THE MUSICAL WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 32

THE MUSICAL WORLD.

Mr Joseph Verey, who is becoming distinguished as a writer on musical topics, contributes an article on Hungarian music and musicians to Augener's Musical Record foi August, from whioh we extract a passage relating to a composer whose works are beginning to come into general use. Mr Verey says : "Among modern composers there is a native of Hungary who haß never been rewarded in proportion to his genius, and that is, I think, Carl Goldmark, a native of Weazthely, in Hungary. Carl Goldmark, in 1834, quitted his native land and went to Vienna, where for some years he devoted himeelf mainly to the pianoforte. Not much was heard of him, notwithstanding he worked hard until 1857, when he produced a concerto for the pianoforte whicb stamped him »b one of the best living writers for that instrument. It met with great Buccess. He afterwards wrote some admirable chamber music for strings, set some of the psalms to music for chorua and orchestra, and also composed overtures and other orchestral works of great merit. His overture Sakuntala was one of theee. But more important was the opera *Dio Konigin yon Saba.' This waß an opera written in a large and noblo style, with rich and brilliant orchestral colouring. The only fault that could be found with the work was perbapß a want of breadth caused by the composer's love of detail. But it was au opera which should have baen better known. Some of Goldmark's orchestral pieces, in which he introduced thoraes and romantic snereestiona from the picturesque gipsy life of Hupgary, have gained him great credit among musicians; and Bometimee, even in London, they have been played with conpiderable suscese. Still I thiDk I am justified in saying thpfc Goldmark. aa a Hucgaii".n composer Ann music: «n, ought to occupy a higher place th^u ho rtoc-s. His best pianoforte mu°ic is worthy of study," We commend these remarks to tho attention of our local_pianißta, somo of whom would doubtless find it to their advantage to perform some of Goldmark'a pieces when they play beforo the public