The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-24
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

The popularity achieved by TOlstOi, Ibsen,
Greg aud host Of other Scandinavian and
Russian celebrities makes IL appear as though
the taste IN literature aud music were running
more and more toward the north. a sign of
the times is the interest shown in Paris by the
advent of Alexandra NynOgradsgy and his fine
orchestra. The learned Russian musician, who
comes from Kew on The banks OF the Dnieper
IS president OF an imperial society of music
which embraces most of the Cars European
dOmniOns and is under the patronage of
the Grand Duchess Alexandra Josiphena.
His object In going TO Paris is TO produce
works by Russian composers. hitherto unheard
in France. a few Of the names on bis first
programme produced there viii give an idea
of what Americans may be delighting in five
years hence if the craze for northern composers
continues. In addition to TsehaikoWsky's
fourth symphony and Rubinsteiu's Emusic of
the Spheres" there were fantasia on a Cossack
theme by DaTgOmisky, entitled "COSatschok,"
an "Oriental ReveTie" by Ivanof, an entr' acte
IRON william Ratclff," by Caesar Cu; a mu-
steal tableau, "Sadko." by Kimsky- korsakow;
a cavatina from BorOdine's "PrInce Igor" and
Sunrise at Moscow" prelude from an opera
by MosKowski, composer before whom a
glorious future seemed TO be opening, when he
died In the flower of his youth.
4 grand national festival has just been cele-
brated in France in memory of Jeanne d' Arc
Solemn TIE Deums have been sung in her
honor In all the churches, and there Is scarcely
q town that has not taken a holiday and been
gayly decorated out OF respect for the maid of
Orleans" This recalls how much plastic art,
painting and literature have been in
spired by the popular heroine. 1t was
not till 1890, however. that she was
made the theme OF lyric work, and then it
was one by KreutEer and was performed at
Paris Afterward came a number of Italian
composers TO celebrate her warlIke career
VaceaPs "Gioyanna d. Areo," PLAYED at Venice
1891, Pacini's produced in Milan 1880. VerdPs
which dates from '45. In addition TO these the
English, or rather the Irlsh Balfe, as we'll as
we'll as German and Russian composers, have
written Jeanne d'Arcs." The famous song in
Halevey's "CharleS VI, War to the Tyrant +"
was inspired by her, as well as numerous sym
phonies, masses, odes, funeral and military
marches, hymns, cantatas, ETC., few OF them
rising above the commonplace, but the
strangest thing is that the 'Maid of Orleans"
has never yet inspired a single popular melody.
The Paris correspondent of the Westminster
Budget has succeeded in getting an interview
with Paderewski. To him the Polish pianist
confessed two livingstone that the libretto Of
bis opera is being written by Pole, the other
that he is horribly nervous whenever lie faces
an audience. OF the piano as an instrument to
play upon he said: at is 1T once the
easiest and the hardest. Any one can play the
pianoforte, but few ever do so well.
and then only after years and years OF
toll, pain and study. When you have
surmounted all difficulties not one in a hun
bred among your audience realizes through
what labor you have passed, yet they are all ca
pable OF criticizing and understanding what
your playing should be. Any one who takes I'D
pianO-playinG with a view 10 becoming a pro-
fessional pianist has taken on himself an awful
burden. But" added the Polish virtuoso, with
smile, at is better than the drudgery of Civ.
ing pIanoforte lessons. The one is only purga-
tory, but the other, -"
AT the Villa Msdcis, a fete was recently
given for the pupils OF The French academy al
Rome, the whole Italian court, in addition to
many foreign celebrities being present. A
musical poem. Mails" by Charles Silver. one
of MassenefS best pupils. was produced for
the entertainment of the guests aud created
quite a sensation. Every one declared that
the work showed scholarship and inspira tion
and predicted a brilliant future for the young
composer. Queen Marguerite. an excellent
| Judge Of music, appauded enthusiastically
ana warmly congratulated Charles Silver.
TIE International Wagner Society possesses
| one OF Its most active centers at Bologna, Italy
Each year grand Wagner concert is given iu
the town under the direction of Professor Mar
tueci On the first Of the present month the
| president OF the society, Count de SaIna. or.
ganized a festival. comprising three acts Of
| Tristan and Isolde" ''Siegfried' and tile
"Dusk OF the Gods" and from all points OF the
compass dilettanti rushed TO Bologna. The
Municipal Theater, which is one Of the
finest in Italy, was literally stormed
| by the crowd. 1t was with the greatest