Scan 8
Musical Courier 1900-11-28: Vol 41 Iss 1079, 1900
56 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. Printed page 9. See the scan on archive.org.
1W. G. Nash, T. Newcomb, Wm. M. Newton, Gibson Oliver, Charles M. Page, W. E. Palmer, Amasa J. Parker, Mrs. R. K. Quayle, R. K. Quayle, Jr., Mrs. Oliver A. Quayle, Harmon Pumpelly Reed, Mabel Cusack Ray, W. G. Rice, John E. Sherwood, Louis H. Schutter, W. H. Spawn, Arthur Sauter, O. Smith, Mrs. Henry King Sturdee, Mrs. Marshall Tebbutt, David A. Thompson, George H. Thacher, Frank W. Thomas, Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, John G. Tolle, Geo. C. Van Tuyl, Jr., Mrs. Geo. C. Van Tuyl, A. Vander Veer, Jesse A. White, E. H. Wade, D. E. Whittle, E. W. Wetmore, John Wallace, C. F. Williams, Dr. Ward, Lansing Pruyn Wood, Mrs. H. G. Young, F. N. Sanders, Dr. Wallace Buttrick, Mrs. S. E. Marvin, Albert J. Wing, E. E. Packer, Dr. W. O. Stillman, J. Benton Tipton, F. A. Wheeler, F. S. Howell, A. W. Lansing, H. K. Tebbutt, M. H. Mulleneaux, A. J. Voyer, P. E. DuBois, Mrs. F. P. Denison, Mrs. G. E. Gorham, Wm. S. Hackett, E. D. Jenison, Mrs. C. W. Reynolds and George E. Bailey.
3Fidele Koenig, Paris.
5FIDELE KOENIG, the vocal teacher, of Paris, has many things to recommend him to notice besides his special musical abilities.
7First of all, his association of twenty years as chef de chant of the Paris Grand Opéra gives him a thorough knowledge of the French school of song and acting, such as few persons, even artists, enjoy. He has the knowledge of both sides of the footlights of artists' requirements, and of the technics, so to speak, of voice as related to the building in which it is sung. He knows just what is necessary to please directors, audience and critics. He knows every corner and comma of repertory, the vocal side, the instrumental side, and the two combined. He has actual, practical knowledge of stage business, cues, ensemble, time, &c. In fact, he has a mine of resource to offer to his pupils in relation to the practical part of their profession, which, after all, is the one most neglected in their education, and that a department most important as relates to success.
9As to his ability as a musician his relations with the Opéra show that. His enthusiasm for his profession is ever fervent, and is as a fire to the art spirit of his pupils. His ability to play accompaniments as orchestras, so to speak, is a valuable aid. His patience and never failing good will, good humor and gentlemanliness are all qualities which bespeak for him the love and devotion of the elite in the student world.
11In addition to these qualities M. Koenig holds always as a personal responsibility the actual placing of his pupils in positions when ready.
13In this he has unusual success, as, owing to his detailed knowledge of what is requisite as to "fitness," he prepares pupils specially in those lines, and, again, knows better than to offer them before being ready.
15Thus Mrs. Homer, the contralto, engaged by M. Grau this season, was accepted in France the first time offered to a director's notice. Miss Fisher, a young Austrian, was likewise engaged on first hearing the other day at Liège. Miss Gifford also at Amsterdam last season, and again this in Belgium. Miss Rennyson, to sing in Mr. Savage's company, went to the States from M. Koenig's studio.
17Miss Abbott, Miss Grace Golden, Mr. Sheehan, Mrs. C. H. Kloman—all singers known and admired—are also his pupils in Paris.
19Francis Rogers, again, the tenor, also his pupil, is with the Savage company.
21M. Koenig is married to an estimable and most charming woman, American, musician and singer, who is of inestimable value to the young people in her husband's charge as friend, aid and counselor. She is true as steel, and capable as she is good.
23Leonora Jackson.
24Some of Her Experiences.
26HE career of a successful artist is full of happy incidents and adventures. Leonora Jackson, the violin virtuoso, is no exception to the rule. She was a favorite pupil of Joachim, who predicted for her the triumphs she has had. In England Miss Jackson was, to use English court language, commanded to appear at Windsor Castle before the Queen. She was overjoyed at the invitation, but went in fear and trembling lest she should commit some breach of court rules. Of course, she had herself properly instructed in court etiquette and her teacher pronounced her perfect, but she was anxious. To her delight, no difficulty occurred. She was applauded by everyone from the Queen down, and when she left took with her a costly jeweled star, a unique design in white enamel, with six points, set with rubies and sapphires and bearing the crown and royal monogram V. I. R.; the color effect red, white and blue, a compliment to herself and her nationality.
28Her favorite reminiscence concerns Oliver Wendell Holmes, who took a warm interest in her career. Whenever she could she visited the Doctor and played to him his favorite pieces. One day he told her that he had once studied the violin himself, but he added quickly: "Not because I thought I could ever play it, but because I wanted to know its difficulties—and I soon found out." Among her treasures is a copy of "Over the Teacups," which he gave her at the time. On the flyleaf are inscribed a poem and these words: "To Miss Leonora Jackson—With the kind regards and best wishes of her listening and admiring friend, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Boston, January 4, 1894."
30Miss Jackson is quick at repartee. At a crowded reception given in the dressing room of a well-known public hall where she was to play, in honor of her return from Europe, one of her admirers waxed eloquent thus:
32"You have done more for the Stars and Stripes abroad than our arms did in the war with Spain."
34"I am very much obliged to you," was the quick response, "but I really did not know my execution was as deadly as all that."
36She and her mother are inseparable companions. The famous young artist inherits her musical gifts from her mother, a singer of thorough European training and an excellent musician. Mrs. Jackson, who is a progressive representative American woman, also studied medicine earlier in life in order the better to care for her family. Her skill as a physician and musician has been of invaluable aid to her gifted daughter. She has been with her throughout her career, and now always travels with Miss Jackson. The young artist is not by nature robust; she owes to her mother's care and to physical culture her great endurance, sound nerves and invariable good health under all the strain of a professional career. She is said to be an expert at tennis, cycling, swimming and horseback riding, and at relating clever anecdotes her acquaintances declare she is unsurpassed. Following is a recent press notice:
38At Kotschmar Hall, Friday night, Leonora Jackson, violinist, assisted by Josephine Elburna, soprano; Tor Van Pyk, tenor, and Selden Pratt, pianist, gave a recital. An exceedingly enthusiastic house greeted the finest combination Portland has heard for many years.
40Upon the qualities of Miss Jackson's playing superlatives may well be lavished. She came heralded as the greatest female violinist of the day, and she fulfilled all that was expected of her. A large, thrilling tone, perfect technic, brilliant style and masterful temperament, all the attributes of the virtuoso are hers. Rarely does one hear such bewildering harmonics as she exhibited in the introduction and cadenza of Vieuxtemps' D minor Concerto, and in the "Adagio Religioso" her broad, authoritative style and purity of tone were constant delights. In Ernst's "Hungarian Fantasie" her ability was demonstrated in the remarkable clarity of her phrasing and her free, vigorous bowing. She also played a dance by Brahms-Joachim, Simonetti's "Madrigale," the Nocturne in D flat by Chopin-Sarasate and Tschaikowsky's "Humoresque."
42Tor Van Pyk is one of the finest tenors on the American concert stage. He possesses a luscious, mellow voice of fine quality and remarkably even throughout. He sang the "Declaration," from "Lochengrin," with a thrilling broadness of style and purity of diction and in his hands Tosti's time worn "Dreams" became a new delight. Two love songs, the Swedish "With Thy Blue Eyes," and the Norwegian "I Love Thee," were given in perfect ballad style.
44Miss Elburna possesses a natural, high soprano voice. She sang Gounod's "Jewel Song"; "The Night Hath a Thousand Eyes," by Gaynor, and Massenet's "Ouvre tes yeux bleux" with excellent style.—Portland, Me., Express.
46LEONORA JACKSON.
48George Hamlin.
49The Richard Strauss Cycle.
51A T a private recital last week in Chicago, the distinguished American tenor George Hamlin sang a number of the remarkable songs of Richard Strauss, which comprise part of the cycle of those songs Mr. Hamlin has on occasions sung in the West. It sounds strange that we should say "in the West," but it happens that "in the West" this unique modern song cycle has been heard, whereas in the East it is still unknown. Mr. Hamlin, in a pure and very sympathetic style, and with special freedom of delivery, sang the songs last Monday and illustrated the significance of the text artistically and musicianly, to coin the phrase. Mr. Hamlin has made a special study of these modern works, absorbing their spirit, assimilating the inner texture and meaning and securing an analytical dissection of the aim or purpose of each composition. He gives out, therefore, a free, bold and intellectual definition of each song, and, being a musician with temperamental vein and with enthusiasm—as evinced in the very devotion to this purpose—he produces a forcible delivery of each song, particularly effective because of the successful study of the original text.
53We learn now that he is to continue on his mission of introducing Richard Strauss, vocally, on a larger scale by arranging for the end of the season a Richard Strauss recital in New York. That is exactly what Mr. Hamlin should do, for there are thousands of musicians here and in Boston who would be grateful for one hour with the great Richard in works comparatively unknown.
55The Charlton Music Bureau, Carnegie Hall, has arranged with Mr. Hamlin for booking him in concerts and recitals, with the Richard Strauss cycle as a specialty. This will give Eastern lovers of the pure vocal art an opportunity to hear Mr. Hamlin during the season.
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