Books › Musical Courier 1926-02-04: Vol 92 Iss 5, 1926 › scan 41
Scan 41
Musical Courier 1926-02-04: Vol 92 Iss 5, 1926
33 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 42. See the scan on archive.org.
1Mildred Dilling's European Activities
2Since her return from Europe not so long ago, Mildred Dilling, harpist, has been unusually busy. She was in London for the season in June and July, and, following this made a motor trip through England and France, ending up at Etretat on the Normandy Coast, where she remained for two months. There, it is interesting to note, the harpist lived in the villa in which Empress Eugenie visited, the home of Marquise de Savignac, where she prepared her winter programs with her teacher, Mme. Rene. During September she spent a few weeks at Sylvabelle, a villa on the edge of the Forest of St. Cloud, near Paris, where she often rode horseback in the nearby forest.
4When Miss Dilling played in The Hague she was entertained at the home of Commander Leahy, American naval attache, and Mrs. Leahy. The American Minister also entertained for Miss Dilling at the Legation. In England she had the opportunity of seeing English country life, visiting at Ash Rectory, an old world house in Kent. On October 13, she and Martha Bard, American pianist, gave a recital at the American Women's Club, London, under the following distinguished patronage: Mrs. Alanson B. Houghton, wife of the American Ambassador; the Countess of Arran, Viscountess Harcourt, D.B.E., Baroness Ravensdale, Lady Ashfield, Lady Swaythling, Hon. Lady Ward, Princess Wiasemsky, Lady Carson, Lady Arthur Pearson, D.B.E., Lady Frederick Lewis, Lady Napier, Lady Donald, Lady Lavery, Lady Shearman, Hon. Mrs. Robert Brand, Hon. Mrs. Vickers, Mrs. Benjamin Guinness, Mrs. Walter Coates, Mrs. Cunard, Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Hornby-Lewis, Mrs. S. B. G. Peabody, Mrs. James Pearce, and Mrs. Ralph Phillipson.
6While in England, Miss Dilling also broadcast from Daventry, the largest station in Great Britain, and was heard in Australia and New Zealand. She has a return engagement to appear for the radio under the direction of Dan Godfrey, as soloist with his orchestra next June. She also has return dates in London and Paris. In a word, Miss Dilling has appeared in four countries since October.
8The harpist has given two recitals in Newark and several in New York, including her own successful recital at Steinway Hall. The end of December she appeared in the middle west, and is to fill some important New England dates. This season's appearances include a tour with the De Reszke Singers the end of January and February. In March she will go as far south as Miami.
10Pupil Pays Tribute to Mabel M. Parker
11Mabel M. Parker, voice teacher of Philadelphia, recently asked some of her pupils what their singing means to them, and that it is an essential part of the life of at least one of them is evident from the extracts from the appended letter:
13You ask me what my singing is to me, and what the hours spent in your studio have meant to me! Ask of the flower, what is sun? Ask of the weary, what is rest?
14Each of us, in life, must find our own expression—some through the flower, others through the touching of instruments, all an outlet for the many emotions of the crowd within.
15Mine is singing; and you, with your spiritual conception of music and song, have made it the coloring of my existence—my laughter, my tears, my strength, for you have taught me to express it.
16I sometimes think that everyone would just sing, put all their thoughts into song, that half the troubles of the world would vanish; for there is an uplift, a youthful happiness in singing that brings a relief that is almost divine.
17These precious hours that I have spent with you in your studio have seemed to me like little sunlight sermons, for you have shown me that all that is beautiful in life is within ourselves, and that the natural expression of the heart is song. You have revealed me to myself, for you have taught me that life is like a song; it is only as colorful as we ourselves, make it.
18Now, do you know what my singing is to me? Can you realize how grateful I am that I found it through you—My Teacher!
20Katharine Goodson Not Coming
21The many admirers and friends of Katharine Goodson will be disappointed to learn that, owing to a severe bronchial attack during her recent European tour, she has been forced to abandon her short visit to America.
22In spite of the advice of the doctor in Budapest to give up her other continental dates, she played at one of the Budapest Philharmonic Concerts with a temperature of 102, and continued her concerts in Vienna, Munich, etc. under the same conditions. The result was that she suffered such a severe reaction that her doctor has ordered an entire rest. After this enforced holiday she will return to the Continent, appearing three times in Prague; on February 22 at the Concert of the Bohemian String Quartet, playing the Cesar Franck Quintet; on February 28 at the Prague Philharmonic Concert (Delius concerto); and on March 3 in her own recital at Smetana Hall. Other appearances will be in Dresden, Berlin and Dusseldorf.
24New Site for Westchester County Festival
25Valhalla—not the mythical realm memorialized in the famous Wagner operas—but Valhalla, Westchester County, N. Y., is soon to justify its name and right to this title of musical significance.
26The great plaza in front of the Kensico Dam at this modern Valhalla will be the site of this year's Westchester County music festival, featuring a trained chorus of 2,000 or more voices. Announcement of the location was made January 20, by Mrs. Eugene Meyer, chairman of the board of governors of the Westchester Choral Society, following receipt of permission for use of the plaza from Nicholas J. Hayes, Commissioner of the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity of the City of New York.
27The festival, a public movement developed under the auspices of the Westchester County Recreation Commission and combining the work of many choral organizations throughout the county, will be held May 20, 21 and 22. A coincident of interest is that this last date was, in 1813, the birthday of the composer who enshrined Valhalla in his musical works.
28Hundreds of thousands of motorists and travelers by railroad know Westchester County's Valhalla as the location of a dam which is one of the engineering achievements in connection with the chain of reservoirs supplying New York City. The plaza at the base of the dam is very nearly the geographical center of the county, is the present terminus of the Bronx River Parkway running thirteen miles from the New York City line directly to the site, and is the converging point of important highways from all parts of the territory and adjacent sections in New York State and Connecticut. The Valhalla station of the Harlem Railroad is a quarter of a mile from the festival site. This site is on the northern half of the central area of the plaza, which is 2,000 feet long and 1,500 feet wide, with generous accommodations for the parking of automobiles.
29Morris Gabriel Williams, musical director of the festival, reports the site as excellent from an acoustical standpoint. He points out that, in addition to the wall of the dam, rising 110 feet above the plaza, hills rise to greater heights on two other sides, providing a natural enclosure. Mrs. Chester Geppert Marsh, county director of recreation, also favors the new site.
30Immediately at the base of the dam is an artificial lake or "water mirror," 700 by 50 feet. Plans are being considered for the illumination of this on the three evenings of the festival.
31In preparation for the festival, local choral groups are already at work or in formation at all important centers throughout the county. Groups are rehearsing Negro spirituals at several points. Three foreign groups are organizing, and will sing in costume. Development of choral groups in the public schools is under way.
32Mrs. Meyer says that "Westchester County has an opportunity to become an inspiration and to set standards in its activity for the entire country. The most fortunate aspect of the whole idea is that it offers opportunity for thousands to participate in and help carry out the program."
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