Albert Jonas Secured

Mr. Schmaal, whose worth as an artist and teacher has been unceasingly appreeiatedjy our lovers of music, will be absent next year from the Unlversity School of Music. He will spend the year in Europe and when we consider his present arti.stic standing we may well feel happy in the fact that he returns again to the school after this sojourn. This is the only thing that reconciles us to his loss. The University School of Muïic is fortúnate in securing in his place an artist who has already made an international reputation as shown by the subjoined article taken from one of the leading musical i journals of New York. We will only add that the fiattering criticism of the European critics has been enthusiastically endorsed by New York musical circles. It is to be hoped that the school next year may be so prosperous that both of these great artists may be ccnnected with it. Albert Jonas, the Spanish pianist, was born in Madrid, on June 8, 1868. His parents, who are Germán, were established in Spain more than 30 years. At the age of eight years he began to take lessons with the celebrated Madrid professors, Olave and Mendizabal, following- at the same time the classes of the Conservatory of Madrid. Yet the intention of his parents was not to make a musician of him, although he revealed an exceptional musical nature. Before having made any serious studies he published many piano compisitions, and dedicated to the daughter of Alfonso XII a mazurka, which awakened so much the interest of the king that he presented him with a golden watch, which bears on the top lid the crown of the Spanish throne in relief, and a jewel of historie value. At the age of i, arter havmg visited Franoe, Germany and'England, where he was sent by his family to perfect his knowledge in foreign languages, the young Spaniard feit the growing and irresistible vocation to devote himself entirely to music, and entered the Conservatory of Music of Brussels, where he began his serious studies. In two years he carried off the only available flrst prize. His studies in Brussels lasted live years which he won all the first prizes in harmony and counterpoint and was taught by Gavaent. Mr. Jonas then directed his steps to Germany and there completed his studies, particularly his already exceptional technic. In September, 1890, he took part in the concours of Rubenstein, in St. Petersburg-, and signalized himself in such a way as to merit Rubenstein's lessons during three months in St. Petersburg. now Mr. Jonas' appearance before the public we see him give concerts in England, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Russia, Mexico, everywhere with great success, as testifïed by all the newspapers which gave an account of his performances. He played many times in Berlín, that most feared place of all virtuosi, at the Sing Akademie and at the Philharmonic, and the Berlin newspapers were full of praise for the Spanish virtuoso. By a curious coincidence he played at his debut the concerto of Paderewski at the same time as the composer played it in New York. We will finish the biographical notes by quoting at random some of the numerous reports which European papers devoted to Mr. Jonas' concerts: Berlin "Courier": The rendering of the concerto of Paderewski by Mr. Jonas was in every way perfect. His technic is clear and flowing-, the rythm vigorously marked, the interpretation musical and full of passion and delicate sentiment. Reichboten: We heard, by Mr. Jonas, a concerto of Paderewski, which the composer played himself last season. We must think that he has made great changes in his work, for so much better was yesterday the impression of the three mavements of which it is coinposed. The player showed himself in the technical as well as in the poetical part a most skillful interpreter of the difficnlt and interesting work. Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung : Mr. Jonas is in every respect a. virtuoso of high rank and a thorough and conscientious musician. Berlin Zeitung: In the performance of the concerto and in the many solo pieces, the young son of chivalrous Spain gave evidence of dazzling technic and warm temperament. National Zeitung: The piano virtuoso from Madrid, Mr. Albert Jonas, scored yesterday great successes with tiie concerto of Paderewski, whieh he suceeeded in placing in better light than the composer himself, a not infrequent occurrence. Taglische Rundschau: Mr. Albert Jonas, from Spain, played the difficult concerto of Paderewski, and showtd in its performance mighty technic and tender expression. Music luis charms to sootbe the savnire hreast, ïo sollen rocks.iiiid beud the küutted aak. - Ctiir