Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-20

Berlin, Jan. 2. 1soO.-Musical matters
are at their height now. and 1t Is
sumptuous feast that Berlin offers.
Owing to the severe weather the at
tendance at several very choice con-
certs was slim. but not seat could
be had a week in advance for the Royal
opera on Christmas night.
MONEY IN MUSIC.
Managers OF play houses express
themselves as well pleased with the
past years receipts. and II seems quite
reasonable to suppose that the Royal
Opera house especially has paid hand
somely. for 1t has been specially favored
with patronage. When one thinks that
this house has under salary three dis
tinct conductors-Strauss, Muck and
Schalke--an orchestra of from 70 TO 125
men, a score or more soloists. and that
II maintains chorus of from 100 TO 800
as occasion demands. and is a profitable
institution, II Is evident that a full
measure OF prosperity has come its way.
Ii shows. very conslusively. that Ger
many loves the best In music. and what
Is better, that her people patronize *.
II does a musicians heart good TO see
how the divine art Is fostered in this
land; yet II may surprise some when
they learn that the German students Of
music generally fall far below the
American pupils In the percentage OF
their work. and II Is no secret that
Americans are capturing the most
prizes and carrying on more than their
share OF the honors. But II is a no.
torious fact that when a German stu
dent is good, he Is wonder and they
point TO Beethoven. Haydn. Mozart,
Schubert, Brahms, etc, as samples OF
what fatheTland can bring forth in the
musical way. America is young yet but
forging ahead In good style. There are
over two hundred students OF music
in Berlin today from across the pond.
Some have been here several years,
others but Just arrived, and yet more
are coming. This statement seems rash
but II was told me by a music dealer
who evidently knows. ! have become |
acquainted during my short stay SO |
far, with over twenty-five.
MASCAGNPs FIASCO.
Pietro Mascagni, author Of "Cavel-
liera Rusticana," the ''lntermezzo" OF |
which is so very popular and beautiful. !
was at Krolrs new opera house in early |
November with his Italian orchestra,
From a worthy musical friend learn
that his visit was fiasco-musically |
and financially. His orchestra num-
bered 30 men, and II is said that the
strings were very remarkable for
sweetnss and purity OF tone, and also
very elegant but the brass and reeds
The critics literally tore the whole or
ganization TO pieces. especially blaming
for playing Nikisch's piece de
resistance, symphony No. 3, Beet
hoven," and Immediately thereafter
Traumerei' etc. As
Nikisch renders Through his orchestra)
In so nearly perfect manner the
Beethoven symphony, the press may be
forgiven for unkind remarks II another
organizatlon-supposedly OF good re-
and mutilates 1t. The
''Intermezzo' remains just as sweet and
lovable as ever no matter what its
may now do.
WONDERFUL JOACHIM.
! returned 10 Berlin a day too late TO
heard the second concert OF the Joachim
quartette. Mr.. Ross Spencer. an old
Ann Arbor friend and splendid violin
Ist studying with With, attended and
the affair glorious. The
people went mad over Joachim when
when he appeared, for he is their idol
and with the exception OF Verdi, the
oldest musician In the world. Seven
~ years old and performing In public.
Edward Greig. the wonderful wizard
u harmony. from Norway. WAS here