Scan 24
Musical Courier 1898-06-01: Vol 36 Iss 952, 1898
81 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 25. See the scan on archive.org.
1only lies, violence, murder. The sole sorrow of my old age is that I have not succeeded to communicate to my brothers the truth which I feel, with the same evidence as I feel the light of the sun, that patriotism must lead to lies, violence, murder and the loss not only of material well-being, but to the greatest moral depravation. I am not yet discouraged, and am now writing again on the same subject an article entitled 'Carthago delenda est.' I will speak and write on this theme till my last breath, because I think patriotism is one of the dreadfulest delusions and evils of the world."
3Mr. Mariner's May Recitals.
4The Recital Hall of the Virgil Piano School was well filled last Tuesday evening on the occasion of Frederick Mariner's last May recital. The program, the most interesting of the series, was interpreted by Robert Colson Young, pianist, assisted by Miss May Ashley Bell, a young singer from Virginia and a pupil of Frank Herbert Tubbs.
6Mr. Young's selections were from Beethoven, Schumann, Scarlatti, Lachner and MacDowell. Although Mr. Young's years correspond with his name, yet his playing was mature and thoroughly musical. His rhythms had the easy swing and go which make the hearer at once relax any sense of nervous feeling and settle back to enjoy to the fullest extent what is in store for him. His appearance was prepossessing and his manner reposeful. His musical effects were always good and often highly artistic. Especially was this noticeable in the MacDowell tone poems, which were given with grace and finish. Tenderness and romantic sentiment are the emotional requisites of these compositions. Mr. Young's interpretations showed in these respects a just discrimination as to tone quality, phrasing and dramatic content.
8Miss Bell has a high soprano voice of good quality, and with more training and experience in public work is sure of the success her singing now promises. A pleasant accessory to the evening's enjoyment was the playing of little eight year old Margaret Davis, who has had not quite two terms' instruction. She played three little pieces, the first of which she played on the clavier and then went to the piano with it for the first time, before the audience, having never heard it nor touched it on the piano before. Her playing was accurate and clear and perfect as to rhythm.
10Mr. Mariner's high aims and conscientious spirit entitle him to consideration as one of the foremost among our resident teachers. His work is justly commendable.
12The Reading, Pa., Chorus.
13The Reading Chorus has completed its first season in a blaze of glory. It held its closing rehearsal a few evenings ago, when a delightful program was given in the Second Reformed Church. A number of the friends of the chorus were present, and refreshments were served during the evening. Some of the music was a repetition of that given at the closing concert. There were solos by Miss Edith Kramer, Edwin Pengelly, Miss Rose Ancona, Mrs. W. S. S. Coleman and others. Miss Carrie A. Barkalow gave a whistling solo—Meyerbeer's "Shadow Dance."
15The closing concert was one of the best musical events that Reading has enjoyed in a long while. Opening with the "Star Spangled Banner," the program included two of the "Elijah" choruses: "Behold the Lord Passeth By" and "Thanks Be To God," both of which were finely executed. The shading was delicate and well defined, the volume of tone admirable. Mr. Berg held his chorus under excellent control. It was given without orchestral accompaniment, but the piano work of Mr. Benbow was so creditable that the absence of the usual orchestra was scarcely noticed.
17The Spinning Chorus from "The Flying Dutchman" by the women's voices was greatly enjoyed. So enthusiastic was the audience that it had to be repeated. Nevin's "Wynken, Blynken and Nod" was also delightfully given, and called forth an encore. Miss Shearer took the solo obligato, and her voice was well adapted to the work. But perhaps the gem of the program was the trio of choruses from Rubinstein's "Tower of Babel." The sons of Shem, Ham and Japhet each sang their part with a distinct characterization that showed leader and chorus to be in entire sympathy with the music's meaning. The work was indeed very intelligent. The rollicking character of the sons of Ham, the restless vagabondage of Shem's offspring and the delightfully peaceable and sophisticated style of the sons of Japhet were finely portrayed. The Japhet chorus had to be repeated. "America" closed the performance.
19The Beethoven String Quartet, of Philadelphia, played between whiles, a Mozart and Beethoven quartet being particularly well given.
21The Chorus has given three concerts in this its first season, and is now on a strong basis, with sure promise of future success. There are a large number of sustaining members, and it is expected that next year's season will bring in many more. "The Messiah" will be taken up in the fall, to be performed about Christmas time.
23Mr. Berg has worked tirelessly in the interest of the organization, and the success of the first season reflects much credit upon his energy and skill.
25Allentown Oratorio Society.
26The eighth concert of the Allentown Oratorio Society took place in Central Market Hall on the evening of May 24. There were over 1,000 people present, and the artistic, social and financial success was most gratifying.
28The work sung was Haydn's "Creation," and the Chronicle and News of Allentown says in its article upon the concert:
30Applause after applause greeted the soloists and the society. The latter, inspired by the presence of so appreciative an audience and spurred to the uttermost by the work of the soloists, sang with a volume of voice, a finish of tone, attack, a conception and grasp of the spirit of the composer, a responsiveness to the guidance of the conductor through all the intricate mazes of the fugues and the massive strains of the chorus, that stamped them as an organization whose achievements will soon be second to none.
32The soloists were Mrs. Marie Kunkle-Zimmerman, soprano; J. Henry McKinley, tenor, and Arthur Beresford, basso, a trio of artists of pre-eminent abilities, dramatic and musical.
34Mrs. Zimmerman is like wine, she improves with age. Her liquid tones, her clear enunciation, her perfect control, the thorough appreciation of her text, the exquisite melody and timbre of her voice, all prove her an artist of potential qualities. The Oratorio Society made no mistake in re-engaging her, and will make no mistake in always engaging her as the prima donna for all its future events. Her rendition of the aria "With Verdure Clad the Fields Appear" will long be remembered by those fortunate enough to hear it.
36Mr. McKinley, the tenor, was a stranger to this city, personally, though not by reputation, which had preceded him. He realized every expectation and was up to every requirement. His voice is flawless, and in the aria, "In Native Worth and Honor Clad," he sang with such a delicacy of sentiment and with such character and color that the audience burst out in applause that was as spontaneous as it was appreciative and sincere.
38Arthur Beresford, the basso, also achieved a triumph. With a voice like the swell of an organ, deep, full, mellow, he is the highest type of an artist who combines with an admirable method of vocalization the dramatic instinct of a thoroughly equipped actor. His dramatic depiction and shade of contrast in "Rolling in foaming billows, uplifted roars the boisterous sea," where he pictured in such massive harmony the titanic power of the sea, made a deep contrast to the flexible, low, soft tones of the measure, "Softly, purling glides on, through silent vales, the limpid brook." He was equally great and expressive in his other arias.
40Conductor Marks deserves the highest praise for his work. He conducted with admirable precision, strength and energy, and never for a moment was either the orchestra or chorus under any but complete control. It was a night of triumph for him, and no one begrudges him the joy which came from labor well performed. The orchestra, admirably as it is trained and greatly as its playing was enjoyed, now and then displayed a tendency to play too loud. The inspiration of the chorus "The Heavens Are Telling the Glory of God" seized upon the orchestra and the rolling thunder of the kettledrums, the strident blare of the trombones and the dashing sweep of the violinists nearly drowned the voices of the society in the last passages of the chorus.
42Professor Marks was presented with a fine bouquet by the Catasauqua Choral Union. W. R. Stubbe, whose orchestra furnished the music, was also presented with a bouquet by the altos of the society.
44New York College of Music Commencement Concert.
45The nineteenth annual commencement concert of the New York College of Music, Alexander Lambert director, took place on Wednesday evening, May 25, at the college hall, 128 and 130 East Fifty-eighth street. This was the program:
47Piano solo, Etude, C major…………………Rubinstein
48Soprano solo, Frühlingslied…………………Coenen
49Violin solo, Fantaisie……………………..Vieuxtemps
50Piano solo, Concerto, E minor, first movement….Chopin
51(With accompaniment of a second piano by Alexander Lambert.)
52Alto solo, Abide With Me…………………..Biederman
53Miss Minnie Harris. one of two readings
54(no line here) one of two readings
55Piano solo—
56Guitare………………………………………Moszkowski one of two readings
57Guitare…………………………………….Moszkowski one of two readings
58Maiden's Wish……………………………Chopin-Liszt
59Miss Gussie Zuckerman.
60Violin solo, Concerto……………………….Petri
61Miss Tillie Stiller.
62Soprano solo, Aria, from Salvator Rosa………..Gomez
63Miss Almira Lockwood.
64Piano solo, Polonaise………………………..Liszt one of two readings
65Piano solo, Polonaise……………………….Liszt one of two readings
66Master Harry Graboff.
67Address by the president, Everett P. Wheeler, and presentation of medals and diplomas.
69The work of the pupils on this occasion attained the usual level of excellence which has always so markedly distinguished the output of this institution. Results in the piano department were specifically good, as Mr. Lambert has consistently taught us to expect them. The same intelligence, the same fluency, tact and polish, the same technical facility and brilliance so significant in the piano playing of the New York College of Music pupil at all previous exhibitions were as successfully apparent as usual at this latest commencement concert.
71We do not hold the idea of making exception in the case of amateurs, still it would hardly be fair in this instance to pass over a very talented young group of piano players without giving a word of special comment to the work of Miss Gussie Zuckerman. This is a youthful pupil of remarkable promise. She has a finger of delicate accuracy, and plays with an unusual amount of taste and style. No doubt she has a future.
73The violin department brought forth two examples of careful training, little Miss Stiller especially making an excellent showing.
75Even better work was noticeable with the vocal pupils, among whom—since we have admitted exceptions—Miss Frida Hoffmann should be especially mentioned. The owner of a naturally musical and vibrant soprano, she has been trained to an excellently pure production, sings with an intelligent conception of her song, and phrases admirably. She was a trifle nervous, but her artistic purpose could not be obscured.
77Altogether this was a most successful concert; one of the most—if not the most—successful amateur exhibition produced in this country. Mr. Lambert has cause for congratulation, the departments of his college of music taken separately presenting exceptional evidence of skilled and careful training, and taken together a successful combination seldom encountered in a musical school.
79Georg Liebling at the German Athenaeum.
80It is the custom of the German Athenaeum, as occasion permits, to invite distinguished German musicians to contribute to their programs at their musical evenings. Last year was reported a function of this kind when the Kneisel Quartet and Madame Burmeister-Petersen were invited. A month ago Dr. Joachim performed a like favor, and recently Herr Georg Liebling was accorded this distinction. The audiences that gather at this institution are nearly all Germans, thoroughly conversant with the best music, and, for the most part, highly critical. Their unanimous and enthusiastic appreciation of Georg Liebling's playing was one of the best indications of his extraordinary talent as a pianist. He was assisted by Miss Regina de Sales, who sang in admirable style several German songs from his pen, as well as contributions by Henschel and Brahms.
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