Scan 30
Musical Courier 1895-01-09: Vol 30 Iss 774, 1895
131 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 31. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1OTTAWA.
2OTTAWA, Canada, December 28, 1894.
4DECEMBER 11 the Ottawa Amateur Orchestral Society and Schumann Vocal Club gave their first performance in Harmony Hall. Professor Koehler's pupils in violin gave an interesting evening in Grant's Concert Hall, and December 19 Mr. Watkin Mills made his initial bow to an Ottawa audience in the Grand Opera House. Mr. Mills was assisted by Miss Guerra da Pontoura and Mr. Blandford. Of the singing of Mr. Mills it is impossible to speak too highly. His first solo, "Honor and Arms," prepared his audience for a revelation in singing, and "Why do the nations" capped the climax of expectation. Such a full, round, mellow voice, such vocalization, such exquisite treatment has not been hitherto experienced in our good city. Mr. Mills was vociferously redemanded again and again. His support was good. Of Mr. Koehler's violin pupils much can be said in praise. Their ensemble playing was very good indeed, the attack firm and decided, the general rendition well up to the mark. Miss Ethelyn Bailey, one of Mr. Koehler's leading pupils, reflected great credit on herself and her instructor. Her playing was clean and crisp. Miss Bailey played "Fantasie Poétique" and "Danse Hongroise," both compositions of Mr. Koehler, with good judgment, verve and most intelligently, as also a fantasia from "Der Freischütz," by Moeser. Madame Arcand, soprano, and some leading amateurs assisted. Madame Arcand created very deservedly an excellent impression and was well received.
6As to the Orchestral Society event it was simply impossible to obtain admission, the hall was so crowded, and tickets could not be had. I am reliably informed, however, that the vocal society did very well, and that the orchestra conducted itself with great credit to its leader, Mr. F. M. S. Jenkins. The program was moderately difficult, and received good treatment.
8Mr. Otto Dupernal, violinist, gave a concert November 28, which was well attended and listened to with interest. Mr. Dupernal played very nicely, and was assisted by some clever German amateur talent.
10H. G. D.
12SYRACUSE.
13SYRACUSE, N. Y., December 25, 1894.
15NOW that the mental and physical strain attendant upon the preparation of a somewhat elaborate Christmas program is over, your correspondent will again assume the task of reporting the musical doings of this town.
17Christmas music was fully up to the average. At Park Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Geo. A. Roff is the director, and your correspondent the organist, the regular quartet was assisted by a chorus and Mr. Emil Winkler, cellist.
19The vocal numbers were by Shelley, Neidlinger, Schnecker and others. Mr. Winkler played numbers by Gabriel Marie and Goltermann. The organ numbers were by Grison, Lemmens, Salome, and the third organ sonata by Alex. Guilmant.
21The first concert given by the Beethoven Trio, of this city, Mr. Geo. A. Parker, pianist; Mr. Conrad L. Becker, violinist, and Mr. Emil Winkler, cellist, was given in the Woman's Union Hall, December 10. The tickets, limited to 300 and sold by subscription, were all taken, and many came who could not be accommodated for lack of room. It was a success and received well merited applause. Mr. Parker was in splendid form, and his playing was a genuine surprise to all. The other participants did creditably, and there is no doubt that the remaining concerts in the series, to be given January 28 and March 11, will show a marked improvement in the work of all. Miss Lund was in excellent voice. Following is the program:
23Trio in C minor, op. 1, No. 3………………………..Beethoven
24Song, "Die Lorelei"………………………………………Liszt
25Concerto for 'cello, in B minor…………………….Goltermann
26Songs—
27"Der Verwundete"………………………………………Grieg
28"Auf der Reise zur Heimat"……………………………Grieg
29Trio in F major, op. 15……………………………Rubinstein
31The Symphony Orchestra's first concert for the season was given in Wieting Opera House, December 17. While the work of the orchestra was hardly up to that of former concerts by this society, it was good and deserved a crowded house. The interest of the evening centred upon the work of Mr. Bernhard Brewer, a young violinist, a pupil of Franz Kneisel, of Boston, who has recently moved to this city. Mr. Brewer has abundant technic and genuine musical enthusiasm in his work, and has demonstrated on several occasions, both in private and in public, that he is a welcome addition to local musical circles. The vocalists at the concert were Mrs. Alta Pease Crouse and Mr. Geo. A. Roff. They are local artists of established reputation. Mr. Albert Kuenzlin, as usual, conducted the orchestra, and Mr. Paul F. Thouret was the accompanist.
33The Lotus Club Concert Company, consisting of Mr. Arthur Eltinge, pianist; Mr. William Morrell, violinist; Miss Emily Alvord, elocutionist, and Mr. Franklyn Wallace tenor, gave a concert in Wieting Opera House last Thursday night. They travel under the auspices of the Gildemeester & Kroeger Piano Company.
35Friday evening in Plymouth Church the Marsh Choral Society joined with the Oswego Choral Union in a miscellaneous concert, ending with Barnby's "Rebekah." The solo work was done by Mrs. J. H. Harwood, Mr. Clarence Dillenbech and Mr. Franklyn Wallace. Mr. Louis Phillips presided at the piano, and Mr. Davis supplied the organ parts. Mr. Grove L. Marsh directed, and it was an all around good concert. During the first part of the program Miss Ethel Crafts played a violin solo and also an obligato for a song by our popular contralto, Mrs. G. W. Loop. Miss Crafts is a pupil of Franz Kneisel, resides in Boston, and is a charming artist.
37HENRY W. DAVIS.
39DENVER.
40DECEMBER 29, 1894.
42I WROTE my last letter just before Mr. Everett H. Steele's piano recital, November 27, and though it is late in coming I am glad to give him the praise he so justly earned. Last February Mr. Steele went to Rome and studied diligently with Sgambati. In these few months he has gained marvelously in a certain warmth of tone and freedom of execution. In fact, Sgambati seems to have given him the "backbone" necessary to play well in public.
44The program was attractive—some little pieces of P. E. Bach, arranged and modernized by MacDowell. Of the Sgambati numbers, a gavot proved the most interesting. Miss Mary Church, an amateur but most capable violinist, played an andante cantabile and Seranata Napolitana, also by Sgambati.
46That we hear so little of Sgambati, especially as a pianist, is probably due to his own indifference. Italy is his world, and Rome his "hub." When he makes a foreign engagement he breaks it if possible under Sgambati's direction.
48Among other things, the pupil must play any one of the preludes and fugues from the well tempered clavichord and the Clementi studies, to be selected by the judges at the time of examination. What would the Leipsicers say to that?
50Mr. Steele was highly disgusted that Sgambati had never heard of MacDowell.
52On December 4 occurred the first concert of the Tuesday Musical Club. There was much excellent solo work, but the attraction was the chorus under Mrs. Baker's direction. The selections were delightful, especially "The Fisher," by Horatio Parker. The solo part was taken by Miss Jean Brooks, who possesses a fine dramatic soprano. We shall look forward with pleasure to the next concert.
54Mr. Edwin Hoff has voluntarily retired from the Romandi Sunday night concerts, as his voice requires absolute rest.
56Mrs. Sobrino and Mr. Howard sing on alternate Sundays. The orchestra is much improved, and the programs are more complimentary to the good taste of the audiences.
58Mr. Henry Houseley has composed a cantata, "The Childhood of Christ," which will shortly be sung at St. John's Cathedral.
60The Tavary Opera Company has come and gone. There are many reasons why unalloyed enjoyment was impossible while listening to their performances. But when we remember the great expense of such a company and the comparatively small price for seats we feel that much credit is due Mr. Pratt for giving us "half a loaf" when a whole one is impossible this side of the Mississippi. Therefore we hope Mme. Tavary and company will call again.
62Miss Lucile Du Pré, the young violinist, who left New York two years ago to study with Marsick in Paris, has settled for the present in Denver. Marsick was to have brought her out at the Cologne concerts, but her health failed after a year's study. She was introduced to us at a private musicale given by Miss Jeanette Hall. She pleased a very musical company, which means that she was a success.
64The Princeton Glee Club made music on December 24 and 25. Not being a good judge of college songs, banjos or mandolins, I am unable to say how they performed.
66Mr. and Mrs. Sobrino, Mrs. Smissaert, Mr. Paul Stoeving and Mr. Frederic Howard have announced recitals for January. Have you seen the "Rocky Mountain News" for Christmas Day? It was published by the Woman's Club and we are very proud of it.
68CORDELIA D. SMISSAERT.
70SYRACUSE.
71SYRACUSE, N. Y., December 30, 1894.
73VERY earnest efforts are being made to place the Symphony Society on a more substantial basis. The society has struggled nobly against adversity. What is needed is that the lovers of music who are in good financial circumstances shall go down into their pockets and contribute liberally to place it upon a firm footing both artistically and financially. One generous individual has since the society's last concert sent a check for a handsome sum. Could twenty more be induced to follow suit Director Kuenzlin would carry out his cherished ambitions, and give a series of concerts which would compare favorably with similar ones in other towns.
75Mr. Kuenzlin now has a scheme for a grand orchestral and choral concert. The most important work to be given will be Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," with chorus of 100 voices and orchestra.
77Dr. George A. Parker returned yesterday from New York, whither he has been to attend a meeting of the program committee of the State Music Teachers' Association. Dr. Parker, who is the originator of the Beethoven Trio Club, which gave such a delightful concert a few weeks ago, is a practical, level-headed, common sense musician. All that he does has a wholesome flavor, and as an organist and teacher of the organ he has few superiors. I sincerely believe that with so practical and intelligent a teacher, and such a magnificent new three manual organ for pupils' use, Crouse College offers opportunities for the study of the organ and its literature that are unexcelled.
79Many changes in local choirs occur this week. The chorus at Plymouth Church will be replaced by a quartet, with Miss Uni Lund, soprano; Miss Alice Oliver, contralto; Mr. Joseph Bogette, tenor; Mr. Carl Downing, bass. Mr. Wallace will go to the First Presbyterian Church; Mr. James to the Fourth Presbyterian. Miss Grace McKinstry and Mrs. Harriet Millar Smith, with Mr. Everard Calthrop, will be the new members in the quartet at the First Baptist. Your correspondent is the new organist in the Temple of Concord, the leading Jewish church.
81Mr. Wulf Fries, the veteran 'cellist, of Boston, has been entertaining numerous admirers here during the past week.
83Leopold Godowsky will give a recital at the Bastable Theatre a week from to-morrow night. Also, Adele Aus der Ohe will appear under the auspices of the Morning Musical Club at the Woman's Union Hall February 1.
85HENRY W. DAVIS.
87CLEVELAND.
88CLEVELAND, Ohio, January 2, 1895.
90THE lull in the musical life—evident during the holidays—is past. A multitude of recitals is to be given shortly.
92The Fortnightly Club expects ere long to bring to Cleveland Adele Aus der Ohe and the Thomas Orchestra. This club fills an important part in our musical life.
94It may please you to learn of the success of your correspondent, and hence I subjoin a clipping taken from a prominent Cleveland weekly: "Prof. Johannes Wolfram, Ph. D., was significantly honored last Friday evening. Mrs. John Huntington, one of the leading ladies of Cleveland, tendered him a reception at her palatial home, 847 Prospect street. About 150 invited guests were present. Dr. Wolfram, being solicited, spoke at length upon the Troubadours, Minnesingers and Meistersingers in their relation to Wagner's music dramas. He illustrated his lecture, playing brilliantly excerpts from the Wagnerian works—especially those translated by Franz Liszt. Professor Oliney lauded Dr. Wolfram and welcomed him to Cleveland, speaking of the evening as an ideal one. Dr. Thwing, president of the Adelbert College, spoke in a similar vein. The Cleveland dailies gave considerable space to a résumé of the event. The many friends of Dr. Wolfram will be glad to learn that his merits are finding enthusiastic recognition."
96Messrs. Wilson G. Smith and N. Coe Stewart, who represented the Cleveland profession at Delaware, Ohio, during the State Music Teachers' Convention, have returned home. Mr. Blakeslee, director of the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, was elected president. The best choice that could have been made! Scarcely 100 persons, and these only in part active members, were in attendance.
98Mr. George Lennon, the vocal instructor, has taken unto himself a wife, viz., a Miss Klostermeyer, said to be beautiful and accomplished.
100VON ESCHENBACH.
102PHILADELPHIA.
103PHILADELPHIA, January 7, 1895.
105THE past week has been principally remarkable for the announcement of the many good things in store for musical Philadelphia in the near future. THE MUSICAL COURIER's enumeration of the many advantages possessed by our great city has created a profound impression. Modest Philadelphia wakes up as it were and finds herself famous. The correspondent's dream is prophetic. The revelation has begun. But we will live true to our reputation in one other respect. There will be no hurry and scurry of false sentiment to end in disaster, but the progress will be steady and sure. The lessons of the past will be heeded. Every loss that has been suffered in the past will be regarded as just so much capital invested.
107This development, however, will not constitute a field wherein the mere desire for personal and selfish notoriety will be rewarded.
109Many of the noblest schemes in music fail by reason of personal "cantankerousness" over unimportant details.
111Peace will be the Quaker watchword in the creation of a greater musical Philadelphia. With this caution the musical world is invited to help us.
113The most important event of the week was the second appearance of Bernhard Stavenhagen and Master Jean Gerardy. I give the program in full:
115Fantasie, op. 17…………………………………………Schumann one of two readings
116Fantasie, op. 17…………………………………………..Schumann one of two readings
117Suite, Andante, Serenade, Tarantelle…………………..Herbert
118Sonata No. 3……………………………………………..Beethoven
119Chant, "Polonaise"………………………………………Chopin-Liszt
120Etudes—
121"La Chasse"……………………………………………..Paganini-Liszt
122"La Campanella"……………………………………….En Re
123Andante……………………………………………………Th. Radoux
124Gavot………………………………………………………En Re
125Master Jean Gerardy.
127The piano was not a "Stradivarius."
128The Chestnut Street Opera House was chosen for this recital, and the audience was a good one, and I think everyone present felt regret at the announcement that this was the last opportunity we would have to hear these two great artists. The smaller auditorium was a factor in the increased satisfaction derived at this concert over the recital given at the Academy two weeks ago.
130The piano may have been the same one or it may have been another. The deficiency was not as pronounced in respect to sound, but here the remedy ceased. The fantasie of Schumann, op. 17, is probably one of the most exacting compositions extant upon the instrument chosen for its interpretation. Mr. Stavenhagen did all those things a pianist is expected to do to
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