MUSICIANS AND COMPOSERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 76

MUSICIANS AND COMPOSERS.

—We are- inclined to agree with Sir Edward Elgar, who, in his contribution to a discussion on the craze for foreign names in the musical world says he thought th-e "'absurdity had died out, save among fourthrate singers ami the members of elusive orchestras." No English singer or player of any attainments nowadays feels compelled to take on a "foreign disguise"' in order io find acceptance at the hands of ihe British public On the opera stage, however, the stupid old fashion obtains to a certain extent. Not long ago the management at Covent Garden engaged in consi d-erable correspondence with a singer in G-erman. When h-e arrived at the Op-ers House they found that th© German name concealed the identity of an Englishman with an American ''twang." — Globe. — In 1892 Rubinstein paid a visit to some fiicnds who possessed an estate in the mountains of Tiflis. A piano was placed in an isolated pavilion in a little wood some way from the house, and here Rubinstein retired each morning to study. He was delighted with the delicious peace and quietness of his surroundings. But one morning a stranger from Tiflis happened to «-alk through the wood, and heard, issuing from the pavilion, strains of pianoplaying such as he had never heard before. He returned the next day with a friend, and again heard tlie magic sounds. The wonder was noised abroad, and in a few days people began to assemble in hundreds. Rubinstein naturally could not long remain io ignorance of this concourse of listeners, and at first was disposed to be extremely annoyed at having his much-prized privacy ii.-vaded. Finally, however, his good nature and his amused appreciation of the unique situation prevailed, and he actually gave a <x>urse of nine gratis concerts at 3 o'clock each morning. The windows of the pavilion wer3 s>ll thrown wide open, but h-e made no Tecojrnition of his alfresco audiences, and only a few could from time to time catch a glimpse of his profile. — Forliightly Review.