New-York tribune., 1883-12-17
SOME MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS.

NJ
tn enito of tbo opDroaching Christmastide
nav contributions to musical literature and the literature
Of music are not bnrlcning the book shelves The presses
OF the music publishers are occupied cAlcy Win Tue
panoforte and ballad tres which arc properly IeI "h
considered The most significant production I"' " ip'E
fine in spe of It's shortcomings is the work OF Dr U'Io
nm English music beyond the ocean anu IN TINS country
mr. Ritter's fate with these two volumes VIII pouaDy
be- that OF most pioneers in historical research lie WIZ
helm build the foundation for the structure upon "hch
another will rise fame He Will stimulate inquiry an"
nroably fire some enthusiastic mind WIN hc "cao 10
CLEAN the field again for another sheaf There Is grain
enoucn left standing TO reward the labor In MS lS'
cba,tcr ON poplar music Dr..Rlter does hardy more
than to suggest theme that Is worthy ot exhaustive
treatment from several sdes-the slave music % to
South The war Of the rebellion aroused deep interest
in this subject and Colonel Hgginson, P.Walo Lucy
MoKim Garrison. William Francis Allen and oeFs uu
an excellent work in gathering material Tor preservation
This material is still waiting for scientific ahay SIS though
II il well worthy OF it. There can hardly bc douDO 'V
t contains elements Of African music and that tH'e ee
ments have had influence in forming the TASTE oI
large part of the population OF the country fchap' 'uo
annroaebpg festival negro nnstIelsy in CINCINNATI
isnot entirely without justification.
4 new practical Instructor for the Panoiorte
has been published byJ. N Pattison. II has
for its author I. W. Zeincr, iwhO processes
10 have been a teacher of music Tor Weh'y-h'e
xears and TO have used the method successfully whlch
he laid down In his publication. The book has I'M
usua features aud differs from most publications oi lts
t;nd , lapg great deal OF stress upon gylnnastc eX
srcises for the development Of the wrist hand ana
There can be no question that such exercises as
most Of those which pTcscribes can be performed Win
advantage to the panoforto violin student. The
auSe, lies In excess and in the resort 10 mechanical ap
pances which may strain the muscles and lame the
fingers instead Of giving them strength aud elasticity
The sad fate of the tooambitiou Schumann IS standing
warning 10 musical students who too impatient TO
gain the necessary dgita deitness and power from pic
tice at the instrument Moreover OF the exercises
set out In this any other replace suc prac
tjce This ought never to be forgotten one cannot
learn TO speak from the dumb, said Schunann IN con
demning toneess keyboards invented for practice.
II is necessary that the muscles OF the ar hand and
fingers be developed for pianofortc playing but tha
deyelopment will have the highest value II ithas kept
pace with the growth Of sound musical feeling NIr'
zeiners book is for beginners and characterized by
commendable seriousness OF purpose.
S. Lasar has compiled a collection of part
songs and choruscs for female voices, and the
book has been published by william a. Pond
& Co., under the tide Polymnia" The book com
prises thrtyve pieces of music and evnces admirable
taste and sound Judgment in the compiler II is all mod
ern music Schubert being the earliest composer repre-
sented The other musicians whose works have been
placed under tribute MendessOhn, Rcnecke, IIler
Raft Rubinsten, Mackenzie, Samson, Abt Smart Hatton
and Caryl Forio The latter, conscientious yonng
musician OF this city, is represented by two pieces
Charles wels of this city, has Issued his lll'h WORK
mass in E fat major which is dedicated 10 the rcsi-
dent of Manhattan College and published by OhVef Dit
son Co of Boston. II 1t is specim OF the manner
he should not write Ill more works before next Chst-