Scan 11
Musical Courier 1898-06-15: Vol 36 Iss 954, 1898
72 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 12. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1CHICAGO OFFICE MUSICAL COURIER,
2224 WABASH AVENUE, June 11, 1898.
4WERE the organists of Chicago resentful they might have taken considerable exception to an exhaustive editorial treating of free organ recitals which appeared in THE MUSICAL COURIER June 1. While it told in extenso of the various organ concerts and organists of Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Pittsburg and other cities, all mention of the Chicago artists, with the solitary exception of Clarence Eddy, was omitted. And yet right here, week after week, some of the best organ recitals in the country are being given free. First and foremost for number, with quality unsurpassed, there is Harrison M. Wild, who has given nearly two hundred concerts. His programs have been designed to meet all requirements, classic and modern music being freely drawn upon, but all are arranged with artistic skill and needful variety. Francis Heming- ton and Louis Falk have both gone over the century mark in number of recitals, while that famous organist, Wilhelm Middelschulte, has contributed his quota to the general organ fund of free recitals. Then are many of the less known organists, who from time to time give these free entertainments; but those enumerated above serve sufficiently to show that Chicago is quite as advanced and progressive as the older Eastern cities.
6* * *
8It is questionable, however, if these free entertainments do not work harmfully for the musical profession generally. Were it not for the free concert and free recital there would not be such tremendous deficits from the engagements of artists. The past season has conclusively shown that there is a surfeit of music here, and that people would not pay to hear an artist, no matter how good or famous. With but two exceptions all the recitals, whether vocal or instrumental, were financially failures, and this was no doubt owing to the system of free entertainment to which we are accustomed. The conservatories, colleges and even private teachers all supply gratis concerts of a high standard, to which admittance is practically free. And this spoils the market for artists, managers and public. Organ recitals are given weekly in various parts of the city, piano recitals of daily occurrence in the smaller halls and only the most trifling influence is required to obtain tickets for these semi-public events. At the three principal musical institutions the faculties are all composed of artists of the highest calibre, who are mostly under contract to give a certain number of performances in each season. All these advantages to the music student are at the expense of the visiting artist and of the home artist also, and the sooner the system of free music on the present large scale is abolished so much sooner will benefit accrue to those who are the unquestionably deserving.
10* * *
12For the third year Frederic Grant Gleason was again re-elected president of the Chicago Manuscript Society. It must be extremely gratifying for him to know that he has brought the club, of which he was the organizer, to its present state of prosperity and brilliant membership. The work accomplished during the past two years has been of a progressive order, and is due greatly to the energy and executive ability of the president and his wife, who have both labored untiringly for the best interests of the organization. The membership, including honorary and associate, numbers some of the principal artists of the world, many of whom have given practical evidence of their interest.
14The following was the result of the election: President, Frederic Grant Gleason; first vice-president, Robert Goldbeck; second vice-president, Herman L. Walker; recording secretary, Mrs. Nellie Banks-Skelton; corresponding secretary, Francis W. Moss; treasurer, Clayton F. Summy; librarian, Charles D. Irwin; directors, William H. Sherwood, Wilhelm Middelschulte, Leopold Godowsky, Clarence Eddy, Frederic W. Root, Robert W. Stevens, Mrs. Regina Watson; music committee, Adolf Weidig, Peter C. Lutkin, W. Middelschulte, Leopold Godowsky, Bernhard Listemann; executive committee, L. Gaston Gottschalk, Frank T. Baird, Mrs. Regina Watson. one of two readings
16Sidney Biden will give a program of Schubert and Schumann songs at the Evanston Country Club June 16. one of two readings
17The following was the result of the election: President, Frederic Grant Gleason; first vice-president, Robert Goldbeck; second vice-president, Herman L. Walker; recording secretary, Mrs. Nellie Banks-Skelton; corresponding secretary, Francis W. Moss; treasurer, Clayton F. Summy; librarian, Charles D. Irwin; directors, William H. Sherwood, Wilhelm Middelschulte, Leopold Godowsky, Clarence Eddy, Frederic W. Root, Robert W. Stevens, Mrs. Regina Watson; music committee, Adolf Weidig, Peter C. Lutkin, W. Middelschulte, Leopold Godowsky, Bernhard Listemann; executive committee, L. Gaston Gottschalk, Frank T. Baird, Mrs. Regina Watson. Sidney Biden will give a program of Schubert and Schumann songs at the Evanston Country Club June 16. one of two readings
19The University of Chicago Chorus gave "The Messiah" at the University Congregational Church under the direction of Wardner Williams. The soloists were Miss Helen Buckley, soprano; Mrs. Maude Hartley, contralto; Glen Hall, tenor, and L. Campion, bass. The work of the chorus was excellent, and it was ably assisted by the soloists. Mrs. Hartley displayed a beautiful voice, and after the first part of her work, in which she was apparently nervous, acquitted herself most creditably. With more extensive experience Mrs. Hartley should be a contralto unsurpassed, as her voice and musical interpretation are considerably above the ordinary artists'. Miss Helen Buckley's singing of "The Messiah" has been often commented upon in these columns, and it can safely be said that she amply fulfilled expectation. Glen Hall, the young tenor, who has frequently been heard to excellent advantage, was never in better voice. As an oratorio singer he is steadily and surely winning most flattering notice. His voice is of excellent compass and quality, well cultivated and he sings with a fine intelligence of the artistic requirements. That Mr. Hall will in a few years be one of the leading tenors is conceded by the majority of musicians.
21* * *
23Frederick W. Root returned Monday from his week's work at Hutchinson, Kan., where he was adjudicator at the annual jubilee. He is enthusiastic over the visible improvement and high status of music in Western Kansas, as evidenced in these contests, which occupied four days, with morning and afternoon session followed by a concert each evening. His pupil, Spencer Robinson, tenor, attended with him and sang the role in the "Holy City," as well as several songs.
25The reception and recital given at the studio of J. H. Kowalski June 9 was in honor of Burt Bartlett, bass, who was assisted by Miss Maude Jennings. The program was well given. Mr. Bartlett, with a naturally beautiful voice, sang in a way to reflect credit upon his teacher, and Miss Jennings was obliged to respond to an encore after the "Florence Valse de Concert," E. Liebling. This is the program:
27Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind…………………Sarjeant
28Impromptu, op. 17……………………………Scharwenka
29Gavotte…………………………………………Silas
30Phosphorescence……………………………….Loewe
31Boat Song………………………………………Lansing
32Nocturne………………………………………..Meyer
33Asleep, A-dream, Awake………………………..Vanderpoel
34Could I?………………………………………..Tosti
35Oratorio, The Messiah………………………….Handel
36Recitative, For behold darkness shall cover the earth.
37Aria, The people that walked in darkness……..Liebling
38Serenade……………………………………….Liebling
39Elentanz……………………………………….Liebling
40The Fisherman…………………………………Porter
41Hindoo Song…………………………………..Bemberg
42If I Knew………………………………………Gaynor
43Because She Kissed It………………………….Gaynor one of two readings
44Because She Kissed It…………………………Gaynor one of two readings
45Slumber Sea……………………………………Chisholm
46Israel…………………………………………..King
47Coming of the King…………………………….Roeckel
48Florence Valse de Concert………………………Liebling
49Toreador's Love Song………………………….Couchois
51The Grace Church choir gave its annual concert at the Lexington Hotel, June 10, and had the assistance of Adolf Weidig, violinist. Master George Meader also sang two solos, which were well received.
53A successful organ concert for the benefit of vacation schools took place at St. Chrysostom's Church in Dearborn avenue last evening. The assisting soloists were Miss Jennie Osborn, who sang numbers by Massenet, Goddard and Thomas; Frank King Clark, heard in selections by Bullard and Lehman, and Master Raphael Groff, violinist. The organ recently presented the church was heard to advantage in a Fantaisie by Callaerto; Pastoral, Clausman; a Prelude by Hesse, and Chorale, Bach, played by Dr. Louis Falk. The accompanists were Mrs. Hess-Burr and W. H. Groff.
55At the convention held at Steinway Hall recently, at which a number of local and women composers were represented, one of the most delightful performances of the afternoon's program was the singing of Harriet DeMent Packard, who brought forward a new song of Adolph Rosenbecker, which is dedicated to Mrs. Packard, and entitled, "The Isle of Love." It has already run through the first edition, and that in the space of six weeks. Mrs. Packard gave the song a charming interpretation and obtained most enthusiastic applause. Meriting more than a passing word is Miss Blanche Dingley, who promptly came to the rescue when the regular accompanist excused himself from reading a new song at sight, and played in most artistic manner Mrs. Packard's accompaniment. Miss Dingley proved herself a valuable aid and one that artists should bear in mind.
57BICKNELL YOUNG.
59Bicknell Young has just recently returned from two concert trips. Here are some of the notices of his success both in song lectures and miscellaneous concerts:
61Bicknell Young, the star of the evening, had two numbers. He was in good voice, and the audience went into raptures over him. * * * Bicknell Young also made more friends. Mr. Young is a vocalist of rare excellence, with a voice as clear as a bell.—Quincy Whig.
63Bicknell Young is a Chicagoan, a thorough paced, thoroughly trained musician. He can make an address on the value of choral singing, and in five minutes say a whole lot of things useful to every chorister and choral unionist. Then he can sing anything from an old English or Irish
65Mme. Katharine Evans—VON KLENNER,
67Vocal Instruction.
68VIARDOT-GARCIA METHOD.
69Sole Authorized Representative in America.
70Private Studio: 40 Stuyvesant St., 10th St. and Second Ave.
71NEW YORK.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.