Scan 14
Musical Courier 1896-07-01: Vol 33 Iss 852, 1896
108 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 15. See the scan on archive.org.
1three years." From this it seems that Chicago will be able to boast another great artist in the future; it is also pleasant to note that Mr. Baker is not above giving the credit for what he accomplishes where it is due. In this respect he differs from most musicians very considerably. When Shakespeare spoke of man's ingratitude he must have meant the genus musical professional. As a rule the teacher who lays the foundation of success is forgotten for the finisher whose name is probably a good advertisement. For instance, whoever hears of anyone but Leschetizky as the teacher of Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler, whereas the man who discovered her talent was F. Mueller, by whose advice she went to study with Carl Wolfsohn (some years ago the best piano teacher in Chicago), and the latter it was who really developed her immense gifts. And so it is from the greatly successful to the comparatively unknown musician; there are at least three pianists here who were all at one time pupils of the Chicago Musical College, but who are now known only as Leschetizky pupils.
3The composers are equally ungenerous; one very prominent writer, who studied for years harmony, analysis, theory and counterpoint with A. J. Goodrich, only recognizes a certain European teacher as her inspiration, although she studied with him but a few months. As Mr. A. J. Goodrich is one of the finest authorities in the world, and noted for his clearness and conciseness, it is difficult to understand exactly why the omission is made. Perhaps, however, he is prone to the truth, and flattery is an unknown art; all the same, one lesson from A. J. Goodrich is worth a dozen from many others, and some who are incessantly quoted, too.
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8The Chicago Amusement Bureau appears to be doing good business, L. Z. Cowles, the director, now being East arranging dates for Mrs. Genevra Johnstone Bishop, William H. Sherwood, Earl Drake and Clarence Eddy. It is expected that the last named will be one of the biggest attractions of the next season after the profound impression he has made in Europe. His stay there, originally intended to be only of short duration, as the journey was taken for the benefit of Mrs. Eddy's health, has now lengthened indefinitely; therefore it became incumbent upon the First Presbyterian Church to find another organist in the person of Mr. F. Moore, who I believe is a pupil of Clarence Eddy.
10At the time of his (Eddy's) departure for Europe, his intention at that time being only a short stay, he requested that another of his pupils, Mr. C. D. Irwin, take his place until he would resume. Mr. Irwin accordingly took voluntary service for a year, and has had to resign on account of his wife's health, and the distance at which he lives from the city not allowing of his continuing what has been a cherished and well performed duty. Although not a professional musician, Mr. Irwin's playing has given great satisfaction to the choir and members of the congregation, and general regret was expressed when he resigned. Considerable misstatement has been made concerning Mr. Irwin, and the fact that he was a member of an influential business firm was charged against him by a small local journal that he was preventing some musician from gaining a position. He plays very much above the average, and is a keen and enthusiastic organ lover, and possesses in his home one of the finest organs in the country.
12He has been organist for over a year at the church at which Mr. Eddy played for fourteen years, and it is evident that when he could step in and assume such a responsibility and keep the same even good feeling and good music in the choir he must be both a musician and a tactician of ability. He has the reputation of giving some of the most delightful musicales in Chicago.
14Speaking of organists reminds me that Chicago can now boast of one of the meanest that ever had the good fortune to be located here. Coming from Toronto, where he either got tired of his church or the church got tired of him, he sought fruitlessly for a position, and was kindly given shelter and food by an old-time acquaintance (a lady in the musical profession who was not over prosperous) until he obtained employment. This lasted for three months. Such time as he was not employed in writing scurrilous articles about nearly all the good organists in the city he utilized for the purpose of aiding and abetting the lady's husband to make away with her household properties, jewelry and other personal appointments. Pretending to be her friend, this miserable specimen of a sneak was really the husband's spy, and one fine day both decamped together, leaving the lady and her daughter by the first husband absolutely penniless.
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19Elsa Breidt, the eleven year old pianist, played selections from Schumann, Chopin and Mendelssohn at the University, when Mrs. Harper, wife of the president, asked all the children of the faculty to hear the wonderfully gifted little girl. If properly looked after she should become world famous, as her musical intelligence is extraordinary. With her it is not so much technic as temperament. Mrs. Crosby Adams lately wrote a very clever article for Music about Elsa Breidt's remarkable talent which is well worthy a perusal.
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24A big musical organization has quite annihilated a little musical concern, with the result that the latter, wisely thinking that, however admirable a quality valor might be discretion was more profitable, is now acting as tout for the former. Success to the venture!
26The most artistically arranged and charming studio town was the scene of a charming recital on Monday given by I. Kowalski, the well-known singing teacher, the owner of the studio in question. There is no question as to its picturesqueness. It is quite a treat to go there after the bare walls and dingy rooms which the generality of musicians affect.
28The American Conservatory of Music held its annual commencement at Central Music Hall on Monday night, when the following program was presented:
30Polonaise, op. 40…………………………………………..Chopin
31Misses May Morgan, Florence Norton, Mary Shoemaker, Pearl Bird, and orchestra.
32Aria, Lieti Signor (Les Huguenots)………………………..Meyerbeer
33Miss Jessie Lynde Hopkins.
34Serenade and Allegro Gioioso……………………………Mendelssohn
35Miss Katherine Edwards and orchestra.
36Aria, Pleurez! pleurez mes yeux! (Le Cid)………………Massenet
37Miss Mabel Goodwin.
38Concerto for violin, D minor…………………………….Wieniawski
39Mr. Frank Bedlan and orchestra.
40Duetto, Quis est homo (Stabat Mater)…………………..Rossini
41Misses Sibyl Sammis and Elaine de Sellem.
42Concertstueck……………………………………………..Chaminade
43Miss Louise Robyn and orchestra.
44Song, Alt Heidelberg…………………………………….Jensen
45Mr. Henry Henry.
46Concerto in E minor, first movement……………………Chopin
47Mr. G. A. Grant-Schaefer and orchestra.
48Address…………………………………………………….Rev. Ernest M. Stires.
49Awarding of diplomas, certificates, gold and silver medals by the director.
51There was a big attendance and much enthusiasm. It is difficult to mention any particular number, as all was exceedingly creditable. Mr. Hattstaedt's institution undoubtedly makes a fine showing.
53Miss Marie Cobb gave a pupil's recital on Wednesday which reflected immense credit upon her powers of a teacher. She is a sound, conscientious musician, who, moreover, is a most charming executant.
55The Western Choral Association held a meeting on Wednesday and formed a permanent organization. In consequence of the Apollo Club row the real projector of the enterprise and representative for the Apollo Club, Mr. Huertler, late president of the club, was not present. He can ill be spared, although such well-known men as F. J. Wessels, of Chicago; A. S. Hubbard, of Chicago; Hugh McKitrick, St. Louis; William P. Rogers, Milwaukee; C. H. Shackleton, Louisville, Ky., and A. A. Stanley, of Ann Arbor, were present.
57The Vilim Trio had great success last night, when they played to an immense audience at La Grange. This trio, composed of Joseph Vilim, Franz Kalas, and Mrs. Gertrude Murdough, does some very excellent ensemble work. The pianist of the trio, Mrs. Murdough, gave a recital at Galesburg Thursday, playing prelude in E minor, Mendelssohn; Arabesque, Schumann; Valse Lente, Schuett; Bridal Song, B. O. Klein; gavot in D major, Popper, also selections from Grieg.
59Arne Oldberg was one of the two representative Chicago composers, playing his charming gavot and two exceedingly clever fugues. Mrs. Gaynor was the other composer from this city, some of her songs being splendidly received, and I am told Mr. Bicknell Young did full justice to them.
61Harmon H. Watt, of the faculty of the Chicago Piano College, gave a most interesting lecture in Summy's Recital Hall on Monday, June 21, on the subject of Russian Music. This lecture is one that Mr. Watt prepared for the Current Event classes in Xenia and London, Ont., and recently read before them with great success.
63What a capital institution this piano college is developing into! At the commencement exercises the following capital program was presented, which was thoroughly well interpreted:
65Concerto, C minor, op. 37 (first movement)…………….Beethoven
66Miss Helen Wilkinson.
67(Second piano, Miss Maud Merrill.)
68Aria, Lieti Signor (Huguenots)………………………….Meyerbeer
69Miss Minerva Cochran.
70(Accompanist, Mr. Charles E. Watt.)
71Concerto, G minor, op. 32 (first movement)…………….Saint-Saëns
72Mr. J. E. Wilford.
73(Second piano, Mr. Harmon H. Watt.)
74Violin solo, Fantaisie Appassionata……………………..Vieuxtemps
75Mr. Earl R. Drake.
76(Accompanist, Miss Kathryn Howard.)
77Concerto, D minor, op. 63 (last movement)…………….Rosenhain
78Miss Mary Oliver.
79(Second piano, Miss Alice Dayton.)
80Song, At Springtide…………………………………….Becker
81Miss Minerva Cochran.
82Solo, Schiller Marsch…………………………………..Meyerbeer-Liszt
83Mr. Fred W. Wimberly.
84Address, Presentation of Diplomas and Medals………….Rev. I. W. Pifield.
86Miss Minerva Cochran was the soprano soloist, and the faculty also had the assistance of that clever artist Earl Drake, who, I hear, is receiving many offers of engagements. This is as it should be. Mr. Drake was with Joachim for years and shows the master's guidance in all his playing. Last night his interpretation of Vieuxtemps' Fantaisie Appassionata was splendid, with volume, feeling and dramatic expression. He deserved thoroughly the enthusiastic reception accorded him.
88Mrs. Genevra Johnstone-Bishop sang with grand success, being recalled many times and singing several encores, a Beloit on Wednesday, aria from Gabriella, Midsummer Dreams and Visions by Guy d'Hardelot, and a duet with M. Bicknell Young. A noticeable feature of the concert was the playing of Franz Listemann, the 'cellist, who received a perfect ovation. Mrs. Mazzuccato Young accompanied in her delightful manner, with that artistic finish that distinguishes her.
90Henry Schoenefeld, the composer, has lately signed a contract with the Chicago Musical College to teach exclusively at that institution composition and harmony. The college is to be commended upon its newest acquisition, and Mr. Schoenefeld is to be congratulated upon becoming a member of this great institution, at the head of which stands Dr. Ziegfeld. Indefatigable as ever, the doctor is now in Europe, content in the knowledge that his business will still be conducted upon the same principles as have distinguished it from the time of its inception, thirty years ago, in Crosby Opera House, as he leaves his two youngest sons, Carl and William, as his representatives. They have an arduous responsibility, however, as they have had the entire arrangement of the annual commencement concert, which was an immensely successful affair, carried out in its entirety to perfection. Nothing was forgotten. The flower banked stage was a picture, and beautifully decorated and draped in the colors of the college.
92This commencement concert was from start to finish a grand success. The program, under the direction of that incomparable violinist, Bernhard L'ntemann, and Hans von Schiller was well worthy the attendance. Members of the Chicago Orchestra accompanied the different numbers, which were so well chosen and which displayed the capabilities of each individual graduate.
94The college has three graduates of whom it can be proud, Arthur Rech, Louis Elbel and Fannie Ferguson. There is little to choose between, as in their several ways they are very gifted. If one could be permitted a choice perhaps Louis Elbel would be a preference, as his interpretation of Grieg's concerto (first movement) was remarkable for clear and brilliant technic. He plays, too, with an individuality which few young pianists attempt. It is a relief when one hears a student get out of the beaten tracks and play with intelligence, instead of the usual hum-drum.
96Arthur Rech gave a splendid promise of developing into a fine pianist. His performance of the rondo in B minor of Mendelssohn was really delightful. He is a bright example of good teaching and much practice. The remaining pianist, Miss Ida Belle Field, was somewhat nervous, but nevertheless did highly creditable work in the first movement from Kullak's concerto in C minor.
98The two violinists, Catherine Hall and Agnes Pringle, are enough in themselves to make the reputation of any college. The first named is probably the more talented and gave a masterly performance of David's concerto No. 5. Her volume and tone color were immense. I have but seldom heard such power from a woman. A great future is in store for Miss Hall, and she should be taking a leading place in the musical world at no very remote date. Agnes Pringle has had the advantage of long study with Mr. Listemann, and did some splendid work in the Bazzini concerto. Her bowing is absolutely perfect, and her wrist movement a lesson in itself.
100Fannie Ferguson sang an aria from the Queen of Sheba with great intelligence and feeling and received warm applause. A great favorite of the college is Ida M. Raalfs, who has wonderfully improved since I last heard her, and in ambitiously attempting the aria from Traviata showed that she might accomplish great success. A perfect ovation was accorded her and she was loaded with flowers. However, all the participants of the program were lavishly remembered with floral offerings, and surely the whole evening was one which will not be soon forgotten. In accordance with the usual custom of the college the Rev. Dr. Thomas awarded the handsome diamond medals, which were well deserved. A new institution was made. All those receiving the degree of Master of Music also donned cap and gown, and very charming the girls looked in them.
102After the awards came the really big event of the evening, when Mr. Louis Falk was made a Doctor of Music, the first title ever bestowed in the college, and well he deserved the honor for his long and faithful service to musical art. Dr. Thomas in a delightfully worded address made the presentation of a magnificent diploma and an exquisite medal. Dr. Falk returned thanks in a few graceful words, into which he interspersed some feeling remarks about his long connection with D. Ziegfeld (who cabled congratulations). This enjoyable evening was the glorious finish of a most successful year, and the two young sons of the president of the Chicago Musical College have every reason to be satisfied with the result of their praiseworthy endeavors.
104FLORENCE FRENCH. one of two readings
105Florence French. one of two readings
107Heard without Effort.—At Marlborough House recently the Princess of Wales and the Princesses Victoria and Maud listened by the telephone to selections from performances at the leading London theatres, including the opera at Drury Lane. We are reaching the mode when full-dress performances may be enjoyed en neglîge.
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