New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-24

HAVE you a place in your produc-
l. l. ton for an interpolated num-
Der? Then send for Sigmund Rom
berg, who rivals even Jerome Kern as
an interpolator.
At least, that is the rule in the Of
fees of the Shuberts. The name Of
Sigmund Romberg appears on nearly
every Shubert musical programme,
either in the capacity of composer or
as the author of an interpolated song
Indeed, it is doubtful if musical work
has been presented under the Shubert
banner in the last seven years In which
Mr.. Romberg did not have some par
ticipation. Winter Garden productions,
of which the music bears chiefly a
ragtime character, are not complete
without several songs by Romberg,
but his aid is also often bestowed upon
musical plays which require waltzes
and marches.
Sigmund Romberg is as versatile as
he is industrious, and to-day he is a
unique figure In the musical world. In
him one finds twofold expression--a
sort of blend Of the Viennese waltz
king and the American ragtime mas
ter. He can write sensuous, dreamy
waltzes with the left hand the while
he is composing a new ragtime strain
with the right.
Romberg is a Hungarian, who came
to the United States seven years ago.
He attended technical school and col
lege In Budapest, served his term In
the army Of the Dual Monarchy as a
lieutenant Of infantry, and then went
to Vienna to study music While In
the Austrian city he paid close atten-
ton to the manners and methods OF
the waltz kings-men such as Strauss
and Lehar-and, finally meeting the
latter, was introduced to the famous
teacher Of harmony and counterpoint,
Victor Heuberger. with whom he
bIuuItu lOt lHitc gtdios
Arriving in New York, the young
composer sought his place In the
Broadway sun. Fortified by a letter
from Franz Lehsr, he met J. J. Shu-
bert, and the latter, upon hearing him
Play some Of his compositions, ten
dered him a contract to write the mu-
sic for "Ths Whirl Of the World"
revue which had Just been planned for
the Winter Garden. Since then ROM
berg has composed, either alone or In
collaboration with others. fifteen
musical plays.
With Harry Carroll he wrote the
scores Of "The Passing Show OF 1914"
Dancing Around and maid in Amer
ica," all Of which were seen at the
Winter Garden. In collaboration with
Otto Motzan he composed the music
for "The Passing Show Of 1916" "The
Show Of Wonders" and "The Passing
Show Of l917"-all Winter Garden
shows. James Hanley was his chief
aid in the composition Of the score OF
Robinson Crusoe, Jr.," another Win
ter Garden production. And alone he
wrote the music for "The World or
Pleasure" He provided numbers for
"The Midnight Girl" "The Belle OF
Bond Street" "The Blue Paradise"
"Her Soldier Boy" "The Girl from
Prazil" and "My Lady's Glove"
Perhaps the most pleasing as well
as the most popular song which Rom
berg composed is "Auf Wedersehn,"
the waltz hit of "The Blue Paradise"
HI, profits from this number are said
70 have amounted TO over $4,000. An
ether hugely successful composition
was "Omar Khayham." from "The
Passing Show Of 1914"
At present Romberg is working on
new musical play in which he viii
figure ms the sole composer. and which
will be produced early in the fall.
UOHN MILLER and James Mack,
u dealers in soft shoe, clog ana
other sorts of dancing. and at present
nppearinc at the Winter Garden. are