The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-09-26
Richard.Waguer and the Music
of the Future.

The musical portion Of Germany have
merits Of Richard Wagner's music.
Quite number Of professional as we'll
as amateur musicians have openly pro-
nounced for Wagner, declared him to be
not only one Of the greatest, but the
greatest Of all living musicians, q genius
80 elevated that the common mass Of peo-
pie could not reach up to nor comprehend
him at all. We mention List and Hans
Won Bulow as among that class. Others,
again, have pronounced his music ineon-
gruous, unharmonic, incomprehensible,
not conveying pleasurable, but painful
sensation, and but rarely afording any
sort Of melody. Some Of the best musi-
cal critics OF Germany share in the latter
opinion. Wagner, undoubtedly, is aman
OF exalted talent, il we even only look
at the number and quality OF his prose
works, that is, his non.musical produc-
tions. These bear the stamp Of superb
ority. But his music will have 70 be
Judged by posterity. His admirers have
called it the Emusic Of the Future" in
sinuating that the present era was not far
enough advanced to appreciate his crea.
tions. However, that future seems to be
slow in coming, for no matter how much
anyone may admire his energy, enter
prise, perseverance and dramatic power,
the quality OF his music gains no more
friends than enemies.
Lately, at the city OF Bayreuth, Wag.
ner has produced before the most critical
and most appreciatiye audiences, gather
ed from all parts OF the civilized globe,
and assisted by the finest musical talent
OF Germany, some Of the latest produc-
tions OF his erratic genius. These pro.
ductions formed a most attractive musical
festival, in which the wonderful talents Of
the composer as regards arrangements,
scenic effect, poetic conception, unity Of
purpose and management, introdnc'
lion Of startling and pleasing nov
elites, have again been conspicuously
demonstrated. These performances have
occupied the German musical mind
for many months, and excitement has
run high.
With us, here in America, the Centen-
nial Exposition has been the one thing Of
interest, and perhaps musical people
recollect how that event was ushered in.
Theodore Thomas, with his far.famed
orchestra, played Centennial march,
composed by Richard Wagner, the very
man who has lately conducted the Bay
reuth festival, in Germany. This piece
OF music, the Centennial March, was af-
terward arranged for the piano, for the
benefit Of the Women's Centennial Conn
mittee. II was believed that 4 great deal
OF money would be made by its sale.
AlasI this expectation has been sadly
disappointed, for the piece would
not take, and II you forced it
down the throats Of musical people with
pitchforks. II Is simply horror OF a
thing. II such is TO be the music OF the
future, may. that future never come.
Wagner's Centennial March has been
quietly laid aside, been forgotten, though
In some country music stores you still
see it glaring in red, white and blue at
gaping rustics-and the good women OF
the Centennial Commission have been
badly humbugged.
But TO what ridiculous heights excite
ment may run about tritling matters was
lately shown in the city OF Berlin, the
capital OF Germany. In . wealthy fans
lily quite disagreement occurred about
musical matters. Madame, Who had
been quite prominent cantatrice before
marriage was great admirer OF Wag-
ners music. Her daughter, however, a
very poetic, sensitive, modest and retir-
ing young lady, had not been able, to be-
come an enthusiast for the music OF the
future, rather adhering to the classic
productions OF Gluck, Beethoven, Mo-
Zart, etc. Mamma was inconsolable at
this artistic alteration Of her daughter,
especially as all attempts at conversion
remained truitless. In time the young
lady became engaged to young sculp-
tor, who also became an enthusiast for
Wagner. This made things worse, and
the usually peaceful family circle often
became the scene OF strife. At last the
young sculptor proposed trip to
the Wagner festival at Bayreuth.
The young lady opposed, but her moth
sought for a compromise In vain. The
bride declared that she never would be
his II he insisted on his Wagner folly.
he urged the right to his own opinion,
she urged the same right. The young
man steamed away to Bayreth for the
aVibelungen Ring and the match was
broken of. Ye girls OF America go and
do likewise. WAND.