The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-04-17
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az Musical Mention "a
Ole John Randolph. Ole
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John Randolph.

IL i may revert to topic worked over
last week, at the risk OF becoming peda-
gogic and discussing matters too closely
connected with the trade OF music
teaching. l wish to say that l am often
approached by anxious parents Of eager
young singers who ask how long it will
be ere their nurselings can appear in
public and eclipse the performance o.
othe: budding amateurs. To all such,
to the music committees OF choirs, to
the young singers and pianis.s and
violinists ard all the troop of would be
profess; onals there is one answer pos
sible-an answer i am sure would be-
given by every conscientious teacher and
well informed friend in this city or else
where. DO not sirg in public at all until
you can first Of all be reasonably sure Of
your tone production. Second, do not
sing in public until you can sing and
think your songs at sight. Third, do
not sing in public until you are
rhythmically exact-in no other case
can you command artistic changes OF
tempo, or be reliable in ensemble music,
fourth, remember, for heavens cake re.
member, too eager parents and talented
progeny, that much easy singing by i'm
mature or unfinished singers is very
hard listening to. Dc not allow the
advice Of injudicious friends or OF the
possibly ignorant music commit 'ee" of
some church to force you into public
appearance before you are are ready. II
you are vielinists ur pianists do not be
content to play few pieces; this ia the
least part Of the musical life. Know,
understand, grasp the melodic and
rhythmic and harmonic and emotional
and intellectual possibilities of a CON-
position before you essay the public per
Torrance! need only point to Nor
dica. who studied for four years with
out sing ng in public-and that, wonder
OF wonders, in America; to Josef Hof-
nan. who has recently appeared with
brilliant success as mature pianist af-
ter years OF patient silent study with
Rubenstein-to the hosts OF young
singers and players who rueh into pub.
lie life with insufficient preparation only
TO make a still more impetuous exit
therefrom. o gentle pupils and parents
listen unto me for these be words OF
truth and soberness! II you would have
failure or mediocre success rush in
where angels fear to tread-rush in with
immature powers and insufficient pre-
paration. II you would succeed up to
the full measure of your ability, do not
seize the successes and opportunities
which lie nearest at hand, but work on
patiently, intelligently, scientifically,
until you have command OF your fully
developed powers. For here is the
rule; if you insist upon public perfor-
nance before you are ready for it you
Will not only give no pleasure, but
rather WEAKNESS TO the knowing ones
but also will you make it impossible TO,
you to attain the full possession of your
powers. Especially is this true OF
singers vino often wear the bloom
off their voices before they have gained
even small measure of art. Entbeh-
rem sollst du, sollst entbehren! Unless
you work and renounce, the future can
not bring you success.
Mr.. Xaver Scharwenka does not seem
to have pleased the New York critics
with bis opera ''Mataswintha." 1t has
been variously described as a success
destime, as complies failure and as
Wagner and water" Perhaps as favor