MUSICIANS AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2285, 20 October 1914, Page 6

MUSICIANS AND THE WAR

PROGRAMME GONE BY THE BOARD. The effect of four great musical conntrios like Germany, France, Austria, and Russia being at war, with Italy trembling on tho verge of' tho .whirlpool, has thoroughly disorganised musical arrangements for the season which ordinarily commences about October 1. Among the countries 'chiefly affected is America, which is the happy huntingground of hundreds of foreign artists, who tour tho States and Canada between October and March, and then return to Europe to keep in touch with tho latest developments in music, and play in their own countries for merely a shadow of tho money they receive in America. These artists include concert and operatic singers, violinists, pianists, 'cellists, conductors, and orchestral players. They form part of a small army whicli crosses the Atlantic at least twice a year. On tho present occasion tho war fiend caught most of them at home in their native countries, and no matter what their artistic standing was, they were at once drafted into the army if of the required age. Most of them, of course, would naturally try and get clear of the vortex, and back to America, but there are ;hoso among musicians who, having t-Bo highest patriotic sense, would volunteer ior service without a thought of taking any other action. From American papers we cull tho news of tho movements of artists, more or less known, to the world of music. Eiigen Ysaye, the great violinist, is a Jfelgian, but is over .the ago . for service. Ho pays through his sons, two of whom bavo already been killed fighting for Belgium. Fritz Kreisler, tho greatest living violinist, has gone to the front into the Austrian Army. All the comic opera world will weep to learn that Franz Lehar, Leo Fall 1 , and Jean Gilbert (famous composers of light opera) are all in the Austrian fighting line. Rachmaninoff, the celebrated Russian composer, is now under arms.. Thibauld is also said to have joined the Austrian colours. Gokowsky, tho composer, 'who was in Belgium, became aware that ho was in danger through an Austrian position he holds, and he fled to England. . The' Beyrouth .Festival was in progress when war was ■ declared. It closed suddenly. Madame Schumannlleink, who ' was there, stated that German Army officers, came on to the stage at Beyreuth during a performance' "of '"Parsifal," and notified principals, chorus, and orchestral play(vrs who were eligible for scrvico, that they must start for tho front at once. John M'Gormack had just 'sang with immense success at the Kursaal in Ostend, and was about to leave for Salzburg, when Liza Lehmaun wired him: , "Do not cornel" He didn't I Hemrich Hensel, the great German Wagnerian tenor, was in Belgium during August, and it is assumed he is now under arms—or worse.

In America the war has demoralised tho operatic business, and it is stated that in all '■ likelihood there will be no opera season west of New-York. That means that the absenco of artists has prevented the Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston impressarios from making arrangements. Tho Paris Opera Comique has been turned into a. 'hospital, with a bed in each logo. • , Wagnerian music has been banned in Russia, which is no now thing for Wagnei-, but (says the "Musical Courrier") he has a.habit of coming back again. Writing of tho musical prospects in London .the "Musical Times" says:—

"That the musical profession generally will bo bound to suffer directly or indirectly hi tliEise troublous times is quite obvious. Thero will bo great depression in the manufacturing _ and music publishing trades, and it will be found that publishers .will rely largely on their last year's/list. This will mean stagnation in the printing trade and the throwing out ,of work of immense numbers of members of engraving, printing, and allied tradesP Already uo hear some talk of some of these firms closing down for a time." . \