Scan 36
Musical Courier 1902-02-12: Vol 44 Iss 1142, 1902
73 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026. Printed page 37. See the scan on archive.org.
1with her grandmother in Southern Indiana that she considered her home there, until on the occasion of her recent marriage to Dr. B. S. Richardson she removed to Chicago, where she expects to remain.
3Her remarkable musical ability showed itself at an early age. When only five she began playing in public as "an infant prodigy." When ten years old she gave concerts in London and in the principal European cities, and is the only American who ever played at so early an age in orchestral concerts before the critical musicians of Europe.
5Mrs. Richardson began her training in New York under Edmund Neupert, the Danish virtuoso, and Rafael Josefy. She then went to the Academy in London. It was while there that she did such remarkable work that she received two medals for playing and four certificates for excellence in harmony and counterpoint before she was in her teens. After a course there she returned to America and played in a series of concerts in Eastern cities with the Seidl Orchestra. Mr. Seidl and William Steinway became very much interested in her and advised her to study in Germany, which she did for six years, first under Dr. Hans von Bülow, then in the Royal Hochschule in Berlin, and finally under Rubinstein. She was the only American pupil Rubinstein ever took, and at this time, with the exception of Josef Hofmann, was his only pupil.
7Rudolph Ganz, of the Chicago Musical College, will shortly give a recital in this city.
9CONCERNING A LOCAL CELEBRITY.
11That Madame Bloomfield-Zeisler is devoted to home as well as to art has been beautifully shown by the Chicago Tribune in an article on her life and achievements, printed recently in a series of similar literary features, under the caption "Local Celebrities."
13The interviewer, after discussing this great artist's early educational experiences and remarkably brilliant public career, touches an exquisite chord.
15He writes:
16"But it is hard to keep music only in a talk with Mme. Bloomfield-Zeisler.
17"'I am devoted to home,' she says. 'You don't know how much unless I should show you all through the house. I am scrupulously neat, too, I fancy; I couldn't sit still to practice if there were a burnt match on the floor. This is not wholly natural, either. When Mr. Zeisler and I were married his relations had suggested the untidy artist' nature. I wanted to prove that even an artist might be tidy, and I have done it, I think. The habit has saved me so much trouble and time, too, that if I am overenthusiastic on the subject I should be excused.'"
19You see, they are at the eminent pianist's home, for the writer continues, in descriptive vein:
20"On the second floor, in a large airy room, are three grand pianos, and on the walls and mantel are evidences of the friendships of men and women known to music.
21"'These laurel wreaths, too,' pointing to some floral pieces on the wall tied in place by broad ribbons, 'remind me of some beautiful customs of the old country; they came to me at the close of concerts which I gave in Vienna and Berlin.'"
23Then the interviewer adds:
24"Mme. Bloomfield-Zeisler scarcely finds time for society. On the last Wednesday in each month she has an informal evening at home, in which are to be found the choice spirits of the art world in Chicago. Her hospitality and that of her husband's on such occasions are admirable. This, virtually, is her social life. Her mornings are spent in practice, and at such times she denies herself to callers.
26"Her home life has its demands upon her, too. Leonard, remarkably like his mother in face and expression, is now fifteen years old, in the third year of high school, and becoming proficient on the violin. Paul, four years old, is described as being phenomenally musical and phenomenally lazy, having at least 100 tunes in his vocal repertory and an indifference to going through with any one of them. The youngest is Ernest, just a little over two years old. The mother is pleased that none of the children is in the prodigy class; in any case a thorough education will be exacted of them all before music takes the lead.
28"Mrs. Bloomfield-Zeisler has been elected an honorary member of the Chicago Woman's Club, and later was elected to the honorary place in the Woman's Club at Peoria. Home is first with her, however," is the conclusion, "and year after year she shows greater disinclination to break from it."
30As is well known, Mr. Sigmund Zeisler, like his famous wife, is distinguished, being among the most highly respected and competent lawyers of the West.
32SHERWOOD AND AMERICAN COMPOSERS.
34In this country and in Canada may be found thousands of Sherwood enthusiasts.
36One of these, whose modest signature is "B," sends the following appreciative tribute to THE MUSICAL COURIER'S Chicago Department:
37It has been well known that Mr. Sherwood has played many works by American composers. If we are not mistaken he was the first one to make such selections on any extended scale, Calixa La- valle following soon after with entire recitals by American composers. Owing to the peculiar conditions prevailing in this country whereby the American musician stands a small chance of having a good hearing before the public alongside of his fortunate and muchly advertised brother, it is difficult for the general public to really know what kind of talent we do have in this broad land. A few composers have had a hearing with the great symphony orchestras, and concertos for piano and orchestra by MacDowell, Whiting and Huss have already been played in public in our symphony concerts, while a few broad works by Kelley, Parker, Chadwick, Templeton Strong and John K. Paine, of Harvard College, have had an occasional hearing.
39Mr. Sherwood's splendid repertory and the phenomenal coloring and beauty of his interpretation of the great standard composers are well known throughout our entire country. When such an artist makes the statement that he has played or is expecting to play music by something like fifty different American composers, it may well cause an interest to investigate the real condition of musical art in our midst, and when the truth is known every Anglomaniac and every partisan of anti-American proclivities in music may well stop to think before continuing to throw cold water upon our musical future. Musical talent must be encouraged and supported in order to develop at its best, and with such support we may well expect to stand supreme in musical arts as we do stand to-day in the commercial world.
41American musical clubs and societies, whose members bind together for the development of the art in their various communities, should feel a keen interest in one whom, among our own proficient musicians, has come to be felt as a great power. His unceasing efforts in the cause of American musicians constitute a laudable undertaking and his influence will be felt in the coming generation.
43The Chicago Madrigal Club will give its first concert in Kimball Hall on February 13, assisted by Emil Liebling, Arthur Burton, D. A. Clippinger, musical director, and Katherine Hoffman, accompanist. Officers of the organization are Louis Spahn, president; Miss Carrie L. Goodnow, vice-president; Dean F. Webster, secretary; Mrs. H. E. Slaught, treasurer; Allen M. Campbell and Dr. J. J. Cornelius, directors.
45Commenting upon the playing of Birdice Blye Richardson at the Music Hall, Fine Arts Building, on January 26, the Chicago Tribune of the following day printed these words of praise:
46"The instrumentalist of the afternoon was Mrs. Birdice Blye Richardson, who contributed seven piano selections to the program. She proved herself possessed of fingers unusually fleet and reliable, which enable her to play compositions of the lighter, brilliant character, in which clarity and rapidity in scale and ornamental work are required in satisfactory manner."
48AMY MURRAY'S SUCCESS IN THE WEST.
50Amy Murray, the Scottish-American singer, returned to New York this week after a series of successful appearances in the West. Her soprano voice, which is well placed, of wide range and musical quality, was heard in the most prominent club, university and social circles, while her consummate mastery of Scottish history and tradition aroused admiration and genuine interest and enthusiasm.
52Her appearances on the North Side, at the Fortnightly Club meeting, at Mrs. Ayer's reception, where Miss Murray was lionized, and at other equally important events, constituted a series of triumphs.
54Amy Murray will shortly be called upon to return to Chicago.
56Her capable accompanist in the West is Mrs. Titus, while in the East Mr. Wark, an efficient pianist, formerly of Toronto, Canada, is now acting in that capacity for her.
58HOWARD WELLS' RECITAL.
60Howard Wells, one of the most gifted of local pianists, gave an excellent recital in the Music Hall, Fine Arts Building, on Tuesday evening, February 4.
62The event was under the auspices of the American Conservatory.
64Mr. Wells played Schumann's "Etudes Symphoniques," op. 13, in which he displayed much intellectuality and a fine, musical touch. Later he contributed a group consisting of Romanze in F sharp major, Schumann; "Shadow Dance," MacDowell; "The Nightingale," Liszt; "Poetic Tone Pictures, Nos. 2 and 3," Grieg, and Paraphrase on the waltz, "From the Vienna Woods, Strauss-Schuetz. Though Mr. Wells' exceptional abilities are recognized, his interpretation of several of these numbers, notably the "Shadow Dance" and "Poetic Tone Pictures," was graceful, artistic and finished to a surprising degree.
66The Andante Spianato and Polonaise, Chopin, though well played, did not appeal to me as did the program's earlier numbers.
68Before this pianist there unquestionably lies a brilliant future as a concert performer. To his work it is possible that the years will bring more repose, while less reserve would serve to intensify the influence which he exerts upon his audiences.
70Mr. Wells was many times recalled; he played an encore.
72He was fortunate in having two brilliant young Chicago artists for assistants. These were Arthur M. Burton,
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