The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-01-11
IN RELATED KEYS
HERBERT BATES

The most striking feature OF last Sun
days recital at the Universalist church
was Carl Schubert's "Journes." 1t had.
however, the defect OF program music
without program. One knew that
phrase stood for something, but whether
it was quarrel with the driver, or
plunge OF the horses, or a gust OF wind,
there was no telling. Such music needs
q guide book. The really excellent part
Of the composition was the development
of the Volkslieder, odd barbaric melo-
dies with an echo Of things heard at the
Worlds fair They inclined to the
minor, with an odd foreign rhythm and
tonality. They carry one in fancy to
far of places, where grim fur capped
men. with Earring names. sing plain
tive war songs and rejoice in minor
strains. in music not morbid. but plain
tive with the spacious pathoe OF the eul-
len steppes.
Schubert has used good material to
advantage. But his own original work
seems to lack strength. His compost
ton seems like an excellent collection Of
"Lieder' with fair introduction, large
ly in proses, by the collector.
1t is pity that the Adagio from the
Sonata Pathetious was played as vol
uniary. The stir OF the audience pre-
vented lite full effect. A lighter piece
should be offered as the first victim.
Beethoven should be kept sacred, both
from the rustic OF entrance and from
the jingle OF the offertory. And this
Adagio is a wonderful thing, wonderful
just 10 its simple melody, melody that
rises in strong lifted lament, not sob.
bling, like Chopin's. 1t speaks, quietly,
calmly, but with that great wall, If it
could but be-" always springing up. and
sinking again into the resignation OF
defent.
And this melody that tells us this is
as simple as the simplest hymn. an air
q child might strum With one finger! 1t
is this that gives Beethoven his su-
premacy. his power of building from the
simplest material the sublimest sub
jects. He adds much,-harmony, vari
alton, all the intricate elaboration Of
which great musician is capable, but
the God Of the musician is not in these.
1t is in the grandly conceived musical
thought at the heart of them, piteously
simple, with the childish strength of
greatness.
Another notable number was the last.
the Bridal chorus. Mr.. Hagenow's ar
rangement was very effective. 1t was
played. too. in the right spirit, not
beaten out as triumphal march, but
made what it should be, tender con-
secration OF marriage; a prayer and a
benediction. That text book OF Phiiis-
tinism. the Franklin Square Song Col
,estion," makes il setting to the words
Flag of the Free a charming exhibit
ton of unmusical patriotism. 1t was
noticeable, by the way, that the indi-
viduality of Wagner appeared very
strongly, even at the first notes. 1t was
q il new and strong speaker had risen
to say his few words. The personality
compels at once. There is an interest
ing article by Mr.. Goodrich, in the last
Musical Courier accounting for this in
dividual impression by showing Wag-
ner's peculiar system Of harmonization.
1t seems that, where there is skip" in
the melody, he does not, like most CON-
posers, harmonic it with chord con.
tanning both notes. He changes the
harmony with the second note.-as in
the first measure Of the Tannehaueeer