Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1900 — Wagner as a Humorist [ARTICLE]

Wagner as a Humorist

When Wagner’s energy was not oxpended in his art work, sayr Gustav Kobbe, in “Wagner’s Personality” in the Forum, it found vent in many humorous sallies. ' He once quoted his teacher’s remark that he would never learn to play the piano. “But,” he added, “I play a great deal better than Berlioz.” The wagglshaess of this remark lies in the fact that Berlioz could not play at all. During a rehearsal of the “Rlenzi” overture In Dresden, the trombones were too loud. Instead of rebuking the mangrily, he said, with a laugh: "Gentlemen,, we are In Dresden, not marching around the walls of Jericho.” - After “Tanhauser” was brought out, a German composer of little note, named Chellard, said that the “Song to the Evening Star” was “wrongly harmonized,” and suggested certain harmonies which should be substituted for those employed by Wagner. ‘When Wagner was among friends It was one of his favorite diversions to seat himself at the piano and sing the “Song to the Evening Star,’’a ia Chellard.