Scan 32
Musical Courier 1898-01-05: Vol 36 Iss 931, 1898
55 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 33. See the scan on archive.org.
1New York Chamber Music Club.
2THE New York Chamber Music Club, August Spanuth, piano; Ludwig Marum, violin, and Anton Hegner, violoncello, gave the second of three concerts announced for this season on Monday evening last, the 3d inst., in the banquet hall of the Hotel Savoy. Brahms' trio, op. 101, in C minor, and the Schumann trio, op. 63, in D minor, were divided on the program by a group of songs of W. Arms Fisher, Tchaikowsky, Louis V. Saar, Reynaldo Hahn and Schumann, sung by the contralto Mrs. Josephine S. Jacoby. An audience of quite a fashionable aspect crowded the hall.
4This trio club is a capable and interesting addition to the not overcrowded ranks of trio musicians in New York. They play with a nicely adjusted sense of proportion, inclining more to the gentle and persuasive than the robust side of ensemble work, for which Heaven be thanked if the pendulum has got to swing a little more to one side than the other. They phrase well, and are in sympathy, and their attack is absolute. Their tone is pure, although the liquid charm of the piano with Mr. Spanuth and the dulcet voice of Mr. Hegner's 'cello are occasionally overborne by a sharp, acid accent from Mr. Marum's violin.
6It is excellent ensemble work, however, although more rehearsal would need to have been in order. The Brahms work went smoothly, the second presto assai movement in especial going with delicate crispness and verve, but the organization nearly went to smash in the first movement of the Schumann trio, familiar and all though the work be. They covered up their tracks, however, by repetition without stoppage, and carried on the trio with much spirit to the close. A special word of praise is due the crystalline and polished work of Mr. Spanuth at the piano. He is one of the most delightful ensemble players heard here in a long period, the color and quality of his tone serving even to lend an expressive glow to the voices of the other instruments. With Mr. Spanuth at its head this trio should lead a long life.
8Mrs. Jacoby again gave proof of the fact that she is the owner of one of the noblest contralto voices at present before the public. Tropically rich, even, pure and with a vibrant ring throughout its wide compass, it is an exceptional instrument and is used by the singer with admirable effect. The Tchaikowsky song "Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt" was given with 'cello obligato, but Mrs. Jacoby was at her best in Schumann's "Frühlingsnacht," in the "Si mes vers Avaient des Ailes" of Hahn, and in Fisher's "Under the Rose." She sang Schumann's impassioned song with ardor and abandon, and the brilliancy of her timbre in the French lyric was striking in combination with the mellow depth of her vocal quality. In the English song it would really be hard to overpraise the simple pathos which was carried to the audience in a diction admirably pure and distinct. The sing-
10er was recalled enthusiastically at the close and gave for an encore number the little English song of Bartlett, which she has already made a favorite with the New York public. Her delivery of English songs has an especial charm and never fails to captivate her audience.
12It was an interesting concert. The third of the series will take place on February 7.
14Georg Liebling.
15A CABLEGRAM just received at this office gives the information that the German Emperor has bestowed a decoration on the renowned pianist Georg Liebling. Further particulars will be received by mail. Mr. Liebling will play in the United States next season.
17Madame Sembrich.
18Madame Sembrich left for Europe yesterday on the Kaiser Wilhelm. Before her departure she made a conditional contract with George Stewart of Boston, the same manager who had Calvé last season for concerts, for twenty concerts at $1,500 apiece, including some May festivals of 1899.
20The statements in the daily papers in reference to Mme. Sembrich's European engagements are premature. Signor Bevignani was a passenger on the same steamer to Europe.
22A Buck Cantata in Middletown.
23The choir of Grace Church, Middletown, N. Y., numbering thirty voices, under the direction of Harvey Wickham, gave Dudley Buck's cantata "The Song of the Night," on New Year's Eve. Notwithstanding the hour (11:30 p. m.) and a raging snow storm, the church was crowded and the performance very successful in every respect. one of two readings
24The choir of Grace Church, Middletown, N. Y., numbering thirty voices, under the direction of Harvey Wickerham, gave Dudley Buck's cantata "The Song of the Night," on New Year's Eve. Notwithstanding the hour (11:30 p. m.) and a raging snow storm, the church was crowded and the performance very successful in every respect. one of two readings
26Laura Sanford's Concert.
27Miss Laura Sanford will give a concert in the Astor Gallery of the Waldorf-Astoria on Tuesday afternoon, January 11, at 3 o'clock, under distinguished patronage. She will be assisted by Sam Franko and his orchestra, and by the great American baritone David Bispham.
29Miss Sanford will play the Schumann Concerto in A minor, with orchestra, and a group of piano solos. Mr. Bispham will sing Beethoven's rarely heard song cycle "An de Ferne Geliebte" (To the Distant Loved One) and, later, some popular favorites of his repertory.
31Laura Sanford is the gifted pupil of Miss Amy Fay, by whom she was trained for the concert stage on the method of Court Conductor Ludwig Deppe, of Berlin, as set forth in Miss Fay's book "Music Study in Germany."
33Miss Sanford played with the Theodore Thomas Orchestra in Chicago with success at the age of thirteen.
35The Maine Symphony.
36A SURPRISE IN STORE FOR THE LOVERS OF MUSIC.
37To the Editor of the Advertiser:
38THE communication which follows expresses my sentiments about the rehearsal of the Maine Symphony Orchestra so much better than I could express them that I beg you will publish it.
39E. A. NOYES.
41A great and very delightful surprise is in store for the Portland public in the work of our Maine Symphony Orchestra, which will form the foreground, background and general foundation of the concerts announced by W. R. Chapman for this coming month. We are to hear Madame Lillian Blauvelt, whose inimitable vocal and personal charm still lingers with us from the October Festival, as well as Mr. Hans Kronold, the 'cellist whose perfect technic and broad style remains one of the most perfect memories of that great occasion. But now as to the orchestra, Mr. Chapman's energy and ability are no longer a wonder to Maine. His wizard-like capacity to get most beautifully fine effects from great bodies of vocalists on very short notice now goes without saying. But we could hardly believe in the new surprise he had up his sleeve in the admirable work of the orchestra of picked musicians from different parts of the State whom a favored few heard last night at their rehearsal with Mr. Chapman. One was delighted as surprised at the admirable results obtained. It had indeed been through hard work, of Mr. Chapman's own peculiar telling and inspiring kind that enthused to such admirable performance, even such good instrumentalists as those artists chosen by him out of many. It was a veritable tour de force, and the precision of attack, ensemble, and generally clean and careful work of these gentlemen after but eighteen hours under Mr. Chapman's baton, is something to listen to with satisfaction, and look forward to with delight when the orchestra shall be reinforced by the New York artists.—Portland Advertiser, December 31.
43Ernest Gamble.
44Mr. Ernest Gamble, basso profundo, gives a song recital Monday evening, January 17, at Leechburg, Pa.
46Van Yorx.
47W. Theodore Van Yorx was engaged last week to sing in oratorio at Bridgeport, Conn., on January 20, and at Washington D. C., on February 21. He will also sing with the Musikverein of Milwaukee on January 31 and February 1, who will give for the first time Hegar's "Manasse."
49Here are some of his recent press notices:
50Mr. Van Yorx has a tenor voice of pleasing quality. His vocalization is accurate and his phrasing correct.—Chicago Chronicle, December 22, 1897.
52Mr. Van Yorx, the tenor, was adequate to the demands of his role.—Chicago Record, December 22.
54Mr. Van Yorx, tenor, is a most capable artist. He has a voice well suited to the needs of music such as that of the "Messiah." In the opening recitative and aria, as well as in the great music that is given to this part later in the work, he not only satisfied, but won the enthusiastic recognition of his audience.—Chicago Inter-Ocean, December 22, 1897.
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