The herald., 1898-02-20
Stray Chords

Stray Chords
Ysaye will begin his season of concerts
In San Francisco, May I'd.
Madrigal society has been formed IL
Berlin for the study of music of the six
| teenth and seventeenth centuries.
Sir Arthur Sullivan has completed his
setting of Rudyard Kiplings Recessiona
hymn. 1t is written for chorus and or.
| chestra.
| DR.. Daniel Brinton n well-known Amer.
lean antiquarian, claims to have discov.
| cred that the American Indians possessed
four forms of stringed instruments.
Ernest Kraus, the Viennese tenor, has
signed contract for ten years with the
director of the Imperial Opera, Berlin. He
| is to receive 10000 francs for each season.
| Dresden clings to the old favorites and
The Child of the Regiment Lucia" and
"LucreZia Borgia' are announced with
such later productions as "Cavaleria" and
Il Paglacci."
Wilhelm Reich, whose opera Der
Schwan" was given with success some
years ago at the old Kroll theater, Berlin
has completed Il new opera, "Tadeo Cas-
ira the text based on the drama "The
Judge of Zalamca.'
One hears but little nowadays of Joachim,
the famous violinist. who by general con-
sent, stands at the head of the list Yet
he plays occasionally in some of the Ger
man cities. and is always heard with re-
spectful admiration.
Handel's unfamiliar oratorio, "Atha-
liah' was given in Queens hall, London,
Feb 5th. 1t was the first performance of
"Athaliah' in London within the lifetime
or the present generation. 1t was COM
posed in 1I33, and was then produced at
the oxford Commemoration.
NJ. Saint-Saens was the conductor of three
orchestral concerts of the Socedad de Con-
ciertos at Madrid last month. devoted en-
tirely to his own works, and on the 18th
ut. the first performance there of Samson
ct Dalila' took place at the Opera house.
The distinguished French composer, who
was received throughout with marked en-
thusiasm, has been nominated member OF
the Royal Academy of Spain.
The London Musical Times describes
musical curiosity that may be seen at Des-
sau: The Duke of Anhalt is the possessor
of an antique clock to which some musical
works. are attached, playing number of
tunes These. according to tradition are
all original compositions by Johann Sebas-
tian Bach, and emanating from the period
Q7l1-1i23 during which the great cantor
was in the service of Prince Leopold o.
Anhat-Koethen. The tunes, with their
harmonies, have recently been noted down.
for the first time, by the Dessau Court
Capelmeister, Herr August Klughardt, and
are about to be published by Messrs. Brett
kopf & Hartel of Leipsic.
The little daughter of a certain musical
critic, whose fame is more than local, was
overheard the other day entertaining a
visitor while her mother was out of the
room.
And do you like music, too?" asked the
visitor politely.
"Oh, yes indeed" replied the child.
with as near an approach to her father
manner as she could manage. I'm spe-
cially fond of opera"
What operas do you like?" asked the
visitor. The child hesitated. Then she
recovered her grown-up air.
oh she said carelessly, my favortes
are 'Lohindutchman' and The Flying
Grin. Washington Post.
Herr Scheel tells of conscientious cornet |
player in one Of his orchestras who save
an unexpected rendering of a well-known
passage.
Let's have that over again." requested |
Scheel, surprised at hearing a note which |
was not in the score
The note was sounded again and again.
What are you playing?" he asked at |
asst.
Il am blaying what am on re paper" said |
me corhet player' Il blay vat is before |
me-"
Let me have a look" The part was
handed to the conductor why, you idiot"
ne roared, cant you see that this is dead |
iy?'
Il don't care" was the answer. che
vas there. and l played him. San Fran.
,isco Wave.
The Rome correspondent of the Pail Mall
iaZette writes as follows of Maestro Puc-
,ini, who is now in Rome on musical busi
ness: Despite his successes and honors
ne is unspoilt. At Tore del Lago, near
7isa' ne mas MS summer residence. Be-
llnd the lake rises the chain of the Amen
lines. while a fertile plain extends to the
sea, visible from the villa, like an opales-
'ent strip, fascinating and tantalizing. In
his quiet and traquil solitude the younp
works almost constantly. vet one
would hardly take him for a musician. sur
'ounded as he is with guns, BICYCLES. etc
were he not great composer, he might
acquire fame as a sportsman. Giacomo
ouccini comes of family of musicians
From his boyhood his studies had to he
with more than strict economy.
Fhe congregation of Charity of Rome
gave him q monthly allowance of ca. On
hat sum he, brother and a cousin oIl
ived at Milan. They all three lived in one
room The landlady kept a
sharp eye that no cooking went on to spoil
ler precious furniture. To delude her. and
1t the Same time prepare their dinner.
which in days of abundance consisted of
hree eggs, usually fried, one for each of
hem. they put spirit lamp, with a small
rying pan on the piano. When the eggs
'e3ar to fry, the cousin. who was also the
'ook. whispered, Play. play! nowv and
'uccini. on foot before the piano, impro-
ised all kinds of nonsense. The louder the
oise of the frying, the louder he played
easing abruptly when the cggs were
one"