MUSIC NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 26 June 1913, Page 23

MUSIC NOTES.

(By

“G” String.)

I received another parcel of music last week from Messrs. Chappell and Co., Limited, the well-known music publishers and pianoforte makers, of .235 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, and 50 New Bond Street, London, W. Two waltzes, “Un Peu d’Amour,” by Leo Silesu, and arranged by H. M. Higgs, and and “ Springtide,” by Frank Lambert, ought to become exceedingly popular in the ballroom this w±nter. Under one cover are published three •“ African Dances ” by Montague Ring. They are entitled “ The Call to the Eeast,” “ Luleta’s Dance,” and “Dance of the Wariors.” They are for the piano, and all have a semi-barbaric flavour about them. Amongst the songs that require special mention are “ A Fat LIT Feller with His Mammy’s Eyes” (sung by Miss Ruth Vincent), words by Frank L. Stanton, music by Sheridan Gordon. It is a dainty coon song. “ The Grenedier ” (sung succesfully by Messrs Bates), words by Fred E. Weatherly, music by Eric Coates, is a really fine number. “Dolly” (sung by Mr. Gervase Elives), words by Fred. E. Weatherly, music by A. Herbert Brewer, is a pretty little song. “ April Eyes,” words by Alfred H. Hyatt; music by Ernest Reeves, has a value somewhat above the ordinary. “When Joybells Ring” (sung by Miss Ruth Vincent), words by Edward Teschemacher, music by A. Herbert Brewer, and “ Rosebuds in the Rain ” words by Edward Teschemacher, music by Alfred Harris, are two typical drawing-room ballads that ■ought to acquire a considerable vogue. A discussion of the economic condition of Bavarian schoolmasters who also act as local organists discloses the fact (says “The Musician”) that more than 40 per cent, of them have .a stipend of about 50 dollars; 35 per cent., 25 dollars; 16 per cent., 6 dol-

lars 25 cents; the remainder nothing at all.

One of the first of the oversea stars to visit the Dominion this year will be Mr. David Bispham, whose advent is already creating a considerable stir in the musical circles of the four centres, which are the only towns the distinguished American baritone will be able to visit on the present occasion. Mr. Bispham is a staunch advocate for singing in English when appearing before English audiences. “In art,” Mr. Bispham says, “as in all other things, expediency should be the keynote of work. Words, for instance, inspire the musician, who composes a song of beauty and wonder. But can the message of the composer be given if the words of the composer are; garbed in a foreign tongue, or a mumbled rendition in the native

tongue, to a great number of people, who are pretending to understand, and wondering what it’s all about ? Foreigners sing in their native tongues. The Paris opera has singers who sing in French; in Berlin the operas of all countries are translated into German —and so it goes.” .. An unpublished work by Mendelssohn was played at Vienna recently. It is a concerto for two pianos, written when the composer was fourteen years of age.

Emil Paur has resigned his position as conductor of the Berlin Royal Opera, following differences of opinion with the Emperor William, who has always shown an active interest in the administration of the opera. Madame Nordica, with her assisting artists, and attendants, sailed from San Francisco for Sydney on June 17, by the Sierra. The famous operatic singer breaks her journey at Honolulu, where she will give three concerts, and is due to arrive in Sydney by the Ventura on July 12. ‘ Mr John McCormack, the celebrated Irish tenor, who revisits New Zealand in a few months time, has a champion at Troy, N.Y., U.S.A., as the following letter will show: “ Editor, Troy Times,’ —Doubtless God might have created a better island than Ireland, but doubtless He never did. Doubtless He might have have created a better saint than St. Patrick, but doubtless He never did. Doubtless He might have created a better man than an Irishman, but doubtless He never did. Doubtless He might have created a better singer than John McCormack, but doubtless He never did. —Yours sincerely, R. G. Cahill, D.D., Orwell, Vt., February 25, 1913.”

Mr. Eugene Ossipoff, the largevoiced Russian singer, who toured New Zealand some time back, returned to Sydney from China a fortnight ago.

Paderewski is to tour the United States of America from October to April next, playing about 100 engagements.

A party of immigrants have been engaged to appear in the Revue at ihe Town Hall commencing next Wednesday, showing the proper way to deal with the newcomers from the Old Country.

A line from Mr. Scott Colville shows the Dandies to be more than prospering. After taking the Pink Dandies from Auckland through Gisborne, Napier, Masterton and Dannevirke to Wellington, Mr. Colville picked up the Red Company in that city; playing up the line to Palmerston North to enormous ; business everywhere, Mr. Colville is due back in Auckland with the Pink Company on July 26.