The herald., 1896-09-06

popular impression prevails that the
musical critic prefers fault finding to
praise. The reverse is really true, al
though the captious critic who delights
to pick holes in the perfect work of a
Padarewski is not unknown. The lead
ing critics of London recently gave
expression to their feelings of gratitude
and admiration in testimonial to the
De ResZke brothers which is worth re-
printing:
To the brothers Jean and Edouard
de ResZke: To the great artists, who
have ever upheld the dignity of their
profession and enjoyed the confidence
and respect of the public. To the men
whom success has failed to enervate,
and abounding honors to deprive of
manly modesty To the vocalists in
whom survive the traditions of glo-
rious past, and through whom the sue
cession of all that is illustrious in their
art has continued to the present hour.
To the lyric actors who have given sub
stance and vitality to creatures of i'm
agination, and made them live in sight
and memory. We whose names are
hereto appended, being musical jour-
nalists in London, desire to offer the
homage of our admiration and gratitude
admiration Of brilliant talents, graf
itude for high example, and the rare
delight Of perfected art.
No less an authority than Joachim
has declared war against the Wagner
olatry of the day. 1t seems that the Ber-
lin high school of music, whose presi-
Dental chair is filled by the eminent
vfolinist, asked the government for
subvention. The Prussian chamber of
deputies, before committing itself to
yes or no, demanded that public per-
formance be given by the pupils of the
Eochschule to show some evidence of
the work there done. 1t was on this oc-
casion that Herr Joachim made speech
denouncing the ''pseudo-progress of
Bayreuth," and warning his hearers
against the productions of this school.
| The fact recalls, Rossini's famous die
| tum on Tannhauser. "You see," he said
once. these operas can't be judged at a
single hearing. Now, for my part, have
heard Tannhauser once, but cannot give
you an opinion for don't care to listen
| to it second time"
Young Siegfried Wagner, thinks the
Musical Courier, had better have left
| unwritten his letter to the Redende
Kunste, in which he describes conduct
ors as mere executive persons who have
| to follow the orders of the direction in
| chief. An authority on Wagner, after
mentioning Siegfrieds appearances in
sundry concerts, goes on to say that
with his low views of the duties of con-
ductor he ought at least to fulfill the
| normal demands of the place. "If he
really wishes to follow the orders of his
father he ought to consult the latters
theoretical works, Ueber das Dirigiren
and Virtuos und Kunstler. I, as loyal
Wagnerian, cannot get rid of the idea
that Wagner, jr, pays too little atten-
tion to the orders of his father; other
wise he would not seek his laurels in
| virtuoso concert conducting in tempo
rubato, but conceive the functions of a
conductor to be congenial sympathy
| and careful and pious elaboration of
! the intentions of the creative artist"
A table Of the salaries received by the
Metropolitan artists in this country, as
compared with the emolument given
| them in their own homes, has recently
been published. The figures are inter-
esting. Here are a few