New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-23
MUSICAL COMMENT.
DE PACHMANN'S sHOw-MUSIC AT THE
PARIS ExPOSITION-A STORY ABOUT
LEONCAVALLO AND II PAGLI-
ACCI'-LAST NIGHTS
CONCEPT


Vladimir de Pachmann gave his second recital
FOR the season In Mendelssohn Hall last Saturday
afternoon. Likewise he gave An exhibition OF
vulgar behavior such az he wishes the public TO
look upon as manifestations OF that eccentricity
which schoolgirls think natural genius. but
which Is nothing else in his case than unhlushing
chariatanry contemplate concet or both
Scarcely launched in the Schumann sonata In q
minor he threw up his hands frowned a. II At
himself. told the public by pantomime that he had
forgotten the music and announced that he would
begin again which he did In his other pieces ne
smiled approvingly when he made pretty run
encouraged himself with congratulatory praNos'
and disported himself generally like mailman OF
a FOOL. Finally. as the audience was ahout 70
leave the room after the last number. he beckoned
those who their feet back into their seats
and played weber's 'Perpetuum Mobile-payed
it marvelously and without a ermace.
There is enough that IS erratic IN this man :
playing 10 make his mountebank tricks wholly
supernuous as rritants OF discussion. He is a
veritabe killJoy TO all serious lovers Of music. and
might prohtably he ignored by all reviewers. An
audience that would hes, he pleased at his concerts
would be one composed wholly OF musical igno-
ramuses who had gathered together TO he amused
by his clownish antics Musicay cultured persons
have their patience put TO too severe q strain to
enjoy his playing Perhaps his manager Will oblise
those who wish study some OF the technical
putting him behind screen hereafter. mirror
might also be provided for him to grin into.
The scheme Of pieces which Mr. de Pachmann
has chosen in which to dsport himself next Satur-
day afternoon al the place is as follows
Dsyids6Dndlcr- Tame Op. 6............ r. schumsnn
fal tais.e + minsor oi. ~, II ,ss lIN'u9"s Up
S o5 20 ~ orne n 2i Il n bro on p
A fat major: Mazurka. or. :. Il fiat major: Nalse ,
Serenads q fat major. Nalse 6'ar.ice "
Perreiuum Mobile op. -; Pollscca Rrnlan,s 0r 70
g. NJ Won Weber
1t does not appca- that anything has been done
looking to a representation Of American musical
culture a, the PARIS Exposition OF course, there
Will be an exhibition Of manufactures pianofortes.
cabinet organs and other instruments. but Ameri-
can trumphs in this field DO not signify much
indices of American taste IN music ,he status 81
the American composer Mr.. Peck. the Commits
soner General Of the United States TO the Expo
si!on, Is Chcaeoan, and has long been associated
intimately with Mr. Theodore Thomass enterprises
IN that city: II has not been surprising to hear
talk OF movement to send the Chicago orchestra
with Mr.. Thomas at its head. to Paris TO teach
the world the quality of Americas musical per
fOrmances. Mr.. Clarence Eddy. during the few
months when he the vague and unstable
honor OF being "organst to the American depart
ment' OF the Exposition. did good work for this
movement by securing letters from number II
the leading French musicians. saying how glad
they would be IL Nj Thomas were to come and
give them a taste of his quality. Mr.. Eddy Is also
a Chicagoan But IL is to be feared that there is
an insurmountable obstacle to the success of this
plan. which has much dignity commend il. Chi
cagoans not easily daunted. but inasmuch as
the who would have 10 defray the expenses OF
the enterprise those who are maintaining Mr..
Thomas and his orchestra now. il is doubtful that
the fund could be raised. These same generous.
NH md tied gffz "a
ready been called for deficit Of over
S2s7 900 during the last eight years The plan would
not be likely TO meet with more than sentimental
support in the East Here the conviction would he
that il orchestra TO be sent to represent
America it would have to be Americas best OF
chestra; and that halls from Boston. not from
Chicago.
Here is plan than which A more dignined and
one more fruitful Of good results could not be i'm
agined. Europe is now willing to believe that the
United States do something else than raise
hogs and breadstuNs. The time is ripe let it
learn that this country maintains several concert
organizations generously those in the Euro
pean ca pitals maintained and that the manten-
comes from tho people and is therefore
pure expression OF musical love. Al the head Of
these organizations stands the Boston Orchestra.
which is the peer Of any orchestra in the world.
This is not wild hyperboe. but the expression #
belief based on observation. Now, why might not
some of our rich men with patriotism. seconded by
love for music offer To make series of concerts
by the Boston Orchestra a part OF the United
States Government exhibit? Congress has appro-
prated no money TO be expended in this manner.
but the Commissioner General and the Department
Of State would surely be glad to place the govern
mental frgis over the enterprse-if Of It's
leading citizens should offer pay for it. Thus
distinguished there could be no ordinary pay con-
cer,s OF course They should be artistic functions
Of the most stately and dignihed character and
before all others the representatives IN art letters
and statecraft from the nations Of the world gath
cred in Paris should occupy the auditors chairs.
Three or four concerts would suffice inform the
world not only OF the kind Of music encouraged BY
the people Of America. but also Of the kind OF
music composed I'm America for 10 our own COM
pos.rs would naturally De given a hearing, as We'll
as those from England. France. Germany. Russia
and italy. Within fifteen years Russia has drawn
the attention Of The world to her composers. and
she has done 80 largely by sending Tschaikowsky
out as a sort Of special commissioner to give con-
cers Of Russian music In the art centres OF Europe
This was done priviy. however nothing has ever
been done approaching the plan here suggested IN
beauty dignity and scope
We have hitherto been under an impression That
the plot o. Il Pagliacei" was taken from French
,lav in which Frederick Isrmaiue achieved one Of
his great successes. 10 Catulle Mendes's story
La Femme de Tabarin' but Il the following anec-
dote il true IT. origin was in an incident when
came under the personal observation o. the iibre-
list composer himself:
The composers parents had sent MIN ana one %
his brothers in charge Of servant L. see q per
Torrance By some strollIns playeis The chlIdlen
were delighted BY the jokes OF the clown when sud
denly the comedy changed 10 tragedy. The
clown stopped and picked up letter that had
fallen from the corsage OF COumbine. He read the
missive and then. selling the woman. dragged her
ON of The theatre The spectators heard no noise.
and only learned subsequently that the clown had
cut his wife's throat so that she died without
CIV The letter had proved she was unfaithiul.
However. in few minutes the clown re,eniered me
theatre and stepping up to Leoncavallo's servant,
tapped him the shoulder and said gaNy. J Wish
TO speak TO you outside. The man accompanied
him and was hardly outside the door when ne war
fatally stabbed In his turn. Leoncavalios iather
vas the Judge OF the district and he subsequently