MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 520, 29 May 1909, Page 9

MUSIC.

, (Bs Treble Clef.) Haydn's Centenary. '........ 'J'lie. ono hundredth anniversary of the death of Joseph Haydn ocr.urs on Monday next, and m connection with that eomposer it is interesting to learn that Messrs. Bri-'it-kopf and Hartel, tho famous firm of music publishers, have lately discovered two original Violin Concertos by him which havo been lying stored up, their existence unsuspected, for about a hundred and forty years. Joh. Gottl. Iμ: Breitkopf, boh of tho founder of tholirm, established towards tho end of tho fifties 'in tho eighteenth" century' a central bureau for . distributing manuscripts, for-public performances,-and it was among the remainder of this stock that the parts to these concertos, both of which had u,'i. to die present time been considered as lost, wero recently Haydn wrote hoth concertos between, tho years 1760 and 1769 for his friend Luigi Tomasini, lender of the Estorhazy Band, a fact mentioned in a catalogue written in Haydn's own bond, and the solo parts in each are e-.i----inently suited for tho violin, and 'are not very difficult, in spite of their being throughout in tho concerto style. Messrs. Breitkopf and Hartel have just published the pianofieto arrangements of the concertos, tho editing of< which has been undertaken by Di. Paul Klengel, and Professor Philipp S'churwenka, and both works, it may bo hoped, will soon be brought to a public hearing. Singer's Favourite Songs.' In the- "Strand Magazino" some distinguished singors write of tho lines which give them most pleasure. Madame Clara Butt is particularly fond of "Abide , with Me." Madame Ada Crossley most enjoys herself in "Caro Mio Ben," and Madame- Edna Thornton's favourite tune is "Softly Awakes my Heart." "It is almost impossible for an artist to name a favourite song," writes Madame Agues Nicholls, "because one's attention is constantly being concentrated upon tho particular songs or works that havo to be prepared for a given concert, and these are- almost bound to become- for the timo being uppermost in one's mind. Among ballads, however, I have a special corner in my heart for 'Robin Adair,' which has been a groat favourite of mine since tho very first timo'l sang it—somewhat an unusual.occurrence, since it frequently happens that one does not fully appreciate a song until one's acquaintance with it has grown into familiarity." ■ ■' :■' ■ Notes. Miss Murphy is stated by tho Sydney papers to havo achieved a conspicuous success in the music of Senta, on the occasion of the production in concert form of "Tho Flying Dutchman," by.tho Philharmonic Society there. It was always Miss Murphy's ambition to sing in the Wagnerian roles, and sho has studied tho music of Scuta, Elsa, and Brunludo, for some years past. A Sydney paper has tho following anent Mr. G. S. Titheradgo:—"Since his return from New Zealand, after his severe illness, Mr. George S. Titheradgo has been under doctor's orders, and but of public view; but ho showed up at tho final matinoo in Sydney of 'An Englishman's Home,' wearing a full beard. Conscious of his disguise; ho walked lip to Mr. J. C. Williamson in tho vestibule of tho Theatre Royal, and treated himself to a joke. His manager's perplexity at his proffered hand tickled him immensely. 'Hello, Tith, it's you]' ho said,' when ho discerned that the strnng/i , , 'bearded like tho pard,' was , the well-known actor." After singing before a distinguished audionco in London recently, Miss Amy Castles was. congratulated by tho Princess Alexander of Teck, tho Prince of Tcck, and tho Duchess of Albany. The young singer was questioned regarding Australia by the Duchess, who at the samo timo expressed a keen' desire to visit this country. Arthur Nikisch onco said to Miss Katharine Goodsou, tho English piauist: "1 have known many artists in my life, many soloists, but the true musician-artists I can count on the fingers of one band —and to theso names I now add ours, Miss Goodson." " Talking of Strauss," says an English critic, '■ it is cheering to find an English composer going 'ono better' even than that redoubtable musician in developing tho rcsourcos of tho modern orchestra. The distinction, one gathers, has fallen on Mr. Joseph Holbrooke, who has collaborated with Lord Howard do Walden in the production of an opora entitled ' Dylan, tho Son of tho Wave, 1 based on an old Welsh tale. In Mr.' Holbrooke's score, wo read, thero aro 'several unconventional instruments—anionn them, eight concertinas.' Ono feels prompted to ask/ 'Why only eight?- , Tho ' number Eooras absurdly modest." In a letter received yesterday from Mr. Thos. Trori-cll, late of Wellington", tho writer states that his son, Mr. Arnold Trowcll, the 'cellist, has completed anothor concerto for. tho 'cello, which has been purchased by Messrs.' Shott and Co., the well-known Loudon firm of rnusio publishers. j