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Musical Courier 1895-06-05: Vol 30 Iss 796, 1895
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1PHILADELPHIA.
2PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 27, 1895.
3THE season here is dead! But it will make no difference where you find a Philadelphia musician next summer it will be safe to wager that his thoughts are on next winter's engagements. For it must again be repeated* in this column that there is not a department of music in which Philadelphia has not taken strides as though shod the past six months with "seven-league boots." From time to time in this column I have made full comment upon this, and have often specifically enumerated the distance posts on our road of progress. No need to speak further. Philadelphia's advancement has been material and rapid during 1894-5.
5* * *
6The project nearest our hearts just now, however, is our own opera company at the Academy of Music next winter. Mr. Gustav Hinrichs, assisted by Mrs. Charles I. Whelan, has brought his scheme to a definite shape. A month ago suggestions were in order, but these are not needed at this time. Fifty thousand dollars were needed to guarantee the affair against loss. Thirty thousand dollars have already been subscribed. There is no doubt about it now that even if new subscribers fail to come forward that those who have already contributed will increase their subscriptions to the required amount. In a week or two I shall give the details of the plan and the list of contributors. I hope it may furnish my next letter with interesting reading for those who are watching with kindly interest musical progress in Philadelphia.
7* * *
8The event of prime importance last week was the third public concert of the Manuscript Music Society in Musical Fund Hall. I herewith append the program in full:
9Requiem for quartet of voices, organ, harp (piano) and violin ……………………………………… Frank G. Cauffman
10Mrs. Marie Kunkel-Zimmerman, Miss Martha Barry,
11Messrs. N. Douty, E. M. Zimmerman, Wm. Stoll,
12Jr., A. W. Borst and P. H. Goepp.
13Concerto for two violins and piano …………. ….Gustav Hille
14Allegro.
15Andantino.
16Allegretto.
17Allegro con fuoco.
18Messrs. G. Hille, H. Rattay and M. Leefson.
19Songs………………………………………Richard Zeckwer
20Marie.
21Storm Night.
22Mr. Carl Schachner.
23Piano solos …………………………………. Henry Albert Lang
24Gavot.
25Toccata.
26Played by the composer.
27Song, My Dream………………………..W. W. Gilchrist, Mus. Doc.
28Sung by Mr. Nicholas Douty.
29Chorus for women's voices and four hand accompaniment, The Sea Fairies ………….W. W. Gilchrist, Mus. Doc.
30Pianists, Messrs. M. M. Warner and Thos. a'Beckett.
31Song, with violoncello obligato, O Summer Time……
32Hugh A. Clarke, Mus. Doc.
33Miss Th. Belle Wormley and Mr. Rudolph Hennig.
34Elegy, for violin, piano and organ…………. Martinus Van Gelder
35Messrs. M. Van Gelder, M. M. Warner and A. W. Borst.
36Andante for violoncello………………… Camille W. Zeckwer
37Mr. Rudolph Hennig.
38Rhapsodie for string orchestra, Indienne….. Frank G. Cauffman
39Trio for women's voices, with accompaniment for violin, viola, violoncello and piano, Autumn………….
40Hugh A. Clarke, Mus. Doc.
41Mrs. Zimmerman, Miss Regina Hassler, Mrs. S. F. Osbourne, Messrs. Stoll, Schmidt, Hennig and Clarke.
42The various works were in general fully up to the standard of the society. Lofty in ideal and correct in composition, it were obviously out of place to discuss them specifically. Many of the numbers should speedily find their way to the first publishers in the land, and then their full notices and analyses would appear in the ably edited page of your journal set apart for that purpose. In their performance the various artists gave conscientious interpretation to the composer's efforts. The third public concert of the society was in every respect a success.
43* * *
44A ladies' reception will close the season of the Utopian Club to-night, on which occasion the prize compositions will be performed by the 'successful competitors. These are Henry A. Lang, who takes the Sayen-Martindale and Utopian Club prizes, and Gustav Hille, the Utopian Club prize. WALTER BACON.
46NEWARK.
47NEWARK, N. J., May 19, 1895.
48THE Schubert Vocal Society gave the third and last concert of its sixteenth season, with Mr. Louis Arthur Russell as conductor, in the Grand Opera House May 10, upon which occasion was sung for the first time in this city Saint-Saëns' Samson and Delilah, one of the most beautiful and effective compositions of the modern French school.
49The orchestra from the Metropolitan Opera House must be credited with a large share of the success of the performance, being thoroughly in sympathy with the requirements of the Biblical opera, although at times somewhat aggressive and overpowering in the matter of tempo and fortissimo.
50The singing of the chorus served to demonstrate the capabilities of the society, for it constituted one of the most effective features of the performance.
51The beautiful work of the chorus received enthusiastic recognition from the audience, and the Song of the Philistines, which introduces a bacchanal, had to be repeated in response to an encore.
52The soloists were Mrs. Julie Wyman, mezzo-soprano, Delilah; Mr. James H. McKinley, tenor, Samson; Mr. Louis Williams, baritone, High Priest. This trio of artists sustained their parts with fine dramatic effect. Mrs. Wyman especially appealed musically and artistically to one as being thoroughly en rapport with the music written for Delilah. The final trio in the last act was magnificently sung.
53The Schubert Vocal Society is to be congratulated upon the successful presentation of a work which, aside from its musical reading, requires the action and coloring of music-drama to effectively portray.
54Mr. William C. Carl gave an organ recital in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church May 6.
55The recital was arranged by Mr. William R. Crawford, the permanent organist of the church, who proposes to give a series of musicales and recitals in the same church next season.
56Mr. Carl played admirably. He was assisted vocally by Mrs. Elizabeth Northrup, soprano.
57An afternoon of ensemble music was given by Miss Louise Hood's trio class May 18. The following program, especially the trios, was perfectly interpreted:
58Trio—Allegro (op. 330)………………………………………Bohm
59Miss Harris, Miss Hood, Mr. Kronold.
60Polonaise………….Schubert
61Duet—acc. by Strings………………………………………Schubert
62{ Moment Musical
63Marche Militaire }
64Misses Laninger and Harris.
65Trio—Andante-Sostenuto (op. 37)………………………..Bargiel
66Mrs. Fredk. Smith, Miss Hood, Mr. Kronold.
67"Some chord in unison with that we hear
68Is touched within us, and the heart replies."—Cowper.
69Trio—Allegro con fuoco (op. 8)………………………….Chopin
70Miss Riker, Miss Hood, Mr. Kronold.
71"He was a mighty poet and a subtle souled psychologist."
72—Shelley.
73Duet—accompanied by Strings……………………………Mendelssohn
74Misses Heinisch and Hinds.
75Trio—Moderato (op. 52)…………………………………….Rubinstein
76Miss MacCall, Miss Hood, Mr. Kronold.
77MABEL LINDLEY THOMPSON.
79SAVANNAH.
80SAVANNAH, May 10, 1895.
81DURING the past few months the musical interest has been greatly awakened and largely strengthened here. We have had our annual musical festival, under the direction of Dr. H. R. Palmer, which was not the success that it has been in the two previous years it has been held, owing to various reasons that could not be overcome, but this failure has only stirred up those at the head of the Choral Society to better results for next season. Then we have put on two operas very successfully by home talent, with a little foreign assistance—The Chimes of Normandy and Mikado. The latter, under the direction of Mr. A. L. Baker, of Chicago, was made all the more attractive by his securing the services of his brother, Mr. Grafton G. Baker, to sing the rôle of Nanki Poo. This style of singing is entirely out of Mr. Baker's line, as he is an oratorio and concert singer, having studied at the Chicago Musical College. Of his singing the Morning News of April 30 had the following: "Mr. Baker is the possessor of a beautiful voice—a clear, ringing, robust tenor, yet full of melody and tender pathos. Resonance and good enunciation have followed proper study, and as he glides—one might say for all the effort he makes—to the upper placing, the splendid high tones come forth with a power and beauty effective and pleasing to a high degree. Mr. Baker has, while in the city, sung in private circles, and has been heard to advantage in the better class of music."
82The Savannah Press said: "Mr. Baker's voice is one such as is rarely heard in Savannah—a high tenor of rich quality, and handled with such style as shows a careful training and much study."
83While here an afternoon tea and recital were arranged at the Guards' Armory Hall, where Mr. Baker made a host of friends. The afternoon was most informal, but the music was of the highest type possible by the talent in Savannah, and was rendered by such singers as Mrs. Launcelot Haynes, Mrs. R. H. Finnie, Miss Carruthers, Miss Howard, Mr. Julian Walker and Mr. Alonzo Sybraudt, of New Orleans, with Miss Emma Coburn at the piano.
84All of this has tended to stir up all classes of musicians here, and already arrangements are on foot to present several operas next fall and to organize a musical entertainment society, which will arrange a course of entertainments to be given by the best talent available that the country can afford. All of those interested can look forward to a brilliant musical season next year.
85Savannah does not want for good voices. Mr. Julian Walker's rich baritone has only to be heard to be appreciated. We also have among our number one of considerable note—Mrs. I. Schreiner, née Miss Ingeborg Löfgren, who was the mezzo soprano of the famous Swedish Female Quartet which toured the country eight years ago.
86The interest in every branch of music is gradually but surely building up, and good performers always receive a hearty welcome and are enthusiastically appreciated.
87With our new theatre, good attractions, musical and otherwise, and the firm, well rooted musical interest and influence now surounding our city, Savannah will continue to hold her good name and reputation and carefully forge on to her zenith with the sure strides which have always characterized her.
88LL. T. SNOWE.
90OTTAWA.
91OTTAWA, Canada.
92THE season of 1894-5 may be said to have closed with the last concert of the Ottawa Amateur Orchestral Society, assisted by the Schubert Vocal Club, which took place in Harmony Hall on the 14th inst. The evening's work of the orchestra consisted of: Overture, Die Zauberharfe, Schubert; andante, Surprise Symphony, Haydn; Hungarian Dance, Brahms; Introduction and Bridal Chorus, third act of Lohengrin, with the Schubert Club, and the March of the Priests (Athalie), Mendelssohn. Besides the singing of the Bridal Chorus the Vocal Club sang a very charming setting of The Sands o' Dee, by Oliver King. As to the performance of the Schubert Club their singing was distinctly good. The work of the Orchestral Society reflected great credit both on themselves and Mr. F. M. S. Jenkins, who, I should have said, is the director of both societies.
93The orchestra is composed entirely of amateurs, and perfection is not to be looked for; nevertheless all the evening's playing reflected a very large degree of proficiency. Slight faults were audible here and there certainly, but on the whole everything passed off well. It is an important undertaking, the getting together and keeping together an amateur orchestra, and Mr. Jenkins is to be congratulated on his success so far.
94Miss Retté Chute was the soloist of the evening, and sang Rosamonde (Schubert) very acceptably in the first part, and cavatina Ah! S'estuto (Mercadante) in the second.
95I would like very much to see a broader treatment of Italian music than that which is accorded it by our amateur vocalists, and sometimes a little more attention to pronunciation and enunciation. Mr. Doutigny played a cornet solo with piano accompaniment very well.
96The most important event which has taken place this season is the departure of Mr. F. C. Smythe, Mus. Bac., T. C. D., principal of the Canadian College of Music and organist of St. Andrew's Church. Mr. Smythe's absence will create a void not easily filled among musicians, and as a man his loss will be even more felt. His talent as a conductor, kindly nature, genial and generous behavior to his fellow musicians, and indeed all with whom he came in contact, gave him a place in the warmest corner of the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
97Before his departure a benefit concert was tendered him, in which all the leading professional musicians took part. The evening was under the patronage and presence of His Excellency the Governor General and Lady Aberdeen, and resulted in the presentation of an address and a well filled purse to Mr. Smythe. Mr. Smythe has returned to Ireland to fill the post of organist in Belfast. Mr. J. Edgar Birch has taken over the Canadian College of Music and is organist of St. George's Church. He has only been a short time in town, but has made a decidedly good impression. Mr. Jenkins is now organist of St. Andrew's Church.
98Mrs. Helen de Rideau (née O'Reilley), accompanied by her cousin, Miss Bertha O'Reilley, left here a short time since to join the Tavary Opera Company in New York. Sousa's Band comes first week in June.
99LEONATUS.
101MONTREAL.
102MONTREAL, P. Q., May 11, 1895.
103A CONCERT of great importance, and which will not be soon forgotten, was the appearance of Mme. Zippora Monteith, soprano; Mr. Ben Davies, tenor; Mr. Watkin Mills, bass baritone; Mr. Josef Hollman, violoncellist, supported by Miss C. Russell, local pianist. The audience was one of the largest of the season; wealth, fashion and beauty were represented by the city of Montreal. The following was the program:
104Piano solos—Etude in G minor……………………………Loeschhorn
105Romance…………………………………………..Wagner-Liszt
106Miss Cissie Russell.
107Grand aria—She Alone Charmeth My Sadness (La Reine de Saba)…………………………………………..Gounod
108Watkin Mills.
109Two Songs—She Wandered Down the Mountain Side…..Clay
110Thou'rt Like Unto a Flower………………………….Rubinstein
111Mme. Zippora Monteith.
112Grand aria—Salve Dimora (Faust)……………………..Gounod
113Ben Davies.
114'Cello solos—Andante……………………………….Hollman
115Tarantelle…………………………………………..Hollman
116Josef Hollman.
117Air—Honor and Arms (Samson)………………………..Händel
118Watkin Mills.
119Song—I Attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly………….Purcell
120Ben Davies.
121Duet—Love and War………………………………..Cooke
122Ben Davies and Watkin Mills.
123Aria—Elsa's Dream (Lohengrin)……………………….Wagner
124Mme. Zippora Monteith.
125Ballad—Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes………….Old English
126Ben Davies.
127Piano Solo—Ballade in G minor……………………….Chopin
128Miss Cissie Russell, A. R. C. M.
129Air—I'm a Roamer (Son and Stranger)………………Mendelssohn
130Mr. Watkin Mills.
131'Cello solo—Fantasie, Carmen (By request)………….Hollman
132Josef Hollman.
133Song—My Queen…………………………………….Blumenthal
134Ben Davies.
135Trio—This Magic Wove Scarf………………………..Wallace
136Mme. Zippora Monteith, Ben Davies and Watkin Mills:
137The four English artists achieved a triumph. Mme. Monteith possesses a clear soprano voice of timbre quality; her perform-
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