New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-27

.ner TO do that; he gives lessons to all the world
tord the Niath Symphony directed by Habeneek, the
hnstrious founder and conductor OF the socete ues
Of the text nor of the Instrumentation but OF
usnce-which this learned director ah0Weu
nm mnsen, forte '"0 in the grand unison for
struged Instruments which accompanies the sxths and
light change was made that the flutes, carnets, and
bassoons, TO which the melode design Is lntrusteo
might not be overpowered by the great number OF
siringed instruments whose muttered thunder marks
the principal rhythm beneath. As for the vocal part
,so and chorus) which ends TINS neomparable snDne
snd uniquely majestic work, deny absolutely that the
excouanrs and me pubic have pronounoed against IL
decisive and rre'ocaole non possapns Non posSIhas
is the expression Of every first diSeouragement u mas
greeted the first appearance OF every ms
set up against the symphonies OF Beethoven WI.
they began TO be known in France, and agsinS,
sIcs Huguenots." ale Prophete;" it has re-
Gently been set pp IN Germany wiynor "S whicS
the artists and the chorus declared TO he mPosslpie
either learn sing II has been pronounced ana
quartes of Beethoven Time at last smooihs away .le
difficulties aud in this. as IN 50 many other things what
seemed impossible YESTERDAY appears perfectly Simple
to-day. 1t j. certain that the vocal part OF the MIN
symphony is difficult OF execution aud that the manner
In which th3 voices are treated demands skill ana
knowledge OF music much above the average OF arues
and chorus singers. Nevertheless do not hesitate To
say. in opposition TO the assertions advanced IN the
culQue with which / take Issue, that AT vienna IN
isa? heard the Choral symphony performed by loo
musicians (bOu 45J instruments and $50 yolces under
the direction OF Otto Nlcola ana that the execution
was admirable in every respect-in the ensemble, in
In precision OF attack anO OF rnytnln IN per
feet accuracy of intonaton and ~ the exact
OF the even IN the shrlest notes aud the most
ragged pass Ii Is true that I'm Germany the register
and tmofe OF the soprano voice iehu tnetlN1s MI.
peculiar facility 10 attacking and holding the highest
notes. and his accounts IN part FOR the excellence OF the
performance respect precision and parity of into
natiOn but IL must be added that the knowledge OF
music generally diffIsed IN Germany by the obliga-
tory teaOniug OF the art in all the schools con-
tributes not little to the accuracy OF execu-
how universally the teaching ana knowledge of
music are familiar to children IN Germany and
.~1,fg ffAr
REQUIEM OF my own which consisted OF no fewer than
fourteen numbers; tne execution was rreproachabe,
snd the children lntrustrd with the first and second
treble parts in the chOruSes read their parts at rst
sight easily II they had been reading book. re-
meinber lad OF u or - years shOpOOy at book
,oa my hooks saw him look wisffnlly at INV piano
" DO You play The piano 3" SAID L. Oh Sir, "a little,"
iInediatcy al tie piano, aud he played for me from
memory Becthoven's grand sonata in minor. 1t is
rare 10 find IN Germany family whose members can
not execute pirtsong at sight, not like singers,
that the vocal part OF the Choral symphony is entirely
Practicable although may he, as RosSini sad badly
ana singers VINO not ouly have good voices but also
know hOw read music; and IL must be admitted that
this condition Is very imperfectly fulfilled In England.
But however this he, let Us not touch the works
great masters IL Is AN example OF rashness and
rrcyerence whose downward course there Is moth
Ing 70 arrest our steps. Let us not mcdde with the
work of these highbret hands whose noble outlines,
severe structure ana majestic elegance pOsterity ought
20 contemplate uuyaleI and let remember that IL is
better TO leave great master his mpegfections, If he
CHARLES GoUNoD.
LETTER FROM LIST.
The Abb6 List has written the following
letter to Mr. Otto Singer, formerly Of this city, IN reply
10 an invitation TO take part in the Musical Festival at
Cincinnati next year:
HIGHLY ESTEEMED FRIEND: Your kind letter was
.uy appreciated. Receive my wdfnCSt thanks ana tbe
assurance NY constant rcgdra ana high esteem 1or
yOur talents and for yourself personally. Our mutual
relations la Leipzig and Weimar remain firmly fixed IN
my memory, well the excellent compositions whlch
YOU showed me at t1at tme Only yesterday was
speaking OF tins very talented young American pan
IT. Mr.. Pncr, who had the pleasure OF playing WIN me
your (gOrg variations for TWO pianos, ana ne mas
promised 10 bring Of your more recent c0pO-
sOns As to the in yitdtiOn which you send me from
The Direct OF he Cincinnati Musical Festival. am
sorry TO have ask 10 convey TO the Committee
NY thanks aud regrets. much too OLD 10 uhueIlahe
such task Even short journeys fatigue me now anu
nv sphere OF usefulness wild hencefOrtn be divided be-
OF my thirty years allegiance 10 the Arcnducdl house
III scarcely possible for me TO attend to all my duties
IN both these places 49, -.
Permit me- INV honored friend, to take this opporu-
nity 10 express u much have been delighted
with the appreciat in America Of my works. when
elsewhere been much CIltclsed ana even scerheu
This appreciation encourages Inc 10 continue LABOR
have heard glowing accounts OF wnat has Dten dOne by
Thomas IN bringing ont compositions AS you are
friend will hl, for me, my heartlest tbauhsi
With highest esteem and assurance OF friendship
PeSfh. April 49, 1874. L. LIsZI.,,
Ia t1e middle May expect to go TO Rome, an VIII
DrOpahy remain near there Cat Ilvoll, villa dEste)
until the end Of the year Mr.. Piner Will accompany
me TO Italy