Cantata for solo alto, 'Strike, oh, strike, long looked for hour,' Cantata for solo bass, 'I with my cross-staff gladly wander: Thursday afternoon and evening, 'The Passion of our Lord according to St. Matthew'; Friday evening, Cantatas, The Heavens laugh, the Earth itself rejoices' and God goeth up with shouting'; Saturday afternoon and evening, the Mass in B minor. All the meetings were conducted by Mr. J. Fred Wolle, who has been the soul of the Festivals from the beginning. His choir numbered 115, his orchestra 60. The archaic oboi d'amore were used, and also the chimes in the quaint, simple, and affecting alto cantata. As before the choir was all but letter perfect, but the orchestra was inefficient, and there was much that was questionable in the readings. Scores of organists from New York and Philadelphia attended the festivals, and because they, like the critics, mixed their enthusiastic laudation of the spirit of the pious enterprise with some discriminating criticism of detail, they were boorishly informed that the presence of musicians was no desired by the Festival director. Bethlehem was sufficient unto itself. The incident, which could not check the delight of the musicians in the extraordinary opportunity which they were enjoying, was nevertheless deeply deplorable as demonstrating the pitiable fact that the beautiful hopes engendered by the festivals of the past must be abandoned. There was the foundation of a Bach cult in the festivals which would have been of inestimable value to church music in America. "H. E. KREHBiel. MUSIC IN BIRMINGHAM. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Two concerts held towards the end of May deserve a word of notice. The first was a complimentary concert at the Masonic Hall to a talented young local violinist, Miss Muriel Warwood, to raise funds to enable her to proceed to Prague to complete her studies under Ševčik. Miss Frida Kindler and Miss Muriel Warwood assisted, and the financial result was highly satisfactory. The other concert took place in the Town Hall, the object being to assist the fund for a memorial to the Birmingham soldiers who fell in the war in South Africa. Mr. William Sewell's male-voice choir sang Mendelssohn's Beati mortui,' Sullivan's The Beleaguered,' and some choral settings by Granville Bantock of Robert Browning's 'Cavalier Ballads.' The Midland Institute School of Music closed the session with the annual students' concerts. The first took place on the 13th ult., when very creditable performances of Mozart's String Quartet in G (the first of the set dedicated to Haydn) and of two movements from Klughardt's Pianoforte Quintet in G minor (Op. 43' showed the progress of the pupils. Violin solos were also included. On the 17th ult. in the Town Hall the students' chorus and orchestra (the latter reinforced by some of the teachers) performed Bach's cantata Bide with us and the Chorus of Maidens and Priests from Mozart's music to King Thamos.' Miss Muriel Warwood gave a remarkably fine rendering of the solo part in Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, and Miss Ethel M. Thomas played the first movement of Schumann's Pianoforte Concerto in excellent style. Miss Dora Hunt sang two numbers from Elgar's Sea Pictures with nice expression. Mr. Granville Bantock conducted. On the 20th ult. at the Institute a costume recital of scenes from Mozart's Magic Flute' completed the exposition of the students' work. The results altogether were very gratifying, showing that the School is doing much for the artistic training of those studying within its walls. The Principal, Mr. Bantock, deserves much of the credit for the success of the School, and he is loyally supported by the staff of teachers. MUSIC IN CAMBRIDGE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The May term is always a slack time musically at Cambridge, and only two public concerts have been given The Joachim Quartet appeared which call for remark. on May 4, and as to their performance of quartets by Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann it seems superfluous to speak. On the 12th ult. the University Musical Society gave a highly successful performance of the Golden Legend.' The date chosen turned out to be an unfortunate one, as it clashed with the visit of the Duke of Connaught and the other distinguished recipients of honorary degrees. Nevertheless the attendance was satisfactory, and the presentation of the work quite excellent. The chorus, which seemed larger than last year, did its work with effect, the quality of tone and the maintenance of pitch in Miss Agnes Nicholls's splendid rendering of the part of Elsie the unaccompanied pieces being especially commendable. needs no praise at this time of day, but a special approval should be given to Mr. Frederick Austin's fine singing as advance, though the style of the music was different to Lucifer. Mr. J. Reed as Prince Henry showed a great that in which he has been most successful hitherto, and Mrs. Burrell was entirely satisfactory as Ursula. Gray may be congratulated on the result of his labours. Dr. Mann's choir, an institution which during the Mention should here be made of the dissolution of fifteen years of its existence has done distinguished work. The singing has always been of great excellence, as might be expected from such a chorus-master as Dr. Mann. Among the interesting works that it has produced have been Sir Hubert Parry's 'Judith' and De Profundis,' Sir Charles Stanford's Requiem and Te Deum, the Choral Symphony, the St. Matthew' Passion music, and Tallis's forty-part Motet. In addition the first performance of the Messiah' in England since Handel's day with the composer's original wind parts must be placed to its credit. MUSIC IN HARROGATE. (BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Dr. In two English provincial towns orchestral music is under the fostering care of the municipality. The distinction thus acquired is however more apparent than real, for both Bournemouth and Harrogate are popular watering-places, so that this municipal care is perhaps as much attributable to a belief in the attractive power of music as a means of amusement as it is to a regard for its influence as an art. Whatever the motive however, Harrogate, which has for some time supported a municipal orchestra, has now provided a palace in which it may be listened to in luxury. The new Kursaal, which was opened by Sir Hubert Parry on May 27, is indeed a most luxurious temple of art, and though it may seem rather ungrateful, one is tempted to wish that a small portion of the £45,000 which has been spent upon it and on its marble columns, stained-glass windows, crushed-strawberry hangings, and sumptuous simulations of tapestries could have been devoted to increasing the strength of the band, which though very efficient is hardly large enough to permit of an effective balance between its various sections. If, however, the Corporation of Harrogate act up to the advice given them by Sir Hubert Parry in his opening address, they may make the music worthy of the brilliant casket which has been provided for it. In one respect they have done well, and have anticipated Sir Hubert's remark that 'Of course you cannot expect even the most enlightened Corporations to be able to draw up good programmes of music, but you can expect them to have the good sense to put somebody in a position of responsibility who will see that the music shall be first-rate, and that what is presented shall be worthy of the self-respecting The rehearsals of the Festival chorus are now being held position of Yorkshiremen. Mr. C. L. Naylor, the conthree times weekly, and Mr. R. H. Wilson, the newly-ductor of the Harrogate Orchestra, is, like his father, the appointed chorus-master, has made himself very popular late respected organist of York Minster, a sound musician, with the singers. Everything bids fair to be prepared in and he is, too, a man of general culture, who if he be good time. not interfered with unduly in those matters which are peculiarly within his province, may do a work for Harrogate not inferior to that which Mr. Godfrey has accomplished in Bournemouth. His predecessor Mr. Sidney Jones set a good example in the arrangement of his programmes, which showed a most commendable catholicity, and while it may be expected that Mr. Naylor will be no less enterprising, he will also doubtless aim at increasing the efficiency of the band and the finish of their performances. Unfortunately the hall is not in its present condition so favourable to orchestral ensemble as it is to clearness of detail, and the platform will probably have to be modified before the full effect of the string tone can be completely realized. It seems however to be capable of improvement without necessitating any structural alteration, and when this is accomplished the effect produced by the little band of fifty able performers will probably be greatly enhanced. MUSIC IN OXFORD. (FROM OUR OWN correspondent.) The following brief summary of this term's music must begin with the visit of the Joachim Quartet, who gave an excellent Chamber Concert in the Town Hall (under the auspices of the Musical Club) on May 6, the three items being Schubert's Quartet in A minor (Op. 29), Haydn's in G minor (Op. 74, No. 3), and Beethoven's in B flat (Op. 130). The last-named was given for the first time in Oxford. On May 13 Sir Hubert Parry gave an admirable lecture in the Sheldonian Theatre on 'Style in relation to subsidiary features and aspects of Art,' with illustrations sung by Mr. Plunket Greene. · The Eights Week' concerts may be said to have commenced at Balliol on May 24, when Beethoven's Septuor was played by Messrs. Gibson, A. Hobday, Withers, C. Hobday, Malsch, Egerton and James. Needless to say it was an excellent performance. Next in order came the Exeter' concert on May 26 composed of varied items, the principal being Beethoven's Overture to King Stephen,' Liszt's Pianoforte Concerto in E flat (with Miss Swinnerton Heap as soloist), and German's Gipsy Suite.' The concert was a very enjoyable one, Mr. J. S. Heap (organ-scholar of Exeter College) being the conductor. On May 27 an interesting concert was given at Keble under the baton of Dr. Basil Harwood, its chief features being Brahms's Song of Destiny' and Bennett's May Queen.' To give an idea of the lateness of these concerts, we may perhaps mention the fact that the May Queen' was commenced at eleven p.m. Miscellaneous. Mr. J. C. Clarke, of Southport, writes us as follows:'Dear Sir,-There is a general consensus of opinion among conductors and choirs in regard to the poorness of the test pieces at the many Male-Voice Competitions and Eisteddfodau. The type of music selected is tawdry, sensational, not to say unclassical-music that is not worth the immense amount of work which has to be devoted to its preparation for a competition; moreover, its tendency is to demoralize instead of to improve the taste. At the National Eisteddfod held last year the selection was all that could be desired; but, unfortunately, the same cannot be said of this year's selection. A commendable exception is to be found at the Morecambe and Blackpool Festivals, where only the best classical music is given, and no one can say that there is any lack of suitable material to select from. If the best adjudicators were engaged and the selection of testpieces placed in their hands there would be little or nothing left of which to complain.' [This letter is referred to on page 453.-ED. M.T.] We regret to record the following deaths : On May 20, at 53. Caversham Road, Kentish Town, after a lingering illness, Mr. FARLEY NEWMAN, founder and editor of the Keyboard, author of Harmony simplified' and numerous other works (chiefly educational) on musical literature and theory. On the 14th ult., from heart-disease, at Clovelly,' Haverstock Hill, Mr. JOHN STEDMAN, the well known concert agent, of 58, Berners Street. Mr. Stedman's name is familiar to the musical public as the organizer of ' Stedman's choir' of boys and girls, who have appeared in numerous productions at the London theatres and the Royal Opera. He was formerly for many years a respected member of the Staff of Messrs. Novello. The deaths of Mr. A. J. Hipkins, Mr. William Pitts, and Frau Gurau (née Sophie Schloss) are referred to elsewhere. The following notification has been received from the Royal College of Music. A new departure in furtherance of the interests of young British musicians is represented by a generous gift of Mr. S. Ernest Palmer, who recently founded a Scholarship at the Royal College of Music for the benefit of natives of Berkshire. Mr. Palmer has now given a further and yet more substantial proof of his desire to promote the interests of British music and musicians, as, in pursuance of a scheme the details of which have been for some time under consideration, he has with the sanction and approval of His Majesty, formerly President and now Patron of the Royal College of Music, endowed that Institution with a sum of money to be invested and held by the College under the title of 'The Royal College of Music Patron's Fund,' the income of which is to be devoted to the following purposes :— (1) The selection by expert musicians and the performance at concerts given for the purpose either at the College or elsewhere of Orchestral and Choral works of composers being British subjects. On May 28 in the Town Hall a concert chiefly orchestral was given under the direction of Dr. Allen. The programme included Mozart's G minor Symphony, Brahms's Rhapsody for Alto Solo and Chorus of Men's voices (Op. 53), a Bach Concerto, and Beethoven's Fantasia for Pianoforte, Chorus and Orchestra (Op. 80), with Dr. Walker at the pianoforte. The concert on the whole was an excellent one. We have far too little good orchestral music just now in Oxford, and this fact contributed to make this performance doubly welcome. The next and last concert of the Eights' took place on May 29 at Queen's, where an exceedingly interesting programme was provided. The orchestra was almost entirely professional, consisting of some of the best London players. Amongst the chief items were The Burial of Dundee,' a charming cantata composed expressly for the Society by Dr. Sweeting, organist of Winchester College, who conducted, and who received quite an ovation at the conclusion of his work. A very fine rendering by the orchestra of Haydn's Clock Symphony was given under the baton of Dr. Iliffe, the conductor of the Society. A gracefully written part-song, Phillis the of fair, by Mr. Armstrong and a chorus, The Warden,' (4) The provision out of surplus income, if any, Travelling Scholarships for pupils of the College by Mr. Lyon (both members of the Society) were accorded a place in the programme, and were well (being British subjects) of exceptional ability. interpreted. In conclusion we must not omit to mention The Fund is to be primarily applicable for the benefit that the excellent concerts at Balliol have been continued of past or present pupils of the Royal College of Music, every Sunday evening under the able direction of but full power is given to extend this benefit to any other Dr. Walker. (2) The selection and performance of Ensemble and Solo music, whether vocal or instrumental, by such composers. (3) The assistance of musical performers (being British subjects) in procuring an appearance before the public. persons being British subjects. Under the comprehensive and somewhat cumbrous title of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Competitive Festival a new competition centre has been established, under the auspices of a strong committee. The first meetings were held at Reading on the 11th, 12th and 13th ult., and were remarkably successful in bringing forward the amateur talent of the districts included in the scheme. In the solo-singing section alone there were 108 aspirants, and in the various classes for choirs, bands, chamber music, violin, pianoforte, organ, &c., there were quite a remarkable number of entries. The adjudicators were Sir Walter Parratt, Dr. C. H. Lloyd, Mr. Oscar Beringer, Mr. Alfred Gibson, Dr. Somervell, and Mr. Randegger On the last evening the adult choirs combined their forces in choral song under the direction of Sir Walter Parratt. The organization was excellent, and owed very much to the skill and tact of the secretary, Miss Cecilia Hill, of Slough. We are very glad to note that the South is following the good example of the North in organizing musical festivals upon this plan. Mr. W. Harding Bonner read a thoughtful paper before the London Section of the Incorporated Society of Musicians on the 13th ult., the subject of his discourse being The present condition of Choral Societies.' The following is a synopsis of the paper: Are Choral Societies increasing or decreasing in number and efficiency?-Do their Concerts pay?—Causes of weakness and failure-Can anything be done to arouse more public interest in Choral Music?-School Singing and School Music-Choral Competitions, &c. An International Pianoforte and Music Trades Exhibition was opened at the Crystal Palace by the Duke of Argyll on the 16th ult. The exhibits occupy nearly the whole of the north and south naves, and organ, pianoforte, and other recitals will be given daily while the exhibition remains open. Among the new inventions are self-playing and electric pianos. The day may not be far distant when a self-composing machine may find its way upon the market. Mr. Charles Ernest Coward, of Caius College, Cambridge, has come out eighteenth wrangler in the Mathematical Tripos. In addition to being so excellent a mathematician, Mr. Coward is a prominent member of the University Musical Society; moreover, he has gained great distinction at Fenner's as a runner! May he run the race of life with the success which has recently attended him at the University. Congratulations to him and to his father Dr. Henry Coward, of Sheffield. Mr. Hans Wessely, the well-known Professor of the violin at the Royal Academy of Music, has been presented by his numerous pupils and friends with the fine Stradivari violin known as the Deurbroucq.' The presentation took place on the 16th ult. at the Royal Academy of Music, in the presence of the Principal, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, and a large number of the subscribers. An interesting selection of glees was sung at the Festival Dinner (presided over by Mr. Andrew K. Hichens) of the Western Madrigal Society at the Criterion Restaurant on the 19th ult. Mr. Walter Alcock conducted with a true insight into those fine old-time compositions. The Colonies again! This time South Africa. We understand that Messrs. Challen and Son, of Oxford Street, have been favoured by the Government with a large order for pianofortes for use in the State Schools in the Orange River Colony. Good news gladly recorded. FRANKFORT A/M. The great competition of male choral Societies took place here from the 4th to the 6th ult. The Emperor's prize fell to the Berlin Teachers' Vocal Union, à body which greatly distinguished itself at Cassel three years ago. The decision was received with joyous shouts. Second prizes were bestowed on the Cologne Male Choral Society, the Sängerchor of the Offenbach Turnverein, and the Berlin Liedertafel. Third and fourth prizes were also given to various Societies from Potsdam, Aachen, Bremen, Krefeld, Munich-Gladbach and Essen. Before the distribution the Emperor delivered a long address. He expressed his satisfaction at seeing so many Societies, and reminded them of the special object of the gathering, viz., to encourage folk-singing, and strengthen the culture of the folk-song. It had greatly impressed him to find hundreds of men, in the habit of working for eight or perhaps twelve hours a day in an atmosphere of dust and smoke, able by devotion and zealous study to undertake such heavy tasks as those in which they had been engaged. His Majesty's criticism of the choruses selected deserves note. Many of them he considered far too elaborate, and he warned the Societies not to try and rival philharmonic choirs or similar ones. The object of male choral Societies ought to be the cultivation of folk-song. He expressed gratitude for the patriotic and beautiful poems selected, but he did not think fine male voices ought to be used as if they were orchestral instruments. Of attempts at tone-painting in modern orchestral music he even declared that though they might be very characteristic, they had long ceased to be beautiful. This Imperial criticism will no doubt cause heart-burnings among advanced modern composers. But the Emperor is not only critical but practical. He intends to issue a collection of popular German, Austrian, and Swiss songs at a price which will render it accessible to all. GENOA. In the early part of last month, Signor Boraggini, burgomaster of this city, invited the violinist Bronislaw Hubermann distinguished guests on Paganini's Guarnerius violin, to play at the Guildhall before some which is preserved as a sacred relic, and for which there recently came from America an offer of 100,000 dollars. A special commission has charge of the instrument, which is kept in a cupboard trebly lined with blue silk. Hubermann spent some time in putting on fresh strings and adjusting the bridge. When he first began to play the tones sounded dull, but they gradually became warmer and richer. Bach's Chaconne was performed, in addition to pieces by Schubert and Chopin, and finally Paganini's Witches' Dance.' GÖRLITZ, The Silesian Festival was to take place here on the 21st and 23rd ult., under the direction of capellmeister Muck, of Berlin. The principal works announced were Bach's secular cantata Wettstreit zwischen Phöbus und Pan,' Beethoven's Choral' Symphony, and Tschaikovsky's Symphony in F minor. The orchestra of 120 performers was to consist of the united royal bands of Berlin. MUNICH. an On June 24 Lina Ramann, the biographer of Liszt, completed her seventieth year. She has lived a quiet life in this city since 1890. In 1873 she published appreciation of Liszt's Christus,' after the production of the work, and on reading it the composer felt how thoroughly she had entered into his ideas. This essay in fact led to her undertaking the biography by which she has become so widely known, viz., Franz Liszt als Künstler und Mensch,' published in three parts (1880, 1887, and 1894). PARIS. There were six competitors for the Louis Diémer pianoforte prize of 4,000 francs. On the first day (May 18) they had to play Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata and Schumann's 'Etudes Symphoniques,' and on the following day a Chopin ballade or fantaisie, a mazurka and a prelude, and Liszt's 'Clochette or Saint-Saëns's Etude en forme de Valse.' The jury consisted of Messrs. Dubois, Saint-Saëns, Massenet, Paladilhe, Planté, Paderewski, Pugno, De Greef, Rosenthal, Chevillard, Lavignac, Philipp, and Wurmser, and it would surely be impossible to name musicians better competent to pronounce judgment. By 12 out of 13 votes the winner was declared to be M. Malats, a pupil of De Bériot, at the Conservatoire, where in 1893 he won the first prize. Marcel Rousseau, son of Samuel Rousseau, professor of harmony at the Conservatoire, has won the Rossini prize, value 3,000 francs, offered by the Académie des beaux-arts. The poem by Fernand Beissier which he set to music is entitled 'le Roi Arthur.' ST. PETERSBURG. The 200th anniversary of the foundation of this city by Peter-the-Great has been celebrated with all due eclat. The Conservatoire also commemorated the event by giving a grand historical concert, the programme of which included a fine 18th century March, two a capella hymns written for the signing of the peace at Nystad, and excerpts from operas by Araja, Fomine, Cavos, Verstovski, and Glinka; also vocal and instrumental music by Dargomijsky, Moussorgsky, Borodine, Tschaikovsky, Lvov, &c. The conductors were MM. Galkine, Gabel, and Auer. PRESSBURG. Liszt's Graner Messe' was recently performed at a service in the cathedral by the Church Musical Society founded in 1833. The work was given under the direction of the young capellmeister Gustav Brecher from Vienna. The Graner Messe, by-the-way, has never been heard in London, yet it is one of Liszt's most characteristic compositions. Country and Colonial News. BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED. BOSCOMBE.-Gounod's Redemption' was performed at St. John's Church on the 3rd ult. under the able direction of Mr. Arthur T. George, who also presided at the organ. The choir of over sixty voices rendered the choral portions very efficiently, and the solo parts were sung by Master G. Forsythe, Messrs. Gerald Lee, A. Fellowes, and A. Barlow. Much good work is being done by Mr. George, who is the organist of the church, in providing oratorio services from time to time. CANTERBURY.-The last of the special services was held at the Cathedral on May 28, when Haydn's 'Creation,' Parts i. and ii., and Brahms's Second Symphony were performed, under Dr. Perrin's conductorship. The Cathedral Musical Society and the choir formed the chorus, while the band consisted of fifty players drawn from Canterbury and neighbouring towns, in addition to Chatham. The solos in the oratorio were undertaken by seventeen members of the Royal Engineers' Band from three choristers and Messrs. Halward and Dewhurst. of the season in the Town Hall on May 28, when the LOUTH.-The Choral Society gave their second concert programme consisted of Stanford's The Revenge and a miscellaneous selection including German's Henry VIII.' Dances for the orchestra. The part-songs The Storm' (Roland Rogers) and the Miller's wooing' (Eaton Faning) were well sung by the choir. The solo vocalists were Madame Amy Dewhurst and the Rev. J. A. Beazley. Mr. Owen M. Price conducted. NORWICH.-The second concert of the Norwich held Orchestral on May 28, at the Assembly Rooms. Handel's Acis and Galatea' was given in the first part of the programme, the second part being of a miscellaneous character and including a new part-song by Mr. Ernest Harcourt (the conductor), The Song of the Forge, which is well written and orchestrated and met with a very flattering reception at the hands of a large audience. Miss Edith Patching was the principal vocalist. Union was RUGBY.-The ambition of the Philharmonic Society in presenting Parry's oratorio Judith' on the 4th ult. did not 'o'erleap itself,' the successful result fully justifying the attempt. Both choir and orchestra worked lovally under the skilful direction of Mr. Basil Johnson. The solo vocalists, Miss Helen Jaxon, Miss Day-Winter, Mr. F. Norcup, and Mr. Gordon Cleather also gave complete satisfaction, and the 'two children' were ably represented by Masters Sydney Sheppard and Thomas Sampson. STAMBOURNE.-An interesting recital was given on the new organ at the Parish Church on May 27 by Mr. J. T. Field, whose programme included Canzona' (Wolstenholme), Invocation' (Salomé), and a Venetian Barcarolle by the performer. The excellent singing of Miss Cordelia Grylls in Coenen's Come unto me and O, for the wings of a dove' (Mendelssohn), and of Mr. Dyved Lewis in solos from Jephtha and the Creation,' gave pleasing variety. WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND). The Orchestral Society gave its third concert of the season in the Opera Mendelssohn's Scotch' Symphony, admirably played by House on April 28. The chief work in the programme was an orchestra of forty-five performers under the conductorship of Mr. Robert Parker. The beautiful slow movement was most sympathetically interpreted. The Overture and Entr'acte to Schubert's Rosamunde' were the remaining orchestral items. Master Thomas Trewell gave a clever performance of Boccherini's Violoncello Sonata in A, the youthful executant being recalled again and again to the platform. Agreeable variety was afforded by the expressive singing of Mr. Leslie Edwards. WEYMOUTH.-The Choral Society gave a concert at the Jubilee Hall on the 9th ult., when the programme comprised Coleridge-Taylor's Hiawatha's Wedding Feast and Death of Minnehaha,' given under the capable direction of Mr. W. Stone. The choir and orchestra (led by Signor Bertoncini) performed their duties with much success, and the solo parts were excellently sung by Miss Beatrice Dunn, Mr. Samuel Masters and Mr. Arthur Barlow. Answers to Correspondents. RUSTIC.-The Jew's-harp, though not an ideal musical instrument, has a history. The conjecture that Jew's' in this connection is an alteration of 'jaw's' is baseless and inept; equally fallacious is the French jeu as a derivative. In all probability the definition Jew's' is due to the circumstance of the instrument being made, sold, or sent to England by Jews, thereby giving it a good commercial name, suggestive of the trumps and harps of the Bible. The name was originally Jew's-trump, and 'trump' is still its name in Scotland. So far back as 1545 the Rates of Customs give Iues trounks the grose iijs., iiijd."; the word 'trounks' is, according to Dr. Murray, 'perhaps due to the fact that the trompe of the elephant is also called in England trunk.' Sir Walter Raleigh (1596) thus refers to the instrument ::- Wee should send them Iewes harpes: for they would giue for euery one two Hennes.' A no less interesting reference is that contained in News from Scotland,' 1591 - Geillis Duncan...did goe before them playing this reill or daunce uppon a small trumpe called a Jewe's trump, untill they entred into the Kirk of North Barrick......the King... sent for Geillis Duncan, who upon the like trump did play the saide daunce before the kinges majestie.' Bacon, Fielding, Sterne and Byron, among other authors mention the instrument. The most distinguished performer was Charles Eulenstein, who produced extremely beautiful effects by performing on sixteen Jew's-harps, having for years cultivated the instrument in a very extraordinary manner. He appeared in London in 1827. If you would like to know something more about his sojourn in England, we shall be pleased to furnish you next month with whatever information we can discover. STUDENT.-The following are the Beethoven compositions answering to the Opus numbers you send Op. 11, Trio for pianoforte, clarinet (or violin), and violoncello in B flat; Op. 32, Song 'An die Hoffnung,' from Tiedge's 'Urania'; Op. 44, Fourteen variations (in E flat) for pianoforte, violin, and violoncello; Op. 65. Scena and Aria, Ah, perfido!' for soprano voice and orchestra; Op. 66, Twelve variations (in F) on Ein Mädchen' Mozart's Zauberflöte ') for pianoforte and violoncello; Op. 63 is an arrangement (for pianoforte, violin, and violoncello) of the Quintet Op. 4; and Op. 64 is an arrangement (for pianoforte and violoncello) of the Trio Op. 3. TENORE ROBUSTO.-'Come into the garden, Maud,' was composed by Balfe expressly for and dedicated to Mr. Sims Reeves It appears to have been sung by the great tenor for the first time (probably) at St. George's Hall, Liverpool, on January 26, 1857; it was published about the same time. Success at once attended the 'Cavatina,' as it was called, and, in the words of its reviewer (Muiscal World), 'Mr. Balfe must indeed have been in what Richard Wagner styles the melodious coach" when he composed it.' Maud' was written by Tennyson early in 1855; the poem was one for which he had a strong affection, and he often recited it with thrilling effect to his friends. C. E. W.--(1) 'That there's nothing finer heard out of heaven than the music of a Beethoven sonata is one of those ridiculous sayings that may be received with a smile and not taken seriously. (2) The motet I wrestle and pray' (Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn') is not by John Sebastian Bach. Its composition is assigned to John Christopher Bach (1642-1703). See Spitta's Life of Bach,' vol. i., pp. 94 and 622 (English full translation), for particulars concerning this composition. R. W. E.—(1) Messrs. Robson & Co., 23, Coventry Street, Piccadilly, London, have recently issued a catalogue of portraits which includes several pictorial representations of the old masters; (2) Dotted Crotchet' informs us that he has not yet done Chester Cathedral, but that he has it on his list. R. J.-The sermon preached by the Rev. William Jones (of Nayland) on Psalm xcviii, v. 6, entitled The nature and excellence of Music,' was published in London in the year 1787, and it was subsequently included in that musical divine's collected works issued in 1801, vol. vi., p. 110. These books are out of print, but they might be obtained through a second-hand bookseller whose speciality is Theology. FINGERING-You will find much valuable information upon the fingering of pianoforte music' in Mr. Franklin Taylor's Technique and expression in pianoforte playing' (Novello). The same author's Primer of pianoforte playing' (Macmillan) contains some useful hints on the subject. Both books are furnished with music-type examples. MELODY.-Biographical Sketches, with special portraits, of Mr. Walter Macfarren, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, and Professor Prout, appeared in the issues of THE MUSICAL TIMES for January, 1898, June, 1898, and April, 1899, respectively. The publishers have a limited number of copies of the last two numbers from which they can supply you. A. E. P.-The high note was doubtless attacked in an unguarded manner while your voice was not in very good condition. Do not be discouraged thereby, but make a note to be careful. You ask us to prescribe a cure for nervousness. The only answer is-in confidence. KITTY.-The article by Liszt on Robert Franz appeared in the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (Schumann's paper) of it, and in this extended form it appeared as a pamphlet in Liszt afterwards amplified November 23 and 30, 1855. 1872 by F. E. C. Leuckart, of Leipzig. J. L-The St. Ann's Fugue is only relatively easy compared with other similar compositions from Bach's pen. Your non-organist friend is probably one of those dispensers of opinion who airily say such things without the authority resulting from knowledge. A. W. L.-The following sacred duets for soprano and bass may meet with your approval:- It is of the Lord's great mercies' (Molique); Blessed is the soul of him Come and let us go up,' and that feareth the Lord,' 'Blessed be the name of God' (Macfarren). NEMO.-Messrs. Novello will upon application supply you with a list of cantatas, published with pianoforte and harmonium accompaniments, suitable for a newlyformed choral society of average ability.' Weber's Invitation à la valse' the direction ritard un R. W. B.-Pochettino is a diminutive of poco. pochettino may be interpreted a tiny bit slower.' W. G. W. G.-Brown and Stratton's British Musical Biography is published by Mr. S. S. Stratton, 14, Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. A. J. H.-Any of the tenor songs named in the list F. E. S.' in our last issue can be obtained given to through any music-seller. JAP.-Yes. Messrs Novello have a music circulating library, and they will supply you with application. The music can be sent by post. M. G. C.-The Hon. Secretary of the Summerscales Musical Competitions is Allan Bradley, Esq. His address is Keighley. terms on L. J. G.-Playing the flute will not have an injurious effect on your voice, on the contrary, it will help to strengthen your lungs. |