Telegram-herald., 1890-08-02
TWO KINGS OF THE BATON
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AZ OF Music IN America
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Prsfss.srs No, IL is simply Kerr
Director Edward Strauss. Aaslei Al.
xss bus at the oatsst let me say, posi-
tiysly. thaiIsiI nos talk Of artists
aud musicians Psrssn sly- IL IL in-
modest AZ fTeqUently asked - give
nav opinion ea tAsss matters. bat l
have invariably declined. It is nothing
less than arrogance on the part OF al
artist 10 express sueh opinions. except
In priTste to relatives and frisnds.
Such thing, nein lsibsr herr, as in
terviswing great artists. as yea do
here in America. and securing their
views on this and that connected with
tue profession, il uRknown TO rs in
Germany and Austria Why in Vienna
and Berlin IL would Dc laughed at
Eyea ia Parts, where eysrything is
done, they ridieule IL. Yes, know the
ParisiaRs like IL occasionally, bat 10
is ia significant shrug)
One Of the pleGssntest rscollections
OF ny career is of the great number Of
cultured Americans have met abroad.
with my orchestra l have been st-let
me ses-yes, at eight different Worlds
Expositions; at London, Paris, Vienna,
and elsewhere. At each made the sc-
quaintancs OF many Americans, and
also at Trieste, Dresden, and other large
European cities. They are everywhere
You can imagine, then, what pleasant
surprise il was when opened IN Boston
on the first evening to be greeted by at
least ten ladies and gentlemen whom
had met abroad. 1t was a marked illus
tration of the proeliyity OF the Ameri-
cans for travel. Were il not for the
fact that at this season of the year
there are very many Americans away
In Europe, my circle OF old-time ac-
qusintanees would be very large In
deed.
Hallsi Yes, there are great differ
ences in halls, but think those you
have IN America are almost all excellent.
AS regards acoustics, comfort and seat
ing capacity they are splendid. Did
say all No; with q laugh-there is
one little exception. ! recall at Colum-
bus, O., hall which is entirely too
small for large concert. On the other
hand, the Madison Square Garden is
entirely too large. They have moved
the orchestra stands to the center of
the Garden, but even that does not im-
prove 1t much. All, no So vast is the
/ place that the pianissimo cannot be
heard at ALL
I Since May last, when / came here, VI
have been in nearly thirty American
q 80 oil ni+ of
/ Everywhere l have been surprised at
the great interest shown by the middle
classes of American society In musical
matters. 1t is amazing 10 observe
how large proportion of the audiences
these classes compose. Then their taste.
too, is genuine and their appreciation
spontaneous. l cannot account for
their preponderance. Wherever / have
been in this country 1t is the same; the
middle classes have showed themselve es
appreciative This fact alone speaks
strongly for the national N usicsl taste
IN such matters.
No, have not heard that Boston was
considered the musical center OF the
United States. / have met quite num-
Der of Bostonians abroad, yet none OF
them even claimed it as ouch. Yet,
suppose, if Boston is so regarded, with
q sarcastic smile) l ought to feel very
much flattered at being SO cordially re-
ceived there.
Chicago I wa. greatly pleased with
Chicago and was very well received
there. lis people are musically appre
ciative. Do | expect to go there when
the Worlds Fair opens so ss TO add an
yet too far off, 1892, and besides,
hadn't really thought about 1t.
In September leave New York, wher
another opportunity will be afforded
me of still further studying the Ameri
can people and their musical tastes, FOL
IshalI visit all the large cities in tn,
country, on tour that will last until
December. 1t has not yet been my for
tune to play any pieces by American
composers, rs l have thus far confined
myself to German and Austrian airs
but may yet hopeto do sc.
The Herr Director, who is the mos
distinguished musical leader that ha.
ever visited this country from Europe
Isl man in the prinme of life. He Il
probably we'll on in the forties, bu
looks much younger. Jet black hair
and mustsehe, keen penetrating hazel
eyes and quick nervous manner are
his characteristics His style is that of
man accustomed TO shs etiquette snc
excessive punctilio OF courts. a quics
talker, every sentence is emphasized
By gesticulation, which reinforces the
not unmusical voice of the gEsat lsads
very decidedly.