MUSICAL NOTES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 150, 26 November 1874, Page 2

MUSICAL NOTES.

“ Give me leave to speak my mind .” Of course I need not say that the principal events in musical circles anxiously looked forward to is the advent of Madame Goddard in Christchurch. Tuesday next in the calendar of lovers of music, should be marked with a white stone, as an era not soon to be forgotten in the musical history of Christchurch . Of Madame Goddard’s talents as an exponent of the works of the great masters it is not for me to speak, they are familiar as household words wherever Englishmen have congregated, but I may simply note a few facts in the career of the distinguished artiste who is about to visit us, to show how great a treat we may expect during her unhappily short stay amongst us. Madame Goddard, as well as rendering famous those fantasias on popular airs by her master, Thalberg. has done more, perhaps, than any living artiste to popularise and resume from the unmerited oblivion to which a flood of ephemeral pieces had consigned them the richest gems of melody of Beethoven Bach and others of the great masters of the musical art—Beethoven more particularly has become more widely known and appreciated by those efforts, and Madame Goddard’s rendering of his Sonata in B flat from memory in connection with the concerts of the Quartette Association must be regarded as a triumph never before achieved by any pianiste. To Madame Goddard, however, this was a labour of love, and she received her reward by the appreciation which followed her repetition of the feat in Berlin—in a country which has always been looked upon as the home of music—Madame Goddard’s farewell to England in 1872, when setting out on her tour to these colonies, wan one of the greatest musical events which has taken place even in England for years, the most talented musicians of the day attending to render the valedictory of England’s greatest pianiste a triumphant success. Therefore it is that I regard Madame Goddard’s visit amongst us not in the light of receiving the greatest artiste in her particular line—not as a mere matter of curiosity—but as an opportunity of perfecting, of aiding our musical education, of refining the tastes of the people by hearing the grand music of Beethoven, Mozart, &c.. rendered in a way worthy of their genius. As such I regard the concerts to be given next week, and in that light I hope our musical people will regard them, and make the best use of the opportunity thus afforded them. While saying this, I hope we shall have some of those lighter pieces with which Madame Goddard’s name is inseparably connected. “ Home, sweet home,” and “The last rose of summer,” unclassical and simple melodies though they be, yet find responsive echoes in the hearts of all of us, while it is the privilege of but a few—comparatively speaking—to be able to appreciate to their fullest extent Beethoven’s or Mozart’s sonatas, or Mendelssohn’s Lieder ohne ivorte.

For the opening piece of her first programme I believe Madame Goddard has selected Beethoven’s sonata in A flat (op. 26) one of the finest and most effective works of the master. It comprises five movements, the andante with which it opens having five variations upon the theme ; this is followed by scherzo trio, the funeral march, and concluding with a brilliant allegro finale. The second item will be Thalberg’s fantasia on airs from “ Don Giovanni,” introducing the serenade and brilliant variations. This piece was composed expressly for Madame Goddard. The final piece in which Madame Goddard will appear is a fantasia on Scotch airs, arranged by Jules de Sevrai, introducing the most popular airs of “ Auld Scotia.” From this even it will be seen that a rich musical treat may be anticipated ; but we have also the artistes who will assist Madame Goddard. Of these Mrs Smythe(a lady who has accompanied Madame Goddard throughout her tour), possesses a full sweet soprano voice, and has achieved marked success during her travels. HerrDoehler, soloviolinist from the Crystal Palace, comes to us with a high reputation as a musician, and is spoken of as master of the difficult instrument which he has made his speciality. Mr Rainford is well known here, and needs no remarks of mine to ensure a favorable reception, Mr Skinner is well spoken of as a tenor voice of good tone, and Mr Harcourfe Lee, the conductor, has earned golden opinions during the tour of the company. Last, but not least, I must not omit to mention Mr R, S. Smythe, Madame Goddard’s agent, whose success in this important department is well known. Most of my readers will recollect him as visiting Christchurch in the capacity of agent to that most genial of entertainers Robert Heller. Under his able superintendence visitors may rely that their comfort will be attended to.

The Opera Company are drawing to a close with their season. I hope before they go they will give us “ Faust” and “ Cinderella.” To night “Der Freischutz,” which is really excellently played and mounted,, will be given. Miss Rosina Carandini gives one of her enjoyable concerts at Lyttelton tonight, for which a most attractive programme has been issued. I hope that shortly we shall have one in Christchurch,, for I can safely say that we have not had sothoroughly good a series of concerts in all their details as those given by this talented lady during the race week. I see that in Dunedin recently they gave Barnett’s cantata of “ Paradise and thePeri ” most successfully. I hope the daywill soon arise when our musical societies will see the necessity of beginning at tne bottom of the ladder and working up, instead of starting from the top of the tree and making but a partial success. Let us do these cantatas and music of that kind well; let us be thoroughly grounded before we attempt the greater works, and I feel sure the progress of music amongst us, though perhaps not quite so ambitious, will be upon a much firmer and more enduring basis. CROTCHET.