Books › Musical Courier 1907-03-20: Vol 54 Iss 12, 1907 › scan 31
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Musical Courier 1907-03-20: Vol 54 Iss 12, 1907
57 lines. Read by computer on 25 September 2026. Printed page 32. See the scan on archive.org.
1ELSA RUEGGER IN ALBANY AND BALTIMORE
3The Belgian 'cellist, Elsa Ruegger, has filled many out of town engagements since she played at the pair of concerts with the New York Philharmonic last month. Readers of THE MUSICAL COURIER know by this time that she is extremely gifted, holding pre-eminent rank with the greatest 'cellists of the world. The latest press notices refer to Miss Ruegger's engagement at the Peabody Institute, Baltimore, and at a joint recital with Cecil James, tenor, in Albany, N. Y.:
5Elsa Ruegger, the young Belgian 'cellist, and Cecil James, the noted tenor, gave a most enjoyable concert at the Ten Eyck last evening, which delighted one of the largest and most brilliant audiences that has ever filled the ballroom. Mlle. Ruegger who has received distinctive honors from the royalty in Germany, Belgium, England and Russia, is a 'cellist whose playing is marvelous, handling the instrument with much skill and interpreting her numbers with grace and delicacy. Her first numbers, Jules de Swert's concerto, D minor, and Boccherini's sonata, in two movements, were beautifully rendered, and her last three numbers were Schumann's "Abendlied," Saint-Saëns' "Le Cygne," and Popper's "Spinnlied," given with a daintiness of touch delightful to the ear.—Albany Times-Union, March 5, 1907.
7Elsa Ruegger, the eminent Belgian 'cellist, and Cecil James, the distinguished tenor, in their recital last night in the ballroom of the Ten Eyck, made musical history for Albany. The audience was of the large and brilliant type composed of the musical and social element, which filled the ballroom and portions of the mezzanine gallery. As it was the first appearance in Albany of Mlle. Ruegger and Mr. James there was that alertness and close attention that is always apparent on the arrival of new artists.
9Elsa Ruegger, although very young, is one of the foremost 'cellists in this country and Europe. 'Cellists are a scarcity, and as for women 'cellists who have achieved greatness they are the rarest musical virtuosi. It is the third time that Mlle. Ruegger has been in America. At her first appearance, when she was but seventeen, her success was phenomenal, and since then her fame has been steadily advancing. She has played before royalty in Germany, Belgium, England and Russia, and now returns to this country to gain new laurels. * * *
11In her playing she shows remarkable technical equipment; her tones are round, musical and with variety of color; her bowing is easy and graceful, and there is, above all that, something in her work that attracts. Her first numbers, Jules de Swert's concerto, D minor, and Boccherini's sonata, in two movements, were compositions less familiar to Albanians than the average offerings, thus making them, aside from their beautiful interpretation, musical novelties. In the playing of the first one, which was the heaviest on the program, there was a combination of qualities that make for the great artist. The last three selections revealed the lighter, brighter side of Mlle. Ruegger's art. There was Schumann's "Abendlied," Saint-Saëns' "Le Cygne," and Popper's "Spinnlied," with its sparkling, dainty music, in which rapid tempo and skillful fingering played a strong part. As an encore, Schumann's "Traumerei" was given, the 'cello exerting the same fascination as in the other numbers.—Albany Argus, March 5, 1907.
13No greater tribute could be paid to Elsa Ruegger, 'cellist; Cecil James, tenor, and Frank Sill Rogers, accompanist and manager, than by the elegant, large and appreciative audience that attended the third of the series of subscription concerts at the Ten Eyck last evening. Each in his or her own way made the concert a success and evidenced the fact that he or she is master of the art of entertaining. * * *
15Mlle. Ruegger played some unfamiliar compositions and some well known. Her most ambitious numbers were given in the early minutes of the program, but were not more enjoyed than her three closing gems, "Abendlied," "Le Cygne" and "Spinnlied." "Traumerei" was given an encore. Notwithstanding her sex, and the strength necessary for the skillful management of the 'cello, Mlle. Ruegger has been accorded a place among the leading 'cellists of the day. This she has done by the strength and dexterity of fingers, combined with that intelligence which seems to give her command of the composer's intention and the superb technic which makes for easy and graceful execution even in the passages full of dramatic intensity. Mlle. Ruegger will always be welcomed here.—Albany Evening Journal, March 5, 1907.
17The press notices of her successful performances in other cities which accompanied the announcement of the first appearance in Baltimore of Elsa Ruegger, 'cellist, in no wise exaggerated the qualities and attainments of an artist whose playing merits only the highest commendation. Miss Ruegger, who is a Belgian, came to this country for the first time in 1898, and this is her fourth American season. With Velma Rawls, pianist, Miss Ruegger was heard yesterday afternoon in the ninth recital of the season at the Peabody Concert Hall. * * * Miss Ruegger possesses keen musical perception and wonderful technic, and her feeling is for the aesthetic rather than the emotional side of her art. This characteristic was displayed throughout the recital in the varying color and effective gradations of her magnificent tone, and was given its most striking manifestation in the Faure "Elegie."—Baltimore News, February 23, 1907.
19Elsa Ruegger, 'cellist, and Velma Rawls, pianist, were the artists yesterday afternoon at the ninth Peabody recital of the present series, giving an interesting program in the presence of a large audience. * * * Miss Ruegger, who is a Belgian, first appeared in this country in 1898, and this is her fourth season in America. Yesterday was the first time she was ever heard in Baltimore. The dominant characteristic of her playing is the fine, even temperament she displays in her reading. Combined with it is admirable firmness and poise, with an infinite technical equipment and all the other qualifications essential to the first class artist she is. The
21Musical by Mr. and Mrs. Sweet at Park Hill Club.
23George Sweet, the baritone and vocal teacher, and Mrs. Sweet, pianist, arranged the program for the musicale given by the entertainment committee of the Park Hill Country Club, Park Hill-on-the-Hudson, Tuesday evening, March 12. Five of Mr. Sweet's artist pupils—Helen Jerome, soprano; Josephine Corcoran, contralto; Julia May, mezzo soprano; Vernon T. Carey, tenor, and George Flemming, baritone—were assisted by Ludwig Marum, violinist; Paul Kefer, 'cellist, and Mrs. Sweet at the piano in ensemble numbers and as accompanist for the singers. The program follows:
25Sonata, A minor…………………………………………………Grieg
26Mrs. Sweet and Mr. Kefer.
27Carissima………………………………………………………..Penn
28Vernon T. Carey.
29Trio, Messa Solennelle………………………………………Rossini
30Miss Jerome, Miss May, Mrs. Corcoran
31Ballad, Looking Back………………………………………Arthur Sullivan
32Josephine Corcoran.
33Trio, D minor…………………………………………………Arensky
34Mrs. Sweet, Mr. Marum and Mr. Kefer.
35Waltz Song (Cycle, The Wandering One)………….Caro Roma
36Helen Jerome
37Border Ballad…………………………………………………Cowen
38Jug of Rum……………………………………………………Old Irish
39George Flemming.
40Trio, I Naviganti (Opera, I Marinar)…………………Randegger
41Helen Jerome, Mr. Carey, Mr. Sweet.
43Miss Jerome created a sensation by her lovely voice and artistic singing. Futures are predicted for many American singers, but it may be positively announced if Miss Jerome does not reach the topmost rung in the ladder it will be her own fault. The range of her voice is phenomenal and the quality is surpassingly beautiful. Besides these assets the young lady has beauty and talent. Mrs. Corcoran's contralto is combined with the temperament that is so rare among contraltos. Miss May's sympathetic mezzo was heard to fine advantage in the Rossini trio. Mr. Carey's tenor, free from all nasal and throaty blemishes, was delightful. Mr. Flemming, one of the tried and trusted church and oratorio singers of the metropolis, also aroused enthusiasm. All of these singers bore the evidences of the Sweet training, which in all things reflects the best traditions of the Italian school, of which George Sweet himself has long been one of the most distinguished exponents. The audience was most cordial in its demonstrations, demanding encores after every number. Miss Jerome added a setting of "The Sweetest Flower," playing for this her own accompaniment; Mrs. Corcoran sang in inimitable style the semi-humorous song, "The Low Backed Car"; Mr. Carey sang Bohm's "Calm as the Night," and Mr. Flemming gave the martial "King Charles."
45Mrs. Sweet's support at the piano enriched and aided the effect in all cases. Her skill and charm as pianist were further seen in the Grieg and Arensky numbers. In the latter particularly her singing tone, sympathetic touch, mental grasp and temperament made those present wish that the pianist might be heard more in public. The audience was one of the best behaved ever seen (and a society company at that). The absence of talking was refreshing and praiseworthy, no doubt partly due to the interest of the program. There were many expressions of regret at the prospect of losing these valuable musicians through the proposed going to Florence, Italy. It seems too bad to lose them. Several Americans going with them and associations they will form will make Florence the winner at our loss.
47Locatelli sonata is a fine work for the 'cello, in which the soloist is given ample opportunity to demonstrate his or her resourcefulness, and which Miss Ruegger played in a splendid manner. She responded to the encore after the Schubert "Moment Musicale" with "Das ist die Ruh," by the same composer.—Baltimore Sun, February 23, 1907.
49People's Symphony Concerts.
51The final pair of concerts in the People's Symphony series will take place at Cooper Union Hall, Thursday evening, March 21, and at Carnegie Hall, Friday evening, March 22. Franz X. Arens will conduct and Frederick William Gunther, baritone, and Henry P. Schmitt, violinist, will assist in the following program:
53Overture, Marriage of Figaro……………………………….Mozart
54Symphony, No. 5……………………………………………..Tchaikowsky
55Toreador Song, from Carmen……………………………..Bizet
56Suite, from Carmen…………………………………………..Bizet
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