New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-12

long ago and deserves to be heard again. not
only once. but often Strauss work, the
contrary, is new, and will have its first perform
IN America this occasion. 1t is only
two years old in Europe, and has not yet had
half dozen performances, for the reason, doubt
less. that 1t calls for greater forces than ordi-
nary concert institutes have at their command.
It was composed in the closing months of 1902
and the beginning of 1903. Originally it seems
to have been designed for a festival held in
Duisburg in April, 1903 but it was performed
at Heidelberg in the latter year in recognition
of academic honors conferred on the composer.
In form 1t is a choral ballad, with the MARIA
tive portion assigned to the chorus, and solo
voices to give utterance to the sentiments OF
the principal personages concerned in the story.
It differs from all its predecessors in musical
literature however, in the magnitude Of the
instrumental forces employed the impetus to
this having come from twofold source The
subject called for a musical delineation of war
the battle of Hastings-and Herr Strauss, as
is well known, is a coiorist who puts on his
pigments with palette knife instead OF a
brush. Besides this, the composer had fes-
tival-that of Duisburg-in view while writing,
and therefore thought himself privileged to go
beyond the ordinary concert forces To the
editor of the Musical Times" Of London he
said in December 1902: CAS- at these large
employed, do not why the wind instru-
rnent players should merely double their parts
Therefore L intend to write independent parts
for them all, and I have ordered from Paris
some special manuscript paper Of forty slaves"
He needed it, for his score calls for "A first
violins "a second violins, 16 violas. IA violon-
celloa. IL BASES, 2 piccolo flutes, d large
flutes, 4 oboes. 2 English horns, 6 clarinets,
bass clarinet, 4 bassoons. L contra bassoon,
horns. trumpets. 4 trombones, bass tubas
4 Kettle drums, small snare drums large
snare drums cymbals, bass drum, triangle and
glockenspiel.
IIhlands ballad, which provides the verbal
framework for Strauss's composition, tells a
story that has long been current touching an in
cident in the battle of Hastings. fought on Oc-
tober IA 1866. Whether or not it has basis
In historical fact or is mere legend has not been
determined. Freeman made room for it in his
history Of the Norman Conquest. According to
this writer, Taillefer a. E.. Cleaver OF Iron),
Norman trouvere, before the battle of Senlao
sought and obtained permission from Duke
William of Normandy to strike the first blow.
Then he rode forth at the head of the invading
army singing songs of Roland and Of Charlie
magne. Like others of his profession, he
a juggler well minstrel While singing
he threw his sword high in the air and caught
1t as it fell. Then he rushed upon the English,
pierced one knight with his lance struck down
another with his sword. and himself fell as the
Normans. inspired by his song and deed. rushed
overwhelmingly upon their foes and routed
them. This Arnold Winkelried conclusion has
been changed by INLAND. who. In his spirited
ballad tells the story as follows: William of
Normandy inquiries who It is that sings all day
blithely and sweetly in his courtyard and hall.
Up rose Duke william OF Normandy. and thus he
spoke withal:
who is't chat sings within my court and also in
my hall?
Who s't that eings from mornings dawn until the
So sweetly, that Stthin my breast my heart leaps
with delightr'
Young Taillefer. your serving man, Z is he so
blithely sings
Within the courtyard yonder. when ne the well
And In the hall. whenever the IRE he stirs and
When he iies down at eventide. and when at morn
he wakes.
Duke William spoke up promptiyI "a right good
Who serveth me SO steadtastly and exc SO cheer
lily;
He mans the sweep and rakes the fires and sings
so loud and clear,
gong hear"
Up spoke the Youthful TsiIlefer; MY lord were
q knight
Far better could serve thee. and sing TO thy de-
Far better were my service had a horse to ride
| Far better were my song had sword hung at my
side" 49,
Eftsoons out rode young Taiileter across the YER
Upon a noble charger. with sword and gIittering
The dukes fair sister gazed on him from out her
And said: ''By heav'n. there rides knight whom
no man shall outvieY