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Musical Courier 1892-05-11: Vol 24 Iss 638, 1892
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1tien. Pierre Loti, whose real name is Julien Viaud, is a lieutenant in the French navy. It was on shipboard among graceless subalterns he got the name of Loti, which is the Japanese for violet, and it was "Violet" he was called by these discriminating youngsters. As it happens, he is married, his wife being Miss Blanche de Ferrière, whom he espoused in 1886. They live at Rochefort in a house fitted up after the manner of the Orient, where the master wraps himself in a white Oriental burnous, and lives as it were in character.
3Francesco Lamperti Dead.—Lamperti, the famous singing master, has just died in Milan.
5Francesco Lamperti was born at Savona in 1813. His father was a lawyer and his mother was a prima donna of some repute. He showed talent for music when a child, and was placed under the instruction of Pietro Rizzi, of Lodi. He entered the Milan Conservatory in 1820, and studied the piano and harmony under Sommeruga d'Apiano and Pietro Ray. He subsequently began to devote himself to the teaching of singing, and became associated with Masini in the direction of the Teatro Fillodrammatico at Lodi.
7In 1850 he was appointed professor of singing at the Conservatory of Milan, where he taught Angelica Moro, Paganini, Galli, Risarelli, Angeleri and Peralta, and had as private pupils Albani, Campanini, Stoltz, Waldemann, Aldighieri, Vialetti, Derevis, Mariani, Palermi and Everardi. After filling the office of professor at the conservatory for twenty-five years he retired on a pension in 1875, and thereafter devoted himself entirely to private pupils.
9Lamperti was a commendatore and cavaliere of the Order of the Crown of Italy and a member of many foreign academies and orders. He was the author of several series of vocal studies and of a treatise on the art of singing, published by the Ricordis and translated into English by one of his pupils.
11Organ Loft Whisperings.
13WOMEN ORGANISTS IN NEW YORK—WORKS AND WORDS.
15And the deep organ's bursting heart
16Throbs through the shivering air.
18"I TELL you it's all nonsense, sir, a woman can't play the organ; it is too complicated and masterful an instrument for her brain, and then—and then—you see—her limbs are not long enough to manipulate the pedals."
20So spoke the stern committeeman of a conservative church in the West a few years ago. But the girl begged hard to be given a trial, and when it was further learned that she supported herself and mother, was sending a young brother through Harvard, and moreover could read music like lightning, she was allowed to show what, perchance, she might be able to do. On Sunday morning the possessor of "short limbs" awoke the echoes of that church as they had never before been wakened by playing for her show off piece a magnificent arrangement of "America," on which the florid ornamentation was done solely by the pedals! The man was convinced. The girl remained, married the wealthiest man in the congregation, and is to-day its most shining musical and social light.
22The fact of the matter is that short limbs are better than long ones to manipulate the movable and melodic trestle work that forms the floor of the organ bench. The proper way to "sit" an organ bench is the way a boy sits a rail fence—on the edge, the pendant members swinging free, With this method long limbs will not be found as convenient as short ones. So there!
24I was surprised to learn of three positions held by lady organists in New York. The search for a possible "one more" discovered—seventy-five!
26Among the most important of these are those held by Miss Kate Chittenden at the Calvary Baptist Church; at the Church of the Incarnation by Miss Charlotte Wells; that of Miss H. B. Judd at Dr. Smith's, and Miss Fannie M. Spencer at the Lexington Avenue Baptist Church.
28The women organists do not receive proportionately as good salaries as the men, but then men here do not receive salaries proportionately good with those of other cities. Possibly it is considered that the advantages of living in New York more than balance the balance. Maybe they do!
30It is claimed for women that they make better accompanists than men, being more ready to yield a point to another. For the rest, there is no sex in brain. The organ is like a painter's palette and must have an artistically gifted mind to control it. "A good woman is better than a poor man." As executants, certainly women can be successes, with their infinite patience, minute attention to detail and gifts of imitation. Who knows what they may not yet develop with the change of environment and mental habit that is daily becoming "more and greater"? One thing certain, an organist—man or woman—must have as a foremost quality the gift of utter and complete self effacement and abnegation. Individuality must take other direction than that of accompaniment.
32Miss Kate Chittenden has for fourteen years been organist of Dr. McArthur's Calvary Baptist Church on Fifty-seventh street, near Music Hall. A woman of rare musical gifts as well as nobility and strength of character, her life is devoted to the training of teachers and the preparation of the principles of music as applied to education. Master of the science of harmony, she believes in its inculcation with the "first lessons," and that "playing" should not be taught without it. A composer of classic mold, the church is indebted to her for many of its most delightful services. Her organ of seventy-one stops and combinations is one of the most beautiful toned in the city. The choir are seated in front of the congregation, and the choir work is so sympathetic that Dr. McArthur frequently weaves it into his service, saying: "Let us continue to pray" or "As the choir have taught us."
34Miss Evalina Hartz, the soprano, has sung here thirteen years. Mr. C. J. Bushnell, elder brother of Mr. Eric Bushnell, of Dr. Paxton's church, is baritone. The contralto, Mrs. J. W. Macy, is in her fifth year, and for two years Mr. A. G. Thies' melodious tenor has helped wing souls heavenward, while at the same time the voice of his pretty little wife is on a like mission toward Brooklyn skies from over the brass rods of a Catholic temple.
36Mrs. Hartz, a delicate woman and a remarkably fine pianist, has phenomenal sight reading powers, and rises to every emergency, seen and unseen, in choir discipline. She sings besides, I believe, in a synagogue at Sixty-fifth street and Madison avenue, and is a successful teacher. Mrs. Macy, who was Miss Sophie Heck, has a lovely mellow contralto. Mr. Bushnell fairly sings himself into the love and effect of everyone who hears him. He makes a specialty of unaccompanied solos at funerals which are electric in their plaintive sympathy. A concert soloist, he is one of the principal baritones of the Musurgia Society. Essentially a soloist, Mr. Thies uses his own taste in his art and shows an intelligent ohe. Probably "In native worth" never had a mere finished reading than his.
38This quartet is supplemented by two male voices, permitting male and female quartet. Artists are permitted to give their own reading of solos, but Miss Chittenden has the control of concerted work.
40Mr. E. B. Harper, of the Mutual Reserve Insurance Company, is an interested member, genial and liberal. Mr. Wm. A. Cauldwell is also musically prominent. A good poet, together with his wife, who is a fine musician, he arranges many beautiful services.
42Miss Chittenden does not object to the combining of secular airs with sacred words, provided the whole be kept in character and that a too flagrant breach of the sacred sentiment be not made.
44As to "legitimate" organ playing, she wisely says: "Many things must be considered besides traditions. A congregation is a miscellaneous assembly and the method of appeal to them must be made effective. One who would improve the taste of hearers must not be despotic, but judicious. Bach is good food for a student, but poor for the average congregation." Though not a conventional player, Miss Chittenden never strays from good taste. She gets all the effect possible from the instrument. She has not the time to study solo playing. The choir rehearse on Saturdays.
46The church building is one of the most perfect specimens of Gothic architecture to be found in the city. The work upon it is all typical of sincerity. There is not a touch of paint or varnish in the furnishing, every particle of wood work being hand polished. The pulpit, of solid bronze, cost in the neighborhood of $4,000, and as a piece of bronze art is worth it. Dr. McArthur is a thorough philanthropist, dealing constantly with the needs of the poor and wretched of all classes.
48The Lexington Avenue Baptist Church certainly has no cause to complain of the choir work done under the leadership of Miss Fannie M. Spencer, who, besides being an organist, is student, conductor, professional accompanist, concert player and a composer of high merit.
50Her choir is quartet, with an auxiliary of twenty-five voices. Her plan is to rehearse choir and chorus separately. Uncompromising in her horror of trashy composition she is a great stickler for the heavier composition even in church. Buck, Barnaby, Mendelssohn, Stainer and works of the severe English school are sung as well as possible, and she plays the Widor symphonies, Rheinberger sonatas, the works of Thiele, Merkel, Guilmant, Saint-Saëns and the Bach fugues with fidelity and conscience. The responses sung at evening service have been taken from a collection of original hymn tunes of Miss Spencer's own composition.
52The church is a very active one; the minister enthusiastic and magnetic. Among the prominent members are Mr. John Beaver, treasurer of the Third avenue surface road; Mr. J. B. Coe, clerk of the Supreme Court; Mr. John Bell, Wm. H. H. Holton, customs inspector.
54Miss Spencer gave eighteen organ recitals during the past season. She conducts a society of fifty voices—the Lexington Avenue Choral Society—and a male quartet which sometimes sings in the church services.
56She thinks "the live minister interested in the music of the church as an educational as well as a devotional and spiritual performance does much to increase the attendance of his congregation," while the clerical mistake of the day is "centring attention upon the winning of souls with the idea that music is quite a secondary affair only for the frivolous."
58She thinks also that organists are paid too little, especially the younger ones. "People forget or do not know the outlay of money, time and exhaustive nerve force necessary to obtain a musical education," and that "the minister and the choir are too unevenly divided as regards money matters."
60Miss Spencer was the only lady represented on the program of the last Manuscript Society concert. EDGAR.
62HOME NEWS.
64The New York Philharmonic Club.—Mr. Eugene Weiner, the director of the New York Philharmonic Club, is already in the field for the coming season's business, many engagements having been concluded with managers and societies with whom the club appeared last season.
66The past season was the fourteenth since the organization of the club, and it came to a close last Tuesday with a concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mr. Weiner reports that he gave 135 concerts, traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific States, visiting all the principal cities, including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, St. Paul, Portland, Tacoma and other cities on the Pacific Coast, meeting with extraordinary success both as to musical appreciation and as to finances.
68The organization gave also subscription concerts in this vicinity, and the assisting soloists on these occasions were Mrs. De Vere-Sapio, Mrs. Fursch-Madi, Miss Marion S. Weed, Italo Campanini, Emil Fischer, Adele Aus der Ohe, May Lyle Smith and Richard Hoffman.
70The soloist of the grand Western tour was Miss Marion S. Weed, who will also assist next season, which will consist of two distinct tours through the country. The intermediate weeks will be devoted to the usual subscription concerts in New York and other neighboring cities.
72Mr. Droop Plays.—Mr. E. H. Droop has worn a "very much pleased" expression during the week. On the day after the Brice musicale Miss Margaret Reid sang several songs for the entertainment of the family at the White House, Mr. Droop playing the accompaniments. Miss Reid expressed her pleasure and thanks for his artistic work in such terms that earthly affairs have received little attention since.—Washington "Post."
74Daily Organ Concerts.—Dr. Minor C. Baldwin will give a series of twelve organ concerts in Association Hall, corner Twenty-third street and Fourth avenue, commencing Monday afternoon, May 19, at 4 P. M., and continuing daily (except Sunday) until May 28. There will be a change of program each day.
76Arveschou's Concert.—The testimonial concert given Mr. Albert Arveschou in Hardman Hall, Tuesday afternoon of last week, was a very successful affair. The audience was large and greatly appreciated the excellent program. Mr. Arveschou was assisted by Mrs. Tyler-Dutton, soprano; Mrs. Frederic Dean, contralto; Mr. Victor Herbert, 'cello and Mr. Harry Pepper, tenor. Mr. Harry Rowe Shelley played the accompaniments.
78Harry Pepper's Concert.—Mr. Harry Pepper gave one of his illustrated lectures on the ballad in Hardman Hall, Wednesday evening of last week, illustrating his lectures with ballads by Knight, Davy, Horn, Lovers and others, given in his well-known manner. The affair was well attended and much enjoyed.
80Miss Weed and the Philharmonic Club.—Miss Marion Weed will be the prima donna soprano of the New York Philharmonic Club on the tours next season.
82Mr. Eugene Weiner.—Mr. Eugene Weiner, the director of the New York Philharmonic Club, has several manuscripts dedicated to the club by Heinrich Hofmann, S. Jadassohn, Theo. Gouvey and other noted foreign composers, which will be included in next season's concert program.
84A Free Handel Festival.—A Händel festival, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the first performance of Händel's "Messiah," will be given by Mr. Wm. C. Carl on Saturday afternoon of this week in the First Presbyterian Church, Fifth avenue and Twelfth street, at 4 o'clock. Mr. Carl will be assisted by Miss Ida W. Hubbell, soprano; Mr. Wm. H. Rieger, tenor; Mr. Ericsson F. Bushnell, basso; Mr. Adolph Hartdegen, 'cello; Mr. Wm. A. Brice, organist, and a chorus directed by Mr. F. G. Dossert. The admission will be without ticket.
86The New York College of Music.—The final concert of the New York College of Music for the present season will be given at Chickering Hall on Thursday evening.
88He Wanted Scalchi or His Money.—Montreal, May 7.—In February last Horace St. Louis purchased a ticket for $7 to the Academy of Music for a performance of "Faust," in which Mrs. Scalchi was announced to sing. Mrs. Scalchi failed to appear and St. Louis brought suit against the theatre managers for the price of his ticket on the ground that they had not fulfilled their contract. The
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