The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-13
MUSICAL REVIEW.

When the musical season commences In this city
we may expect quite change for the better In the
lnateral laid before us for review Mapeson, at The
Academy, viii revive the taste for Italian opera and
bring out some OF those delightful fantasies which
our composers know so well how to weave together.
Poor Onenbach mas received hard treatment az the
hands of some OF those who undertook to interpret
his nonsense on the plano. We trust also that the
fall will drive away with the mosquitoes the swarm
OF trashy ballads which the summer brought forth.
More utterly inane affairs, as . general rule. we
have never before encountered It seems that the
uncompromislng style OF musical review inaugu-
rated by the HERALD has created quite commotion
among the charlatan composers whom we unmasked
and their Bohemian adherents. Small fry journals
have repeatedly worked themselves up into ut OF
indignation because we have had occasion to
use the word 'trash" in our comments. Again,
other obscure daily Sheets of copperhead procvites,
attempt to initiate the audabe example set them BY
the HERALD, and only succeed in making themselves
the laughing stock Of every musician. When Bohe
mans, whose only knowledge extends as far a.
oyster stews and small beer venture upon the do
main OF music, they are sure to meet stumbling
blocks at every STEP 1t is absurd for people to at
tempt musical criticism when they are innocent Of
any theoretical or practical knowledge Of the sub
criticism in this city. When police reporters and
political writers are empowered to deliver an opn
lon on music, without knowing one note from the
other what can we expect but articles which excite
this pernicious Custom 81 delesatns musical crit
csm to unmuscal reporters is stopped it s useless
for the press addicted to that practice to speak OF
eevating the taste Of the people In this divine art
Ditson b Co. publish the following
"DOn't Borrow Trouble, Love-" w. F. Wellman,
Jr. A taking little ballad which has become q IA
vorite at Kelly Icons Minstres. The words, BY
George Cooper, are worthy Of the music.
''Speed Away arranged with brilliant variations.
A. p. Wyman. The theme Is exceedingly poor, and
the variations on such subject can scarcely fail to
be the same. They Of the most crude style, and
would scarcely be acceptable even to boarding
school miss. -.-s
sAileen;n song or duet. with chorus. W. F. Well
man, Jr. UninterestiDg, with very abrupt conclu-
sion.
G. M. Tremaine publishes the following compost
tiOns:-
"Biue Beard Polka" g. A. Russell. very poor
and weak collection OF airs from Offenbachs opera.
"Blue Beard Galop." Mr.. +. ii. Smith. Worse
opera being butchered by the ruthless Mr.. Smith.
Saviour, Source Of Every Blessing; sacred quartet
with soprano and bass solos, L. Merrifeld. A very
stupid and mediocre composition, and one which we
think will never become palatabe to any church
choir. .t. .rsN
'sThe Upper Ten y comic song. G. Bincknell One
OF the best Of Lingards songs, but unworthy OF crlt
cism.
"Old John Bourbon !" comic song. Tucker. Be-
meath criticism. 1t would be an insult even to Jer
sey lightning.
''The Face that Ever Wears a smile;' ballad. Fl.
P. Danks. The worst we have seen Of this COM
pOser's works. The accompaniment is crude,
and near the end there Is very Objectionable tran
sitiOn.