The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-12

HnlD1
sOUSA
ular, he gave the following answer,
characteristic of the man and his
methods:
In general way, l should say that
popular music becomes such when at
its first hearing it attracts either
through it's rhythm, oddly or inter
vals or through all three, the atten
ton of the auditor. and creates a de-
sire for second hearing. 1t then be-
comes contagious, and RACES with more
or less violence. If the composition is
based on natural laws, it stands a
chance Of living after the epidemic is
subdued, but if it is ephemeral in char
acter it dies after running its brief
course"
The story is told that while Verdi
was putting the finishing touches on
III Trovatore," he was visited by
privileged friend, one of the ablest
Italian musicians and critics.
The maestro permitted him to glance
over the newly made score, played him
the Anvil Chorus on the piano, and
asked for an opinion.
TRASH" replied the critic and con-
noisseur, tersely.
Verdi chuckled, rubbed his hands, and
played on.
Now hear this he requested; and
this-and this
Rubbish" snorted the critical one.
Verdi jumped UP and embraced him.
my dear friend he cried, do not be
surprised at my strange joy. I have
been composing a popular opera. In it
1 resolved to please every body, except
the wise judges and elassicists like you.
Had l pleased you, would have pleased
no one else; what you say. assures my
success. In three months II Trova-
tore will be sung, poared, whistled and
handorganed all over Italy
And so it was.
Ernest Van Dyck's brilliant repre-
sentation of Loge in "Das Rheingold,"
is responsible for the repetition Of the
opera outside the cycle. This is fiat
tering tribute to the famous Wagnerian
Rheingold" is heard nowadays only in
connection with the other works in the
trilogy.
Joseph Jefferson once wrote this
beautiful paragraph on music: Il have
always loved music, and I would not
give away for a great deal the little
that know. l am not at my ease with
those who have contempt for music.
Music is like discipline-it makes men
sweeter, more virtuous and wiser. One
can be sure of finding the germs of a
goodly number Of virtues in the hearts
of those that love music But those
who have no taste for it I value as I /
do a stick or stone. 1 pretend and l
declare it without shame that after
theology, there is no art compare BILE
to music. When natural music is per-
fected by art, we see, as far as we are
able, the great and perfect wisdom of
God I'M His fine music
The Crazy Jane Society of Newark, !
New Jersey, which is composed of the |
wealthiest people of that city, paid |
Sousa his price of 5000 to play for its |
benefit for charity, which he did prior |
to opening his tour at Philadelphia. |
The usual number of encores were re- |
sponded to by Sousa; and the society |
found themselves $500 to the good when |
the receipts were counted.
Musical American: Newspapers re- |
Gently received here are trimming over |
with the coed things which European |
critics are saying about Ameri- |
cas- own prima DONNA Miss Lillian |
Blauvelt. She is compared with all the |
great sopranos of the day. One critic /
says: Her voice and method are quite |
as beautiful as Melbas with an execu-
ton equal to PATHS and with the pc
culiar fascination that is associated |
with Nine. Calve."
New York World: Not since the days
of Paderewski has any musician made |
the feminine heart flutter as does Emil |
Sauer, the German pianist At the
end of his recitals at Carnegie Music |
Hall the pianist has Invariably found |
himself surrounded by crowd of wor- /
Shipping women, all anxious to grasp |
his hand or content to get but a nearer
view of the player.
Emil Sauer, besides being Interesting
at the plano, has a most interesting per-
He is tall, well built and ath-
and his expression is one
of calm benevolence that wins all those
with whom he comes in contact To the
casual observer his seems like a weak
face, though full of sympathy But a
closer study reveals the countenance OF,
a shrewd man, alive to his own inter-
ests and full of pluck and determina-
ton. Those who have come in con-
slant contact with Sauer say he has
all these characteristics.
The pianist is a MAN of cordial man
ners, and he has quick wit. He is as
fond of the women as they are of him.
He is q man of rare intelligence, one
who impresses you with his intellectual
and yet never becomes
pedantic. He loves to have a good time
and lives we'll Outside of his crop of /
hair he possesses none of the peculiar
tiles generally attributed to great art
ista His greatest aversion is for the |