Books › Musical Courier 1926-05-20: Vol 92 Iss 20, 1926 › scan 37
Scan 37
Musical Courier 1926-05-20: Vol 92 Iss 20, 1926
23 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 38. See the scan on archive.org.
1MUSICAL COURIER
2REVIEWS AND NEW MUSIC
3(Oliver Ditson, Boston)
4You Brought Me Flowers, song, by Myron Jacobson.—The words are translated from the Russian by Deems Taylor. The music is by the well known pianist, accompanist and operatic coach, a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakoff. It is beautiful and singable.
5(White-Smith Music Publishing Co., Boston)
6From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water, by Charles Wakefield Cadman, arranged for saxophone by Jascha Gurewich.—Gurewich is one of the best of the solo saxophone players and gives recitals every once in a while at Aeolian Hall, in which he displays amazing virtuosity as well as good taste. He displays the same musical and artistic qualities in this fine arrangement of Cadman's great song. The arrangement is really double. There is the melody to begin with and then, superimposed upon it, a very flowing obligato. It appears that the saxophonist can play either one of the two, or the two parts could be used as a duet. It makes the fine melody possible for saxophone players and will be appreciated.
7When I Go Serenadin' Sarah, plantation song by Helen Wing and Clay Smith.—This is a simple jazz song with verse and chorus after the usual manner. There is quite an interesting obligato in the accompaniment, and the song might lend itself to foxtrot arrangement.
8(Clayton F. Summy, Chicago)
9Autumn Leaves, a reading with music, by Lalla Ryckoff.—This composer seems to be fond of writing musical settings for recitations, and her works show uniform merit. How well they work out with actual recitation this reviewer cannot say. The style is not, generally speaking, popular, and although a number of writers of great reputation, such as for instance, Richard Strauss, have written works of this kind, they do not seem to be very frequently used. However, the publisher and the composer of these Ryckoff works must know that there is a market for them, and certainly, as such things go, these pieces are very pleasing. The composer picks out curious little poems for the setting, generally somewhat amusing and clever. This poem is anonymous.
10Grandma Pays the Bill, a musical reading by Lalla Ryckoff.—What is said above applies to this piece by the same composer. Here again the poem is anonymous and is a clever little thing quite suited for recitation purposes. One wonders whether the composer does not write these "anonymous" poems herself.
11(Harold Flammer, New York)
12Is It You? a song, by Charles Wakefield Cadman.—Cadman's work never needs any recommendation. He has made his reputation long ago and his work is of such uniform excellence that every new piece that comes from his pen recommends itself by having his name on the title page as the composer of it. This piece is no exception to the rule, and seems rather above the average than below it. The accompaniment is very elaborate, and the entire creation is masterly as well as beautiful.
13(Walter Anderson, New York)
14It's Just for You, a song by Lalla Ryckoff.—This time Miss Ryckoff acknowledges the authorship of the words and makes a song of her piece instead of a recitation. It is a ballad of popular American type and deserves success.
15(Carl Fischer, Inc., New York)
16White Hours Like Snow, song, by Bainbridge Crist.—The composer has here selected a really beautiful poem by Conrad Aiken for the setting, and has written music to it that increases its beauty. The song is far above the usual average of music that reaches this reviewer's desk. The accompaniment is finely pianistic and the melodic line full of meaning. It should be a sure success.
17(Enoch & Sons, New York)
18Haven of Tenderness, by Westell Gordon; Beside Still Waters, by Bernard Hamblen; A Sheepfold Song, by Landon Ronald; Clorinda, by R. Orlando Morgan.—It seems a shame to group a number of composers together in this way, but space is limited and cannot be given to detailed analysis of every work received. Be it said that these works are not all of them new. The first listed was copyrighted in 1919, and the last was copyrighted in 1923, and has had the good fortune to be sung by John McCormack. No doubt these two songs have already made their success. Beside Still Waters is a popular ballad with a waltz refrain, and a Sheepfold Song is a selection from the album entitled Sunset Land, and is in this popular composer's well known style.
19Johnson and Ruth Lauded in Portland
20The final concert of the Elwyn Artist Series took place recently at the Civic Auditorium, Portland, Ore., Edward Johnson, tenor, and Joan Ruth, soprano, appearing in a delightful and novel program. In costume, they presented arias and duets from three operas.
21"As a concert singer," said the Portland News, "Johnson has always been immensely popular in Portland, but Monday evening as an operatic artist, the famous Metropolitan tenor appeared at his very best. Johnson is a superlative artist. His is a rare tenor voice of decided mellowness, beauty and purity of tone, which he uses with utmost taste and intelligence. Joan Ruth is charming to look at and delightful to listen to. Her vocal gifts equally match the artistry of Johnson. Juliet's waltz song and the lovely Caro Nome were exquisitely sung. Her voice is extensive in range, of distinct beauty particularly in the upper tones."
22The Portland Oregonian declared: "It was without doubt one of the most delightful concerts of the entire season, and it was so received by the great audience. With voice and temperament perfectly suited to the big drama, Johnson was at his best. The loveliest arias and duets from each opera were done in a superlative manner. His singing is vital and his pronunciation perfect. Joan Ruth, of the Metropolitan Opera Company, won the hearts and approval of all who heard her. Her voice is at once appealingly fresh and dramatically mature. She was delightful to look upon and her solo in the balcony scene brought forth wild applause."
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