waltz is almost Identical with the trio in the
U.1fa fftnt tlat
enbach not on steals but repeats himself
''Grand Potpourri, on "Barbe Beue,o by the same
composer N Knight ought TO pay little more
attention 10 h transitions even in such an affair as
potpourrl. The change of KEYS from the score also
serve TO ins1i.e the themes OF the opera
Pauline GalOp," 10y Faust, arranged by knight.
What on earth Is the meaning OF an arrangement :"
| Mr.. Knight has done nothing FOR carr Fau-ts spark
ling galop except to put his name to 1t. The gaop Is
excellent IN tie ballroom.
Belle Helene subject is the best tl.ng IA this work.
Madame, al. Madame Baroe bieae. one OF the
favorites OF .he opera. Blue Beard hyppcrtcally
most heart-reudng manner.
Keep the Bal. Roling'-a Grant campaign
song. Campaign songs are generally worthless IN a
musical point OF yiew-this particularly
"Dandy Barber Joe." Murrick 'ery good in a
minstrel hall, but worse than useless IA "a parlor or
concert.
'The sea Hath Its Pearls - Boot. EoDert Gold.
beck has welded tlene's charming poetry TO sweet
sounds. II Mr. Boot has not reached The same
standard he has, however, made quite spectacle
GEORGE Erastus william Henry Brown Negro
minstrel like, therefore unworthy OF criticism.
"SOft Fell the Dews OF Summer Ngut.'' Vocal
duet stephen Glover. one or this celebrated Irish
composers old and least Interesting works.
"Cn Mari Sage from LA Belle Helene" Charles
Wells. very commonplace aud schOOlbOy arrange
ment OF this piquant and charming air. There s
little connection In the transitions OF Keys.
without strap or Bride GalOp,r by G.. Faust,
arranged by Knight. Neither very good nor ntole-
rably bad nut iearfullv commonplace
From the Dust song, Campana. very beaut-
fui specimen OF religious melody and very artistic
ally worked mp.
Father, Whose Blessing we Entreat." Jules Bene-
diet. The great English composer need not be
ashamed OF such a production. although he never
intended IL Tor a sensation. IL might tie probably
sung In any charch.
'Sixieme Nocturne.n Leybach. A simple, unpre-
tending. beautiful nocturne, quite up to the stand
ard OF this fayorlte composer.
"Galop ana Polka ''Barbe Blue" arranged by
Knight. Very favorable selections from the opera,
although they might be better arranged.
"l.et gaze upon thee Ballad redowa. Chas.
Van Oeckeicn. Any pianist taking up this piece TO
play would never wish 10 gaze upon IT, again, for
u Il both stupid aud uDinterestng.
Dodworth son publish the following
"Limit OF Love-" Song. From the Grown Dia-
monds, aud well adapted at that
NJ. A. Dessane publishes "Lihera me Domino,
short ana harmless. The accompaniment OF the
soprano solo, Quando coeli," Is very effective now
ever.
Mr.. d. Carly publishes the HtnortSiicm Monthly
Nusic1t Nelrs the first number OF which contains
some pleasing salon music but contemplate Illus
trations. There Is little or no wit displayed IN tie
after.