Music In Europe

Mr. E. N. Bilbie, who has just returned íroin a six months' sojourn iu Europe, has the following to say in regard to musical matters in Berlín, Gerinany : I arrived in Berlin a second time for the purpose of study last October, and coiumenced taking lessons on the violin under Professor Wirth, who has the reputation of being one of the finest teachers in (Jerraany. As his forte is the classical, I played under him the Bach solo sonatas, pieces by Spohr, Bruoh, etc. In the high school, where I attended the classes as a visitor, I found the American and English students unsurpassed by pupils of any other nationality, notable among them being Miss Lenore Jackson, Mr. Carger and Mr. Marso, the last two from Chicago, and Mr. Alfred Ross, of Liverpool, Eugland. These and others are excellunt players today, but they will probably continue to study until they have played all the standard classical liberatnre for violin under their lpective teachers. They au have Joachirn once a week and once a week of Wirth, Halir, or some other teacher of the school. Cari Halir is one of the very best Germán players today, but Joachim, though failing technically through advanced age, still holds the palm as the greatest of all violinists. I atteuded concerts by the Joachim, Halir, Moser.aud Hollaender quartettes, which are local, and of visiting quarters, the Bohemian and Marie Soldat's ladies' quartette. The first two are in the front rank. The Joachim quartette, the rnembership of which is Joachem, Kruser, Wirth and Hausmann, being the greatest that ever existed. Three of these gentlemen have played together for over twenty years, but they still hold careful rehearsals for each concert. Their ensemble is perfeot and their conception of the various requirements of all composers, ancient or modern, is more admirable than anything to be heard in this, the most delicate and sabtle form of compositïon. Strmg qnartettes are both difflcult to compose and to play, and the best efforts of the greatest composers have been in this form. There are four Symphony Orohestras in Berlin- the Royal Opera House orchestra being the best. Every member, from the tympanist to the concert master (Halir), being splendid players, and a peculiarity in the violins being, that they are with the exception of three or fcrar, all pupils of Joachim, so that the phrasing is in perfect unity and of the best school. Their conductor is Felix Weingartner, who is universally pronounced to be a genius. (I should here state that he is one of several conductors of this orchestra, and that it is a hundred and twenty strong. ) The nest is the Philharmonic Orchestra, which Nikisch directs in a series of teu concerts every winter, their regular conductor is Herr Mannstedt, who is excellent, and they play three times weekly besides sxtra concerts, when they accornpany soloisfcs snch as D'Albert, Sarsate, etc. The other two are the Concert-Hans and the Nene Sinfonie Orchestras, which are second rank, and play every night in the week. The opera is fine in Berlin and as every young player makes his or her debut there aad the oelebrated players appear almost every season, the opportunity of attending miscellaneous concerts is nnlimited, the only trouble being often to know which to go to hear. I will mention but two of the soloists whom I heard this winter, one being Alexander Petschnikoff, the Russian violinist, who plays with a brilliant teobnique, mature interpretation and exquisite feeling, hecame this winter as a stranger and left, after giving four or five coucerts, with the reputation of a great player. Willy Burmeister, a yonng inan who made a great name there last winter, is one who plays all styles of ïnusic, his bowing, left hand, tone, and musical insight are comparatively flawless.but with all this, he does not move one as does Petschnikoff. On my way home I remained a month in England, where I heard some good music, the most enjoyable concert being a performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah at Nottingham, the chorus being unequaled by any I have heard even in Germany.