Grieg is reported to be very ill.
Mascagni is at work on an intense spiritual drama.
The Pittsburgh Orchestra will make a tour in April and May.
Paderewski's new opera is named "Mauru," and is in three acts.
Madame Paderewski is to act as her husband's secretary and business-agent.
A new tenor, Johannes Meschaent, has been acclaimed as the coming man in London.
Grand opera proved a success in San Francisco. The total receipts for the three weeks' season were $150,000.
The exportation of musical instruments from the United States during 1900 will reach a total of about $1,500,000.
Mr. Henri Marteau, the French violinist, and now a professor in the Geneva Conservatoire, was married lately.
Marsick, a well-known Paris violinist, has gone to Brussels. Belgium seems to be taking first place in violin-training.
Ysaye, the famous Belgian violinist, and Busoni, the pianist, have made a success of their chamber- concerts in London.
Mr. Harold Bauer, who has made a great reputation as a pianist, studied the violin before turning his attention to piano-playing.
For the past eighteen years the members of the Stock Exchange of London have supported a series of orchestral and choral concerts.
American musical instrument-makers are extending the foreign trade. About twenty-five leading firms are represented by London agencies.
The prospectus of next year's Bayreuth Festival shows five performances of "The Flying Dutchman," seven of "Parsifal," and two of the "Ring."
The real name of the violinist Ivan Donoiewski, who is to concertize in the United States this season, is said to be John Dunn. He is an Englishman.
The Boston Musical Record, edited by Philip Hale, will be discontinued. A new publication, called the Music Review, will be issued by the Oliver Ditson Company.
A restaurant-keeper in Munich advertised for a piano-teacher to instruct six little girls. "After the lesson he can help with the sausages and hash," is the interesting addendum.
The leather used in the covering of piano-keys is tanned only by a family of tanners in Germany. It comes from the skin of a gray deer found in the vicinity of the great northern lakes.
Sieveking, the Dutch pianist, who gave piano-recitals in the United States several years ago, spent the past two years in Vienna with Leschetitsky. He is again in the concert field in this country.
At the Ballad Concerts in St. James's Hall, London, from thirty to thirty-five numbers are placed on the program. As encores are frequent an idea can be formed of the interminable length of such concerts.
Madame Clara Novello Davis, a former popular oratorio singer, has organized a chorus of female voices known as the Royal Welsh Ladies' Choir. Their concerts are very popular. Madame Davis conducts.
A biography of Tschaikowsky is to appear soon.
It is compiled by the composer's brother, and the material is drawn from five thousand letters written by Tschaikowsky, and seven thousand addressed to him.
The experiment of darkening the hall in which concerts are held has been tried in Mannheim, Germany, and with satisfaction. The lights are turned on during the brief intervals between the numbers on the program.
The last opera-season in Vienna, which is under the patronage of the government, was carried on without the usual deficit. In this country opera is a private enterprise or given under a guarantee from wealthy supporters.
The Executive Committee of the Trustees of the Chicago Orchestral Association have issued a public letter of tribute to Theodore Thomas for his great work for music in the United States, and more lately in Chicago.
A friend and admirer of Brahms once said to the latter at a dinner: "I am proud of this wine, doctor; it is the Brahms of my cellar." The composer took a sip, and then said, putting down his glass: "Not bad stuff; but be good enough to bring up the Beethoven."
Cellulith, made by beating for a long time the pulp used in making paper, has been used to make piano-keys. It hardens to the consistency of horn; combined with sawdust and lampblack it makes a kind of ebonite that is hard enough to take a fine polish.
Henry Russell, who wrote "A Life on the Ocean Wave," "The Old Sexton," and many other once popular songs, died December 6th, in London. He was eighty-seven years old. He wrote his own words and music, and played his own accompaniments at all his concerts.
Ysaye has appeared in a new rôle in London, that of conductor. He has won high praise from the critics. One says he makes the men play as if it were Ysaye playing a solo; his phrasing is that of a master; his pianissimo wonderfully delicate, and all controlled by a magnetic personality.
The new Chickering Hall, in Boston, is expected to be ready next month. The auditorium will have a seating capacity of 800. A sounding board of the pattern invented by Mrs. W. F. Apthorp, will be used. It is composed of glass plates, backed by heavy planking and covered by felt.
In speaking of sound-proofing of music-rooms a scientific authority says that doors should be double, covered with baize, and that a curtain between the doors is still better. In the Guildhall School of Music, London, a sheet of felt, hung loosely between the two parts of a hollow wall, proved quite successful.
Some of the principal public libraries of the country have added music books to the circulation department. This feature has been successful in Boston, where the famous Brown collection is a most valuable one for students. At the other edge of the continent, Seattle has just started with some two hundred volumes.
Mr. Frank Van der Stucken has notified the authorities of the College of Music, Cincinnati, and the Board of Directors of the Symphony Orchestra Concerts that he will retire from both positions at the end of the season. Local papers recognize the great influence Mr. Van der Stucken has had on music in Cincinnati, and deplore his leaving.
At a sale of music-copyrights in London the following prices were paid: Gounod, "Glory to Thee, My God, this Night," $1235; "O, Divine Redeemer," $3080. Lawrence Kellie, "Love's Nocturne," $1580. Sarakowski, "Six Dances," $1200. Gounod's widow received $1200 for the manuscript of "O, Divine Redeemer," about six months after the composer's death.
Piano-dealers note a strong demand for artistic cases, and manufacturers are meeting this demand. Pianos can now be seen in white mahogany, French walnut, satinwood; white, green, and lavender enamel; tinted bronzes and gold; in the styles of Louis XIV, XV, XVI, the Empire, Colonial, Chippendale, Early English, and Gothic. These instruments are also elaborately decorated with paintings, marquetry, and various enamels.
The Pennsylvania State Music Teachers' Association met in Philadelphia, December 27th and 28th. Dr. H. A. Clarke was president. The program included recitals and concerts by well-known artists. Papers were read by Mr. Frank H. Tubbs and Mr. W. J. Baltzell. Several interesting "Round Table" discussions were a valuable feature. The next meeting will be held at Reading. Mr. Edward A. Berg, of Reading, was elected president for 1901.
The Manuscript Music Society, of Philadelphia, offers a prize of $100 for an instrumental composition, not larger than a quintet nor smaller than a trio. The work submitted must be absolutely new, not having been published nor publicly performed. The judges will be three musicians of national reputation, not residents of Philadelphia. All compositions must be in the hands of the secretary, Mr. Philip H. Goepp, 1524 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, by April 1st.
Mr. Frederic Maxson, of Philadelphia, and his choir had a memorial musical service for the late Sir Arthur Sullivan. Miss Katherine McGuckin assisted.
The "Messiah" was given at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, by the Brooklyn Oratorio Club, Mr. Walter Henry Hall, conductor, under the patronage of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. Mr. J. Francis Cooke prepared very interesting annotations for the program.
The School of Music of Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, Mr. O. E. Weaver, director, gave the first quarterly concerts of the season, December 14th and 15th. The University Choral Society will render the sacred cantata "Bethlehem," January 25th.
The Harmonic Society of the University of Pennsylvania has arranged for monthly musicales during the college year.
The Western Normal Conservatory of Music, Shenandoah, Iowa, under the direction of George B. Chatfield, has added a kindergarten course. Miss Myrtle Fields will be in charge. The December recital was devoted to an account of Chaminade and a program from her compositions.
Mr. Sigmund Landsberg, Omaha, Neb., has been giving a series of recitals in Nebraska and Iowa.
A delightful recital of chamber music was given at the Broad Street Conservatory of Music, Philadelphia, Mr. G. R. Combs, director, December 8th. Mr. Henry Schradieck, violin; Mr. John Witzeman, viola; Mr. Charles Grebe, 'cello; Mr. Preston Ware Orem, piano. Beethoven's "Trio," opus 70, No. 1; Schumann's "Violin Sonata," opus 105; and Brahms's "Piano Quartet," opus 25, were given.
A musical association has been organized in New Orleans. Chamber concerts will be given principally.
Mrs. J. C. F. Pettit, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and her pupils, gave an interesting recital on November 26th.
Mr. George L. McMillan, Hillsboro, Tex., arranged a pupils' recital, November 24th, at which he added a new feature. Three of his pupils prepared essays, one on "Music" and two on Beethoven. Teachers can well afford to encourage pupils to form the habit of putting down on paper the results of their study.
The Limestone College Musical Club, Gaffney, S. C., has arranged a very interesting season's work on the great composers and musical forms. Henderson's "Story of Music" is the club-book this season.
Mr. W. Grant Egbert, of Ithaca, N. Y., is meeting with success in his work of building up an orchestra at Cornell University. It now numbers some fifty members. At a recent concert the orchestra was assisted by Mr. Julian Walker, bass, and Miss Katherine Halliday, pianist.
Mr. Robert Thallon, Brooklyn, N. Y., gave a delightful Thanksgiving morning concert, November 29th.
Mr. Ad. M. Foerster's pupils' recitals are greatly appreciated in Pittsburgh. The last one was given by Miss Katherine Hillgrove, pianist; Miss Magdalene Klamer, soprano; Miss Emilie D. Oetting, soprano; Miss Adelaide Sehringer, contralto.
The evening choral services at the Central Congregational Church, Philadelphia, Pa., are very popular. Sunday evening, December 30th, "The Messiah" was given under the direction of Mr. Frederic Maxson, organist.
An enjoyable recital by the faculty of the School of Music of Alma College, Michigan, was given November 20th. Miss Jennie Wagner is the director.
Mr. G. H. Wilson has issued a neat pamphlet describing the work of the Hartford City, Ind., conservatory under his direction.
Mr. George J. Assion, Youngstown, Ohio, is making a success with his orchestra of young ladies.
Mr. Harry B. Jepson, of the Yale University Music Faculty, is giving a series of popular organ-concerts at New Britain, Conn.
Mr. Carl Riedelsberger, of Minneapolis, has added lecture work to his violin recitals.
The Normal Institute of Music, in connection with the State Normal and Training-School, Potsdam, N. Y., Miss Julia Crane, director, is giving special attention to teachers' courses.
Mr. George Pratt Maxim is giving a series of evenings with the great masters of pianoforte literature at Western College, Toledo, Iowa.
Miss Mary Hallock, of Philadelphia, a pupil of Leschetitsky, had a very successful concert-trip in central New York, playing in Albany, Utica, Johnstown, and other cities. This month she will give a recital at Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa. Her educational programs are well adapted to college use.
Mr. Emil Libeling played at Indianapolis, with the Philharmonic Club, December 5th, and December 8th in Milwaukee, at the Milwaukee-Downer College.
Mr. E. R. Kroeger, of St. Louis, began a series of "Five Morning Lecture-Recitals," December 19th, on "The Five Great Composers for the Pianoforte: Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, and Liszt."
Mr. Carl Faelten, of Boston, gave his ninth recital in his series of standard pianoforte works, December 10th. Mrs. Reinhold Faelten gave the introductory remarks.
Mr. Herbert Wilbur Greene, of New York City, Editor of the Vocal Department of The Etude, has accepted the position of Director of the Vocal Department of the Broad Street Conservatory of Music, Philadelphia, and will spend part of each week at the school.
