New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16
ROMANOFF MUSICIANS.
THE PRESENT GEAR WITHOUT TALENT
his FATHER FOND OF MUSIC.

Ills FATHER FUND OF MDSlC.
Berlin correspondence of The London News.
The other day an anecdote went the round Of
the press that the Gar Nicholas had sung sew
eral songs at family party, and had shown
himself a good tenor. of which he was very
proud. The story was pleasant enough, but
untrue The muse of music was not present at
his birth The "LOkaarZeiger' tells us that
musical evenings at which celebrated artists
take part are very rare at the Court of the
Car now. The late Emperor was passonately
fond Of music, and was in his youth an excellent
performer on the cornet a piston Professor
Wurm had been teaching him for ten years,
and even to-day praises the zeal and the talent
of his illustrious pupil. When later on he be-
came so much occupied with Government BUSH
ness he had to give up his favorte instrument
as he had no time to practise. But won't
give up music quite" he remarked to Professor.
Wurm. Now | shall choose the great sax
tuba"
He founded his brass band of about forty
performers, mostly officers, and begged the con-
ductor to treat them all sans facon, for GER
tainly otherwise nothing sensible would come
of it. AT the head Of them sat the Gar his
gigantic instrument slung round him, and
tootled bravely with the rest. At Court balls
1t amused him to conduct personally some bars
OF a waltz. especially when his illustriOus con-
sort. who loved dancing passionately. was en-
joying herself All at once the music would
come to dead stop in the middle of a waltz.
Everybody would look up startled and only the
Empress would glance smiling. at the gallery.
She knew who the rogue was who wanted to
play her a trick again. ..-
The Dowager Empress, brilliant pianist, had
inherited the talent from her mother. the late
Queen OF Denmark and always zealOusly en-
deavored to inspire her children with love OF
music. There was no want of excellent masters
In st. Petersburg at that time, but alas. the
young Grand Dukes and Duchesses had little
sympathy for their mothers noble intentions
All had to practise the piano. but they did
very unwingy AS the Car Alexander
an ardent admirer of Richard Wagner the mu-
sic master OF the heir to the throne gave him
self the greatest trouble to teach the latter a
composition Of the BayIe uth master as a
prise for papa The wedding march from 10
hengrin" was chosen. in the easiest reanange
ment that could be found. The appointed day
arrived and the performance began, but praise
there was none. 1t Is whispered, indeed. that
just the reverse was the case. There only
one consolation for the Prince-that his sisters
and brothers did no better
In the mean while Nkolai AleXandrOWitSch
has become AutOcrat of All the Russias But he
has no special prediction for music. and his
charming young wife WILL in spite Of her knOwl-
edge of it, never instil it into him. 1t is stated
that the Gar possesses n sympathetic tenor
voice, and often surprises his intimate friends,
especially in Livadia by his songs-especially
French romances, which he sings with great
feeling. But all these are legends as all
the statements that he accompanies his own
songs on the piano. His young wife loves and
cultivates with great intelligence classical music.
and, emOng modern composers, especially
Brahms.
Among the near relations of the Car there is
many an excellent musician. The Grand-duke
Constantine is poet and composer. most
peculiar charm and deep poetical melancholy lie
In the compositions of X. II. (Konstantin Ro-
manOw), which are very often played at grand
concerts. The talented Prince SO to say, en-
tered the world to the sound of the cello. His
father distinguished artist on the voloncellO.
was playing his magnificent instrument in the
adjoining room when the weak little voice Of
the new citizen of the world heard
His mother, Alexandra Josephowna, is through
and through of I, musical nature. Some of her
compositions. among them a symphonic work,
1.-The Titan" among the favorite numbers
Of the concerts of PawlOwsk. The children Of
the Grand-duchess Catherine Michaelowna. now
Duchess Of Meckenburg- Strelitz. are known as
excellent musicians. Duke George never misses
quartet evening, a symphony concert Ger
man song evening. One generally sees him with
the score in his hand. His sister, Helene. the
Princess of Saxe-Altenburg, is esteemed ex-
cellent singer. Sometimes she has sung in church
concerts. and to hear her full. sympathetic So
prano is treat to all music-lovers. The grand
mother OF the "Mecklenburgers as they are
called in ST. Petersburg. the clever Grand
duchess Helene Pawlowna, founded with her
Court pianist, Anton Rubinsten. the Conserva-
forum in St. Petersburg. Talented nOvices who
had not the means to study were received and
cared for in the royal patronesss palace, she
personally controlling their work and progress