New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-05


rccsrdsd - uuszGisn wss nsAA q ~ vies.ltuass II
tho WORKS IN this eountsy-s matter q vntly psaasr
Importance to the history Of music herc In "stsndasd
Canatass Mr. Urton he's devoted himself with especial
csee to tho predictions In the limo Of eantses 81
American composers Tho circumstance can fairly b
looked upon as significant In its relation to tho rising
fortunes Of tho American movement
There are other features which make this last book
moro interesting thcn its predecessors to the student
OF musical literature The evidences Of original 70
search are numcrous though there still little
too much dependence tho notes Of other writer's.
II IA time that the story of Pagannis bcnefacton to
Bcros was omitted In notices Of the Romeo ana
Juliet symphony, for Hitler exploded II long ago.
So too II Mr. Upton had looked at the score OF Bcr-
lozs dramatic symphony, instead OF depending upon
the English version of tho vocal parts made for MI
Thomas, he would have learned that In the footnote
concerning the instrumental number which pictures
the derIun. agonies and death Of the lovers, Bcrioz
did say that In ninety nine cases out of hundred
the public not familiar with the fifth act OF
shakespeares Romeo and Juliet" but the fifth act
with Carrck's denouement,' which Mr. Upton will adj
NIT Is something vitality different. To this fact the
music reviewer of THE TRIBUNE directed attention
whom the symphony was performed by the oraforio
Society last Apl, up to which time the foolish note
in the accepted version had not been challenged Nor
had Mr.. Upton seen the score Of Wagner's Lebes-
mail der Aposelo would he have failed to mako men
ton Of the most striking feature OF that composition
which is that Wagner HIS his choruses sing without
accompaniment until the scene Of the descent Of the
Holy Ghost in order that he represent that occur
renee the more wildly by means Of the sndden and
brilliant outburst OF the orchestra Mr.. Upton Is more
modest In his claims than no need be- however His
book supplies real want, and hope that some day
he may issue edition Of with real analyses or de-
scrptons of tho music instead of the poetry.
SHORT HISTORY OF CHEAP MUsIC. as Erampliasd
in the Rscsrds Of the Hsuse Of Novslo. Ever q Co.,
with ess.oal reisrsnc. to the first dtv years Of the
Reign Of Her Most Gracious Majesty Qu-en Victoria
London and New-YOrk Nsvslla. Ever Co.
This book IS at once Of the memorials called out
by the recent celebration of Queen Vctorias semi
centenary unique advertisement of the great music
publishing house that issued 1t, and decidedly val
liable contribution to the history of music in the nine
teenth century. A few years ago attempt was
made The Musical Courier of this city to trace the
influence OF Bach and Handel IN the musical culture OF
time, the occasion being the two hundrcdth an
nivcrsary of the birth of those art giants. some
what fantastlcal musician In town contributed short
essay TO the symposium, and with few vigorous
phrases put aside all the fine arguments of his prede
cessors and said that the popularity OF Handel and
MendelSsohn. more particularly In England and Ameri-
ca, altogether due to the publication by the
Novelties of their cheap octave chOruscs.
The little book before us "a splendid specimen
of printing, binding and paper making by the way)
would give strong support to this theory for
plainly establishes the fact that the spread OF choral
societies in Great Britain has kept pace with the move
ment that chcapened the musical classics 80 that The
Messiah which cost six shllings and sxpence forty
years ago, now be had for shilling The history
of the house of Novclo dates back to 1911, when Vim
cent Novelo then organst Of the Chapel of tho Poru
guese Embassy in London published his first collection
of sacred music The sketch which the book gives Of
the state Of music at the beginning of Nictoras reign
is fine example Of picturesque and telling dramatic
writing and Of genuine value TO the student of music
history and almost tempts one to the belief that Sir
George Groves cooperation in the making of the book
went beyond the preface which bears his name