Books › Musical Courier 1909-03-17: Vol 58 Iss 11, 1909 › scan 16
Scan 16
Musical Courier 1909-03-17: Vol 58 Iss 11, 1909
36 lines. Read by computer on 26 September 2026. Printed page 17. See the scan on archive.org.
1playing of this artist, I must state that he certainly is one of the very greatest living pianists. What he does he feels deeply, and his fabulous technic knows no difficulties. Moriz Rosenthal, who also gave a recital, was technically remarkable, but he failed to equal Busoni in expression. Among the violinists, Fritz Kreisler, Jan Kubelik and Bronislaw Hubermann were heard in several concerts. Kubelik astonished again with his virtuoso tricks, but his tone lacks soul; this is just what Fritz Kreisler has in a high degree, while Hubermann seems to keep midway between the two. The famous cellist, Robert Haussmann, the former quartet associate of Joseph Joachim, died suddenly of heart failure on the morning of the day when his concert was to have taken place. We have often heard and admired his art. Of masters of song, who are today, alas, thinly sown, Johannes Messchaert was the only really great one. Simple greatness characterizes his manner as a lieder and oratorio singer, and it would be hard to find a rival. Worthy of mention is Julia Culp, a lieder singer of winning attributes; she has a pleasing, flowing voice, but one could wish for more warmth and tenderness in her delivery.
3As a result of his phenomenal success here in his concert of February 12, Francis Macmillen has been engaged for seven concerts by the Tonkünstler Orchestra, of this city, appearing twice under the baton of Weingartner and five times under Nedbal, the regular conductor of the orchestra. Two of the seven appearances are as soloist at the orchestra's big symphony concerts held on March 4 and March 11, at which Macmillen will play the Goldmark and Wieniawski concertos respectively. The violinist's appearances at Graz March 13 and at Budapest March 31 will be under Weingartner. The concerts at Trieste, Venice and Bucharest will be conducted by Nedbal. Macmillen has appeared in Vienna twice. At his own concert February 12 he had a tremendous ovation from an audience that completely filled the great Musikverein Saal. He played the Mendelssohn, Goldmark and Paganini concertos. The audience at the close of the concert was so demonstrative that Macmillen was forced to play three encores and the people only left the Saal after the lights had been turned out. Many followed his carriage to the hotel, where he was entertained by Leschetizky. The second appearance of Macmillen in Vienna was February 21, at the big concert of the Concordia Club. Here he scored a success such as old members of the club say has not been accorded an artist in years. During the playing of the three numbers which he contributed to the program Macmillen was repeatedly interrupted by applause and had no less than ten recalls at the close. Macmillen is playing the second and last concert of his own here, March 16. He will be assisted by the Tonkünstler Orchestra and will play Mozart, Bruch and Vieuxtemps concertos.
5In our Vienna musical life the "workmen's" symphony concerts are especially gratifying undertakings; at these our principal orchestra and choral associations give programs of good music, adapted to the people, at exceedingly low admission prices. Haydn's oratorios, Mozart's, Beethoven's, and Schubert's symphonies form the cornerstone of the programs. The enthusiastic applause at these concerts and the increasing number of such performances prove that a necessity is felt for such musical entertainments among the lower classes. In this respect other cities might emulate Vienna. ALBERT ERNST.
7Claude Cunningham for Important Parts.
9It would seem that when a baritone is required for important works, wherein musicianship as well as voice and good singing is necessary, Claude Cunningham is the man called upon to do the work. For instance, when Dr. A. S. Vogt, conductor of the famous Mendelssohn Choir, of Toronto, decided to give Elgar's "Caractacus" he selected Cunningham to sing the difficult and trying title role; when the New York Oratorio Society elected to give Wolf-Ferrari's "Vita Nuova" this season Cunningham was chosen to sing the exacting leading part. Gustav Mahler has engaged Cunningham for his opening concerts with the reorganized Philharmonic Society, which is creating so much interest just now; then Cunningham has been engaged to sing the baritone parts in "The Dream of Gerontius" and in the Bach "St. Matthew Passion" at Carnegie Hall, and he is to sing "Elijah" with the large People's Choral Union at the Hippodrome. The class and caliber of work that this excellent artist is doing shows what application, thorough study and determination will do for the young artist who has real talent. It will be remembered that one Saturday last season, between the hours of 9 and 1, Cunningham learned in three languages nine songs which he had never seen before and sang them at Carnegie Hall at 2 o'clock the same day with enormous success. These trials show the artistic equipment of the artist.
11MUSIC IN WINNIPEG.
13WINNIPEG, March 6, 1909.
15A very interesting pupils' recital was given last Tuesday in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, when Mr. Couture had his violin students before the public. Miss Simonson and Marjorie Barrack were heard in Musin's "Mazurka di Bravura" and Rode's seventh concerto. Several ensemble selections were played, with Mrs. Landry at the piano.
17Milan Sokoloff was the soloist of the evening at the Clef Club last Saturday night; Mr. Savine will assist next week. This evening's program is devoted to Beethoven and Schumann.
19Mr. Perzinger was on the program at the Woman's Musical Club last Monday afternoon, when he again scored a triumph by his soulful playing of his violin. Mr. Gee was accompanist.
21Miss Mollot, pianist and teacher, will present her pupils in recital March 30.
23The Knox Church Quartet and Choir, Rhys Thomas choirmaster, are giving excellent Sunday evening music at their services. Selections from "Elijah" will be given tomorrow night.
25The monthly recitals of Nixon Kitchen's pupils will be held from now on at the Y. M. C. A. Hall, thus aiding his promising young pianists in public appearance.
27The Studio Club, J. C. Landry, teacher and director, gave a splendid performance of Gade's "Erl King's Daughter" recently before a large audience. The proceeds were devoted to Y. M. C. A. work. Miss Cuthbert sang the Mother will good dramatic fervor.
29Walter McKinley has been chosen business manager of the Chimes Opera Company. They purpose giving "Dragons de Villars," with a strong cast.
31Thursday next occurs ladies' night at the Clef Club, when members will give an excellent program, and banquet, at the Royal Alexandra Hotel. R. F. O.
33"Boleslaw Smiaty" ("Boleslaw the Brave"), three act opera by Ludomir Rozycki, made a hit at Lemberg, conducted by the composer. Rozycki belongs to the modern young Polish school of music, Karlovicz, Fitelberg, Szymanowski, Szeluta, Opinski, Melcer, etc.
35CLAUDE CUNNINGHAM.
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