The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-09
HUSGARIAN BANDS P1SSIyG.
Gypsy Musicians Losing Favor Here and in
Paris.

The Hungarian musicians who were for n
while q favored feature Of Paris life: are now
under a cloud. Ever since the escapades Of
Clara Ward they have been compelled. unlike
children. to be heard and not seen. Their
music remained a feature OF many cafes and
restaurants; but they were no longer engaged
to play at private entertainments and sudden
~ dropped from n position Of modishness to
the level of the ordinary bands. Hungarian
bands were introduced in Paris at about the
same time that they appeared in New York and
London. In the two English speaking cltias
their music Immediately became fashionable
and popular. for dances they were for sew
sral years the only musicians to engage whom
was considered smart. They never could play
whites well. but the spirit and animation
which they gave to polkas and similar dances
keI. them in demand Some Of the most
elaborate dances used to have two bands, Of
which one was a regular orchestra. and to it
suited t., the Hungarian. methods. The man
ner in which the bands increased here is well
IN knoTT 1ndo u ne 5BIne **AnS frean' VA" Wa b WIsnei aed
tied" bands. distinCuishable by the color of
their TUNES, increased daily and overran res.
Loudon they have greatly declined in ropu.
larrtiiy during the past two, or three years.
made ridiculous. They were never regarded
nero as fascinating III any sense OF the word,
in Paris. ana the Wari-RiRo episode was the
climax II that phase of their existence. There
never seems to have been any difference in the
views held concerning their physical appear
ance.. After their compatriot RICO became
notorious they are said to have acquired an
estimate OF their charms quite Inconvenience to
persons Of n different opinion.
SO IN many OF the restaurants thew were put
almost out If sight. placed behind screens or in
hatGpnies.and deprived, of a privilege which the
lender of one Of he bands 10 seeking to re.
pnSnr in court nDmnIv fhnt nf IraGIpy rnt,p
The musicians contend, that this is their Gus.
mentioned in their contracts. The restaurant
nfro,Urietor against whom the suit is pending
guests, on the ground that they ogle the wo-
men and otherwise seek to impress them with
their chHrms in q way that has become intol-
to make the gypsies absurd in the ewes Of the
uuhltr. and that in Paris Is usually fatal to fur
Their prosperity, even in the eyes Of persons so
/, uni npor'ant as these swarthy iiddlers. Anv-
body ;wh" has heard them II b%udapest would
HunEaria, where they play every night. their
only compensation comes apparently from tho
SE9llecti9Tnss ms, they taSe up from The guests Of tho
around the hat there in one evening Is enough
to make a comfortable living for them.
rim, musicians here in New York has been
attributed in a measure 70 tho fact that the
Many Of the bands are indeed unsatisfactory
10 uersons who have no thought beyond the
mere enjoyment OF me music
Nobody ever thought when these PLAYERS
cane to this country first" said a musical
manager, that they would become 50 popular.
They wore an immediate success and the de-
maud for their services was Tar beyond the
available supply. Tho result was that many
players 81 llti!e or no experience were brought
here. The original bands were divided up,
ana thic, new bands probably included one or
two n' tn" original n!hrers. with u great MANY
new itruprta'tnns.. Sometimes the nationality
Of 'h"sc r!auiTations was not preserved with
IN" s'rjrtuess the lIlhliG supposed Italians
were dressed in uniforms and looked enough
III" their colleagues to keep I'M the Appearance
OF III" urgnniyatluu. After they hal become
popular here Their fame spread 10 other cities
nui they were sont all over the country. II
was not To- he supposed that under these cir
cums'Unrcs The original quality Of their uer-
~iormnnc"s HoIld be- maintained. The public
IL quicker to recognize such changes than the
managers sometimes believe. SO the Magyar
rinyerS began - lose their popularity. grad
unlly aud they are no longer regarded With the
0li-time favor. In London there was no such
great demand for the services Of these men as
came 10 New York from the principal cities Of
this, country. s! they did not deteriorate in
quality there to this same extent a. here"