Year: 1868

In another column Of the HERALD we give q
critical review Of the latest publications Of our
principal music dealers. The list Of pieces Is
mainly confined to piano and vocal works by
home and foreign composers. Over large
proportion we have been compelled to write
the word "trash," as no other expression can
do justice to the worthless character of the
selections. Some Of the other pieces, however,
possess real merit and may be considered as
valuable additions 10 musical literature. There
are some suggestions to be made In regard TO
music publishers which these individuals
would do well in attending to. A great
many valuable compositions are thrown aside
by them because the composer has no status
in our numerous musical cliques or In fashion
able society. Some of our sol disans composers
are welcomed with open arms by the pub
fishers, no matter what trash they may exc out,
because they have large circle Of musical
friends who will buy up their works. or because
they have charge Of an orchestra and can in
Hict these works on the audience night after
night. Real merit Is, then, often pushed aside,
and unblushing assurance and ignorance stare
at us from every title page on the publishers
counter. We have songs in which the music
and the poetry strive for mastery to see which
is the more worthless. and If good idea ever
occurs in them it is invariably stolen. Many
Of the composers ring changes on the same
theme in all their works, until there is hardly
piece of tho original lett together. The
method Of composing song Is simple, accord
ing to the present system First get a respect
able air from some opera or classical work and
cut out couple Of verses from poem, either
in book or In newspaper 1t does not
make the slightest difference whether the
music and the words suit each other; that is
the composers" business and not theirs. Then
the composer has materials for dozen or q
score Of songs for he has only to change each
time few notes and transp0se the key and give
the altered piece q new name. Any literary
hack will supply words enough for the sake Of
seeing his name in print In instrumental
music the case is still worse. new opera
becomes the rage, and everybody wants TO
hear the music, both in the theatre and at
home. An enterprising genius goes to work
with his scissors to cut out couple of pages
from the score, and publishes them under the
name of "Grand Fantasia on the opera Of -
by Mr.. -, the well known composer" The
salon music, waltzcs, polkas, quadrilles, &C.,
are insolerable as q general rule. Poor
Strauss, Lanner, Gungl, DAlbert, Godfrey and
waltz line and receive no credit from
the pilferers. Indeed, the larger num-
Der of piano and vocal pieces that are
published at the present day in New York
disgrace the art insult the public and foster
charlatanism. But it is gratifying to be able to
this miscellaneous heap that we review to-
day. A few, very few, vocal gems in which
poetical thoughts are mirrored forth in ex-
quisite melody and framed in a fitting accom-
paniment; some operate fantasias in which
the most attractive subjects OF the opera are
grouped together artistically, forming beauti-
ful musical bouquet; dance music which goes
right to the heart and to the heels at the same
time, and one of those popular ditties which
every person unconsciously huns at all times,
thereby giving the best proof OF its popularity.
A few Of the publications are very handsomely
got up and will compare favoraby with those Of
Europe; but the larger number are clumsily
engraved, and their title pages seem to have
been designed with special view to ugliness
and inconsistency. The publishers should be
q little more liberal towards their patrons and
composers Of talent, and they will find it more
profitable in the end. But lot them "respect-
fully decline" all the manuscripts Of plagiarists
and humbugs.