REALISM IN MUSIC.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 27 June 1891, Page 100

REALISM IN MUSIC.

E. Pauer writing on Weber’s ‘ Invitation ala Valse’ states that it is a perfect little musical novel, in which a youth and a maiden may be imagined as playing the principal parts. First the young man approaches humbly and modestly with his reverential salutation. The young lady returns his greeting with graceful courtesy, and a certain maidenly reserve. A qniet, and it may be supposed a slightly sentimental conversation begins ; soon the young people become better acquainted, and he asks her to dance ; she gracefully consents. And now the whole orchestra strikes up the brilliant and splendid valse tune ; we hear the bustle and the animation of the whole company, and for awhile our young folks are forgotten. But now we perceive how gracefully and how swiftly she moves along, whilst her partner accompanies her, but with a heavier step. After they have danced the first round, there follows a little rest; and then comes that delicious dialogue, which so agreeably fills the pauses in the dance, emblematic of those quiet moments in which we snatch a little rest in the bustle and excitement of life. But who comes here ? Alas ! is it not that kill-joy, the grumbling papa, unpleasantly and perseveringly vigilant, and impatient and dissatisfied at all these whispered words? But good-natured mamma sympathising with her darling daughter’s enjoyment, intervenes with petitions for another round ; but the papa is obstinate, and the parents almost begin to quarrel with each other on the occasion—whilst the young people seem quite unconcerned about it for they are hard at work dancing again. With full enjoyment, the whole company throws itself

once more into the dance, and with a grand crash of sound the superb waltz reaches its conclusion. The orchestra stops. The young gentleman leads his fair and amiable partner back to her seat, and she, with a graceful courtesy, and a much more tender expression than at the beginning, takes leave of him, whilst he walks off with a heavy heart. The two chords sound like two sighs of regret, and the pretty little novel is closed. All this is pure imagination, for positively there is nothing in the music to suggest a little ballroom flirtation and dancing.