Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30
THE MUSIC WORLD.
Suggestions for the Inauguration Of
the Carnegie Music HALL
WORK FOR ALLEGHENY COUNCILS.
How Ethelbert Nevin is Received BY the
Boston Critics.
NEWS OF OUR LOCAL MUSICIANS

probably in October-the new Carnegie
Music Hall in Allegheny will be completed
and ready for some kind of an inaugural.
Its opening oughtby all means to be made
a distinctly musical event and that an event
commensurate in Importance with the cree.
ton of the first large and handsome hall
ever devoted especially to music in this
vicinity.
A musical performance adequate to such
an occasion takes long time in preparation.
This eek is not bit too soon to commence;
few weeks hence it will be too late to get
up anything really worthy.
But as the matter stands there is abolutely
no person or committee with authority to
set the ball a-rolling. The present Carnegie
Commission will have ended its work when
it hands the finished buildings over to Allie
gheny Councils for the public. The Com
missioners have had many applications from
organizations big and little, musical and
otherwise, that would like to have the first
chance at the new hall. 1t will be needful
to head off unworthy schemes as well as to
supply worthy one.
Allegheny Councils ought not to delay
further taking some steps in the matter.
There surely should be some choral music,
and the rehearsals must begin very soon.
1t would be good, doubtless, tn take as a
nucleus the "Musical Association of ALLIE
gheny," the new chorus, which started
as q distinctively Allegheny organiza-
tion. 1t has been rehearsing some
good music, without having appeared
in public as yet. Its numbers could
be increased to any desired figure and yet
the work already Done would make good
start. AT that time in the fall it would be
quite easv to secure frst-class orchestra
the Boston Symphony, Thomas and Seidl
would all be free then, probably. Eminent
soloists can readily be had just before the
busy season commences.
This is the kind of an inaugural that the
new hall ought to have. But it takes time,
work and money. The responsibility for
necessary promptness lies upon Allegheny
Councils.
x**
So prominent and Just a critic as Mr..
George h. Wilson, of the Boston Traveller,
pays the following handsomely extensive
compliment to the work of an old Pittsburg
boy:
That Mr.. Ethelbert Nevin is a musician of
interesting individuality was apparent to those
who attended a concert given by him about a
year since in Chickering Hall Opportunity to
investigate his individuality is afforded by the
recent publication of his opus two and three by
the Boston Music Company (Mr. G. Schirmer,
Jr.). Tne second opus of Mr.. Nevin, who,
though adopted by Boston. is, by birth, we be-
neve, Pittsburger, is called "A Sketch
Book" 1t is dainty parcel OF 81
pages and contains Is pieces, more than
half being songs. While the idea of such a
souvenir is felicitious, were the contents Of the
book less mature less artistic, it would also be
audacious. But the audacity of the uudertak-
ing ceases when the title page is turned; though
only second opus the young composer knows
well himself. The fluent Accomplishments to
the songs and the ease of the Gavotte, Love
Song. Berceuse. Serenata and Valse Rhapsody
for pianoforte-show the pianist en- rapport
with his instrument But the songs chain the
attention: These are: "Twas in the Lovely
Month of May" "Du bist vie cine Blume," 20
Let Thy Tears Fall Fast With Mine" 20. That
We Two Were MayIng." and three songs set to
"a Child's Garden of Verses" by r. L. Steven
son. Number Is is quartet for mixed voices,
with violin accompaniment, entitled, The
Night Has a thousand Eyes" sung by the
Cecilia this season, when its simple beauty
was remarked by us. The range of sentiment
covered by the lyrics in this sketch Book is
considerable, and none of the soug-writing
shows the composer trying to force himself
into mood; yet we descry in those of a livelieT
utterance, the songs that deal with Hfe's
major, not its minor, the composers best
powers. Heine's lines have oft been set to
expressive song-the key (G) and the time
(3-4) being the same as Rubinstein chose; yet
Kingsley's "Ol that we two were Maying" is
finer done The first song is a welcome one for
a high tenor, notably free in modulation, ami
mated. and in the hands of a singer who has a
free throat, will give much pleasure. Numbers
one and two of the chldren's songs are fascina-
ting. The words of each are most cleverly set
by the composer; the first can be sung
by children, and the second too, though
the notes and are little too near the top of
the staff for most youngsters. Given proper
regard for accent and the first will go we'll
Just as MIR. Henschel has embodied fYankee
Doodle" IN his Table Steward march IN "a Sea
Change" so Mr.. Nevin has in four measures of
the second of his children's songs engrafted a
opus consists of three songs: Deep in a Roses
Glowing Heart" zone Spring Morning"
ment of Mr.. Nevfn's style is expressed
in the last named. which in conception
and execution is thoroughly charming. 1t is
violin and cello, and is in reality scena cam
tata for mezzo voice. The pianoforte, which,
doubtless. in most cases, will be the only avail
able accompaniment speaks invitingly. The
song emphasizes more than any we have seen
Mr. Nevin's freedom in this mood, what shall
we call it, the rustic, the summer, the pastoral?
II is delight to read through such a song so
sympathetically placed for the voice. so artistic
in Its use of means. Number two is a blithe
allegretto scherzando. Number one to Mar
garet Delands words, is a lyric for tenor, melo-
die and effective. All these songs are printed
pronounced. Mr.. 6. Schirmer, Jr.,'s list of
American composers is as yet modest but
every name stands for some earnest work &C
complished
Crofchet and Quavers.