Scan 12
Musical Courier 1898-05-25: Vol 36 Iss 951, 1898
129 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 13. See the scan on archive.org.
1sources at home, is such an extraordinary artist as Godowsky overlooked? And it has been the same with other prominent American pianists. There is William H. Sherwood, who, it is generally acknowledged, is the greatest American born pianist. He is playing superbly now, and it may fairly be stated that he is certainly in the zenith of his powers. Artist, composer, pianist, Mr. Sherwood has been heard in all the great cities of the Union with orchestra and in recital. It is only in Chicago that opportunity has not been afforded him. Hans Von Schiller, an artist who gained considerable success with the orchestra some years since, is a resident of Chicago, and not heard in any big concert here. W. C. E. Seeboeck, a sterling artist, has also been omitted from the list of soloists, while Emil Liebling, whose reputation has for years extended throughout America, and who is a favorite of both press and public, was reported to be engaged, but the season passed, and he was still unheard with the orchestra. The Orchestral management has shown a splendid disposition toward the home artist; then let it still further enlarge its sphere of usefulness and give us Emil Liebling as one of the first soloists next year.
3* * *
5The most brilliant soloist success of the season among the home artists was Serena Swabacker, who, returning only in November of last year, made an early appearance with the orchestra, singing the waltz aria from "Philemon and Baucis." It was a trying ordeal for any artist to return to her home city and appear before the vast audience which filled the Auditorium, but Serena Swabacker, with her voice and artistic training, carried off honors and scored a huge success. In her method and style of work she resembles Lilian Blauvelt, but the quality of her voice, style and appearance are distinctly her own. Mrs. Swabacker is a unique personality, bright, dainty and chic, with musical intelligence of a high order and with an artistic finish. She is a lyric soprano, who was a welcome addition to the concert room last season, and should be one of the most popular singers in the States next year.
7* * *
9Others of our resident instrumentalists who played with the orchestra were Emil Baré, Leopold Kramer, E. Schüecker and Bruno Steindel. The last named had one of the biggest receptions of the season, and played the Dvorák concerto magnificently. It was the finest 'cello playing we have heard in years. It is generally acknowledged that Mr. Steindel's tone color and exquisite sympathetic singing quality has not been surpassed here, and that an orchestra is strong indeed when it numbers among its members a 'cellist who ranks among the really great artists.
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13The Apollo Club concert prevented my attendance at a concert arranged by T. S. Bergey at Kimball Hall. The following is the program:
15March, six hands………………………………………Weckerlin
16Misses White.
17My Lover Will Come To-day…………………….De Koven
18The Riddle……………………………………………..Gaynor
19Jerushy……………………………………………………Gaynor
20Miss Reynolds.
21Two Sapphires—Those Dear Eyes…………………Allitsen
22King Duncan's Daughters……………………………Allitsen
23T. L. Ryerson.
24Airs Hongrois…………………………………………..Ernst
25Ritournelle……………………………………………..Chaminade
26Forbidden Music………………………………………Gastaldon
27Miss Reynolds.
28En Route (On the Road)……………………………Godard
29Miss Maggie White.
30Reading—Selected…………………………………….Miss Martin.
31Darling, Darling………………………………………Vanderpoel
32May Morning…………………………………………..Denza
33Legende…………………………………………………..Wieniawski
34W. W. Leffingwell.
35Sing, Smile, Slumber…………………………………Gounod
36Miss Reynolds.
37Violin obligato, Mr. Leffingwell.
39Far beyond every anticipation, superior to all previous promise is the rich realization of Charles C. Curtiss' dearly cherished idea of a model building suitable in all respects for musical requirements. The old Studebaker building has been entirely transformed and remodeled, and with a rare and peculiar appreciation of the special necessities of a building which was to become a home for music has the work been accomplished. This greatest of Chicago's distinctly musical buildings has one crowning advantage over the others in the ground floor auditorium. With a splendidly high ceiling and no columns, ventilation the most perfect obtainable, and the needs and comforts of an audience to the number of 1,600 in every way considered, the success of the new hall—a name is still wanting—which is to be opened September 1, is unquestionably assured. The front of the stage will measure across 60 feet, while its depth will be 30 feet. The style is of the Italian Renaissance, with rich columns on each side of the auditorium and around the interior an elaborate and most handsome cornice.
41On the main floor also is a smaller hall reached from the principal corridor and with accommodation for 700 people. This is the club gathering room, and will serve eminently for song recitals and the general run of smaller entertainments. Above are the studios, and here also nothing has been left wanting that could in any way be conducive to the comfort of the tenants. The latter will not necessarily be confined to musical artists, for any of the professions will be made welcome.
43In any notice it would be an impossibility to do full justice to Mr. Curtiss' creation, its handsome interior, its many and great advantages, the splendid corridors and staircase, the large and small auditoriums—each needs to be seen to comprehend fully the thoroughness with which the design laid down by Mr. Curtiss has been so successfully carried through. Already many of our most prominent artists and organizations are to be found there, and unquestionably it will in a short space of time be the most popular of our public art buildings.
45Willard Kimball and Miss Julia Officer have been closing contracts during the past week for the five weeks' musical festival to be held at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition at Omaha, beginning June 1. The works thus far arranged to be given with soloists, chorus and organ, accompanied by the Chicago Orchestra, are:
47Fair Ellen……………………………………………..Bruch
48Daughter of Jairus…………………………………….Stainer one of two readings
49Daughter of Jairus………………………………….Stainer one of two readings
50Elijah…………………………………………………….Mendelssohn
51Swan and Skylark………………………………………Thomas one of two readings
52Swan and Skylark……………………………………Thomas one of two readings
53Messiah………………………………………………….Händel
54Rose Maiden……………………………………………Cowen one of two readings
55Rose Maiden…………………………………………..Cowen one of two readings
56Creation………………………………………………….Haydn
57Barbara Freitchie………………………………………Jules Jordan one of two readings
58Barbara Freitchie……………………………………Jules Jordan one of two readings
59Isaiah…………………………………………………….Willard Patten
61The list of soloists is not yet completed. American composers are well represented. The work of Jules Jordan is quite apropos in subject and will meet the war spirit of the times.
63* * *
65The concert given at Handel Hall, at which Mrs. Katharine Spear Cornell and Charles W. Clark were the chief attractions, should have gained a better audience than that assembled. As a rule amateur management is responsible for the poor attendance, and this occasion was no exception. To begin with, if the affair had been advertised and adequately manged better results must have ensued. It was said 500 tickets had been sold. Certainly not a fifth of that number attended, but those who did go were well repaid, for both Mrs Cornell and Mr. Clark were singing at their best. The talented contralto, Katharine Spear Cornell, made a welcome reappearance on the concert stage, and showed that her rich, full voice had lost nothing in the two years since she gave up public performance. With beautiful intonation and excellent method Mrs. Cornell sang "O Fatima," of Weber; Chaminade's "Love a Captive," Schubert's "Death and the Maiden," and "There Was an Ancient King," by Henschel. Her intelligent and musically interpretation, combined with charming individuality, made her persona grata at once with the audience, which quickly recognized Mrs. Cornell's art. Charles W. Clark was heard to great advantage, introducing three charming English songs, which were sung with much feeling, and also a song of Schumann that gave evidence of thoughtful study. Miss Maude Kelly, soprano, has an excellent voice, but study with a good teacher is an absolute necessity. Neither pitch nor intonation were correct, and then two difficult selections such as Schira's "Sognai" and Saint-Saëns' "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice," from "Samson and Delilah," are not suitable for amateurs to attempt. Miss Laura Stewart Waples, violinist, and Th. Otterstroem pianist, were the artists completing the program. Mrs. Annette Middelschulte, a talented pianist and organist, played the accompaniments with delicacy and refinement.
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69Bicknell Young will sing at the Quincy May Festival, to take place on Thursday and Friday, May 26 and 27, under the direction of P. C. Hayden. Mr. Young will also act as adjudicator in the vocal contest.
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73At the annual meeting of the Amateur Musical Club the following officers were elected for the coming year: President, Mrs. William S. Warren; vice-president, Mrs. George V. Harvey; executive committee, Mrs. Robert G. Clarke, Mrs. Proctor Smith, Mrs. Nathan K. Bigelow, Mrs. Philip B. Bradley and Miss Frances D. Gould.
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77Among the many recitals given this month was that of Miss Edith Rann, the pianist and teacher, in Steinway Hall, whose pupils have done excellent work this season. A few points of the recital might be emphasized. First, all the program was memorized, and there was but little nervousness or amateurishness displayed. Many of the young pianists have been with Miss Rann four and five years, and consequently displayed excellent style and technic and surety of manner. Miss Tuthill played with ease and is undoubtedly artistic. Miss Hunneman was accurate and clear in her playing, while Miss Sutters' playing was marked by considerable brilliancy. Many of Miss Rann's pupils are from different parts of the country and have come to study with her from hearing others of her pupils. Among the best known is Celeste Nellis, at present studying with Barth and who acquired her early training from Miss Rann. It is evident from the thoroughness displayed by many of the girls that Miss Rann's own teaching is of the best and that what they accomplish is due to her indomitable work, as those girls who have studied with her the longest are undoubtedly the most thorough. The following is the program given at Miss Rann's recital:
79Concerto, G minor…………………………………….Mendelssohn one of two readings
80Concerto, G minor………………………………….Mendelssohn one of two readings
81Miss Meta Hunneman.
82Butterfly……………………………………………….Grieg
83Little Bird………………………………………………Grieg one of two readings
84Little Bird……………………………………………..Grieg one of two readings
85Miss Ethel Perce.
86Song, Damon…………………………………………..Stange
87Miss Laura Ruckheim.
88Waltz, E major……………………………………….Moszkowski one of two readings
89Waltz, E major………………………………………Moszkowski one of two readings
90Miss Edith Lucile Hooper.
91Concerto, E minor……………………………………Chopin one of two readings
92Concerto, E minor…………………………………..Chopin one of two readings
93Miss Zoe Gertrude Tuthill.
94Song, Night Time……………………………………Van de Water
95Autumn………………………………………………….Chaminade one of two readings
96Autumn………………………………………………..Chaminade one of two readings
97Miss Emma Lindsey.
98Concerto, A minor……………………………………Godard one of two readings
99Concerto, A minor…………………………………..Godard one of two readings
100Miss H. Louise Sutter.
102The notice which follows about Harrison Wild's pupil, Miss Kerlin, appeared in the Freeport Daily Bulletin:
104When in Freeport Miss Kerlin is constantly employed looking after the progress of her large class of students. In Chicago under Harrison M. Wild's competent care and coaching she gave her entire time to study and practice, and returns showing decided improvement in her work and also much rested by the change.
106Miss Kerlin ranks as one of the leading pianists, not only of Freeport, but of its vicinity, and Freeport people are proud of her success. It is to be hoped that we may have the pleasure of hearing her in public recital at an early day.
108J. Burt Rogers, assisted by Mrs. Charles W. Trego, will give a recital Tuesday, May 24, at Kimball Hall.
110FLORENCE FRENCH.
112GENEVIEVE CLARK
113WILSON,
114SOPRANO.
115Address FRED. J. WESSELS,
116Auditorium Tower,
117CHICAGO, ILL.
119HARRY J.
120ZEHM
121CONCERT ORGANIST.
122Pupil of Alexandre Guilmant.
123Address Ill West 103th St., New York.
125ALMA POWELL,
126Soprano.
127ADDRESS …
128VICTOR THRANE, DECKER BUILDING, New York.
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