New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-29
TIE STUDY OF NATIONAL MUSIC.

An entertainment OF The most delightful description
took place in the Of the German Lderhra
last sunday evening. 1t outside Of the regular list
OF entertainments which the society provides an |
nually for its members, but it is much to he doub"i
whether the most ambitious effort which the clID
will make this winter Will prove half 20 FASCINATING
Twenty years ago one Of the most active members
Of the clty's artistic. scientific and social Orsilza-
tons was Dr. Frederick ZinsScr. Although phyH-
clan, DIR. Xnsscr excellent musician liz
played the papoorte and violin. ard SANG Chamoer
music was his delight. and he was always ready al
n moments notice TO acquire knowledge OF any
instrument which was essential TO the private musical
performances I'm which he took part. His pracu''
large. and he acquired competence Then nav
ing refined tastes, "A great love Of knowledge ne
decided devote the rest of his life 10 gratifying
his private ambitions rather than to money making
lie took up his home IN Wesbadcn, and thence went
where inclination and opportunity to learn
attracted him. For years he devoted hlmSel 10 inc
study Of the iolksong~ of Germany, ana succ''o'u
in collecting over 1000 of them. The literary ana
historical character Of these fragrant ana lONcy "r
blossoms has been a subject Of discussion lor oN'
a century-in fact ever since llcrdcr. prompted 10y
Bishop Pcrcy's publication Of English ballads. drew
the attention OF the Germans 80 the treasures VINO"
they possessed: but their musical side had not been
cultivated in the same degree. Di AhsH'r p'S"''
his labors Of collection and conservation with Inc COZ"
victlon that folk-sopc without It's melody Is IcN'
than half a thing Though hc worked simply 10 ei".
fly his love for the peoples art he published col
lection Of popular song, with original pah"lor" ~
compartments. ana thus helped to stimulate an inter
es, in the subject which had ensrosscd large snare
of his attention long.
Two weeks ago the doctor met his old aN'oca e. "
the German social scientific Club, and read lecture
on the German Folk>ong. The success OF 'h' ~
pertinent was : emphatic thai he was p'TSu'"'" ="
rep.,t the lecture before the Licdcrkranz lh' was
| Of before
easy and graceful in dicton. was pcrmeat'd WITH Ell
thusia,m for the Characteristic manifestation III WI
man ART to which II devoted, ana was c'"'o.'"
simply but with convincing sincerity Nlho"V ~
ing In the rcmoteSt degree pcdanuc IL was HN""'"'0
and suggestive Naturally Dr. HnSscr was sure Oh an
apprcca,ivc audience. for many Of tn" songs 10 WHO"
no rnodc nlIuson were childhood memories u Ms h''
| c,ers and If needed only that the not9 aholh ~
sounded in order 10 awaken sympa'Ilc"o 'i"'"."''
in every German heart. The history OF The l"N'
song was briefly skctch'd. IT pocucal character cA
! nmludcd IL, ethics proclaimed ana praised ana iA
influence upon the artistic music Of Germany us
covered The distinctions Of class such A. par'ih-
| song. cradle songs, hunting songs. love s"nFs
| ballads handicraft ,men's songs religious songs
| and historical songs, We're explained ana ''uS"a
,ions presented TO Dr. Ansscrs accompani-
| meuts Miss Nonucnbachcr, Miss >cha'haHl
| and Christian Trsch sang score or more VI
| characteristics examples Of folk 'ons' som" IL
| solos some a, duets and trio. The singers
ALI ont,Srd heartily upon their tasks. and the rSuH
! was most sympathetic performances on 'hcr PiI'
| and uuhoundod enthusiasm on the part ~ Inc a"ui
once f., which Mr.. Stcnway gave additional eXprga
sion a, fine close Of the entertainment III ePcc0-'
~ thanks to the lecturer and his assistants
| In his pcrorarion DR.. Znsser called attention
| % tbe fact that though the folk song OF Germany
was diving ont had accomplished a marvellous hH'
| so, ho;h pscany and muscay. some Of t"'
greatest poets had gone II for insplTu N, ana Ilu
! coricd IL. forms OF expression, and It's sane anu
| ,ovclv sentiment. not only had Inland, "Octhc
and iIcue written verses I'm imitation Of the p'OI'
! song but Beethoven had paid ia" highest tbu'c 70
its music by permitting II 10 influence Ms me- w
inventions, No fact Is more clearly iccot,h"'u u,
critical ,orans Of music than i,. That the chlife
! modern German art + mn outgrowth OF the hon1N
| music. which for centuries lived IN 'h' PoPu,,h'
oar vet was dcslased by the artist. How the FrN1iu
lion was accomplished the peNll" 81 To-Day can uiN
cover II they wish from study oi the d"iies :" ~
| rising school OF Russian composers. Is'hdho"Nh!
| and lis comparicis are wholly under the innuciice
! of tho p.pl.', music OF their country. There j.
| scarcely one Of their works, even OF those Mhl'.
Z hnrroyy their forms from Germany. when IS ~"
/ flncturcd with the spirit Of Russian iknislc n
Fortunately FOR popular aIgr' tnl"n "i tN muse
| Tho farm. which have been m'Sf often bpirpW'd are
thnsn nf the dance, which. Of course. cannot disclose
rho Jenth Of feeling that pcrvadcs the historical and
! continental sony. The public OF NcW-lolk are soon
10 have an opportunity to get acquainted WIN hu,,liu
national music under The most av0fall" CIR,
Tbe cnnc.ri o. tho Russian choir under IN" direction
| 80 Nine Liucf. at the Music Hal, on December
10 win We believe create real sensation, ana one
hat will make for the understanding "l We nature
Of music and OF the elements OF It's emotional '1