The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-23

about his latest and greatest work, "Na.
 toma, from which we.will hear excerpts | on Wednesday evening""
 'In writing .Natoma,'' Mir. Herbert said, T have followed the course which
 seems perfectly natural for any com poser, and that Is, to supply themes or Eleit-motifs to the characters and their feelings. This method has been ascribed
 almost exclusively to Wagner, but as a
 matter of fact it is as old as music it.
 self. I have followed the Wagner idea
 to some extent. that Is, the polyphonic weaving of certain motifs constantly re-
 peated and interwoven. have used the Ithemes symphonically. However,, my
 whole conception of opera is that 1t should
 be based primarily upon melody Granting that many people have lean- 1 ing towards tunes' suggested.
 | My lighter operas have all followed that idea,' said MT. Herbert q. have l little sympathy with either Strauss or Debussy in their orchestration although
 they can scarcely be mentioned in the same breath. Richard Strauss is won- derful genius, and I say it with all rev erence that I hate to see him write the sensational music that he does. when he 1 Is capable of doing so much better.'' l And speaking of sensational musical effects have you introduced any novel in- | struments or instrumentation in Ma | toma?'" I asked.
 None whatever" was the answer "I | think perhaps the best opera score that has ever been produced is Die Meister- l singer and yet that is written for a livery small orchestra. In fact there Are
 many of the commonest instruments that are left out entirely. have used the old instruments, even introducing a con- certain and the organ in the score of Ma toma.'"
 'T have composed nearly all of Ma tomas music,'' continued Mir. Herbert, from snatches and fragments of Indian
 music which have collected at various times Mir. McClintock of Pittsburg, who
 was affiliated for time with MT. Arthur Nevin in various ways, lived among the
 Indians for many years. He took phon- osraph in his travels, and made records of the Indian music. He was adopted by one of the Indian chiefs and was called | The White Weasel He very kindly proHered me the records he made and
 got great many ideas from them.'' Should 'Natoma' ever be sung in other tlanguages?'' I remarked, ''it had the hon.
 or of being sung the first time from -n English iibretto," I suggested "The production of 1t pleased me from
 every point of view, and particularly that 1t brought the Indian melodies before an appreciative public in English
 Do you consider that the American composer has as great an advantage
 studying here as abroad?" I asked "Of course, in the Conseryatoire in Paris, for instance, we can study with
 Massenent.. Saint-Seans Widor and such masters, but here one can do just as good l work If the talent is present. and the am bition,'' said MT. Herbert. "I studied l in Stuttgart as the private pupil Of Max Seifrtz, who advanced me wonderfully bv his encouragement, else I might have studied for years, as is the custom abroad and the consequence Is that few stick out the seven years course required in com position, and fall back into being farm CTS or business men or what you will" How long did 1t take you to write 'Natomag" I asked.
 About a year, said Mr. Herbert. That is rather short length of time consid- ering that Wagner took from five years on to complete an opera. while of mod ernists, drpentier was 10 years in writ ing Louise {"
 And the light operas you have written.
 Algeria The Babes in Toyland,' Mile.
 Modiste,, The Fortune Teller-those that
 your public has up to this time known
 you best by-are they not commercially far better than grand operar'
 ''If It had not been tor the succes.