The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-25

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TIM Really RENDERING "MARY DoNNELLY.''
song. Healy plays his own accompaniment,
while his brother Tom, who sits for North Wex-
ford, is an accomplished pianist. DR.. Tanner
can sing good song, and so can Tom Condor
and DR.. Fox.
The labor members are especially strong in
musical talent. John Burns, when a rosy
checked youngster, sang in supplied choir,
and Kier Hardie is not only performer on the
melodeon, but can put pathos and force into
Scotch ballad. His favorite song is sfMary of
Argyll" and his rendering Of it has frequently
evoked the plaudits of his admirers. Especially
! prominent also is William Abraham, familiar
to the Welsh people and to the House of Com
mons as "Mabon." By singing "The Men of
Harlech," or sLand of My Fathers Mabon
can rouse Welsh audience to the widest
pitch Of enthusiasm. A good story is told of
the honorable members exchange of eompli-
ments with Nine. Patti. At q concert in Wales
Mabon and the great prima donna were among
the performers. The concert over, Nine. Patti
stepped up to the NJ. P and observed, with q
pleasant smile, you sing really well, Mr..
Abraham" eyes, madam" responded Mabon
gallantly, "and so do you
1t does not appear that Gladstone with all
his versatility ever came forward as an instru-
| mentalist. But in bygone days the eminent
statesman delighted in singing, and it is on
record that his favorite song is "My Pretty
Jane" a ballad that is not so familiar to-day
as it was generation or two ago. One of the
most cultured of musicians in the House of
Commons is Arthur Balfour, who delights, not
only in listening to the best performers but in
playing the pianoforte for his own pleasure.
Sir Richard Webster is well known as mem
Der of a church choir, and he has appeared on
the platform at concerts with great success.
Sir Richard inclines toward sacred and serious
music. Sir Edward Clarke, if reports be true.
leans toward the humorous, and can render a
coster ditty with marvellous effect. The Scotch
members do not appear on the whole to be 80
musical as their English, Irish and Welsh
brethren. 1t is true that Parliamentary carica-
turists not unfrequently depict some one or
other of the representatives of Scotland playinga
solo on the bagpipes, butitiS doubtful whether
in reality any Scotch NJ. p is in the habit of per-
forming on en- instrument that is regarded by
the unappreciative Southron as a fearful and
unholy invention.
One thing is certain, If the practice of having
musical election meetings continues to grow,
there ought to be great field among political
candidates for teachers of instrumental music
and voice production.
The account of the festivities at Copenhagen
to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of cold
Hartman shows how thoroughly they honor
musicians in Denmark. The King, accom-
panied by the Crown Prince, personally called
upon the veteran composer to offer congratull-
tons and to confer upon him the Grand Cross
of the Danebrog order, set in brilliants; while
his Majesty's daughter, the Princess of Wales,
conveyed by telegram her best wishes to her
old music-lnaster. The town, inclu ding the
royal castle, was gay with flags and festoons;
there was procession of some hundreds of
musicians from all parts of the country to the
composers residence and many other demon
STATIONS. in the evening gala performance
of Little Kireten," one of Hartman's most
popular early operas, took place; the entire
audie nee, from the King and the royal family
downward, using to their feet upon the appear
ance in his box of the composer.
Hartmans compositions are little known
outside his native country, but with Christoph
Weise and Peter Heise, he was co-founder of a
Scandinavian school of music, whence the
younger masters, Gade, Lindblad, his own son
Emil, Svendsen, Grieg and many others have
emanated.
The announcement has been made of the ap
pointment of Bernhard Stavenhagen as con-
ductor at the Court Theater at Weimar in con-
junction with Eugene d'Albert The celebrated
pianist made his debut at Weimar last month
with an ably conducted performance of "Tann-
hauser." Stayenhagen is we'll known in this
country, as he toured all through the Eastern
States last season with the young 'cellfst Jean
Gerardy. 1t was on account of this young man
that two of the best known musical journals
and piano-advertsing mediums in America
now have strained relations. Music, Chi.
cago paper, boldly asserted rev months ago
that The Musical Courier's persistent lack
of appreciation for Stavenhagen's efforts arose,
not from the young mans lack of ability. but
from the fact that he used an unadvertised
brand of piano. The Courier retorted with
some uncomplimentary remarks about music
and now two papers devoted to the soothing
art are estranged.
one OF the most important movements TO-
ward bringing good orchestral music really
within reach of "the people" has been in
! augurated by number of prominent society
women OF New York. 1t is stated that these
| ladies have felt fmpelled to their present
course by the rapid increase in the number of
more or less Objectionable summer entertain
ments and the entire absence of cheap and
harmless recreation for the multitudes who
must remain in the city during the heated
term. Madison-square Garden has been leased
Tor six weeks and large orchestra under the
direction OF Frank Van der Stucken, is to pre-
sent programmes covering wide range to suit
all tastes. The great novelty of the enterprise
consists OF the prices of admission, which
range from 10 cents to SO cents. This is the
first genuine attempt at providing New York
with Peoples" concerts of really meritorious
order at low prices.
The Societa Filarmonica Giuseppi Verdi
promises to surpass all It's previous efforts In
the coming production of La Traviata,
which is being rehearsed under the leadership
OF Spadina. The society has an imported So
prano from Italy, Signorina Carolina Beschlei,
| and the tenor is young American VINO mas
just completed his studies in Milan. Slghor
Zappelli will sing the role of Germont.
81 Falsi Monetari," brilliant comic opera
that is not much known in America is also
being rehearsed by troupe of local Vocans.s.