Scan 27
Musical Courier 1895-04-17: Vol 30 Iss 789, 1895
112 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 28. See the scan on archive.org.
1HOLY week brought a determined lull in the concert world. Foremost among the few events given were the typical Oratorio concerts, the rehearsal of Bach's St. Matthew Passion Music at Carnegie Hall on Good Friday afternoon and the concert on Saturday evening. Both affairs presented themselves rather lugubriously, in the nature more of a religious service than that of a concert in sacred form. Mr. Walter Damrosch conducted his forces as usual and did so with much zeal and discretion, although the belief, obviously spread, that people were assisting at a religious function prevented even a faint modicum of applause after many numbers whose success was plainly attributable to his direction.
3The soloists were Mrs. Genevra Johnstone-Bishop, soprano, Mrs. Carl Alves, contralto, Mr. Albert G. Thies, tenor, Mr. Arthur Beresford, bass and Mr. Wm. A. Howland, bass. Mr. Frank L. Sealy presided at the organ.
5On the whole, the noble sacred strains were done justice to. Mrs. Bishop, who is a singer new to New York, approved herself the possessor of a soprano rich and mellow in quality, and delivered her text with invariable dignity and sympathy. Very beautiful was the recitative Although my Heart in Tears do Swim, followed by the exquisite aria Never Will my Heart Refuse Thee. Mrs. Bishop has the pure broad phrase and dignity of method requisite for oratorio, and lost nothing on this occasion, if she may not be said to have gained, by her juxtaposition with the favorite oratorio contralto Mrs. Alves. Mrs. Alves was voluminous and sonorous as ever, and sang with a massive breadth which was at times imposing if again it lacked a tenderness and sympathy in passages. Mrs. Alves is doubtless an impressive contralto in oratorio, but her opportunities, especially on Friday afternoon, were not always embraced with the same sympathy and refinement as those of Mrs. Bishop, who really disclosed excellent capabilities.
7Albert G. Thies made his début in oratorio in New York, a début successful enough to create the hope that he may be cast for oratorio here frequently again, as the field is one obviously suited to him. He has mastered the art of recitative firmly, and the pathos, gravity and tunefulness of his diction in the many arias assigned to him were entirely sympathetic and finished. The tenor's work in the St. Matthew Passion is no sinecure, but Mr. Thies sang throughout with sustained power and freshness. His delivery is authoritative and the genuine nature of his sentiment makes itself felt. The recitative for tenor and bass And He Came to the Disciples, followed by the most beautiful duet and chorus Alas, My Jesus Now Is Taken, which may be found within the domain of all oratorio, was exquisitely done by all concerned.
9Mr. Beresford is a capable and intelligent singer and acquitted himself satisfactorily, though he was at times a trifle throaty. He is evidently at home on oratorio ground, and sings with ease and judgment. The remainder of the bass music assigned Mr. Howland was adequately sung. The chorus did itself honor and once or twice almost surprised a clap. As a truth this performance of the Passion Music was one of the most equal and artistic of oratorio performances given here in a long time, but the painfully repressed attitude of the audience would go far toward conveying to those on the stage that they were guilty of some heinous artistic sin rather than of producing enjoyment by the adequate presentation of a great work.
11On Monday afternoon, the 8th, the first of four weekly recitals by the New York Ladies' Quartet took place at the Hotel Waldorf. This quartet is composed of intelligent solo singers who accomplish good ensemble work. Miss Elizabeth C. Gaffney, Miss Laura H. Graves, Miss Emma E. Potts and Miss Zora Gladys Horlocker are its members, and Mr. Richard T. Percy is the accompanist. Anton Hegner assisted at this first recital, which, despite the obstinate downpour of the afternoon, had a fair attendance. The program, which was smoothly given as an initial venture, is subjoined, together with the names of the patronesses.
13Spanish Gipsy Girl………………………………………Lassen
14Arranged by W. Damrosch.
15The Quartet.
16O Joy of Youth………………………………………Van der Stucken
17Miss Graves.
18Cantilena……………………………………………..G. Goltermann
19Capriccio……………………………………………..Sol for 'cello.
20Mr. Anton Hegner.
21Robin Adair…………………………………………Arranged by D. Buck
22Schirrend' Tambourin……………………………….Schumann
23The Quartet.
25Aria, Linda…………………………………………..Donizetti
26Miss Gaffney.
27Im Herbst……………………………………………..Franz
28Miss Horlocker.
29Elegie………………………………………………….Anton Hegner
30Dance of the Fairies………………………………..David Popper
31Soli for 'cello.
32Mr. Anton Hegner.
33Aria, O don Fatale………………………………….Verdi
34Miss Potts.
35Lullaby……………………………………………….Brahms
36The Quartet.
38Patronesses: Mrs. Cornelius Bliss, Mrs. H. O. Armour, Mrs. D. M. Stimson, Mrs. Louis C. Tiffany, Miss De Forest, Mrs. T. O. Rhines, Miss Emma Thursby, Mrs. F. L. Underwood, Mrs. J. W. Cornwall, Mrs. Thomas Hicks, Mrs. J. W. Demorest, Mrs. C. M. Stimson, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Mrs. Clara Louise Kellogg-Strakosch, Mrs. Frank Curtiss.
40The quartet was more interesting heard together than separately, which after all is the be-all and end-all of a quartet, only, of course, they are bound to show solo capacity. Of course, Anton Hegner was absolutely at home in the wailful sentiment of his own Elegie, as also in the fleet aerial phrases of the Popper dance. These two typify the genre of music in which Hegner is at his best.
42On Thursday evening last, at Steinway Hall, a really refreshing, promising, unforced little piano player, with an earnest temperament and honest sentiment, gave a recital under the auspices of her teacher, Mrs. A. K. Virgil. Miss Florence Traub it was this time who demonstrated results from the proper use of the Virgil Practice Clavier, and very satisfactorily she demonstrated them throughout quite a difficult program. She was assisted with some songs by Mr. J. S. Gregg, tenor. This was her program:
44Invention No. 1………………………………………Bach
45Invention No. 14…………………………………….Bach
46Purling Spring………………………………………Schytte
47Gavot………………………………………………….Thomas
48Intermezzo…………………………………………..Jensen
49Barcarolle…………………………………………….Jensen
50Etude in G…………………………………………..Moskowski
51Vocal Nocturne………………………………………Holden
52Sonata, op. 28, allegro……………………………..Beethoven
53Andante, from same sonata, on clavier and piano.
54Moonlight……………………………………………Schumann
55Preambule, Allegro molto e con brio…………………Bach
56Celeste……………………………………………….Anon
57J. S. Gregg:
58Scales and Arpeggios, with the Metronome.
59Rate of velocity, 800 notes per minute.
60Schmetterlinge………………………………………Grieg
61Waltz, op. 69……………………………………….Chopin
62Concert Sonata………………………………………Scarlatti
64Miss Florence is only thirteen, yet she plays with the surety and ease, even in her most taxing numbers, of many adult pianists who have achieved success. The allegro from the Beethoven sonata was played with remarkable firmness and authority and with a technic absolutely clear and decisive. The andante, which was first taken to the clavier, with the result of a very interesting study in tonal gray, was afterward given at the piano with intelligent charm and delicacy. The Bach preambule put the little maiden on her mettle and there was not a note of a phrase which was not precise and distinct. Taken all in all, this was really her most remarkable technical feat. The scales and arpeggios at such rate of velocity were simply astoundingly clear and brilliant.
66In her minor romantic pieces Miss Florence was inclined to either rush or drag her tempi, but her performance in the main was so intelligent and honest and correct, and her exposition of the effects of the clavier was so just and precise, that she placed both herself and the practice instrument in a specifically good light. Withal, her deportment is modest and childlike, and no doubt the little girl will grow up to do good musical things.
68Miss Bessie Strauss, an agile and brilliant fingered pupil of Leschetizky, gave a piano recital on Friday evening, at Steinway Hall, to an audience of good size, who were not chary of their plaudits. Rameau, Brahms, Schumann, Chopin, Chopin-Liszt, Leschetizky and Strauss-Tausig were the composers played. In Schumann's C major fantaisie, op. 17, the brilliant Chopin-Liszt Chant Polonais and the spirited transcription of the Man Lebt nur Einmal waltz of Strauss, by Liszt, she made her best impression, which goes to show that tours of technical force are bound to find Miss Strauss in her element and successful.
70On Saturday afternoon last an invitation musicale which was charmingly attended was given at 64 West Nineteenth street by Miss Elise Lathrop, pianist, and Miss Helen Lathrop, soprano, assisted by Mr. Louis Kapp, violinist, and accompanied by Miss Grace Povey, pianist. This was the program:
72Sonata for Piano and Violin—Op. 12, No. 1………….Beethoven one of two readings
73Sonata for Piano and Violin—Op. 12, No. 1………………Beethoven one of two readings
74Song, Ritournelle………………………………….Chaminade
75Piano Soli—
76Valse Caprice………………………………………Chaminade
77Poeme Erotique…………………………………….Grieg
78Papillons…………………………………………….Grieg one of two readings
79Papillons……………………………………………..Grieg one of two readings
80Gondoliera…………………………………………..Liszt
81Song, Summer………………………………………Chaminade
82Violin Solo…………………………………………Selected
83Songs—
84Ecstasy……………………………………………..H. A. Beach
85The Merry, Merry Lark……………………………..Nevin
87It was chosen principally in lighter vein, but was delivered with delicacy and taste. The soprano, who was at first a little nervous, gained courage as time went on and sang with more abandon and finish. The pianist played her light program throughout with grace and style. Although the name of the violinist is new to us, he played extremely well, purely and musically, and with artistic decision. Miss Povey's accompaniments in their certainty also call for a word of praise. Naturally the work of the Misses Lathrop was the prominent feature, and they acquitted themselves quite artistically, and to the enjoyment of a recherché little audience, which the rain did not frighten into staying at home.
89On Saturday evening last the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of Temple Emanu-El was celebrated at Fifth avenue and Forty-third street by a service in which speech making and some excellent music formed an important part. The temple was garlanded en fête and the assemblage, which crowded to the doors, was very fashionable. An orchestra of about fifty pieces was conducted by Mr. Van der Stucken. Gounod's anthem Lift Up Your Heads; Sulzer's psalm We Thank God, &c.; Van der Stucken's Festival March, anthems of Mendelssohn and A. R. Gaul interspersed the prayers and speeches and were all admirably played and sung, the acoustics of this building being notably helpful to any performance.
91Rev. K. Kohler, D. D., Mr. A. Michelbacher, Mr. Lewis May, Mrs. M. H. Moses, vice-president of the Emanu-El Sisterhood of Personal Service, Rev. Joseph Krauskopf, Rev. Joseph Silverman, D. D., and Rev. Gustav Gottheil all gave addresses. The male vocal soloist was the Rev. Wm. Sparger, whose work with the choir in the anthems of Sulzer and Gaul was admirable. Van der Stucken's March had a really heroic and impressive effect and altogether the musical part of this commemoration was specifically well planned and executed.
93Still More Sutro Successes.
95NOT for a long time has the Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, seen such an immense assemblage as was present last night at the second concert which the Harmonie Society gave to its members. Chairs had to be placed to the very entrance of the hall to accommodate the audience. The doors could not be closed in consequence of the great crush; people filled every nook and corner and every inch of standing room in the vestibule.
97The great attraction of the splendid program were the Misses Rose and Ottilie Sutro, the two ensemble pianists. It was the first time that these two artists played before an exclusively German audience. Some, to be sure, had read in the German Correspondent of the great successes of the sisters, but had not had the opportunity to enjoy their masterly performance. The young ladies, who played on two magnificent Steinway grands, were warmly greeted upon their appearance.
99Their first number was a charming rondo by Chopin, followed by a Hungarian dance by Brahms and a number from Reinecke's suite, op. 68, played in their usual superb manner, which not only showed their eminent technical finish, but also a complete unison in their delivery.
101The great applause, the repeated recalls and the floral offerings with which the sisters were honored were a richly deserved acknowledgment of the artistically perfect renditions. The two young ladies were so obliging as to yield to an earnest demand for an encore, and added to the program of the evening a scherzettino by Chaminade.—German Correspondent, Baltimore, April 4.
103Almost a Suicide.
105WEISS, the opera singer, was a very handsome man, but so thin that he wore what on the stage is called a "shape," a complete suit of padding from neck to ankles, worn next the skin. One night he was playing in an opera in which he wore flowing robes, and was able to dispense with it. In the course of the performance an appalling shriek astounded the players, and a coryphée rushed into the greenroom with the information that the basso had hanged himself. She had peeped into his dressing room and seen the shape behind the door.—Life and Adventures, G. Augustus Sala.
107A Guest of Mr. Powers.—Mr. Ben Davies, the English tenor, who arrived from Europe on Thursday last, will be the guest of Mr. Francis Fischer Powers during his stay in New York, and will return with Mr. Powers to Europe the latter part of May.
109A Good Dragon.—In the Boston Journal Philip Hale says: Mr. Senger (of the Damrosch opera) was a good dragon, who was chiefly impressive on account of his magnified voice. Mr. Senger we understand will sing Hunting in the Walküre during the Chicago season of German opera. He is a pupil of Emil Fischer, the renowned basso.
111Ithaca Choral Club.—Händel's Messiah will be sung by the Ithaca (N. Y.) Choral Club June 12, with the assistance of the following soloists: Mrs. Jennie Patrick Walker, soprano; Miss Emily Winant, contralto; Mr. Wm. Rieger, tenor; Dr. Carl Martin, basso. The conductor will be Mr. Hollis E. Dann.
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