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Musical Courier 1893-01-04: Vol 26 Iss 670, 1893
76 lines. Read by computer on 20 September 2026. Printed page 21. See the scan on archive.org.
1and the thirty-two variations in Beethoven's C minor—and all this at 3 in the morning!
3On the afternoon of Wednesday Miss Clara Krause, of Berlin, entertained an audience with a two hours' recital on the piano. Miss Krause's playing is marked by vigor, not always well shaded, her pianissimo passages being frequently deprived of their delicacy by too strong a touch. With some further suggestions from one of our first piano masters she will undoubtedly benefit.
5Miss Peck sang "Miriam's Song of Triumph" with feeling, but her physique is not calculated to impress her audiences with a sense of declamatory power sufficient to render heroic songs effectively.
7Mr. Marzen sang his songs acceptably, being but slightly marred by some nervousness and the chilled condition of the theatre, which was enough to make one's teeth chatter.
9The feature of the evening performance on Thursday was the orchestral and choral concert. This is the first time in the history of State conventions that an orchestra has been employed, and its success was so great that it may be assumed that no convention will hereafter occur without this invaluable aid to the success of such meetings. The "Festival Te Deum" in C, of Mr. Carl Retter, who conducted his own work, is a noble example of broad and virile writing, and the audience was aroused to an enthusiastic pitch of excitement both by the beautiful orchestration and the lovely melodies in the solo parts for the vocalists. Mr. Retter held his instrumentalists well under control and guided them with the certainty of thorough knowledge of his subject and how it should be presented.
11The names of the soloists will be found in the program, but special mention should be made of Miss Shearer, of Reading, who possesses a soprano voice of great beauty and purity. Her method is free from affectation and she sings with ease, attacking her work with the sure touch of a practiced and trained artist. In rich contrast to Miss Shearer's bright voice was the full and mellow contralto of Miss Brady, the qualities of the two voices blending beautifully in the duets set for their interpretation. Mr. Retter is to be congratulated upon the success of his work, and it is to be hoped that he may be engaged at the next convention, when he may produce another.
13The concerto for piano and orchestra of Raff was finely illustrated by the orchestra, with Mr. Leefson at the piano.
15The last morning of the convention, Thursday, was a sort of winding up time, and only the masterly efforts of the presiding officer kept it from being badly confused. A recital had been named for 11 o'clock, but owing to pressure of business it could not be given. The artist, Miss Cornelia Dyas, was there, the piano was there, both waiting for their share in the work of the day. Some postponed business was introduced, and a vote was taken whether the business should continue or be postponed. A standing vote followed to continue the business and to permit the piano recital to wait for half an hour. President Berg warned the convention that the business in hand would delay them for at least an hour, but when the vote was taken nearly all the ladies in the association voted to continue business, and when they afterward found that the recital would be postponed for an hour indignantly left the theatre—which shows that our fair friends were never intended by their Maker to act as lawmakers or parliamentarians. They had the business or the recital in their hands to do with as they pleased, but let their opportunity slip until too late to recall it, and then blamed the presiding officer, secretary and everybody else but their own fair selves.
17The brilliancy of the afternoon performance on Thursday fully requited the disappointed auditors of the morning. The honors of the day fell to Miss Lois Belle Cory, of Grove City, Pa., where this lady is mistress of vocal instruction in the college in that city. Miss Cory exhibits a highly trained voice, free from any excess of method, her downright common sense saving her from any false efforts to create an impression. Indeed, there is no fear of Miss Cory doing anything of the kind, for her studies abroad have not only given her a true appreciation of the value of vocal work but a self poise and quiet confidence characterize her work, and this led the audience comfortably to sink into their seats with the safe assurance that a treat was in store for them. And such proved to be the case.
19Mr. Heffley played a number of selections from the classics, interspersed with others of simpler nature, and acquitted himself with high credit.
21Take it altogether the convention of 1892 in Reading may be regarded as highly successful, both from an artistic and practical point of view. Much valuable business was discussed and digested, and the friendly feelings evoked in the numerous discussions only served to bring all the members into a closer intimacy. For this reason, if not for others, these conventions are valuable, as they bring together a body of people of a high order of intelligence, and the attrition of one bright mind with another will inevitably result in fruition, of which the musical world at large will feel the benefit.
23President Berg was warmly thanked for his untiring efforts to make the convention a success, and he modestly bowed his acknowledgments when a unanimous standing vote was taken to express the sense of the association's appreciation of his labors.
25Mr. Southworth, of Scranton, was elected president for the ensuing year, and the next convention will occur in his city next winter, days and hours of which will in due time appear in these columns.
27S. H. T.
29Jennie Dutton Goes to Egypt.—Jennie Dutton, the well known soprano, sailed yesterday for Europe, en route for Egypt, where she will spend the winter.
31Goldbeck in Berlin.—Some of Robert Goldbeck's orchestral works (Mexican dances, idylls, &c.) were recently played at composers' concerts in Berlin, the orchestra being under the direction of Meyder, who, however, temporarily resigned his place to permit Mr. Goldbeck to conduct his own works. The success was pronounced, and brought about an engagement with Mr. Goldbeck to play his second concerto at a concert soon to be given. This is the concerto to be played at the M. T. N. A. meeting at the Academy of Music here in 1885. Mr. Goldbeck resides at Seehof, near Tetlow, a suburb of Berlin.
33"Gioconda," by Ponchielli, in Leipzig; the "Cavalleria" in Dresden; "A Santa Lucia," "Mala Vita," "Pagliacci" and "Amico Fritz" in Berlin. He compares the reception to these works to that accorded to "Genesius" and "Loreley," and says "Germany is afflicted with Mascagnitis."
35The Oratorio "Christus."—The Neue Sangverein, of Stuttgart, produced for the first time the "Christus" of Friedrich Kiel, under the direction of Ernest H. Seyffardt. The success of the work was in great part due to the soloists, Mrs. Emilie Wirth and Mr. Hromada.
37A Chemnitz Festival.—The performance of Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" was the most important part of the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Singakademie. Theodor Schneider directed.
39The French in Berlin.—The Bouffes Parisiens, which have not been out of France since the war, were announced to appear in the Apollo Theatre on New Year's Day.
41A Delicate Compliment.—At the production of "Carmen" at Windsor Castle Sir Augustus Harris introduced into the scene of the smugglers a view of Gibraltar, to the great gratification of the Queen.
43Aug. Fischer.—The symphonic poem "Gretchen im Dom," by the Dresden director, Aug. Fischer, has been produced with great success in Switzerland.
45A. Baumann.—Rubinstein's two day sacred opera of "Moses" will be produced this year in Brünn by the enterprising Adolf Baumann. The composer takes the highest interest in this undertaking, which will be a regular musical festival.
47Rearrangements.—Teddy Solomon is the leader of a campaign against the botchers of operettas. The victims of this treatment have been the English versions of "Cœur et la Main" and "Ma Mie Rosette" into which Ivan Carlyl has injected ten airs of his own. In most instances the original work has entirely disappeared. To the assertion that the French composers rather like this skinning process, Messrs. Audran and Lecocq have protested violently. The wicked man in the affair seems to be the London agent of the "Society of French Composers," who absolutely supplied the interrelated numbers.
49A Woman Composer.—The Italian journals announce that Albina Benedetti (born De Busky), a lady of a noble Hungarian family, has written an opera in four acts, both score and libretto. It is expected to be brought out at Rome.
51Strakosch at Trieste.—Mr. Strakosch announces the engagement for the next season of Gemma Bellincioni, Avelina Careta, Myrtha French, Margherita Reid, Maria Roelants, Muzzoli-Orini, Febea Strakosch, and Messrs. Roberto Stagno, Lhérie, Sammarco, Roveri and Monchero. He also announces a Wagnerian concert conducted by Hans Richter and a French one by Colonne.
53A New Lyric Drama.—At the Grand Theatre, Paris, a lyric drama by Samuel Rousseau and G. Montorgueil, entitled "Merowig," has been lately introduced. This work was "crowned" at the last competition in Paris.
55A New Entertainment.—The poet Charles Grandmougin has given a new entertainment, consisting of poems recited by known authors, with dramatic music, and the subjects are represented by colored views from a magic lantern during the recitation.
57FORGIVEN.
59Every church soloist will wish to sing the new Offertory "Forgiven," by John Hyatt Brewer, one of the noblest and most effective sacred songs published in many years. A distinguished critic says of this song in the Buffalo "Sunday Morning News:"
61"Calm and devotional feeling, artistic treatment and pure vocal writing displayed throughout this composition should strongly recommend it to all who can appreciate real, unconventional religious music."
63Edition for Soprano or Tenor in F.; range E flat to G. For Contralto, Mezzo-Soprano or Baritone in C, range B to D. At Ditson's. Price 40 cents.
65Published by PHELPS MUSIC COMPANY, 52 and 54 Lafayette Place, New York.
67(Incorporated May 1, 1891.)
69NEW YORK VOCAL INSTITUTE.
70FRANK HERBERT TUBBS, Musical Director.
7197 Fifth Avenue, New York City
72COMPLETE EDUCATION IN VOCAL MUSIC.
73Singers naturally prefer study where Voice Culture and Singing receive chief attention. All the teachers use the same method. Homes selected for pupils. Circulars sent on request.
75NEW YORK VOCAL INSTITUTE, 97 Fifth Avenue.
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