Scan 11
Musical Courier 1905-08-23: Vol 51 Iss 1326, 1905
91 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 12. See the scan on archive.org.
1tier (second prize, 1904). Second, MM. Serville and Rouzcre. Second honorable mention, MM. Tournier, Longatte and Riva. The candidates were required to execute the "Introduction" and "Polonaise" of Ad. Deslandre, as well as to read a piece by the same composer.
3All those who presented themselves for the clarinet test received recognition as follows:
5First prize, MM. Capelle, Moulin and Dubois, all of whom gave an excellent rendering of a "Fantaisie Caprice" by Ch. Lefebvre, who was also the author of the piece for sight reading.
7Second prize, Mr. Loterie. Second honorable mention, Mr. Lortion.
9The work chosen for the bassoon test, a "Rondo" by Albert Bertelin, was so full of acrobatic difficulties that no one reached the level of a first prize. Second prize, Mr. Charpin, who obtained the same distinction in 1904, and MM. Pré and Rogeau. Honorable mention—First class, Mr. Raimbourg.
11Saturday, the last day of the examinations, the Opéra Comique was under military occupation. Not that it was in a state of siege, but that a contest of a peaceful nature took place between the wearers of uniforms and their friends.
13The task which had kept jury and critics chained to their oars during eleven days terminated literally with a flourish of trumpets. I must remark on the incongruity of having the brass instruments—horn, cornet à piston, trumpet and trombone—accompanied by a piano, a thing which never takes place when these instruments form part of an orchestra.
15Jury: MM. Th. Dubois, Warot, C. Chevillard, Dallier, Petit, Reine, Pénable, Stojowski, Bèle, and F. Bourgeat, secretary.
17Horn—First prize, MM. Cocquelet and Hernoult, of whom the former deserves special mention for his remarkably finished playing. Second prize, MM. Tournier and Lepitre. Second honorable mention, Mr. Thibault. The subject was an allegro by Mr. Chevillard, who accompanied his work, as well as the piece for sight reading, on the piano.
19The decision in the case of cornet à piston evoked dissatisfaction among the pupils and spectators. No first prize was awarded, though the opinion of the public was that Mr. Decquer, who obtained the second prize last year, was entitled to the higher distinction this time. But he was passed over.
21Second prize, Mr. Mager; first honorable mention, MM. Foveau and Nadal; second, Mr. Body. The test piece was a caprice by Ch. Levadé, and a composition, bristling with difficulties, by Georges Marty, had to be read at sight.
23Trumpet, the results were these: First prize, Jean Bernard; second, Mr. Blanquefort; honorable mention—First, MM. Laurent and Séguelas; second, Mr. Gigot. Mr. Dallier composed both the trial morceau and that to be read at sight. The first was entitled "Fête Joyeuse."
25The trombone—Candidates were given an extremely difficult test, the fantaisie by Sigismond Stojowski, and the piece to be read at sight was also by him. The six pupils who came up were all rewarded.
27First prize, Mr. Rochut; second, MM. Hennebelle, Vermynck and Mendels; first honorable mention, Mr. Droumoulin; second, Mr. Piager.
29So ended the last examinations over which Mr. Th. Dubois will preside. He has been director of the Conservatoire since 1896, and has earned well merited praise by the dignified and impartial manner in which he has conducted these annual contests, so important to the world of music.
31The distribution of prizes at the Conservatoire is always an agreeable ceremony. Only the victorious pupils in the public competitions came up, and so every one is happy. There are no deceptions, no disappointments, no jealousies, and the laureates, their sisters, cousins and aunts, brothers and friends, beam with satisfaction and pride, so that one feels that after all there is at least one spot on earth on one day of the year where human beings are contented with their lot.
33This year's pleasant family gathering acquired a special interest from the circumstances under which it took place. The retirement of the popular president, Théodore Dubois, and the recent nomination of his successor, Gabriel Fauré, caused the distribution of prizes to be the occasion of the formal introduction of the new president to the professors, students and their relatives, and it was to be assumed that the speech made by the Under Secretary of State should reflect something of the artistic opinions and administrative intentions of the present head of the institution.
35Mr. Dujardin-Beaumetz, Under Secretary of State for Fine Arts, took his place on the stage of the grand hall of the Conservatoire, between Théodor Dubois, the director of yesterday, and Gabriel Fauré, the director of tomorrow. He at once began his address with the following reference to the outgoing president:
37"Theodor Dubois is leaving of his own accord, in the prime of his age and talents, a house with which he has been connected for forty-two years. His great experience, and his indefatigable devotion to the interests of art and artists will never be forgotten. The respect of all his colleagues has always been his, for his admirable tact, his loyalty and his unwearying kindness of disposition. It is a comfort for us to know that, even though he is no longer officially one of the governors of our institution, still his sympathy and his counsel will be at hand. I express to him now in the name of the Government of the French Republic the unanimous affection and gratitude of the artists whose true friend he has been for so many years.
39This tribute called forth a real ovation, and Mr. Dubois was visibly touched as he acknowledged the compliment paid him.
41The under secretary's reference to the new president called forth another display of enthusiasm, Mr. Dubois applauding his colleague and successor warmly. At the conclusion of the introductory address, the successful candidates were summoned to receive their rewards, the list of laureates being read by Mr. Bacqué, a prize winner in Tragedy. Each pupil, after receiving the diploma from the under secretary, shook hands with Mr. Dubois and with his or her professor, and retired down the hall amid the applause of the spectators. At the end of the distribution, the concert which is traditionally associated with this ceremony took place, the program being as follows:
43Air from "Alceste"……………..Mlle. Chénal
44Scene from "Phèdre"……………..Mlle. Ventura
45Last Scene of "Carmen"…………..Mr. Lucazeau and Mlle. Delimoges
46Air from "Œdipe à Colone"………..Mr. Georges Petit and Mlle. Lamare.
47Scene from "Rantzau"……………..Mr. Lluis, Mlle Bergé
48Mr. Brou
50During the ceremony of the distribution of prizes at the Conservatoire, Mr. Dujardin-Beaumetz conferred the rosette of "Officer de l'Instruction Publique" on Mr. Rémy, violin professor; Mr. Loeb, professor of violoncello, and Madame Vinot, professor of solfeggio.
52In completion of the list of rewards conferred on the successful pupils, the following foundation prizes and legacy stipendiums must be enumerated:
54Nicodami Memorial Prize, 500 francs, MM. Rochut and Macon.
55Guérineau Prize, 300 francs, Mr. Carbelly and Mlle. Chénal.
56Georges-Hainl Prize, 1,000 francs, Mlles. Caffaret, Arnaud, Antoinette Lamy, Veluard and Kastler.
57Ponsin Prize, 435 francs, Mlle. Ludger.
58Henri-Hertz Prize, 200 francs, Mlle Veluard.
59Jules-Garcin Prize, 200 francs, Mr. Saury.
60Girard Prize, 300 francs, Mlle. Vizentini.
61Eugénie-Sourget-de-Santa-Colona Prize, 250 francs, Mr. Dumas.
62Tholer Prize, 200 francs, Mlle. Coryls.
63Monnot Prize, 578 francs, Mr. Saury.
64Buchéré Memorial, 700 francs, Mlles. Lapeyrette and Bergé.
65Meunié Prize, an Erard harp, Mr. Mauger.
66C. Rose Prize, 200 francs, Mr. Capelle.
67Guilmant Prize (first year), 500 francs, Joseph Boulnois.
68There was no award of the Doumic prize, which was instituted for the laureate in the harmony course (female pupils), or for the Louis-Diémer, which is only bestowed every three years. It will be decided in 1906, and will be of the value of 4,000 francs. one of two readings
69There was no award of the Doumic prize, which was instituted for the laureate in the harmony course (female pupils), or for the Louis-Diệmer, which is only bestowed every three years. It will be decided in 1906, and will be of the value of 4,000 francs. one of two readings
71While the crowd of happy laureates and their friends dispersed, I contrived to get a word with Mr. Dubois as he was putting on his overcoat, surrounded by so many of his acquaintances that a word with him was not easy. I asked him his impressions on leaving the place where, for nearly fifty years, he had been in turn pupil, professor and director. He threw a glance around the walls so full of old associations, and said:
73"I go away satisfied with what I have done here, because I have always done my best. I am glad to leave the place in good hands, and I am also glad to have my liberty back and to be able to work on my own account when and as I wish, at last."
75Mlle. Chénal, who obtained the first prize in both the singing and the opera competitions, has just been engaged for the Opéra here. She has signed a contract for two years, and will at first appear in the rôle of Annette in "Freischütz."
77Mr. Brou, first prize comedy, and Mlle. Ventura, first prize tragedy and second prize comedy, have signed engagements with Paul Ginisty, director of the Odéon Théâtre, where they will appear during the season.
79André Gailhard, son of the director of the Opéra, and recipient of a prize for fugue in the Conservatoire examinations, is the composer of the work chosen by the municipality of Toulouse to be produced next season at the Grand Théâtre of that town. It is entitled "Amaryllis," and is a composition in one act on a mythological subject, the words by Mr. Adenis. Every year the Toulouse city council choose a work by a compatriot, and this time the selection has been made of this young artist's composition, which, I hear, displays considerable talent.
81Among the many excuses received from prominent musicians, unable or unwilling to serve on the "Anton Rubinstein International Prize Jury," now in session at the Salle Erard, Paris, are two charming letters of regret, which, by the courtesy of the president, Leopold Auer, I am privileged to copy for THE MUSICAL COURIER, and append herewith in the original French, followed by an English translation. One of these letters contains an item of interesting news:
832 Août, 1905.
84Cher Confrère et ami—J'étais heureux et même fier de faire partie au jury du Concours Rubinstein; mais suis obligé de faire défaut, comme je l'ai fait au Concours du Prix de Rome.
85J'ai promis au Prince de Monaco un nouvel opéra pour la prochaine saison de Monte Carlo et je suis la proie d'un travail acharné qu'il ne m'est pas permis de quitter sous peine de risquer de me mettre en retard, car nous ne sommes plus au temps où l'on finissait un ouvrage à la veille de la représentation; avec les nouvelles meurs il faut être prêt longtemps à l'avance. Je suis pleine fièvre de composition, excusez-moi et croyez à mes trèsvifs regrets de manquer ainsi à ma promesse dont l'accomplissement eut été pour moi un plaisir et un honneur. Et combien je serais heureux de vous revoir! Votre très affectueux,
86(Signé) C. Saint-Saëns.
88The English is:
89Dear Colleague and Friend—I should have been happy and proud to have been one of the jury of the Rubinstein Competition, but I am unable to be present, just as I was unable to be present at the Prix de Rome examinations.
90I have promised the Prince of Monaco a new opera for the next season in Monte Carlo, and I am rushed up with work which I cannot leave for a moment if I am not to be late with it. We are no longer in the days when one could finish a composition the eve of its production, but according to the new system we must have things ready a long while in advance. I am in the full fever of composition—excuse me and believe me that am most sorry to be
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