New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-17
THE CENTENNIAL MUSIC.
RICHARD wAGNERs INAUGURATION MApcp

| RICHARD WAGNERS INAUGURATION MARCH
The selection of Richard Wagner a. composer ~
the Inauguration march for the Centennial at Pbla
delphia was the best that could be made II Amer,
leans were chosen to write the cantata it seemed
entirely proper that the march for celebration
which belongs not to this country alone but 10 tho
whole world, should come from the pen Of a
foreigner. And as to the quality of the music which
has thus been obtained there Is likely to Ee no differ
ence of opinion.
| Immediately on accepting the appointments q,
musical director Mr. Theodore Thomas urged uuon
| the Centennial Commission the selection of two
Americans to furnish respectively the word.
| and the music for the Festival Cantata. Fo,
| the musical part of the work he named several
American composers whom be thought competen,
AS The TRIBUNE has already sta ed, the choice fen
upon Mr.. Sidney Lanier of Georgia AS poet and Mr.
Dudley Buck of Connecticut composer, and VITA.
they have accomplished before the public. Ma.
tiOual claims thus satisfied, Mr. Thomas sought 70
recognize appropriately the international characte,
of the celebration by obtaining important orcbes
trail work from the most eminent living composer q,
the world He wrote to Richard Wagner, and al.
though the letter found the distinguished master in
the midst Of rehearsals for his great performance at
Bayreuth and preparations for the production Of hi,
"Tannhauser' and "Trstan" ON grand scale al
Vienna and Berlin, he accepted the proposal and
agreed to write Grand March. " l shall be able
he replied TO prepare something worthy in march.
form for the opening Of the national celebration in
America, although | have not written a note OF
music for long time, and am entirely out Of the
habit of what is called composing. If send you
tho work | hope the people of America will do all
that they can to further my project of the Festival
Performance at Bayreuth. 1t is expressly on their
account Ito avoid conflicting with the exercises Of
the Centennial that have postponed the Festival
till the second week in August, and the postpone
ment has cost me little difficulty with the artsta
Beyond their interest in this enterprise ask nothing
for my composition except the proceeds OF the
American copyright" AS no copyright could be OBJ
tanned, however under law, it became necessary
to purchase the Ms. outright, and in second letter.
addressed to Theodore Thomas and opening With
handsome compliment 10 that gentleman for the
great work he has accomplished 81 in fostering the
spirit of German music in America Herr Wagner
proposed to transfer the absolute right to the March
for America on terms which were not at all unrea-
sonable considering the actual market value Of
everything to which he sets his name and
the enormous profits realized by very inferior
composers: Verdi for example received nearly
800. 900 from the publisher of his Requiem
The publc-spirited WOmen's Centennial Com
ipIttees of New-York, Philadelphia, and Gin
cinnati guaranteed the required amount; the an
swer was sent TO Herr Wagner by telegraph; aud
the March having arrived last week is now in the
hands of the copyists. I" 1t has cost me great
tion," writes the composer to Dir. Thomas 10 get
the score ready in time, rs / was obliged to 90 to
Vienna and Berlin, and as you may judge from the
motto have placed upon the title-page, have made
of it an earnest and sincere labor. have given my
friends to understand that in some of the more deli
cate portions Of the composition 1 figure to myself
the beautiful and yivacous wOmenOf America in
their festival attire"
The Ms, consisting Of SO large and closely
written pages, is all in the composers own
hand. more beautiful musical autograph Is
rarely seen. Every note is AS clear and eie-
CANT and symmetrical as print. he characters
are fine but distinct aud regular and the expression
marks arc made with extreme The nero
manual labor of TRANSFERRING such a score must
have filled seven or eight long days of steady appli-
cation. The title runs
GRAND FESTIVAL MARCH
For the Opening of the Centennial
Commemorative Of
The Declaration of independence oil the United
States OF America.
Composed
and
Dedicated 10 tao Women's Centennial COMMITTEES
by
RICHARD WAGNER.
Below is fac-simile Of tie autograph Gedication: