New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-25
MUSICAL MATTERS.
NEWS NOTES AND PASSING COMMENTS.
THE CINCINNATI FEsnvALs-oPERA TEXTS.


The unhappy state in which the affairs of the Gin
cinnau Music Festival Association find themselves
furnishes text which sermon reaching 10 TOT
tIethy might be preached to inculcate the truth
that honesty Is tho best policy in music, as well as
finance Since 1873 The Tribune has kept watch
of the Cincinnati festivals and informed Its readers
concerning them. The chronicle disclosed tile rise oi
what was unquestlonably the most powerful agency
for good that the annals OF music in America have
to show with the possible exception Of Mt. Thomas
and his itinerant orchestra The artistic advance
was steady from 1873 to 1882. After the latter
wear however, the inevitable results of mistaken
policy began to show themselves. The financial result
became more and more doubtful at each festival the
expenditures greater and the artistic achievements less
notable. The last festival, in 1890, showed the stand
ard Of performance In the choral department sunk TO
level far below that of the decade earlier. Better
choral music could be heard in half dozen cities
OF the country that dreamed Of aspiring to the
eminence factItiousy maintained by Cincinnati. The
mild structures OF The Tribunes correspondent, who
had heard all the festivals from 1873 up, were re-
celved with loud Outcry in Cincinnati, and at the
next annual meeting Of the directors Of the associa
ton the president did not hesitate to refer to The
Tribune's critic as having been guided by an ute
rIOr motive, which could be traced" That in
June. Five months later the same president, in JUS
tifyng reorganization of the chorus confessed that
the question was one OF either reorganization or dis
organization and that the situation had been fully
appreciated before the last festival that Mr. Thomas
afraid, and all the directors more or less ner-
vous, about the outcome.
A radical change was resolved upon and the chorus
was reorganized. The change was radical indeed for
the chorus was practically "reorganzed' out Of ex
stence. The cholr-master who did the rcorganizlng
then resigned and effort made to persuade Mr..
Noes, whom the choir had attained the high water
mark Of proficiency, to renew his connection with
hv ut xyicita
York. It's present field of activity having failed the
directors formally resolved that 1t impossible to
give festival in May, 1902. This did not suit the
plans of Mr. Thomas, however, and few days later
OF the directors, who had gone to Chicago to zee
Mr. Thomas, authorized the statement that effort
would yet be made to give festival next May.
To those familiar with the state Of affairs choral
in Cincinnati it is obvious enough that TO give
festival with the forces in their present dis
organized condition will be to sound the deah-knell
of the Cincinnati festivals. The prestige which has
been lost can only be regalned by abandonment Of
the short sighted and selfish policy which has pre-
vailed so long that II has borne its fruit in the
present disruption of the festival forces first
missep was made years ago when the Festival Assoo-
alton, having large sum OF money on hand, Instead
Of encouraging existing local organizations dsbanded
them and put single society, the Festival Choir
In their place. This brought the Festival
made its existence and progress contingent on the same
troublesome circumstances that beset all singing
cleCes In large cities. The next deplorable conse-
duence OF the change that the people asked
wait till the biennial festival month for church music,
and the chorsers expected " devote two seasons
to the preparation of a single festival programme.
Under this regime the inevitable result was the ex
tinction of the choral spirit which burned with ex-
ceeding great brightness in Cincinnati twenty years
ago. This spirit must be revived and the home
activities in all departments encouraged the fest-
walls will end, TO the shame and humiliation OF Gin
clnnau.
An interesting discussion. says "The London Daily
News" is now in progress upon the question whether
an operate bretto should be written In prose
VI. GOunOd is known years 10 have determined
to set a prose play TO music. Verdi has not entered
the discussion but 1t Is understood he prefers
NJ Massenet and NJ. Reyer think prose suitable so
long as the style Is elevated. NM. Ambros Thomas
and salvayrc prefer verse; NJ Paladihe is Indifferent
while NJ benjamin GODDARD sagacouSly remarks that
a great deal depends upon the inspiration OF the
musician. The spanish composer Senior Thomas
BRETON suggests a compromise, tine recitatives Tor
those portions which IN modern opera stand for re
citatives to be In prose. and the songs I'm verse.
The first three American concerts Of Ignace j.
PaderewsM will take place at the Music nan on
November IT, 10 and 81, the last being an afternoon
concert At these affairs the distinguished pianist will
lave the help OF Mr.. Walter Damrosch and the SYM
phony society's Orchestra. AT the first concert no
will play Saint saens's Concerto In G. minor and his
own Concerto No. !. besides FIVE Chopin solos mt
the second. Beethovens Hat and schuman's A minor
Concertos; at the third. chopn's minor and Rubin
steln's ID minor Concertos and OF bis own solo
compositions These concerts will be followed BIZ six