The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-06

When Mir Rachmaninoff, the distin- guished Russian pianist-composer- Tor, was about to embark for his native country short time ago. he was asked all sorts of "Sily-Billy" questions by the reporters. and he made all sorts of silly Billy" answers. as is the way of celebri- ties who expect to again return to these shores and scoop in big gate receipts for their art
 Do Americans love music?' was one of the "57" varieties propounded to the great Russian.
 MT. Rachmaninoff admitted that inas- much as Tschaikowsky, "Old Tschaik," l" as the composer of the Pathetic Sym phony" is no doubt familiarly called in Russia. Is his favorite composer his esti- mate of the American's love of music must be colored, observes the eminent critic, MT. Philip Hale of Boston town.
 "I believe the requirements of musical taste,' said MT. Rachmaninoff. "in New York are more difficult to meet than those of many continental cities. Just see the number of concerts given In New York during one season.
 MT. Rachmaninoff was an interesting apparition in these parts and his nation ality brings us to think of the great Tschaikowsky, whose beautiful lyric op- era, Eugene Onegln." in scenes in three dtlo dltcI tlt INubSidil VI uShhiIs WHICH MT. Walter Damrosch, the popular di- rector of the New York Symphony Dr. chestra, has selected for the Oratoro so- ciety to present at the coming musical festival here in April
 Thirty years ago Tschaikowsky had great difficulty in getting his symphonies accepted for performance in Vienna. He was told that he would do well to pay his respects to Brahms, who, being the mus inol ion nf that .oit oh Regarding this suggestion he wrote to a friend:
 Brahms the celebrity-and I the un- known composer. I may tell you without false modesty that place myself a good deal higher than Brahms. If I were an honorable man I should say to him:
 Brahms, I regard you as an unin- spired and pretentious composer, without any creative genius whatever but you can be of ssme use to me, so I have come to call upon you But if I were a dis honest man, then I should say exactly the opposite, so I cannot adopt either course.p
 We all know that since that delectable time Tschaikowsky has become great favorte in the musical world. and while his Eugene Onegin' is perhaps less known than nearly any of his other com positions, it is one of his most interest ing and Birmingham music lovers will have an opportunity of judging for them selves as to it's merits when it is pre- sented under MT. Damrosch's baton in the near future.
 I recall very pleasant chat l had with Mr. Damrosch when he was here last year. He said:
 "Mr. Emilio de Gogorza created the role of Eugene Onegin in the Tschaikow- sky opera when I produced 1t for the first in, If Is charming composition
 Being greatly interested in the chorus work which the Oratorio society. under the able directorship of Prof Fred l.. Grambs, one of our most popular musi- clans will contribute in the presentation of the opera here, I dropped in one even ing recently at a rehearsal to find one of the most enthusiastic assemblages I have ever seen together in a musical way in Birmingham
 'This is an assurance that we are to contribute some good work towards the Music Festival" I observed, as Professor Grambs during an intermission bade me welcome.
 I've are working very, very hard said he, "and I am greatly encouraged Our members are more interested than ever before and I have never seen anything grow as Birmingham has musically with in the last year"
 "Mr. Damrosch will no doubt be more surprised than ever" I observed. and agreeably so, too, for even last year at our primiere he said that in his entire southern trip he had heard no more cred itable work than that of the Oratorio society, the Euterpean club and the Treble Clef club"
 ''The Oratorio society has been at work on Eli" said Professor Grambs, during the early part of the winter, and we thought perhaps we would give the Costa selection at the festival, but MT. Dam rosch is very partial to the Tschaikowsky opera and he advised 1t instead.'
 Has 1t ever been presented in the south?' I asked.
 ''Yes, last year at the festival in Spart- anburg. it was given and our presenta- ton will be second on the list,' said Pro- lessor Grambs
 How many members have you in the Oratorio society now?' I asked.
 We opened the season early in Septem- Der with about 60 members, and since then the chorus has steadily been in- creasing, and by the March 10, which Is the date that the doors are closed to new members until after the festival, I expect to have fully 150 members said he.
 Who IS your accompanlst tnls sea- son?" I asked, knowing that this is one of the most important positions in the ultimate success of the society's work.
 Mrs. Robert Stone,' said Professor Grambs. ''and she is doing some excel lent work in that line for us and l re- gard her as very superior and won- derfully talented musician The art of accompaniment playing is not an easy one for a great chorus, and when tell you that we are holding rehearsals three times a week you can judge for yourself the work 1t demands
 You have been fortunate in securing the cooperation of so many people who are interested in the work" said l.,
 which is always of vast assistance in any undertaking"
 T cannot say too much in praise of the members of the chorus" declared Professor Grambs enthusiastically. "Thefe Is Mrs. Oscar Gladden., for instance who during our study of Eli. sang the part of Hannah Mrs. John Peck, who sang the contralto role of Samuel; MT. Mills, the tenor. and Mir. Fred Moore the basso have been of invaluable assistance in our work not only by their fine musicianship, but their enthusiasm and sincerity in the work. They are. of course, greatly in- terested in our choral work for the fes-