New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-04
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

As a rule there Is little interest from q purely
artistic point of view I'm the monster gatherings Of
German male singing societies. Good fellowship In the
sefse in which Germans love cultivate IL Is oftener
promoted at these meetings than good music-Gan-
brnus is oftener appeased than Apollo 1t IS therefore,
all the more agreeable TO call attention TO festival
which has been projected to dlsprove the popular idea
concerning such meetings The two concerts TO be
given in the Metropolitan Opera House on next Mon
day and Tuesday evenings 10 disc lose to the public
how much OF real art there is In the German Maen-
nergesang when seriously and honestly cultivated.
some of the finest compositions ever written for male
chorus and orchestra are TO be performed after long
and careful study by five of the leading societies ~
the Eas-a przeakers at recent saengerfeste. As al
the larger meetings. there will be contest among the
societies on the second evening" but II will be merely
friendly emulation, not contest for prizes Two
of the solo pieces be at this concert have been
sent to this office and It may be said In advance that
all the music is TO be interesting a. these two
compositions treat is in store for the
public. Not that they distinguish themselves parue
ularly above high.casS music OF their kind. Germany
is peculiarly rich IN partsongs for mems voices,
fact which those who hear such songs only from our
societies that the veracular would scarcely sls-
pect But the songs in question and especially
interesting The Aron society in particular mas been
fortunate. The song chosen for IL by Mr.. Van der
stucken Is entitled TodtenvOlk' and Is finely ex
pressve setting of ballad by Joseph victor Wdmann
the lbrettist Of Goez's opera &" The Tanning OF the
shrew" The ballad is based on the story OF tho
catastrophe which overlook the army of the swedish
General Arnfed, who attempted TO cross the noun
famous border between Norway and sweden during
particularly cold spell in January, 1719. His army
numbered 10000. all but 500 of whom persisted frOm
the cold The ZOellner Maennerhor, of Brooklyn, OF
which Arthur Claassen Is CONDUCTOR will sing de-
lghfully meodOus and pleasing setting OF TWO OF the
songs in Die schoenc MuellerIn," written by the
haat
votc by schubert.
Two items Of personal intelligence are interesting
enough for record here. Mr.. Sas &. Pratt, we'll
kpown as a composer, has come 10 New-iofA irOm
Chicago, and attached himself to the Metropolitan
Conservatory. Mr. Conrad Ans0rge, the pianist IL
hard at work at his home in rvngton, completing the
Instrumentation of a symphony, and will devote HIM
self this winter chiefly to teaching and giving con-
certs In NewYork and vicinity.
1t would seem almost ungracious 10 part with Go.
ver' without special expression Of appreciation OF
the uniform musical excellence which has character
lied the performances by the McCaul troupe A low
comedian who sing almost as we'll as he can
act IS seldom found, and though Mr.. Hopper has
given most pleasure. perhaps by his ingenious but
fooneres, he has done his share In elevang the char
acter of the musical ensemble. Mr.. 0udin, too has
been a most finished and expressive Interpreter OF
the delicious music of his part As for Miss Manoa, TO
do her justice 1t ought to be said that in all that
sttues good IT is doubtful whether she has rival
the American opcretta stage. II is genuine ar
tsic delight listen to her sympathetic voice. and
note how lnfalliby her phrasing, defamation and
toneemssion Is governed by the best Of taste.
ness of judgment and nice of the adjustment
of means to end. She deserves TO be call d
artist, for she sings like one and has the
and conscientousncss of one. Loveer voices than
hers have been heard in comic opereta here but We
an recall no singer who sang or sings more effect
lively
How to put much in little without sacrifice Of force
or lucdity is admirably illustrated in treatise
Harmony, written by an American musician and pub.
lished by Noveo, Ever Co. OF New.YOrk and
London. Mr.. BroekhOyen is teacher of harmony and
composition in the College of Music of Cincinnati, and
the title of his book is " A system of Harmony for
Teacher and Pupil, with copous examples, practical
exercises, questions and index"
The book does not belong 10 those which profess
to teach without master On the contrary its pur-
pose is specifically set forth To be 10 a guido
TO the teacher and book Of reference 10 tho pupil.
II follows Richters Manual I'm arrangement of subjects
and leads from the study of intervals up 10 the mar
mOnizaiOn Of given melody, special stress being lafd
upon ntcrvallic relations and modulatiOn. In ar
rang cement and cOnciSenesS of statement the book
IS admirable, and in every respect It Is monuments
the seriousness, studousness, thOroughnes ana caro-
of its author.
Mr.. Ferdinand schuez, ole flvorite OF Ar
Amberg's audiences. effected his reentrance az uie
Amberg Theatre last night I'm "Nanon.' an operetta
which he did much pOpulariZe In this CITY ASso-
catcd with him ir the performance among 0tnee
members OF the company. was traulelh howShy,
Mr.. Amberg's energy and enterprise are Delhg TO
warded with fine and apprsciatve audiences.