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Musical Courier 1897-05-12: Vol 34 Iss 897, 1897
38 lines. Read by computer on 24 September 2026. Printed page 10. See the scan on archive.org.
1Music in Baltimore.
2BALTIMORE, May 7, 1897.
3EVERY community has its choral society, and I suppose it is a pardonable pride that claims for its city pre-eminence in this respect. It is this feeling that keeps up the enthusiasm of its membership, and an appreciative public responds with an encouraging attendance at each performance, and it would be a source of infinite regret should the enthusiasm and interest that have so generally characterized the present organization of our Oratorio Society be on the wane.
4I indulge in these misgivings because of the comparative weakness of the male portion of the chorus at the concert April 29. This weakness was not so noticeable in Christophorus as in the more exacting Mount of Olives. The choral work of Christophorus was very satisfactory, but this cannot be said of the Mount of Olives, and this due solely and entirely to the weakness of the male chorus. Soprano and alto possessed sufficient strength, but both tenor and bass lacked corresponding volume, and the even balance that marked the St. Paul (the best choral work the society has ever done) performance was missing. Even with the reduced number of voices there was no weakness evident in precision of attack or care in shading, but it was the lack or volume and the evenly balanced tone that detracted from what would have otherwise been a much more satisfactory reading.
5Mrs. Katherine Bloodgood sang the short alto part in Christophorus with telling effect. Miss Marguerite Lemon in both of the works did commendable work, and created a very favorable impression. The burden of the solo work in Christophorus devolved upon Dr. B. Merrill Hopkinson. Dr. Hopkinson in everything he essays always gives evidence of musical intelligence, and his singing shows the result of careful and conscientious study, as well as an intelligent comprehension of the work he is to sing. On this occasion he thoroughly sustained this reputation.
6Mr. Evan Williams, who has become a prime favorite with Baltimore audiences, fully maintained the reputation he has established as the most satisfactory oratorio singer the society has ever brought here. Mr. Williams has decided individuality, and I know of no tenor with a brighter future in the field of oratorio. On this occasion Mr. Williams' best work was the aria All My Soul Within Me Shudders, in the Mount of Olives. Mr. Fache's directing showed the result of careful rehearsing, and what material he had under him that evening did creditable work, for I desire in no way to reflect upon the efficiency of those participating.
7The Beethoven Chorus gave its closing concert of the season in Lehmann's Hall Monday, 19th ult. Mr. Lucien Odend'hal, the director, has succeeded in making this a very finished body of singers, and tickets to these concerts are eagerly sought for. Mr. S. Archer Gibson announces a series of organ recitals at the First Presbyterian Church. The first was held April 27, at which the principal work performed was the fifth grand organ symphony of C. M. Widor. Mr. Gibson is the successor to the late Edward Aler, and gives every promise of taking front rank among the organists of the city.
8The organ recital of the pupils of Mr. Robert L. Haslup, May 3, was well attended, and the performances throughout reflected credit upon the painstaking instructor and scholarly organist.
9Mr. Clifton Davis' pupils gave an interesting exhibition April 30 of the benefits derived from Mr. Davis' experience as a vocal instructor. The recent pupils' concerts all give evidence of Baltimore possessing quite a corps of practical and efficient vocal instructors. At Mr. Davis' evening with his pupils the event was made additionally interesting by the presence of Mr. Evan Williams, who closed the program with two delightfully sung songs. Mr. Williams is known to this community as an oratorio singer, but he is none the less interesting as a ballad singer.
10The third Peabody Alumni concert on April 28 was devoted entirely to original compositions by members of the alumni association. Those figuring on the program were Laura F. Volkmar, Minna D. Hill, Eliza M. Woods, Elizabeth E. Starr and Harry P. Hopkins. The composition of Mr. Hopkins, a quintet for piano, flute, violin, viola and violoncello, was composed especially for Mr. Fred. H. Gottlieb, and as a favor to the composer he played the flute solo on this occasion. Mr. Hopkins has recently been elected organist of the Har Sinai Temple.
11At the anniversary services of the Seventh Baptist Church, on Sunday, April 25, the anniversary anthem written for the occasion was the composition of Mr. Charles E. Anderson. Mr. Anderson has been a prominent figure and factor in the insurance district for some years, and his latent qualities as a composer have just become known to his many friends and comes as an agreeable surprise.
12The recital of the pupils of Miss Cealia and Marie Gaul, some evenings since, was made interesting to the friends of the pupils as evidencing the proficiency developed under these ladies' tuition.
13Summer opera has been progressing with success at Ford's Opera House and Academy of Music, while the enterprising Edward Strakosch has transformed and made attractive the Music Hall, with the Russian Orchestra as the main attraction, and this enterprise is meeting with deserved success.
14The third concert of the Germania Männerchor took place last night, with Mendelssohn's Walpurgisnacht as the attraction. The work was very satisfactory. The choruses were all sung with precision and vigor, and the finale with a fervency that was quite effective. Mr. W. E. Heimendahl, the director, had his forces well in hand, and in the way of attack accomplished something with his orchestra. Mr. Heimendahl is unquestionably our most capable orchestral director, and if he had been installed as such at the Peabody would have made something of the available material that that institution could always command.
15XX.
16Anna Miller Wood.
17ANNA MILLER WOOD, who leaves for her home in San Francisco some time in June, will appear in two concerts en route—one at Los Angeles and one in Santa Barbara. The summer in San Francisco will be devoted to teaching, and a series of recitals will be given in that city. Miss Wood will return to Boston in time for next season's work and also to resume her position in the choir of the First Church, for which she has been re-engaged.
18Miss Olivia Edmunds, a San Francisco girl who has been studying the past year with Mr. Arthur Foote, will go with Miss Wood, and has arranged to remain permanently in her native city, where she will receive pupils. Miss Edmunds has played Miss Wood's accompaniments here both in public and private, and will play at the recitals this summer.
19The programs for these recitals will be of great interest to the musical people of San Francisco, as Miss Wood makes a special point of new songs, and she is taking home a great quantity of music entirely new to the Pacific Coast. There will be several novelties in her programs that will excite the attention of all who will hear this talented young artist.
20Already a number of students have arranged for lessons with Miss Wood, while a number of singers from out of town have arranged to spend the summer in San Francisco in order to study with her. In order to meet the requirements of these pupils from other cities, Miss Wood will make boarding arrangements for such as desire it, who wish to be with her through the summer.
21Miss Wood studied with Mme. Julie Rosewald for five years before leaving San Francisco, and for four years was Madame Rosewald's assistant. Since that time she has studied with Henschel, Shakspeare, Frank Herbert Tubbs, of New York, and Clarence Hay, of Boston.
22Miss Wood has made rapid strides in her profession during the past year and this will give her friends additional pleasure to welcome her back to her home. She is always the artist and is musical to her finger tips. She has made a large circle of friends in this city and vicinity, who are greatly interested in her future career, and it is expected that she will make a name for herself that will repay for all the hard work of the past years. Already she occupies an exceptional position, her time is crowded with engagements and pupils, while new friends are gained at every new place where she sings. Her voice is gaining daily in deep, rich contralto qualities, qualities that, added to her youth and personal charm of appearance and manner, always appeal at once to the sympathy of her audience.
23Engagements for next season are already being talked about and re-engagements have also been arranged in many of the cities and towns where Miss Wood has appeared during the past season.
24We Know.
25WE know one of the best men in this country for the sheet music business. He is a young man and speaks three or four languages fluently, and has a thorough knowledge of the sheet music business, both classical and popular. He is a musician of intelligence, and understands how to treat people, and can be reached by addressing this paper under the heading "Sheet Music."
26Elvira Toni.—Miss Elvira Toni, a pupil of Vittorio Carpi, now giving lessons in Milan, and who sang at La Scala, has been engaged to sing in Rome at the Theatre Costanzi in Wagner's Götterdämmerung.
27Breitkopf & Hartel.—The second part of the concert handbook published by the eminent firm of Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipsic, is just issued. It contains in its 147 pages a large list of selected vocal works with orchestra by German and foreign composers. This concert handbook, the first part of which is devoted to orchestral works, will be indispensable to conductors of large or small orchestras and singing societies.
28WANTED.—A violoncellist for solo and ensemble work during August. Address, 106 East Seventy-fourth street, New York City.
29FOR SALE—One of the finest Violoncellos in this country. Address OPPORTUNITY, THE MUSICAL COURIER, Union square West, New York.
30WANTED—Position as accompanist and to coach singers in the studio of a vocal teacher. Applicant is a young lady who has had experience. Address Miss A. B. X., care THE MUSICAL COURIER, New York.
31AMATI VIOLINS—Two genuine Amati violins—one Hieronymus and the other Nicolas—for sale. Address genuine letters only to "Violin," care of this paper. They are the property of an artist, not of a collector or dealer.
32SPECIAL TO TEACHERS.—All interested in progressive ideas as applied to piano practice and instruction, in accordance with the most modern of methods, are invited to correspond with Mr. Nathan Gans, pupil of Breslaur, Franck, Scharwenka, Von Herzogenberg, &c., Berlin, specialist in Piano Technic.
33ADDRESS: 165 WEST FORTY-EIGHTH STREET, New York.
34CONSERVATORY BUSINESS MANAGER.—Advertiser has had successful experience in the business management of conservatories. Correspondence invited from responsible persons desirous of forming new conservatories next fall in cities of 200,000 or more. Or will be pleased to hear from established institutions. Best references. Address W. M. T., care THE MUSICAL COURIER, New York.
35VIOLINIST going abroad desires to dispose of his class and studio, located in a Southern city of 50,000 inhabitants. A splendid opportunity to the right party, who must be first class. For particulars address or call between 12 and 2, S. F. & Co., Room 2, 124 Front street, New York.
36FINE STUDIO FOR VOCAL TEACHER.—Henry Taylor Staats will let his large and elegantly furnished studio for two days in the week to a vocal teacher. The location, 487 Fifth avenue, near Forty-second street, is unsurpassed and the studio contains a fine Steinway concert grand piano.
37SUMMER SCHOOL—Piano, organ, harmony, under the direction of F. W. Riesberg, professor at the New York College of Music, Organist Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York, at Cooperstown, N. Y., on Lake Otsego (12 miles from Richfield Springs), beginning June 28, ten weeks. Weekly concerts, free classes in sight reading, and eight hours' practice daily. Cooperstown is an ideal place for summer study; 1,300 feet above the sea, cool always, a beautiful lake, fine hills, boating, driving and wheeling, eight hours from New York. Good boarding room $5 to $7 per week. A fine opportunity for teachers engaged the rest of the year to spend a delightful and profitable summer. Address F. W. RIESBERG, care THE MUSICAL COURIER, 19 Union Square, New York.
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