The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-21
Birmingham Man In Vienna Hears Won-
 derfuI Music
By DR. N. Q. kIRSCH

' with all sorts of music. In our stay from April until late November in
 Vienna, l have been set content with the best the world affords. First, it's an opera. and at the "Stadteoper," every imaginable opera is heard during the
 season. Wagner is produced at least %twice weekly; then pianists, such as Sauret, de Pachmann, Soriti, Levinson etc. During the season no less than 50 l. different pianists were heard, but the z appalling part is, that all cannot be heard, as the time is often conflicting. At the Philharmonic" I remember two well known pianists gave recital the same evening in different parts of the building. The violinists heard were Hubermann, Ysaye, Telmanye, Prschode, Wolf, Morrill,, Segetti and Feuermann, ' etc. The concerts in Vienna usually commence at II a. m.; then another concert in the same hall two hours later, and so on until 10 D. m. It seems like one must live lifetime in Vienna to hear and appreciate good music, and no one ever goes hungry for the art there!s
 Variety of Talent
 There is such a variety of talent and such a variety of specialists. Every season brings forth new talent and every one a suprise to the public, but the populace does not hestitate in ex- pressing their opinion, for quite ire tquently we heard some artists hissed off the stage for lack of either technique < or tonal qualities, or both. Every for s eign artist endeavors to specialize in $ some great master. When Bach cannot be mastered-and there are few who scan-Beethoven is tried, or Mozart or HauHon Chnnip afn FThoco ,bar heard in Bach evenings were Ysaye, Hubermann and Carl -Flesch. To my mind Hubermann is the greatest Bach student, while Ysaye generalizes. In October. 1922, Ysaye gave three recitaIs m Vienna, for he announced that he wanted to play once more in Vienna before he died" On the first evening, (which was exactly II years since he twas in that city, the Music .Verein hall, which has seating capacity of about 2,500, was packed with about 5000 sstanding almost on one another's heads. The gallery was creaking from the weight above it. This recital was given with the Vienna symphony and con sducted by Rose of the famous Rose ssQuartet. When Ysaye made his appear ance on the stage the ovation was so great and prolonged that the Master 4saye actually turned pale His lips aquivered, in fact, his whole body shook, for he himself was getting a little more Tor less nervous. and 1 am sure he was wondering whether he could please the masses as he did' II years ago His ssreat big figure overshadowed everyone else When the baton struck and the orchestra played the introduction to the Mozart A Major concerto, the audience became a unit and the adagio movement Al rlaUnI Iuifh efYohi tnv Al. that all through the hall signing was heard here and there. Such playing and interpretation I don't believe I shall sever hear again, and surprising, that tlls came from q man 65 years of age His technique was incomparable, his tone the world knows, has up to now not been equaled. During the intermis- sion went behind the stage and chatted ta bit with the master. and he informed me that he was coming to America to tour, and possibly teach. He loves the American people and, as he expressed it, II love America" Mir. Ysaye is now poor man. his family having gone through his fortune-not one, but many. aTo me it was quite pitiful to see such tan artist at his age still struggling for q livelihood. A few years ago. while in Russia after recital his very fine sStradlvarius violin was stolen from him and has never been recovered. Again, in Berlin, while asleep in q hotel in 1912. another Stradivarius disappeared from his room. The loss of the two won .terful instruments has caused more worry than the average person knows. He now plays on one of the Primo Guarneureus and he told me he guards this with his life. One can soon see the Aortunes spent and lost on violins
 Great Pianist
 Morlz Rosenthal (the grand old man. sas he is known in Europe, appeared in concert last November with the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, and played the Mozart ID Major Concerto. Such style and musicianship I have never before aieard i'll any pianist. This was followed by Bach Prelude and Fugue A Minor. then some smaller number, which took the audience by storm. They refused to leave the concert until after midnight. MT. Rosenthal informed me that he would tour America in 1924, if his health permitted.
 My colleagues in Vienna practically all play some instrument and some are Teal artists. Prof. Benesi of the ear department at the Polyclinic is a won derful violinist, and has a string quar- tette in his home three times weekly, and every member of quartet is prac- ticing physician. Sometimes the cellist from the Rose quartet joints this private quartet at off evenings. Music to the Viennese is food and sport. In this very home, Richard Strauss one eve ming played piano ill the piano quintet of Beethoven. MT. Strauss is one of Europe's greatest musicians, both as a performer and conductor. His compo- sitions are frequently played in Flu TOT as he is master of the new school and possibly the greatest living master of the orchestra.
 e Wonderful evenings were spent at the "Stadtsoper." Strauss conducting his operas as Salome, Electra, The Rosen Cavellior. etc, and Jeritza as pfima donna-Such q treat is rare. The Wagner operas there are produced bet ter than any other place in the world The Vienna Philharmonic orchestra is possibly the best organized of any in Europe and composed of 150 pieces. It Is almost impossible to describe the climax this orchestra can reach in a Wagner opera, as in Tristan and Isolde. The very foundation of the building vibrates. After all this is the only city in Europe to enjoy real opera.
 Coming To America.
 America is now becoming the Europe of music. Practically all the great nrtists are migrating here to keep from Starvation. I venture to say that in five years all the great masters of not only music but of other arts and sci ences will come to America to either Jour or teach. This is having A won sderful effect on this country. We are becoming richer in many things and the only hope for all masters in Europe is America. On my trip home aboard