The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-16

since 1856 the French bands have been
able to- hold their own with any. One
great fault found with them during the
Second Empire was that all the instru-
ments were made by one firm. Sax eDjoyed
this monopoly from the government. and
1t was claimed by experts that general
monotony and family likeness" in tone
resulted. The proverb that too many
cooks spoil the broth does not apply in
this connection, 1t seems. In the Crimean
war the French army kent its bands in
tact long after the rigors of the campaign
and climate had demoralized those of the
= English regiments, and when the allies
entered Sebastopol it was to the sprightly
and cheering notes Of "Partant pour la
Syrie."
The most notable French band of this
century was that organized by NJ. Julien,
which used TO tour in foreign countries
and perform at great festivals everywhere
In canvassing the merits of French bands,
more especially those of the army musical
critics have claimed that they aim rather
at strong noise than at the attainment of
the full, sweet sounds.
Austria occupies high position in the
ranks of nations which have gained dis.
tinctlon IN the organization of bands of
music. Today, as for years past, the names
OF the two Strausses stand pre-eminent.
Sons of distinguished father who. al
though himself a musician and kappelmeis-
ter of an Austrian regiment, set his face
against their following the same profession.
they found the force of nature stronger
than anything else, and drifted into music
as thing inevitable. And their success
has, If anything, outshone that of their
father. Who does not know and love the
waltZes of Johann Strauss? To the Wen
nese-to the Austrians al large-his Beau
tiful Blue Danube" Is regarded almost as a
national air.
Johann Strauss was born in Vienna in
1922 and his original calling was that of
bank clerk. His mother, however.
favored his musical aspirations and al
private. Then he went to Drechsler
for composition lessons. His first
waltz was written at the age
of II. The Austrian army was for
tunate enough to obtain his services for
a time and he became karpelmeister in
an infantry regiment. he was now in
his true element, and did much 10 improve
the condition of the military music as he
found il. His ideas and methods were
generally adopted, and the consequence
was a marked rise in the general excel
lence of Austrian regimental bands.
On the death OF his fat her he amalga-
mated the latter's band with his own and
made grand tour of the German cities
His fame was SO great in Russia that the
the popular concerts of music in ST. Peters
burg, and so il was that. leading his band
in the Petropauloyski park, in that city,
Johann Strauss won the affection of the
masses as Gilmore aid with us.
Connected for time with the court balls
at Vienna as director. he resigned 10 make
Il tour OF the world, during which he
visited New York and Boston
Eduard Strauss, who so recently per-
formed at the Madison Square Garden in
New York, Is younger brother of Johann,
and, though not quite so prominent, en-
joys wide fame. lie was. like his brother.
very popular IN st. Petersburg when he
filled the position of conductor of the
open air concerts III the park, to which he
succeeded on the formers resignation.
In England. tor many wears, the inferi-
ority OF the military bands Was proverbial
Flies and drums were the only part of the
equipment furnished by the government,
and the band was really kept up to such
standard as it possessed by the volun-
tary contributions Of the officers TO
the band fund. Things are changed now,
and the English army band of IS92 is a
thing no service need be ashamed of The
English bands are still. as regards funds,
run on much the same principle as OF old.
As al army officers there possess private
means, II follows that in those corps where
the officers are the wealthiest the best
bands are found The Foot Guards as the
SWEETEST part OF the army, took the
prize IN this respect, the band OF
the Hrenadler regiment having world