The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-17
wAGNER's CENTENNIAL MARCH.

A GLOWING TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT REPUBLICS
HuNDREDTH ANNIvERsARY-THE WORK AND
ITS COMPOSER
Some months ago, when Theodore Thomas the rep
resentatve conductor of America, selected the
conductor par excellence for the opening musical
vices of the Centennial Exposition, he wrote
to Richard Wagner, who IS considered
to-day the greatest living composer offering
him. through the womcn's Centennial Union,
So 900 for grand march worthy Of the OCCASION and
worthy of the fame of Mr.. Wagner This march has
arrived in this city, and it is worthy Of the subject
eursory view OF the score which is very elaborate en-
ables US to speak OF the work in musical point OF
view. IL Is more effective than the KAISER
March, and yet in treatment II resembles very much
that famous work which has achieved world wide
among musicians. The difficulties Of reducing
such enormous to piano form are not easily
appreciated Wagner has habit Of introducing sev.
would be absurd 70 give certain phrases oil
his centennial March" in the columns Of news
paper IN any form except the one which he has
marked Tor the orchestra Unless newspaper de-
large space to tho illustration of the principal
subject OF such work this centennial March, IL
must necessarily stulllfy ITSELF IN musical point Of
vew
waener's march is entirely characteristic Of the
abundance; sometimes several subjects brought
In ut once, and piano score can convey tho
derfu effect Wagner Is thorough master OF the cf-
fccts of the modern orchestra. with all its great
resources. In this march he has seem
ingly exhausted all those effects. Not that he
has forgotten, for moment, the true
principles Of musical art The end!ice meiod,e which
he puts forward opera as the true idea OF operate
art is entirely lost sight Of in his instrumental
In this march he appears TO be melody laden !;
much that II Is difficult for musician
to point out at times which theme Of the
series in course OF performance is the
most agreeable. This is a triumph for Wagner in his
Instrumental theory. He can compose work, heavily
scored like the under review and yet introduce
ravishing meodcs-a number of them at thal--with-
out disturbing for moment the legitimate harnones
ladies the Centennial Union may well be proud OF
their musical work. They mtrustcd the labor INTO the
competent hands Of Theodore Thomas man who has
HIS way to the very head OF his profession. Mr..
Thomas called upon the greatest living composer 10
frame work worthy OF such occasion the ccntcn
Mai OF the greatest Republic the world has ever seem
Tho composer has nobiy responded Not when
the triumph of Germany over her long persistent
foe, who had often trodden her under foot,
play such artistic pow or and genus when lie
for the great Republic beyond the When the
America" will be remembered and perpctuatcd.
Whatever Wagner's faults may be, and they
are numerous. il must be Acknowledged that
on this occasion he did not dsappoint the abiding
faith placed in him by Theodore Thomas We hear a
great deal Of the cant OF musical people In this city
regarding Mr. Thomas action in calling upon
work that Is TO nauaurate the musical
services at the Centennial Exposition. We
have vet 10 hear from the FIRST representative
American composer who has done anything for the
Centennial There are many great composers in this
country but thcy are ccr 100 lazy or are waiting 10
be asked Wagner has torn himself away from the
contemplation OF his "Ring OF the Nibclungcnn at Bay
rcuth ard has gwen America march OF which he can
be justly proud Five thousand dollars paid Tor
this march. Ii is worth the money Now II Mr. Thomas
and the ladies' Centennial Union wish 10 make money
by tins march the advice give them is Have at the
opening OF the Exposition -. 900 copies OF the work in
piano form on the Exposition grounds. ut say nfty
cents copy. The money paid Tor tie march will not
only be brought back, but there will be handsome
profit besides. One Of the features Of the opening OF
the Exposition will undoubtedly be Wagncr's "Ccntcn-
mai March,