Selected Content from the November 1887 Edition of The Etude
In the logical order of thought, the consideration of the nature of music naturally precedes the investigation of its function. But its function was undoubtedly perceived ages before there was any thought of investigating its nature on scientific principles. Read More
BY J. S. VAN CLEVE. Every one knows that the waltzes of Chopin are not waltzes; that is, not pieces of tuneful clockwork running on three-cogged wheels of rhythm, but impulsive caprices, coquettish fantasies, flowing in the general outline of… Read More
THE ROSE. By Anton Strelezki. H. B. Stevens, Agent, Boston, Mass.Good song, with simple but attractive melody and easy accompaniment. Will go with “Dreams” and ”Wooing,” by the same author. Highest note “F#.” LOVE’S SUNSHINE. LOVE’S CONFIDENCE. By Jules Jordan…. Read More
The arts are at bottom one. They may be called the converse of the senses; for as we have various organs which hold commerce with the physical world, bringing in from divers quarters their freightage of impressions, so the human soul, by a mystical law of its nature, returns itself to the outer world in that buoyant recoil which we call art. Read More
For musicians the phonograph is going to do wonders, owing to the extreme cheapness with which I can duplicate phonograms and the delicacy with which the apparatus gives out all musical sounds. Read More
” And when the world shall link your names With gracious lives and manners fine,The teacher shall assert her claims, And proudly whisper, These were mine.” — Whittier. Soirée Musicale. Pupils of Mrs. Mary McDowall, Bastrop, Texas.Piano Duo, Norma,… Read More
Schumann says: “Exert yourself, even though you have but little voice, to sing at sight, without the help of your instrument; by this means the quickness of your ear will constantly increase. But if you have a good voice, neglect no opportunity of cultivating it; consider it as the most valuable gift that heaven has conferred on you.” Read More
The Etude can be procured through any newsdealer. If your newsdealer does not keep it on sale ask him to do so. The Etude does not want for admirers when it has an opportunity of presenting itself. Read More
A fine art can be pursued to advantage only under the direction and guidance of a master. What greater test of the artist’s mastery of his art than his ability to impart his art? What accomplishment can be greater or more worthy? It has been truly said, “The most difficult art known to art is to teach art.” Read More
Nobody—unless they have experienced its effect—can know the peculiar annoyance to which a mere whisper will subject one, and from the farthest point in the room can it be heard. Read More
The older I grow, the more I am impressed with the necessity of all pupils knowing all the scales, and playing them daily. As they grow in age and experience, any intelligent teacher can explain the same things in more technical terms; but every child can understand them by this system. Read More
Translated for The Etude from The Klavierlehrer. Read More
A new prodigy has appeared to dispute the laurels of the nine-year old pianist Josef Hofmann. An eleven-year-old girl, Pauline Ellice, from London… Arma Senkrah, who, as all know, is a Boston girl that spells her name backward, has been made violinist to the Grand Duchess of Saxony… It is reported from Weimar that a new piano concerto, with string orchestra from Liszt, has been discovered. It is written in E minor and is similar in form to the A major Concerto. Liszt named it “Malediction.” Read More
Concert pianists, who depend upon their pupils to simply imitate them, and who fail to give them correct ideas as to the most advantageous way of practicing and studying, are really doing nothing to promote the most healthful improvement of the technique and style of their pupils. Read More
If the professors of music show any deficiency in dignity of mind, below other professions, the cause is less in the necessary devotion of their time to the acquirement of the technical and mechanical dexterity requisite to the practice of their art, than to the dissipation of valuable hours in other ways. Read More
Teresina Tua made her début in New York last month and had a most flattering success with the public, although the critics cavil greatly at her style, which is thoroughly French and very brilliant… Still another prodigy—young twelve-year-old A. Edwin Farmer, a pupil of Mr. Bowditch Clapp, of Richmond—has been surprising musical people with his excellent renditions of good classical music… Miss Lulu Yeling is a young pianist, residing in Boston, who expects to be heard this winter. Read More
The Digitorium is an apparatus for exercising and strengthening the fingers, intended especially for the use of pianists, but claimed by its inventor, Myer Marks, to be of great service to all who require flexible and well-trained fingers. Read More
The Etude staff has been increased by the engagement of Mrs. Helen D. Tretbar, who has been editor of The Item, which, unfortunately, will be discontinued with the November issue. Read More
1. Place the fingers close to the keys in striking. 2. Sink them completely. 3. Always keep the forearm absolutely flexible. 4. Practise slowly. Read More
A vast difference separates the artist from the professor. The merit of one does not necessarily include the merit of the other, and many an artist of unquestionable talent has confessed his inability to train pupils. Read More
