Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 4, No. 4 (1930-01)

January, 1930 The Phonograph Monthly Review 113 ship, and in emotional power and interpretative ability. He became bandmaster of the famous Gilmore 22nd Regiment Band of New York, and thereafter, conductor of the Pittsburgh Sym- phony Orchestra. Eventually he organized and conducted for many years his own permanent or- chestra in New York City. But, after all, these manifold activities and suc- cesses, enough to insure lasting fame, to any one individual, are all overshadowed by Victor Her- bert's extraordinary and uninterrupted success as a composer of music. It is in this capacity that he is best and most generally remembered, and it is as a composer that his claim to lasting fame is justified. Moreover, though he wrote many compositions for the 'cello, for orchestra, for the piano and individual vocal numbers, it is as a composer of what are most aptly described as operas comiques, or light operas, that Victor Herbert stands out pre-eminent and unapproach- ed, both in the remarkable quality of his work and the abundant evidence it affords of his un- bounded versatility. His first light opera, written in 1894, for the then famous Bostonians, was “Prince Ananias." It was immediately 1 successful and proved the turning point in Victor Herbert's career. From that time until his death, he was always busy scoring a new light opera, often being engaged on the composition of two or more works simul- taneously. Indeed, there was one memorable year, 1905, immediately after the tremendous suc- cess of “M'lle Modiste," when the privileged visitor to his studio in New York was astounded to find the composer busy with the scores of no less than four different operas—all entirely op- posed in theme and atmosphere, and all subse- quently produced the sarnie season in four dif- ferent metropolitan theatres. Spread out on specially designed desks or easels, were the different and intricate scores, and Victor Herbert apparently thought nothing of turning from one to the other, as he wrote in the countless notes of his rich and colorful har- monies, never for a moment allowing the atmos- phere and requirements of one to interfere with those of another! It was a feat that has probably never been equalled by any composer. In other separate years, he produced from his active brain as many as three different operas. Nearly 50 light opera scores remain as his monument and his gift to the American people and the world generally. That the United States is appreciative of his gift is indicated by the en- thusiastic support that has been given to the re- vivals of his best works in New York, during the current season, and the eagerness with which Boston is proving its interest in these same re- vivals, under the direction of Lee and J. J. Shu- bert, which are to be seen during the next 10 weeks at the Majestic Theatre. When the City of Boston extended a greeting to Victor Herbert, in the form of a municipal lun- cheon, tendered him at the Elks' Club, then located in Somerset Street, I had the honor to serve as chairman of the local committee. No man can ever forget the marvelous person- ality of Victor Herbert, the cordiality of his greeting, the sincere character of the man, his high consideration and effective aid to the little bands of men and women, who stood upon the threshold of their musical careers, or his modest and unassuming life. Mr. Herbert charmed a representative company of Boston citizens, embracing every profession, by the force of his eloquence and his love for his fel- low man. Victor Herbert passed into the eternal light upon May 26, 1924. He will ever be remembered as a man among men. I loved him for his untiring devotion to his friends, for his high sense of rectitude and honor, for his tender care of those within the shadow of adversity, for his strength of purpose and kindliness of spirit, for his devotion to that beau- tiful faith of unnumbered ages founded upon the rock of Peter, for his constant consideration of the welfare and happiness of those who surround- ed him as companions—these were the attributes of his daily life. Victor Herbert died as he had lived in the serenity of love and faith. The passing of nty dear friend, has always re- minded me of the last hour of the dying regicide of France, for whom Cardinal Richelieu served as religious counselor. The aged monarch requested that the shutters might be raised, that he might see for the last time, the opulent sunlight of Almighty God, as it flooded the palace garden of Versailles. Turning to Cardinal Richelieu, the dying ruler said:— “My brother, death is but the sleep of evening which briefly awaits the dawn of the eternal morning." “I know thou are gone to the home of thy rest— Then why should my soul be so sad? I know thou art gone where the weary are blest, And the mourner looks up and is glad; I know thou hast drank of the Lethe that flows In a land where they do not forget, That sheds over memory only repose, And takes front it only regret." In answer to inquiries, the Indices to Vol- umes I, II and III have been held back by un- avoidable mechanical delays on the press. They are now being rapidly completed and will be mailed out before the end of Decem- ber. Orders may still be entered. Price, $2.00 for the set of three Indices, or $1.00 each.