New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-18
MUSICAL COMMENT.
ONPROFITABLE NOVELTIES-MR. WALL
TER DAMROSCHS PLANs-A "HIA-
WATHA" CANTATA

The anniversary festival Of the Oratorio Society
came 10 an end on Saturday with performance Of
Mendelssohns Elijah" and a speech by Mr. Walter
Damrosch In which he counselled the public to en-
courage the society to produce works by pat
ronizing II when II does The significance OF his
remarks was obvious enough to the members Of
the chor, who knew that popular Indifference the
concert OF FRIDAY afternoon. at which Professor
Horato Parker's est. Christopher" was brought
1orwUd. had cost the Oratorio over $1,000 1t Is an
unhappy position which the principal singing So
ciety OF the city occupies Let 1t confne itself to
old and familiar compositions and II IS rebuked for
want or enterprise. Let 1t undertake a new pro-
duction' and the people remain away from the con-
cert And what is true OF Newly is also true Of
other cities. Wherever The Messiah is sung at
christmas there one choral concert Is found gener
ously patronzed; but during the rest of the season
the singing society may go begging. This has been
the rule for at least generation. The fact seems
to be that choral concerts sem-regious func-
lions. not art entertainments. Only one OF the
novelties brought forward by the Oratorio Society In
the twenty-five years OF its existence may be said
to have been fairly profitable investment This
was the unaccompaned sixteen-part mass by Gre
which figured in the schemes OF three seasons-a
record which would have left an impression on the
societys treasury had not there been many solo
singers 10 pay. STILL the cost OF orchestra was
saved. La Darnnation de Faust cannot be counted,
for until the festival which has just ended 1t was
not given under the direct auspices OF the society
Such productions as Berlioz's "Messe des Morris
and "Te Deum." Brahms's German Requiem"
Governs "St. Ursula" Hurschel's "Stabet Mater"
LISTS "Chris:us." Saint-Saens's Samson and
Delilah." Tinels st. Francis" and Wagner's Par
sifal' must have cost the society pretty penny.
In the speech alluded to In the above paragraph
Mr. Damrosch reiterated his intention to retire
from the conduct OF local musical affairs and
devote all but ten weeks of the next year
position. The ten weeks will be given to the Ellis
Opera Company. In which year ne will have
financial interest. His relations to the Oratoro
Society will be established at the annual meeting
OF that body next Thursday week. lie will spend
.he next few weeks IN Washington. but will be
present at the meeting There will be Symphony
Society concerts. because the orchestra OF the
society has been engaged for the opera company.
That his mind has been on the allurng field of
composition for some time past his friends have
known. and he has made 1t plain 10 all by giving
out eight songs. which have been published by the
John Church Company. AS group they form his
Op 3 Madame Gadski sang two OF his songs ut
q Sunday night concert In the Metropolitan Opera
House some weeks ago. and Mr.. Bisoham one or
them another occasion. Two are settings or
Kipling's "Mandalay' and Danny Deever'; Robert
Louis Stevenson furnished the textual framework
for MY Wife" and '"Thc Sick Child" Dante
Gabriel Rosetti for Sudden Light" First Love
Remembered" and MARY Magdaene' and Lady
Lindsay for MY Heart Is Lutte. which Is
dedicated 10 Nine. Media.