Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-05

count fear Italy's big gunboats, but what II
the army of organ grinders. scattered through
the land, should be mobilized and hurled en-
maSSe upon our devoted ears?
THE Marine Band began It's tour last week
in New England, and simultaneously Mr.. E.
E. Rinehart began rehearsing his 800 picked
school children so as to be ready when the band
gets to Pittsburg Maya
THE mandolin and glee clubs of Franklin
and Marshall College were received with we'll
earned plaudits at their concert here last week.
After the entertaining programme was con-
cluded the boys" were entertained at the
Press Club.
MAY festival matters are moving. To-mor-
row the contractors will begin the work of re-
modelling Mechanical Hall into fine, large
auditorium. The drawing of boxes will soon
be held and the plan of seats be open to the
public Six weeks is not far off.
AT the great banquet given in New York
last Thursday evening in honor of Messrs.
Stanton and Seidl, those heroes of the German
opera campaigns, Colonel Robert 6. lngersoll,
Mr.. William Steinway and NJ. II. E. Krehbiel
were the chief speakers. 1t seems to have been
most delightful occasion.
The continued phenomenal success of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra on its present
spring tour gives richest promise for the Mo
zart Club concerts of April 80 and May l. when
our foremost choral organisation VIII be as
sisted by this, the country's foremost orchestra
Mr.. Nikisch gave an entire Wagner programme
at baltimore last week, and earned superlatlVe
praise on all hands.
THE signal success of Art Socety's action in
rendering the reception to Mr.. Charles Stanley
Reinhart and giving the public exhibition Of
his works ito be continued for another week or
twol is matter of cOngratulatIon as well to the
musical as to the pictorial portion OF that
valued organization. 1t has brought home to
the entire cultured public the fact that Pitts
burg possesses a wide-awake, well-organl2ed
society, having the momentum of 10 years
social and artistic prestige, and now resolved to
carry on its object of cultivating music paint
ing, sculpture and the other fine arts in
wider and more public sphere Such explota-
ton of Art Society's name and character ought
to result in large additions to membership and
general increase in usefulness.
Mr.. JOSEPH H. CUTTINGS announces two
concerts to be given at the Pennsylvania Col
lege for Women on Monday afternoon and even
ing of this week. He has secured the Bernhard
Lstemann Club. of Boston, a much-admired
quintet, including the famous violinist whose
name it bears, and the equally celebrated vio-
loncellist, Mr.. Fritz Giese. Mrs. Giese who is a
soprano of high repute, will assist on Monday
afternoon, while in the evening Miss May
Beesley and MIR. Cuttings himself will render
like service. The Listemann Clubs pro-
grammes are of greater musical excellence
than those of most travelling concert parties
Monday evenings programme includes por.
tions OF Beethoven's c minor Quartet, Op. Is
and of Grieg's G minor Quartet, besides
Mendelssohn's entire Trio Tin ID minor; Op. 49)
for violin, violoncello and pianoforte.
AN altogether meritorious publication re-
celved for review is entitled Handel and
Haydn for the Sunday School," comprising
nearly score of selections from the works Of
these masters, adapted and arranged by Ed
ward Howe, organist of Bethany Presbyterian
Church, New York. Mr.. Howe has succeeded
in bringing these noble musical thoughts with
In the reach Of children's voices, and at the
same time preserving much of their inherent
beauty and elevation of spirit 1t is good to
hear that such pure, good music has beer COM
monty used for some years in the Sunday
school of the church named; better yet to have
the opportunity afforded for other schools to
follow the example. To fill children with the
sentimental inanities and musical monstrosi-
ties of the Gospel Hymns" and their ilk is
crime, whether religious or artistic consider
ations govern. The remedy lies along the line
OF this admirable effort by MIR. Howe.
THE Endorsement of the French pitch (C-522)
and urging its universal adoption seems to
have been about the only useful thing done by
the National League of Musicians at their re-
cent annual meeting. The same question was
slated for full discussion at the dinner of the
Piano Manufacturers Association last Tues
day in New York, full reports of which have not
vet been received. This important reform
should not be postponed. The desirability of
having some one accepted standard of pitch
for all instruments is self-evident No doubt
the best standard for American musicians and
to follow is the French stand
ard, which was adopted by the Musical Con-
gresS at Vienna two years ago, is commonly
used throughout Europe and has in this coun-
try been already chosen by the Boston Sym
phony Orchestra. This general lowering of
pitch, if accomplished, will let US hear the
classics the earlier composers themselves
heard them and will, moreover, give much
needed relief to our overstrained tenors and
sopranos. By all means, let us have it'll
Mr.. VICTOR BENHAM, pianist who has but
recently returned from Europe, where he has
lad a series of brilliant successes, will make |
lis first appearance here about April Is at Re. |
,ital Hall in the new Carnegie Music Hall. II
will be the first of Series of recitals after
which he will be heard in all the principal
Eastern cities. MIR. Benham is young
American and an earnest musician,
He received the fullest recognition
IN Berlin and in Paris. In the French capital
be devoted himself to study under the best
masters, including Camille Saint-Saens and
While there he was appointed one
Of the instructors at the famous Paris Con-
'ervatoire and director of the chorus at the
Opera ComiQue, and for the valuable services
rendered he was made member of the Legion |
Of Honor. he gave his recitals in all the prin-
,Ipal cities of Germany, and appeared later in |
London with success. He returns here to take |
up his residence. and next season, it is to be |
hoped, will repeat here the programmes which |
lave gained for him his reputation in Europe. |
-NetO York World. |