MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 9

MUSIC.

(By Treble Clef.) .

A Real Prince Danilo, A photograph of Prince Danilo of Montenegro recently published shows that the Marsovian national costume which figures in "The Merry Widow" so effectively is really the Montenegrin. The fun made of tho pecuniary embarrassments of Marsovia, it appears, are not without foundation in tho facts revealed by this discovery. In "Munsoy's Magazine" recently appears the following:— "Tho Court of Montenegro is povertystricken, and tho reigning Prince is in constant straits for money—a condition of affairs for which not only tho moagre resources of his little.State, but also his own extravagance and mania for gambling are responsible." Prince Danilo, however, did not marry the widow of "an animated money bag," as in the story of tho musical play, but a daughter of the reigning Grand Duke of Mcchlenburg-Strelitz, who, as a great-.great-granddaughtcr of t King Georgo 111 of England, is remotely in tho line of succession to the British Crown.

A Theatrical Family. Miss Florence Young, whoso brilliant singing and acting have for so long been conspicuous features of tho J. C. Williams Xii Royal Comic Opera Company, in adopting til* profession of the stage, gave tho lead to the other members of her family, none of whom had ever previously had any connection with tho theatre. Now they are all associated with it. One of her sisters is Mrs. George Tallis, a member of the finn of J. C. Williamson; another sister, Gladys, is appearing in the Eoyal Comic Opera Company. Mr. Fred. Young is the stage manager of tho same company, while his son, a youth of If), is on the theatrical staff of Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. Mr. George Young is with tho "Jack and Jill" Company, as is also his wife, Miss Erickson. iMiss Florence Young,' by tho way, was marked by Madame Marchesi, under whom she studied iu Paris, for a career in grand opera. Tho celebrated tcachor classed her voice as a dramatic soprano. When her student chose the lyric stage Madame was keenly disappointed. But the Australian public was tho gainer by that decision. Richard Strauss. Dr. Richard Strauss, whoso new opera, " Electra," was produced this week in Dresden, is probably the most remarkable personality among living musicians. Ho is certainly tho most criticised; but it says much for his genius that, even thoso who consider him an iconcclast aro bound to admit tho originality of his work. _ It is interesting to note that concerning his latest opera ho has said:— " People wondered at ' Salome,' they made fun of it, scorned it, then they accented it. They will wonder still more at my ' ElectraV They will scoff still more, but they will end by accepting it." Liko many other famous composers, Strauss started as an "infant prodigy," for ho was only six years old when he first began to compose, and at sixteen ho was beginning to bo qiiito a •" lion." At tho present time, ho is said to bo the richest composer in Europe, tho rights of one of 1 is works alono having been sold for nearly £2000, and he never conducts au orchestra for less than £100 a performance. Indeed, although he is an idealist in music, ho is very practical and shrewd in business matters, and he does not fritter his money away, as is tho habit with so many men of genius. Dr. Strauss's method of composing his music differs greatly from that of most musicians. His best ideas come to him not when ho is alone, but when ho is in a room full of peoplo and during tho hum of conversation. Suddenly ho will leave tho chatting throng, and retiring into a corner of the apartment, ho will take out his notebook and jot down some imperishablo theme, returning shortly afterwards to his friends, and resum" ing tho talk as though such a thing as music nover existed in tho world. A great deal of his work, too, is dono while ho is out walking in the woods, and also when ho is travelling'by train, or seated enjoying a meal in a restaurant. Beyond his music, his pursuits aro few, probably his favourite way of spending tho time being in card-playing, and in leading tho "simple life" in his beautiful villa in the Bavarian Alps

Chopin Vitalised. Mr. Mark Ilambourg performed Chopin's B flat minor Sonata in a way that is,all his own. Placed in the crucible of Mr. Hambourg's fiery and somewhat unrestrained emotionalism, Chopin emerges as a very aggressive and militant gentleman, whose grief becomes at times almost savage in its intensity. The "Funeral March" in Mr. Hambourg 1 s hands became a vivid tone picture, glowing with sharp contrasts,, rather than the stately and dignified march to the grave, while tho grief expressed was Icnrlcs:) and sullen, unrelieved bj only passing gleams of consolation, 'l'ho.c was no question about the execution, which was a line display of virtuosity. At the clow, Mr. Uambourg was compelled to give two encores, the first being the Etude on the black notes, the other another Chopin Study."—Bcccnt- London "Standard."