MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3047, 7 April 1917, Page 13

MUSIC.

: *r : —■-.-. (By "T-reMe-Clef.")

An Alleged Cure. When any violinist finds himself suffering . from ingrowing . iegdtism,, and vanity ho should be greatly benefited by remembering that the Council of London in 1857 passed an ordinance to the effect that: "If any persons, commonly called fiddlers, be taken fiddling, they shall be adjudged rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars." When the King Was .Wrong. Remenyi, the famous gipsy violinist, was one of the first to recognise the genius of Brahms. On one occasion he spoke to King George HI, of Hanover, of the genius of his young friend/ and a concert was arranged at which both artists appeared. After the concert was over,' the King took Eemenyi on one side and said, "Speaking of genius,Renienyi, yesj Brahms, no." Eemenyi still ventures to dissent, but the king was not to be convinced. Twenty vor thirty years later, however, it happened that Eemenyi again met the king, who was • then ,blind, and an exile in Paris. After recalling old times the king said solemnly that,he had'a confession to make. Eemenyi asked what it was, and the old monarch reminded him of the concert in Hanover, and added, "You were right; I was wrong. Brahms is a great genius." Teaching the Children. Eomarkable work is being done among the East Side children, by the Musio School Settlement of Now York. Over 800 children receive instruction, and a very genuine love for music is being fostered among many who would otherwise be unable to develop tho taste. Similar organisations exist in most of the large cities of America today, and they form one of the most noteworthy _ evidences of the way in whioh nvusio is rapidly becoming; recognised as a vital factor in the life of the community. The object of the Music School Settlement is not so much to create more professional musicians as to create a wider interest in music. David Mannes, who is in charge of the New York. Settlement, believes that everybody should be able to play a musical instrument as a matter of course. Professional Church : Music. ■;.- ; ! While many, people, have. a.' somewhatexaggerated idea' of the amount' "of money received by singers in the New York ohurohes, there is a very large amount spent each year by churchgoers., One church alone has an; appropriation of 60,000 dollars a year for 1 music, though, of course, thi9 sum is never spent—it is simply that the committee have ' 'carte blanche" , to _that amount. The maximum expenditure for a year's music in any New York ohurch is about 20,000 dollars. Very few reach this amount. Probably few singers in the: big' city receive more than 1500 dollars a year, while the majority of good singers receive at most from 800 dollars to 1000 dollars. These sums are not large, though they form a steady income and leave the singer plenty of opportunity for concert work during the week. The field or church music, however, offers vers little opportunities : for any but those who already have an established reputation. New York is' crowded with singers who oome from all over the: country. The salaries paid in the smaller churches are very low.' Cenius and Talent. ■}■ "Talent will never make a sensation, but he may make a son—who -is Genius."—Rosenthal. "Study without genius proffiicos' tho pedogogue genius with study • and 'badaud' and 'flaneur' (one who only watches, listens, and fritters away time—a passive artist)."—M. de ■la Tombello. "In tho 'Martyrdom of Man' the an* thor speaks of the 'talent' of one generation being the 'fertiliser' for the 'genius' of the next."—Widor. "Little can be expected in musical art with only talent' and' equipment. There is too much td do, the time too short. Study is progress-soil, - however. Surprising flowers and genius spring forth when and where least expected."—Guilmant. "Genius is distinguished from talent as an essential of admission'to the free national schools of music of France. The doors are wide open. 'All who can may enter and exit.- Many who enter, exit by tho' door of entry. Genius is essential to become an '.apostle'; of musical art. _ Talent can do- much good : elsewise."—Madam Chretien. ■ ■ "Unexpecteed results havo developed from latent talent. I woifaT not'dare to brand-with 'impossible' any appearance. ' Iu France every opportunity is given to winnow wheat. from chaff. Graduation from the national njusio. schools is a selection of cream from cream. Genius, embraces many qualities besides facility."—Jean Jacques Mathias. .. "Genius' inspires. Talent conspires."—Gaillard. He Would Play Solos. Many will remember Mr. William Short, "tho King's trumpeter,"- who judged brass bands at Ballarat and in New Zealand a few years ago, and on one occasion trumpeted in tho Town Hall. Eecently he sued the promoters of a small exhibition in London for wages due to a band which he supplied, payment of which had been refused on the ground that the_ band was-not a. good one. The evidence taken was oxtremely amusing. 'One witness said there were too many trumpot solos by Short, and'.that the whole neighbourhood was disturbed. V. Voorsinger, a Dutchman, who conducted another band in the exhibition,, said ho had hoard worse and better bands. One wind instrument was rather forced, at which remark the audience shuddered and twitched their faces. John Wakelin, a recruiting Beraeant, said that "he noticed a great deal of noise coming from the trumpet." In the end tho jury awarded Mr. Short the sum of : £216, the claim having boon for £340, ton weeks, at the rate of £24 fceri-weck <•». yia^EaJirl-