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Musical Courier 1902-05-28: Vol 44 Iss 1157, 1902
107 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 8. See the scan on archive.org.
1just now left the Guildhall School of Music, where her pianistic education was completed under the tuition of the late Chevalier Leonard Emil Bach, her repertory seems to be already a remarkable one. Besides the above first concert, she announces a further appearance with orchestra and no less than three piano recitals, all with different and widely varied programs. With a little more experience and a natural development of more intensity of feeling, a young pianist of such eminent pianistic and musical endowments is bound to achieve success, and hence I have not the least doubt of a brilliant future for this rising young star. I ask you, therefore, to bear in mind the alliterative name of Mabel Monteith.
3Arthur Friedheim did fairly well with a heterogeneous orchestra in the accompaniments to the last two works, while in the Beethoven E flat Concerto he rather hampered than supported the soloist. He further contributed to the program a felicitous performance of the "Freischutz" Overture, and of Liszt's hollow, bombastic and noisy symphonic poem, "Hungaria."
5A superb Steinway concert grand sounded admirably in the St. James' Hall, and materially assisted Miss Monteith in achieving the desired results, and hence the success she won on the occasion of her first appearance in public.
7I cannot close these remarks upon the second week of my short sojourn in London without tendering thanks for the many and great courtesies shown me there, especially by old and new friends and colleagues. Among the latter by Percy Betts, the amiable musical editor of the Daily News, and of new acquaintances I made I want to mention "Sforzando," of the Morning Leader; "Staccato" (A. Kalisch), of the World, a gentleman not only musically but also generally of the highest education, and Runciman, the radical, a man after the pattern of Henry G. Finck.
9Most thanks of all, however, I owe to Montague Chester, the amiable and highly cultured London representative of The Musical Courier, a man who, with the most refined manners, combines a thorough knowledge of music, for which he has a memory little short of prodigiousness, a style of his own of treating artists in the most fascinating way, and at the same time a business acumen which made him spread not only his personal popularity but also that of The Musical Courier to such an extent that everywhere I went in London I could find a copy of the last issue of the paper.
11When I saw for the first time the Hotel Cecil, in which he holds forth at the offices of The Musical Courier, I felt something of that pang of momentary jealousy which Napoleon I. could not repress when he showed his brother Joseph the big and wondrously beautiful royal castle at Madrid, when he is reported to have exclaimed: "Mais vous serez mieux logé que moi!" And not only better logé, but also better fed is Mr. Chester at the Hotel Cecil, for a supper of which I partook there was by all odds the greatest musical treat offered me in the hospitable city of London.
13O. F. one of two readings
15(no line here) one of two readings
16Mme. Emilie Grey.
18MADAME GREY, solo harpist from Covent Garden, London, gave a harp recital at the home of Miss Ternan, on Lexington avenue, on May 17. The following program was presented.
20Harp solo, La Danse des Fées………………………………………Alvazo
21Mme. Emilie Grey.
22Baritone solo—
23Ich große nicht………………………………………………………..Schumann one of two readings
24Ich große nicht…………………………………………………Schumann one of two readings
25Since We Parted…………………………………………………….Allitsen one of two readings
26Since We Parted……………………………………………..Allitsen one of two readings
27Otto P. Schubert,
28Harp solo—
29Welsh melody, Watching the Wheat…………………….John Thomas one of two readings
30Welsh melody, Watching the Wheat…………………John Thomas one of two readings
31Mazurka………………………………………………………..Schnucker
32Mme. Emilie Grey.
33Page Song, Romeo e Giulietta………………………………….Gounod one of two readings
34Page Song, Romeo e Giulietta……………………………Gounod one of two readings
35Mrs. Pierre Noel.
36Harp solo, David…………………………………………………….Thomas one of two readings
37Harp solo, David……………………………………………..Thomas one of two readings
38Cavatina, In Questo semplici, Betty……………………………Donizetti one of two readings
39Cavatina, In Questo semplici, Betty…………………….Donizetti one of two readings
40Miss Grace Caney.
41Harp solo, Grand Valse…………………………………………..Hasselmans one of two readings
42Harp solo, Grand Valse………………………………………Hasselmans one of two readings
43Mme. Emilie Grey.
44Song, Romanza, Quando a te fiesta, Faust…………………..Gounod one of two readings
45Song, Romanza, Quando a te fiesta, Faust…………….Gounod one of two readings
46Mrs. Pierre Noel.
47Song, Lullaby………………………………………………………Francis one of two readings
48Song, Lullaby…………………………………………………Francis one of two readings
49Miss Grace Caney.
50Accompanied on the harp by Mme. Emilie Grey.
52Janpolski.—As before announced, Mr. Janpolski, the baritone, after a very successful season has decided to remain in America next year. He has already booked many important engagements, which will be announced later. The beginning of next season he will inaugurate a series of recitals.
54Valerio Franchetti, the Italian, is far more interesting. He is a nephew of the composer Alberto Franchetti, and belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Italy. His family was opposed to his becoming a professional violinist, but the boy was persistent and determined to do so at all hazards. His father threatened to disinherit him, and finally broke with him entirely. All in vain. The boy would play the fiddle; he did play the fiddle, and he still plays it. And now, since he has won success, his father has made up with him. He was present at his son's recent concert in Beethoven Hall, and he seemed to enjoy the applause more than the son himself. one of two readings
56Franchetti made his name as a violinist under the pseudonym Oliveira, which is simply another way of spelling his given name Valerio, with an additional i. Since becoming reconciled with his family he puts also his family name on his programs. One must admire the boy's pluck and perseverance. He must have felt that he was one of the "chosen." one of two readings
58He is, indeed, a talented violinist. He has a smooth, soft tone of beautiful quality, and he has the genuine, warm blooded Italian temperament. His technic is good, though not remarkable. He is somewhat lacking in sound musical judgment. He did some things in the Mendelssohn Concerto and in Saint-Saëns' "Rondo Capriccioso" that were bizarre and even ludicrous. His phrasing is often choppy and illogical, and he inclines to give false accents and to take too great liberties with the rhythm. All in all his talent for the violin per se is of a much higher order than his musical talent. I should say that he had not a strong musical nature. His playing is very effective with the public because of his sweet tone and temperament. But to compare him with Jacques Thibaud, as has been done by some, is simply folly. Franchetti is far removed from Thibaud. one of two readings
59higher order than his musical talent. I should say that he had not a strong musical nature. His playing is very effective with the public because of his sweet tone and temperament. But to compare him with Jacques Thibaud, as has been done by some, is simply folly. Franchetti is far removed from Thibaud. one of two readings
61The other day a young violinist played to me who is extraordinarily gifted for virtuosity. He is a Roumanian, Petresoiu Woikü by name, and he is but seventeen years old. He has studied in Berlin five years, exclusively with Yssay Barmas, the young Russian violinist, who is one of the leading teachers at the Stern Conservatory. Woikü played for me the finale of the Vieuxtemps Concerto in E major, Ernst's Hungarian Airs and the Mendelssohn Concerto. He has the real virtuoso blood; he walks over the greatest technical difficulties with the ease and assurance of a Sauret. There are few pupils at the age of seventeen who can display such nimble and certain fingers. I do not mean that he is a finished artist yet, for he is lacking in many things, but his talent for the violin is of a rare order, and with the excellent instruction and start he has he will, if he keeps on, accomplish great things.
63Arthur M. Abell. one of two readings
64ARTHUR M. ABELL. one of two readings
66PALLAS ST. 13, III., BERLIN, W.
67May 12, 1902.
69TWO violinists played here in April after the close of the season proper. They were Christian Timmner and Valerio Franchetti. Timmner is a curious case. He is a Dutchman; he is forty-two years old, and he is just starting out on his career as a soloist. He studied with Emanuel Wirth, in Holland, twenty-five year ago. For a time he was considered by some to be the best violinist in Holland. Eight years ago he disappeared from public view. Rumor has it that he married a rich girl, and that he retired and practiced day and night with a view to startling the world later.
71Eight years is a long time to study in retirement after one is already a good violinist. In Timmner's case it was much too long, especially as he was in an out-of-the-way place, where he heard nothing. He has certainly wrong ideas of interpretation of the Beethoven Concerto and of the "Chaconne." He takes the tempi at a snail's pace, moreover he is wholly lacking in fire, and he gives very little tone, so that it becomes positively tedious to listen to him long. Brilliancy and dash are wholly lacking with him.
73His technic is remarkably clean and distinct, albeit he inclines to play too sharp. His bowing is supple, but not powerful. There is nothing in his playing that will startle the world.
75Alexander Levy, a young violinist from New York, who has studied four and a half years in Berlin, three of which were spent at the Hochschule with Joachim and Halir, has just returned to New York. He carries with him brilliant testimonials from Joachim and Halir.
76(no line here) one of two readings
78Valerio Franchetti, the Italian, is far more interesting. He is a nephew of the composer Alberto Franchetti, and belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Italy. His family was opposed to his becoming a professional violinist, but the boy was persistent and determined to do so at all hazards. His father threatened to disinherit him, and finally broke with him entirely. All in vain. The boy would play the fiddle; he did play the fiddle, and he still plays it. And now, since he has won success, his father has made up with him. He was present at his son's recent concert in Beethoven Hall, and he seemed to enjoy the applause more than the son himself. one of two readings
80Franchetti made his name as a violinist under the pseudonym Oliveira, which is simply another way of spelling his given name Valerio, with an additional i. Since becoming reconciled with his family he puts also his family name on his programs. One must admire the boy's pluck and perseverance. He must have felt that he was one of the "chosen." one of two readings
82He is, indeed, a talented violinist. He has a smooth, soft tone of beautiful quality, and he has the genuine, warm blooded Italian temperament. His technic is good, though not remarkable. He is somewhat lacking in sound musical judgment. He did some things in the Mendelssohn Concerto and in Saint-Saëns' "Rondo Capriccioso" that were bizarre and even ludicrous. His phrasing is often choppy and illogical, and he inclines to give false accents and to take too great liberties with the rhythm. All in all his talent for the violin per se is of a much one of two readings
84MINNE HUMPHREYS. one of two readings
86MRS. MINNE HUMPHREYS, the soprano, has returned from a successful Western tour, and particularly at her former home in Ohio large audiences turned out to hear her. The following paragraphs are from reports in the Mansfield papers:
88Mrs. Humphreys sang "O, Luce di Quest' Anima." She was in excellent voice and was never heard in Mansfield to better advantage than last evening.
90The appreciation of the audience was shown in the numerous encores, the singers being repeatedly recalled. They were gracious in their responses. * * * The program closed with some songs by Mrs. Humphreys, "The Gypsy's Secret," "There Are Violets and Roses" and "When Mabel Sings," the latter being especially appreciated.
92After singing Brahms' "Vergleichliches Ständchen" and Hartman's "Mir trauten von einem Königskind," Mrs. Humphreys gave in response to an encore "Old Folks at Home," playing her own accompaniment. She also gave Costa's "I Will Extol Thee" and the concert closed with a duet by Mrs. Humphreys and Dr. Miles, "Graceful Consort," from "The Creation."—Mansfield News, May 8, 1902.
94During the offertory Mrs. Minne Smith Humphreys, of New York city, who assisted Dr. C. N. Miles in a concert some days ago, and who is the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Smith, at the Buckingham, rendered "With Verdure Clad," from "The Creation." The singer sang the selection with tenderest feeling, the intonation and expression being clear and pronounced.—Mansfield Shield, May 11, 1902.
96Mrs. Minne Smith Humphreys sang a solo which her excellent voice made most impressive.—Mansfield News, May 13, 1902.
98Mrs. Humphreys promises to have a busy summer. Through her beautiful singing at Mansfield she secured two engagements, one at a concert in Toledo on May 23, and another with the Arion Society of Mansfield for June 4. The soprano has also been engaged for the annual meeting of the Baptist Young People's Societies, which is to be held on June 18.
100Becker Pupils' Closing Recital.
102THE sixth and last of a series of piano recitals by pupils of Gustav L. Becker was given on May 17, at his home, 1 West 104th street, by Miss Lulu Mitchell, assisted by Miss Dora Valesca Becker (Mrs. Charles Grant Shaffer), violin. Miss Mitchell played numbers by Händel, Chopin and Schumann; Beethoven's Sonata, op. 10, No. 1, and several lighter compositions, including an interesting group by American composers. Miss Mitchell's best work was in the sonata, which she played with dignity remarkable in one so young. Miss Becker added two groups of short selections to a thoroughly enjoyable program, and was forced to respond to a recall. It was announced that the next musicale would be the seventh annual "Children's Day," when the pupils of Mr. Becker's pupils give the program. This, on May 31, will close the season.
104Sebastian B. Schlesinger.
106SEB. B. SCHLESINGER, the well-known song composer of Paris, is here on a visit, and for the purpose of attending the wedding of his niece in Boston. Mr. Schlesinger will return home about the middle of June. The American artists who visit Paris find Mr. Schlesinger's musicales among the most interesting features of their sojourn.
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