Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-02

which this country possessed few, if any, more
genuinely helpful, of purer quality and Of
wider scope. As editor of BrGindrPs Musical
World for a score or more of years, Mr.
Merz has written an enormous amount OF
musical matter, full of learning. pract1cality
and usefulness. Much of it has been preserved
in book form. As teacher-for number OF
years past in the position of Director OF
the Musical Department of the Uni
Versity of Wooster-he has done an ex-
traordinary amount of work, always dis
tinguished for conscientiousness, sound meth
DDS and the rarest zeal for all that Is highest
and noblest in art. As composer, his works,
which are mostly IN the lesser forms and of the
more ''usable" kinds, have been enjoyed by
thousands and of high practical value (the
methods, exercises and studiesl to many more.
The following sketch of Mr.. Merz's career is
compiled from that written by Editor Theo.
Presser, of the Etude, last June:
He was born in Bensheim, Germany in 1896,
and is therefore in the prime Of usefulness.
His father being teacher, he naturally en-
joyed liberal education. He graduated from
literary institution in 1852 and accepted posi-
tion in the well-known town of BiDgen on the
Rhine. He realized in short time that the
opportunities of the post did not afford his spirit
the scope desired. About this time gentle
man from Philadelphia was visiting his home,
and at his suggestion Mr.. MerZ bade adleu to
his Vaterland and set sail for America, where
he arrived in September, 1854, being then only
16 years old. He located in Philadelphia.
leading churches. After a year or more
we find him in Lancaster, Pa, teaching in
a seminary. This change decided his future
sphere of work, and he has been connected
with institutions of learning ever since. He
taught in the South number OF years, hlling
a position which was subsequently occupied
by the writer for three years, at Hollins Insti-
Gute, Virginia. This was % years after Mr..
Merz held the position. The president Of the
Institute and his family often spoke to the
writer in the kindest manner OF Mr.. Merz's
stay with them.
He occupied a position at Oxford tO.) Fe-
male College, where he performed vast
amount Of labor. The musical world only
know of him by his compositions and literary
writings; but much of his time is devoted to
teaching. 1t is marvellous that after going
through the arduous task of th daily work Of
college teacher, he Is still able to do what
is greater work. He has written a number Of
larger works. among them several operettas-
THE Last Will and Testament ""Katie Dean"
His work on elementary instruction on the
piano is widely used, also his organ work.
Musical Hints for the Million is his most
popular work. and should be read by all teach
ers. In the lecture field he has been remarka-
bly, successful; on two occasions the writer
engaged him to deliver lectures; he made pro-
found impression on the audience, not only by
the mastery handling of his theme, bat by his
refined diction and his noble presence His
lecture on "Genius" shows the keen thinker
The one on "Church Music" Is intensely inter-
esting. He has given the subject much deep
thought. He is now director of music at the
| Wooster University, at Wooster, o. The
institution may be congratulated on having so
eminent a man among the faculty.
In another portion Of the article quored from,
Mr.. Presser, who was pupil of Mr.. Merz, pays
this tribute to his personal character:
HE has been TO me, as feel he has been to
thousands of others, wonderful inspiration.
He is true friend to every struggling teacher
and to all his readers is ever ready with SYM
Datby and comfort for the trials that beset the
music teacher: The young teacher especially
Swss 9TTs to ami him clad Gde. ofthfs Gf ogpdT gTas
tunity of paying tribute to one to whom owe
so much. Often have his encouraging words
Generous counsel has been of untold benefit to
me. In my younger days 1 relied almost
altogether on his superior wisdom. He
became as a pillar Of, OF FIRE guiding me me
ence of Mr.. MerZ's teaching that made it pos
sible for me to undertake the conducting of
The Etttde. No teacher Of technic or theory
ever did for me what Karl Merz has done. His
whole life is one that we should strive to
emulate. 1t has always been surprise to me
that his greatness is hot more generally ac-
knowledged. We notice that the English
him than from any other writer.
Mr.. Msrz A the he same as. stamp Of
and didactic. While had an unbounded ad-
miration for the man long before knew him
personally, an intimate acquaintance has
heightened and deepened my love for him.
I0ero are 80 many lkubS III Inc muSl-
cal profession who are sad disappointment
when they are known personally"
To all Of which The DISPATCH writer can
saw hearty amen. Karl Merz was man whom
to know was at once delight and an inspira-
ton. The secret Uell-spring of his rare eharac-
ter may be well summed up in one Of the very
last of his thousands OF Educational Hints
published in the World for January-as fol-
lows:
s23g We say men are accountable to God for
the use of their means. Likewise teachers and
editors are accountable for the use they make
of their talents and of the arts.
80
Those estimable but embittered gentlemen
of the press who have so long been protesting
that Wagner's music is kept to the front only
by freak of fashion, and that there is naught
but sham and pretense in its seeming popu-
Iarity, may enjoy reading the following observ-
ations made by Mr.. Harry T. Finck. in the
New York Post. apropos of the Tristan und
Isolde" performance the other day:
A few days ago sagacIOus cotemporary re-
marked that, however much they try to dis
guise 1t, New Yorkers are weary Of Wagner's
music" Indeed, it is most amusing to observe
the frantic efforts of New Yorkers to "dis-