Scan 9
Musical Courier 1895-01-09: Vol 30 Iss 774, 1895
62 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026. Printed page 10. See the scan on archive.org.
1seurs. He was recalled to the platform five times before the public understood that he was firm in declining an encore. This was the last Saturday Popular Concert before Christmas. The program included Rubinstein's piano trio in B flat, by Lady Hallé and Herr David Popper, with Herr Sauer. In Beethoven's well-known G major quartet, op. 18, Mr. Gibson joined the artists above named. Miss Palliser sang songs by Schumann and Massenet's "Alleluia" very successfully.
3On Monday the program included Dvorák's "Dumka" trio, which was first given in London with Lady Hallé, Mr. Whitehouse and Mr. Isidor Cohn last June at the latter's concert. It proved a very popular item. Mr. Leonard Borwick played Schumann's "Etudes Symphoniques," and Miss Thudichum sang songs by Schaeffer, Lassen, and Saint-Saëns' "La Cloche," the concert ending with Haydn's string quartet in E flat, op. 71. This concert completed the first half of the thirty-seventh season of Mr. Arthur Chappell's popular concerts. Mr. Chappell's success in carrying on these concerts as he has during these thirty-odd years is the best commentary upon his capabilities as a caterer to the taste of the public. This year he added more novelties than usual, as will be seen by following the announcements made in these columns since the "Pops" recommenced in mid-autumn. The winter season will begin on Saturday, January 12, when it is hoped that Signor Piatti will be able to reappear and play the sonata by Porpora.
5At the Crystal Palace on Saturday the autumn season closed with an interesting program, including the dramatic symphony "Romeo and Juliet" (Berlioz), which is the first time of performance at Sydenham. Mr. Mann's forces on the whole did excellent work, and special mention should be made of their performance of the "Feast of the Capulets," the "Calm Night" and "Love Scene," and the "Queen Mab" scherzo. Other numbers were not as well done. The soloists were Miss Dews, who made a first and very successful appearance at these concerts, Mr. Edwin Wareham and Mr. Norman Salmond, and the Crystal Palace Choir was somewhat augmented for the occasion. The young English tenor distinguished himself in the part that fell to him in this work, and also in Gounod's recitative and aria "Salve Dimora Casta." He has a tenor voice of fine quality, and sings very artistically and with great intelligence. Mr. Manns deserves praise for having introduced so many interesting works to metropolitan amateurs during the past season, and also for reviving so many more like the present one, which would undoubtedly become more popular were it not for the fact that the scores (published by Richault, of Paris) are sold at such exorbitant prices. Furthermore, these are badly printed; I think, as I understood from Mr. Manns, that it cost over £4 for corrections in the scores used on Saturday before they could be used. This is a very serious drawback. If these works were published by a house like Peters they could probably be sold for a few shillings, whereas now they cost £4 10s. The balance of the program was also from French composers, and included Berlioz's "Marche Hongroise," from "Faust"; "Méhul's" overture "Le jeune Henri," and Massenet's meditations for violin, harp, orchestra and chorus, "Bouches Fermées," also for the first time at these concerts. The Crystal Palace concerts will be resumed on February 16, and will terminate on April 27 with the customary benefit for Mr. August Manns.
7The London Choral Union last night gave a performance of "The Messiah" at Queen's Hall, with a band and chorus numbering 300 performers, under the directorship of Mr. Lewis. The soloists were Miss Emily Davies, Miss Marian McKenzie, Messrs. N. Humphreys and Mr. Norman Salmond. In February they intend giving "The Golden Legend."
9The competition at the Royal Academy of Music for the Robert Cocks Prize took place on Monday, the examiners being Mrs. Gertrude Roskell and Mr. Gustav Ernest. The prize was won by Miss Gertrude Peppercorn, Miss Alicia Adelaide Needham being highly commended. The Hine Exhibition was also awarded yesterday to R. Neville Flux, Joseph Charles Holbrook being highly commended.
11The Grosvenor Club gave their first concert of the year last evening, and the large drawing room was crowded. Mrs. Helen Trust, Mlle. Landi, Mlle. Elba and Mr. Templar Saxe all sang charmingly. Miss Christine Bremler performed on the violin, and another feature of the musical part of the program was the playing of a genuine Hungarian Band, "the Royal," recently imported from Buda-Pesth.
13The musical world is always interested in the Philharmonic Society, and a few of the arrangements already planned by this noble institution will perhaps be welcome. Some of the works already selected are: A new symphony in D, No. 5, "L'Allegro e Il Penseroso," by Professor Stanford, who will conduct the performance; an overture, "From the Scottish Highlands," by Frederic Lamond; a new overture, "Leonatus and Imogen," by Dr. George G. Bennett; a new piano concerto by Herr Stavenhagen, who will come over to play the solo part; César Franck's symphony in D, for the first time in England; Rubinstein's last suite in five movements; two new orchestral pieces by Dr. Mackenzie, the society's conductor. Among the artists already engaged are Messrs. Sauer, Stavenhagen and Dawson, and Mlle. Chaminate (who will also introduce a new fantaisie for piano and orchestra of her own), Mr. Ondricek, Signor Piatti and Miss Frida Scotta, instrumentalists, and Madame de Vere-Sapio, vocalist.
15The Carl Rosa Royal Opera Company commence an eight weeks' season at their theatre in Liverpool on the last day of this year.
17Mr. Tivadar Nachez played at the Philharmonic concert in Bordeaux, and I see from the criticisms in the French press that his success was emphatic, and they call him a "grande artiste." He played Max Bruch's concerto in G minor, and a group of three pieces, Beethoven's romance in G, Schumann's "Chant du Soir," and the "Danses Tziganes" of his own composition.
19The cast for the performance of "Hänsel und Gretel" at Daly's Theatre on Boxing Night includes Mr. Charles Copland as "Peter, the Broom Maker," Miss Julia Lennox as "Gertrude," his wife, and their children, "Hänsel" and "Gretel," will be impersonated by Mlle. Marie Elba and Mlle. Douste. The "Witch" will be taken by Miss Edith Miller, the "Dewman" by Miss Jessie Hudleston and the "Sandman" by Miss Marie Debat. This work will be preceded by Mozart's one act opera, "Bastien et Bastienne," which was composed when he was in his twelfth year. The cast will include Mr. Reginald Brophy, Miss Jessie Hudleston and Herr Josef Claus. Signor Arditi will conduct both performances.
21Madame Adelina Patti sang before Her Majesty last week "Batti Batti," from "Don Giovanni"; "Una Voce," from "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"; "Elizabeth's Prayer," from "Tannhäuser"; Tosti's "Serenata," "Home, Sweet Home," "The Blue Eyed Maiden's Song," composed by H. R. H. Princess Beatrice, and "The Last Rose of Summer." Mr. Wilhelm Ganz was at the piano. The Queen highly congratulated the diva and expressed herself as highly pleased, presenting her with a beautiful brooch formed of the royal crown and initials in precious stones in commemoration of the event, and also a portrait of Her Majesty with the royal autograph.
23Mr. Plunket Greene and Mr. Leonard Borwick gave their song and piano recital at St. James' Hall last Friday, with a program similar to that given on a former occasion, which I quoted in extenso. The pianist opened with Schumann's "Humoreske," playing later selections by Bach, Chopin, Scarlatti and Tausig. Mr. Plunket Greene in his first eight songs gave us German Lieder by the best writers, and later seven Irish melodies in Dr. Villiers Stanford's arrangement, the composer accompanying.
25Mr. and Mrs. Marmaduke Barton's vocal and piano recital took place at Queen's Hall last Saturday afternoon. Mr. Barton is a pianist of considerable attainment. He played Grieg's ballad op. 24, and selections from Chopin and other classical masters with much expression and feeling. Mrs. Barton gave a sympathetic and pleasurable rendering of Schumann's cycle of songs, "Frauenliebe und Leben," and later in the program she sang some selections from Hamish MacCunn, with the composer at the piano. One of these was a manuscript song, composed specially for Mrs. Barton, and proved very much to the taste of the audience. Altogether the concert was a decided success, and was highly appreciated by the large number present.
27Mme. Medora Henson gave a vocal recital at the Salle Erard yesterday afternoon. Her program included the following selections:
29"Schlummerlied"……………………….Schubert
30"Meine Ruh' ist hin"……………………Schubert
31"Die junge Nonne"……………………..Rubinstein
32"The Dream"…………………………….Rubinstein
33"Flowery Omens"………………………..Dvorák
34"Im Regen und in Sonnenschein"………..Von Kosz
35"Winterlied"…………………………….Cowell
36"The Sun that Lights the Roses"………..Cowell
37"Love's Philosophy"………………………Waddington Cooke
38"My True Love Hath My Heart"………….Waddington Cooke
39"Heart's Spring"…………………………Wickede
41Mme. Medora Henson's pure dramatic soprano voice was most heartily enjoyed. Her artistic singing, clear enunciation and fine interpretation readily won approval from those present. Some of the songs suited her voice and style better than others, but she came out of the exacting ordeal with success. The beautiful setting of Shelley's "Love's Philosophy" by Mr. Waddington Cooke (who, by the way, is her husband) was so popular that it had to be repeated. Mr. Cooke accompanied Madame Henson at the piano. In the way of variety, Herr Popper, the cellist, played Mendelssohn's piano and 'cello duet from sonata op. 58, and three solos from his own pen, "Berceuse," "Spinnlied" and "Ungarische."
43M. Pascal German, the popular writer, whose book "Rhea" attracted so much attention some two years ago, has recently written another, in which he again enlarges upon the theory of the ethical influence of music and its power to bring into harmony the conflicting elements in the soul. M. Pascal German's treatment of this intensely interesting subject is very clever, and his new work will be read with profit by musicians. Outwardly the story is the episode of a French artist in London just after the Franco-Prussian war. A critic in France says the book is a gem, as original as "Rhea" and containing lessons of the greatest importance to the occult student, one of these being advanced thought in the realm of music.
45Madame de Vere-Sapio has recently arrived in London after a most successful tour of Australasia in which she gave 100 concerts. The Australian press speaks in the highest terms of Madame Sapio's work there, where her vocal powers have been duly recognized, as they have been all over the world. Madame Sapio is now booking engagements in England, one of the most important being with the Philharmonic, as mentioned above. During January she goes to fulfill a two weeks' concert engagement in Russia.
47Mr. Ffrangcon-Davies, the Welsh baritone, of whom I have spoken so many times in my letters, has recently returned from a most successful concert tour, where he sang in 174 concerts in the English provinces. He has recently been elected by ballot as principal baritone at the National Eisteddfod to be held at Llanelly, South Wales, next year. He will sing in Dvorák's "Spectre's Bride" and "Acis and Galatea." He is also engaged to sing the title role in Dr. Parry's "King Saul" in February for the Birmingham Choral Society. I herewith give a press notice illustrating his success on the above mentioned tour.
49Undoubtedly the greatest favorite of the evening was Mr. Ffrangcon-Davies. He possesses a baritone voice mellow in quality and extensive in range; he has diligently cultivated his natural gifts. Being encored in "The Parting Hour," by E. Birch, he gave a splendid rendering of the "Prologue" aria from "Pagliacci." For his fine dramatic declamation of "The Tempest," by E. St. Quentin, he was loudly recalled, and he substituted "Father O'Flynn," which was given with such quiet-unction that he was again encored and compelled to sing the "Curate's Song" from Sullivan's "Sorcerer." His final effort was "Largo al Factotum" from Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia." This difficult buffo air was interpreted most artistically and humorously, the florid passages being executed with a facility that none but an accomplished vocalist can display. Encored again, he sat down to the piano and accompanied himself in Poniatowski's beautiful song, "The Yeoman's Wedding," which was given with all the requisite force and fervor.—"The Leek Times."
51Mr. Tivadar Nachez tells me that he is engaged for a second tour of twenty concerts in Germany, beginning January 6 and ending on February 10. This is the result of his first tour, recently completed, with Mr. Ben Davies and Mr. Algernon Ashton.
53Mlle. Trebella made a big success in Holland, where she is engaged to return in March, just before her tour to America.
55Arrangements have been completed whereby Miss Clara Butt will visit America some time during the coming season.
57On Saturday evening the People's Palace gave a performance of the "Elijah," with an audience of 2,500 people, among whom, it is stated, were 500 musical students from the different classes in connection with the institution. The choir did unusually fine work, and the orchestra, formed principally of amateurs, reinforced by a few professionals, played fairly well. The soloists included Miss Alice Hollman, who displayed considerable dramatic talent in "Hear ye, Israel." Miss Hannah Jones was less successful in the contralto rôle. Mr. Iver McKay and Mr. Dan Price were both good, the latter's most successful effort being "Is not His word." The forces were directed by Mr. C. H. Allan Gill, who should be congratulated upon an all-round good performance.
59Mr. Josef Hofmann.
61One of the most interesting personalities we have among us to-day is Mr. Josef Hofmann, who enjoyed the unique privilege of instruction from Anton Rubinstein, which he improved to such purpose that his master declared his studies were finished and he would take his place among the first pianists of the day. Before touching upon his work with Rubinstein we will go back for a brief sketch of this young man's career. He was born at Cracow, Austria, in 1877, and is the son of Casimir Hofmann, who was his sole instructor until two years ago. His father was a professor of harmony and composition with Paderewski at the Warsaw Conservatoire and a conductor of the opera at Warsaw. It was Paderewski who first took special note of the boy's marvelous musical endowments, when at the age of six he played Halka's "Fantasie" and a Chopin valse before the Society of Music in that city, saying then that the boy was a genius. At the age of eight he played the andante and variations by Schumann for two pianos with Michalowski, Beethoven's third concerto and a polacca of his own at his orchestral concert. At nine he went on a tour through Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, where he played in many of the leading cities, afterward going to Paris, from there on to London, and visiting America in the season of 1887-8. There he appeared in fifty-two concerts during two and a half months. It was while on this tour that his father decided he was being put to too great a strain in this constant recital-giving, and it was determined that he should have complete rest until the time when his powers should be so developed that it should no longer be a tax upon his vital energies to appear so much in public. For this period of rest and study young Josef and his parents settled in Berlin, where he was
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.