The herald., 1897-06-27


That genial pessimist, but experienced
music critic in Boston, Philip Hale, is
responsible for the following in his let
ter to the New York Musical Courier:
"There is to be a new course at the
New England Conservatory. Pupils
who have creditably passed the regular
examinations in the course or muslcfl
theory may take up a course Of praC
teal training in musical journalismc criti-
cism and general musical literature. The
course will include general knowledge
of all the chief works of the classical
repertory, a knowledge of musical form
and it's analysis, a practical knowledge
of the Instruments of the orchestra and
their usage in modern works, COM
prehension Of the different schools OF
composition and of technical perform
ance, practical exercises in writing
criticisms and reviews, and all the rou-
tine of actual journalistic work.
$50, as you see, there will be school
for critics in Boston. Young men armed
with certificates signed by Brer Elson
and countersigned by. Mr.. G. w. Chad
wick will call at newspaper offices. The
managing editor will rise from his
chair, greet the applicant with emotion
and whisper in his ear, My boy, we have
been waiting for you. How does S100 a
week strike you as starter? Ibeg you,
do not refuse
"And, as you also will observe, the
critic leaving this department will know
everything. He must be able to impro-
wise fugue. play rapid passages on
the bassoon, tell the difference between
singers and clergymen's sore throat
tween Melba and Maggie Cline, invent a
write a Plutarchian composition be-
new melody to ''The Night Before Larry
Was Stretched, correct and edit the
masterpiece of passionate press agent
and prepare list Of formulated para.
graphs for insertion after a pecuniary
visit from a friend of an artist.
His courage and staying power will
| be tested by performances each day fol
a month Of the Waldstein sonota, Tau
sig's arrangement of Bach's toccata ant
fugue in D minor. and Schumann's
Carneval.
HE will be trained carefully in the
art of concealing emotion when in the
pursuit of his occupation. He will be
taught to listen to music with or with
out taking notes in the sight of the pub.
lie.
Here are some practical exercises in
writing criticism which will be given
next year:
What will you write when the singe,
is pretty, personal friend. and unable
to keep to the true pitch?
"If you are bored by symphony OF
Brahms, would you feel it your duty to
say so?
Should you instruct the public O.
amuse. Can you not amuse it by in
structing it? Andhas not this been done
without the knowledge of the critic?
THE faculty should remember in
draughting the course for instruction in
musical criticism, that the critic should
be able to make piano unassisted, and
also piano stool. if he propose to crit
icise pianists. He should have dissected
at least six sopranos before he presumes
to speak Of tone production. He should
have written symphony, a cantata
and at least one comic opera before he
dares to speak of the works of others"
\ y \
Fred T.. Groton of Rivera has written
an extremely clever march for the Bry-
an reception and has dedicated it to
VIM. j. Bryan. 1t has the true military
spirit and yet swing and "go" which
indicate that it will be as popular for a
deux temps as for a march. Prof. Cam
accepted the mss. at sight has orches-
trated it and the Seventh Regiment
band will play it at Westlake park July
4th, and July 5th at the Bryan reception
Bartlett Bros. are publishing the piant
score. Although young Groton is but
16, this march is not his first compost
ton, and as he is studying harmony and
musical form diligently the prospects
are good of a brilliant future for him al
composer and musician.
Another very catchy" march that i
gaining daily in popularity is the Cat
alma" composed by J. H. Bremen. Il
too, has an infectious swing, and is in.
tended for two step as well. Blanch.
Fitzgerald Music Co. are the pub.
fishers and the cover is ornamentec
with very fine half tone Of Avalor
from the Mcbride press.
\ + +
A dramatic and musical entertain.
ment under the title of "A japanese
Evening" will be given at Music hall or
Wednesday evening next by Miss 10.
sephine Williams assisted by Bertha
Penning Ahmet, Mrs Wenger, Misses
Dora James and P. Griffin, Messrs Johr
Llewellyn, w. c. Stone, Geo. Grosser
Eugene Roth and Prof. Arevalo. The
Japanese features will be brought oit
very vividly by about fifty participants
in addition to those above named. Ber.
tha Penning Ahmet will sing "Kathleer
Mavourneen," by special request, and 8
strong musical program in addition tc
the spectacular features will be given
+ + 4
The postponed recital of L. F. Colts.
chalk's compositions will be given mex
Wednesday evening, June 30th, at the
Blanchard-Fitzgeral Recital hall. The
full program was published in this col
umn last Sunday, but it may be of fur.
ther interest to know that several of thu
numbers were composed expressly 70,
those who will render them that even.