The New York herald., 1870-02-06
MUSIC IN EUROPE.

Musical Uftcrances, Affairs and Doings in Eng
Inud-The National Taste and PATRONAGE
ssConcerI Parties" and Touring Through the
COuniry-Pen and Ink Portraits Of the Mod.
crn Ceebrities-Press Criticsms-The Piano
Trade.
LONDON, jan % 1870.
It is fact that the English have been called ma
ton or shopkeepers but has any ever said they
were musical nation? Their own idea ON the sub
jecG leaves no room for doubt, and, certainly to
Judge by the amount Of music performed in the
shape OF operas concerts oratoros ballad and glee
concerts, and a host Of other musical entertain
ments, they should love music dearly. But this is
deusion, which hope to prove by facts.
1t is my intention TO give summary OF musical
matters In general, and. at the same time, to de-
scribe the s"English" way Of touring through the
country with concert parties. ! shall also intro.
duce slight portrature OF Tictens, Nilsson,
Reeves ana many other celebrities. Concerts
are generally given on great scale in
London. There are often many as forty vocalists
assisting, and these concerts generally last i've or
six hours. No person Of musical taste can sit out
performance or this description, but with the Eng
ish public it is simply fashion, nothing else. AT the
present moment 1t is considered bon ton to patron
ize classic music, and we see fashionable ladies
doing away under the soothing influence OF Beet
n0Vel anu bdCu AT tlic hOuuhb popular concerts
How could they be induced to absent themselves from
these periodical reunionss "Nobyesse obigen never
held more potent sway than does the fear OF
losing caste over the minds Of many OF the frequent
ers Of these gatherings taste for such music Is
cultivated aste Just the taste for eating olives or
drinking caret Is cultivated. 1t rs a description or
music which makes but little appeal to the emo
tions except through the medium OF the
intellect. Ii partakes more Of the artis-
tic than the natural; 1t Is the result
more OF cultivated thought than spontaneous
feeling 1t Is not, think, unfair to say that class
cal music is not so popular as operate music. The
up to such q LOFTY Intelectualism. | do not say
word against classic music. In this country ii.
would be regarded as rank heresy TO breathe a syl
liable in dlsparagcment OF many or tue choicest gems
OF the greatest musicians. To fnd fault with that
music would De to find Iault with Handel, Mozart
Beethoven and Guck and host OF geniuses. What
seek to know is why classical music which Is said
TO be the highest phase Of music, should be regarded
by the majority OF people with an average musical
education less interesting than the compositions
OF Verdi Balfe, wallace or Gounod. There must pe
reason for tnis II is either that the multitude Is
caught BY the garishness OF music composed with
has little that Is sympathetic In its nature
The public in England Is greatly Influenced by the
press-crltquos are eagerly read Dy which opinions
formed: for Of course no one ever doubts the
fabilty Of the London Times on musical matters.
The Telegraph echoes the Times, and the Pau NAL
Gazette and SATURDAY Rerte,C have the same editor
for the subject. Therefore 1t Is evident that one
| opinion only is promulgated BY the leading Jour
nails II may aptly be compared TO what believe ID