The record-union., 1897-04-18

deemed worthy of being associated
with the most sacred subjects. Strange
to say, the Academy in it's discussion
of this subject, makes no reference to
Rubinstein, who wanted all oratorios
to be staged and acted as operas; but
it comments sensibly on the unsatisfac-
toriness Of the current division of ope
ras into sacred and secular:
1T reminds one of the old-faShioned
distinction made between sacred and
secular music. The commonest tune,
if associated with sacred words, was
accounted sacred; the noblest strains
of a Mozart or Beethoven, not thus as
ISOLATED, were regarded as secular.
'Fidelio' in spirit is more sacred than
Joseph ''Tannhauser" than Sam
son." Wagner objected to one of his
music-dramas being sandwiched be-
tween Marta and lie Prophete;;"
while for "Parsifal" to be given at an
ordinary opera house where inane and
often immoral words are sung to weak
and meretricious music would have met
with his stern disapproval.'
+
The German periodical "Vom Fels
yum Meer' has commenced the publ
cation of number of aphorisms by
Rubinstein, which he himself called his
"Gedankenkorb" Thought basket), and
which will probably appear under that
name in book form. They relate not only
to music, but to women, love. politics,
religion, and other topics which inter-
ested him. Here are a few specimens:
Il attended in London a performance
of charity children's festival at ST.
Paul's. Thousands of children are on
these occasions arranged in a semi-cir-
Gle; they sing hymns and chorals with
organ accompaniment. The impression
is SO overwhelming that could not hold
back my tears-the most desccated
atheist could not here avoid thinking
of the Creator 'Intolerable individ-
uals are the surviving friends of great
composers-no Interpretation, no nu-
ance, no tempo satisfies them. for did
they not hear the composer himself play
that!" People send me poems for COM
position, which seems to me like intro
ducing girls to me to fall in love with.
A man comes accidentally across a
poem, he likes it and sets it to music
He accidentally sees a girl, likes her,
falls in love with her. But in both cases
spontaneously, not by request" ITO
the Jews I am Christian, to the Chris
tians jew; to the Russians I am a
German, to the German a Russian: to
the classicists I am a musician of the
future, to the futurists a reactionary
Conclusion-I am neither fish nor flesh
"a pitiable individual"
The curious discovery has been made
that the Lord Chamberlain has no au-
thority over the stage in Ireland. The
act of defining his powers refers only to
theaters in Great Britain. Nor is it
necessary to get a license to present.
from the local authorities in Ireland. 1t
seems, therefore, that pieces forbidden
in London may be played in Dublin or
other Irish cities without fear of con-
sequences.
One of the most characteristic feat
ures Of the centenary festival of the
French School at Athens will be the
part taken in 1t by the Coincide Fran
caise. On April 10th a representation
of 'Oedipe Roi' in which NM. Mounet-
Sully, Paul Mounet, Silvian, Laugier,
Albert Lambert, Villain and Hamel,
and Mines. Leroy, du Minil and Ha-
damard will act, will be given in
Athens The company will only be alb
sent from Paris ten days, and the cost
of the trip will be about $4,000.
Ellen Terry, who is said to have
been benefited greatly by her holiday,