The San Francisco call., 1908-09-07
Balfe's Music Ever Popular Despite
Absence of All Dramatic Truth
By Walter Anthony

M orQan ever invented.
- rracbantcaI contrfvances ever 70 De
schsmed will exhaust the post,I q
or reach to the bottom OF SeaHS
spired music. -. a
SO wagner's editor. Wefngar,ne' "a
Mendelasohn were not scolded for M
ing" Bach and Handel Wefngartner
hands are reverent members. Iney
will lop on nothing but a few oead
leaves and twigs IN Wagners luxufian1
garden OF tore.
Russian obera makes slower headway
outside of the borders OF the czar ae
main than any other form or SLAVIC
music. The Russian opera company
which has been appearing IN berhn
lost SIS 900 in the venture, and the I'M
presario had to seek the assistance OF
the Russian consul to get out or tne
country The Russian press attributes
the failure of the company to the an
tfpathy of the Germans politically but
musicians see in II only the dih1culty OK
one country with definite operat1c
forms and standards. In accepting an
other races contributions to hybrid
form OF art. Tschaikowskis "Pique
Dame" was the, only opera which
achieved even tentative success.
Francisco after having spent two years
abroad. He visited all the European
music centers and met many OF the
leading composers and pedagogues-
'Iamia' and The Eve OF St. Agnes.
two of Zech's orchestral compositions,
were played by some OF the Ieading
svmphony OrchestraS of Germany and
were received with fiattering notices by
the critics and with pleasure by the
music lovers generally Several of his
piano and vocal compositions We're
brought to light through the publishing
houses of Germany.
John W. Metcalf OF Oakland sheds
the light OF credit on the coast by
capable and delightful compositions.
which, though they are in the smaller
forms are well built, graceful and
meIodious He has recently completed
another quiver full of songs which
Schmidt OF Boston has sent forth from
his presses.
Impresario VIII Greenbaum has arr
ranged to give recital with Mrs
Beatrice Priest Fine, soprano, and Miss
Anna Miller Wood, contralto, as solo
lists.
Mrs Fine was formerly of this city.
but has Joined the musical colony OF
New York where she Is a successful
best contralto and an associate of Ar
thur Foote in church music at the Hub.
She is one of the most successful
teachers in the east and is a musician
of charming attachments. The date
fixed for the concert is October %, and
it will be the second event of the sea-
son. Each of the artists will be heard
in solos and they will sing several
duets. Welcome novelties will be a
group of Tschaikowsky duets.
Greenbaum writes me that he will
make the rates popular" (Which means
not more than one dOllar), with special
prices to pupils and teachers. IF I
find that concerts of this Eind are
wanted" says he. Il will arrange for
series Of them by local and visiting
artists"
The Pasmore trio will give the first
program of the season tomorrow night
presenting the first of series OF three
programs made UP OF piano. violin and
cello compositions. solo and ensemble
The royal Welsh choir composed of
about 90 male voices, Is negotiating
for a number OF San Francisco ap-
pearances. The choir is a favorite or
ganization with the British court and
is now successfully touring Australia
and New Zealand.
Nine. Nordica last week appeared be-
fore an audience OF 1900 at Ocean
Grove and thus began her concert tour.
which will bring her to this city some
time during December. She demanded
and got the largest guarantee exacted
OF Greenbaum by any other artist ex-
cept Calve.