The Washington herald., 1906-11-11

Christmas week. The other soloists, with
the exception OF Miss clara Drew, have
not yet been announced.
Miss Margaret Veitch. soprano, has beer
engaged as soloist at the Westminste.
Methodist Church. on Capitol Hill. Mr.
Harry Campbell has also been engaged
as bass soIoist in the same quartet Both
Miss Veitch and Mr.. Campbell are pupils
Of Mrs. Oldberg.
! Mr.. Johannes Miersch, who will be re-
membered by his excellent work with
the Veitch. Aiiersch. Close concert or
ganization, has been appointed conductor
Of large orchestra in Pittsburg.
Mr.. Harrison Moore has engaged Mrs
Oldberg's studio, in the Belasco Theater
for Saturdays, and will coach her pupils
on the Interpretation OF songs. Mr. Moore
some Of whose verse has appeared in
the columns Of this paper, has published
q new song. which he calls In Garden"
The afHiction Of Edward MacDoweII
tie composer, is one Of the saddest re-
suits Of overwOrk known 20 the artistic
world in this country. Just at the time
when Il had become plain that MacDowel
was the greatest composer that this coun
Try has produced. Just when il was clear
that his whole future should be given e
composition, and when be was youne
enough TO have d reasonable expectatios
OF thirty CT forty years in which TO pro
duce the ripened fruits OF his genius. thS
man broke down as the result Of the over
strain Of teaching in connection with hi:
composition II is beyond question thai
Mcdowell viii never be able to WORK
again, while the possibility Of a Ions
physical life with impaired mind is be
lore him.
Under these melancholy circumstances
the Mendelssohn Club. OF Manhattan, Ot
which the composer was once the con.
ductor. has undertaken TO raise a funt
which viii make him comfortable. II
that worthy object the club asks the co
operation OF every person who is inter
ested in MacDowelTs music. and IL SHOULD
receive such aid spontaneously. II Mac
DOweu had written half a dozen rag-tim,
songs which hit the popular fancy, h
would have placed himself beyond tn,
need CT assistance. Because he sought {,
put the visions OF a poet into the highes
and most perfect ferns of which music1
art is capable he is poor. Because HI
E
broken himself i'm trying 10 secure il.
is a story IS old as the arts. bat il Is
story which should not go on repeating
itself Indefinitely. The world has grow
[ intelligent and il should appreciate TN
rarity Of genius. and especially musica
genius, clearly enough to make sure tina
when such a genius appears Il should 10
wear itself out before the real work 70
which it was created has been accom-
/ plished.
/ Years ago. when some one asked Pade
TcwsH what use could best be made G
money 10 further the interests of musi
/ IN this country, the pianist replied, "B,
/ cndOwing MacDowell. so that he need d
! nothing but write Probably the advic
was considered impracticable, or eve,
! fantastic. but II It had been followe,
/ there would have been no such tragedy a
I that which this call for a fund reveals
MacDowelrs case is even more pitifu
/ than that of Schubert, Chopin, and othe
gifted musicians whom il suggests. The.
died too young. but TO have finished one
work too young. and not to be able Z
die. that is the deepes' tragedy. Tn
/ least that the nation whose musica
standard he has raised. and whose recog
milton in the world Of music abroad h
/ has secured, can DO for MacDoweH IS Z
place his remaining years beyond tn
/ reach Of want That is the purpose Q
/ the Mendelssohn Club subscription.