The New York herald., 1871-02-20
MUSICAL REVIEW.

Ernst Renking has the finest edition OF Chopin's
works. published by BreitkOT & Haertel, that any
house can boast OF. The unappr0achable poOnaises,
mazurkas, ballads, waltzes notturnOs, impromptus,
scherzos and etudes are in separate books and are
got up In very handsome style. No musician should
without those dyls OF the most tender poet that
ever poured forth his soul on the piano.
To quote the words of one of his most
enthusiastic admirers, "Chopns polonaises belong
among the finest products OF his inspirations. They
have nothing IN common with the painted prim-
ness OF ballroom vlrtu0s0 and salon pOlonases.
Their powerful rhythm eectrles the slack nerves
OF our 6las6 indifference. In listening to many OF
them you hear In fancy the firm and heavy tread OF
men advancing with the consciousness OF courage
against every turn OF fate. In some OF the others
this broad manner disappears. In the polonaise
fantasia, opus 81, an elegiac mood predominates,
which, at the most, is interrupted only BY melan-
choy smile.
THE CELEBRATED MAZURKAS
OF Chopin wear an entirely different character from
his pOlOnaises. Upon different ground play ten
der, pale and opaline instead OF the juicy
and strong coloring. sad vein runs through them
The national songs. In their melody and in their
words. have been appropriated by CHOPIN and In
fused with Are ana sentiment entirely his own.
Coquetry, vanity, fantastical humors, inclination,
sadness, passion, the outgush of feeling, all are IN
these mazurkas pianist who can feel Chopin
and transport himself into that world OF poetry in
which the Polish composer moved has reached the
ACME OF PIANIsM.
The transcripttOns Of operas and national airs by
Charles d'Arenel cover multitude OF subjects, and
distinguished for ability In the selection OF
the most telling themes from each opera, and an
effective briliancy in the treatment OF those themes
There seventy nine works In the series and not
a weak or uninterestlng air among them. Side by
side with these elegant transcrptons may be placed
a number OF pot p0uris in fantasia form by Hector
Olivier. These are arranged as planOfOrte solos
and duets and as duets for piano and violin, piano
ana flute and piano and violoncello. They are all
good, ana adapted for either parlOr or concert We
have no American publications which can compare
with these cher dGuOres OF Z. f. Peters, Berlin and
Leipsic.
SUCCESSFUL ESSAY
has been made by Ditson Go. to publish operas in
cheap form. This is very important point gained
by the advocacy Of cheap music by the HERALD.
When the largest American house thus sneaks away
from the dictates OF the Board OF MonOpoistS 1t Is
significant proof that the revolution, long ex-
pected and hoped FOR, has commenced even IN the
stronghold of the monopolists. These operas are
sold one dollar each, and are complete in every
respect the recitatives not being omitted.
The same house publishes Stephen Heller's
LEISURE HOURS,
or "Wanderstunden,'' which Hoffman and Webli
have made the New York punhc acquainted with.
1t is quaint, strangely constructed work, and few
pianists can master Its pecullarities.
"Montague" is the name OF q polka caprice. by J.
Simpson. which IS OF mediocre character. Neither
the subjects nor arrangement are worthy OF atten-
ton.
"The Swallow song, Giro Plnsuti, is
A DAINTY LITTLE TITBiT
OF melody, charming in It's very simplicity and
ceptible or the utmost expression when sung by "a
singer who can appreciate Its beauty.
''Uver the Merry Campanian Plalns." Ariettlna.
Luigi Bordese A pretty little melody, sprghty in
character.
why should You Sigh That the Summer is
Ended2' Contralto song. W. A. Smith. Meagre in
melody, but its success depends In the manner In
which 1t Is sung rather than any intrinsic merit.
.'Though Absent, Not Forsaken.n Ballad. J. Ii.
Spiers The composer commenced With a
PRETTY GOOD MELODY,
but 1t proved too much for him. he has wandered
away from II and got hopeessly mixed up on the
last page Here we have consecutive octaves In the
accompaniment and desperate struggle to get
back TO the original key.
G.. schlrmer publishes one Of Gounod's beautiful
works called "The valley. 1t IL gem OF rare bril-
lancy and may be termed ScenG on account OF It's
breadth of style and variety Of expression. The
framework OF accompaniment is Of that delicate |
tracery which only an artistic mind can conceive.
What Does Little Birdie say, ~ A. :. sullivan, Is
one oil those charming little things that are ever
heard with pleasure, The composer is one Of the |
most accomplished musicians in London
20, Come, Marie.n Ballad. Kucken. On
melody this popular ballad writer has raised
A GRACEFUL AND FANCIFUL EDlFICE
for the pianist, which sets of the beauties OF the
vocal subject IN the best possible light.
1.-THE Question: Ballad. Schubert 1t would be !
difficult to ind In the entire realm OF music such
ballad writer as this gifted composer, and this song
Is choice specimen oil MS style.
"The Rosebud Schumann, Is one Of series Of
TWO PART SONGS
published by this house. They alone would be sum-
Client stamp the composer as Of the great
IN music. for they are perfect models OF class OF
WORKS which are unhappily too seldom heard In
public in tnls city,
: "ive Maria." Sacred song d. L. Hervey. Does
not possess any noticeable elements or merit We
would Call It quite commonplace.
J. n. Patteson Co. publish a delightful song by
Frank A. Hewson. called Little Birds, Go TO Sleep"
1t has been sung IN concert by MI. Thatcher, the
tenor, with great success.
Charles Bunce, Brooklyn, publishes an "Ave
Marian Dy NavanO. The NUMBER OF save Marias"
In the field Is incalculable, but next TO those OF
Gounod and schubert we would place this 1t ls
an extremely beautiful composition and dramatic in
Its effect.
"Jolly Sisters Galop." A. 8. Caswell. without
being particularly interesting this gallop has enough
OF lie and dash in 1t FOR the ballroom