Books › Musical Courier 1927-01-06: Vol 94 Iss 1, 1927 › scan 20
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Musical Courier 1927-01-06: Vol 94 Iss 1, 1927
76 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 21. See the scan on archive.org.
1January 6, 1927
3Marianne Kneisel a Worthy Daughter of a Famous Father
4Although the Marianne Kneisel String Quartet will not make its official New York debut until February 1, many very successful recitals have been given outside the metropolis. There have been two Southern tours this season, of two weeks each, in October and November. A two weeks' tour of the Middle West also is scheduled for February, these appearances including a Chicago recital. During the same month there will be a recital in Boston.
6Following an appearance at Elon College, Greensboro, the Daily News of that city stated: "The Marianne Kneisel String Quartet gave a concert that eclipsed any anticipated enjoyment of a much heralded event. The young ladies are artists in the highest sense, and Marianne Kneisel, violinist and head of the organization and daughter of Franz Kneisel, founder of the Kneisel Quartet, one of the most famous quartets in musical history, has evidently inherited the genius of her illustrious father. She is ably supported by her second violinist, viola player and cellist, and their playing was with that satisfying finish found only in the possessors of the loftiest standard of musicianship. The program was most exacting in technic and interpretation."
8Another recent successful appearance was in the Montclair High School, and the following day the Newark Evening News declared: "In the performance of Haydn's quartet in D major, Gliere's Variations, Tchaikowsky's Andante Cantabile and a scherzo by Robert Kahn, the young musicians disclosed neatness in execution, fine taste in phrasing and a tone which, though light, was pure, musical and well balanced."
10Critics of Winston-Salem also have high praise for this sterling quartet, the Leader report of a recent concert containing these salient remarks: "Led by Miss Kneisel, daughter of Franz Kneisel, famous violinist, the quartet played with such accuracy and precision that the ensemble sounded like one instrument. The deep rich, mellow tones were played with feeling and interpreted in a remarkable way the spirit of the composer. The technic of the players was practically flawless. The poise and perfect command of each player won the admiration of the audience. Those who heard the program realized that they were listening to those who were born with talent and who have cultivated it until they have attained the skill and precision of a master player." This concert also inspired the critic of the Winston-Salem News to write: "Every performer is an artist. Miss Kneisel, the leader and first violinist, took the lead at all times but in such an unobtrusive manner as not to break into the perfect ensemble. She is a worthy daughter of a famous father."
12Cara Verson in New York Recital
13One of the most revolutionary of programs was rendered by Cara Verson, pianist, in her recital at Aeolian Hall on December 14. It was an interesting exposition of modern tendencies in music, with a basis of comparison with music that was "new" only a short time ago. The program started with two Debussy numbers, Sunkent Cathedral and Gardens in the Rain, and included numbers by Guy Ropartz, Ravel, MacDowell's Keltic Sonata, Bartok, Wladigeroff, Prokofieff, Szymanowski, and three Scriabine compositions. Miss Verson undertook this formidable array with confidence and succeeded in bringing some meaning out of the disorderly modern dissonances. Miss Verson's technic is more than adequate, and her musical taste unusually catholic. The McDowell number was particularly well done, while the audience seemed also to appreciate her rendition of the Ravel and Scriabine offerings.
15Christmas Party at Estelle Liebling Studio
16On Christmas eve Estelle Liebling followed her usual custom of giving a party for her students. It was a very lovely evening. There was a beautiful Christmas tree, and the students entertained the other guests by giving a cabaret performance. Among the guests were: Frieda Hempel, Mr. and Mrs. Roxy, Queenie Smith, Yvonne D'Arle, Joan Ruth, Mrs. A. K. Bendix, Titta Ruffo and Daniel Frohman.
18German-American Festival in Easton
19The Singing Festival of the German-American Singing Societies of Pennsylvania will take place September 3, 4 and 5, in combination with the celebration of the 175th Jubilee of the City of Easton. Programs will be presented by a male chorus of 500 voices and a ladies' chorus of 250, with excellent soloists and thirty-five men from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
21Arnold Volpe Organizes Symphony Orchestra
22Announcement has been made of the organization of a symphony orchestra in Miami, Fla., with Arnold Volpe as conductor. The orchestra consists of eighty pieces and will give thirty concerts in Miami, Miami Beach and Coral Gables this winter. The new organization is fostered by the Greater Miami Symphony Orchestra Society, which was formed recently at a meeting of a group of sponsors who have subscribed as members. Officers have been elected as follows: Irving M. Cassel, president; Bertha Foster, vice-president; Frederick Zeigen, treasurer, and Robert L. Zoll, secretary.
24A. F. W.
26THE MARIANNE KNEISEL STRING QUARTET
28La Perichole Closes French Season
29The French Opera Comique Company which has been giving a series of most delightful performances of French operettas at Jolson's Theater, closed its season here last week with Jacques Offenbach's La Perichole, a comic opera in three acts. The company intended to give two additional works before going north for a Canadian tour. However circumstances did not entirely favor the visiting company and an earlier closing was deemed advisable. Nevertheless, let it be said at once that the organization fared far better than was ever expected, and in fact aroused so much enthusiasm both among the critics of the press and music lovers interested in the French offerings that had the performances continued much longer enough support might have been forthcoming to make an extended season worth while financially. One of the principal New York dailies even went so far as to state that it believed the company should be made a permanent one. Perhaps spurred on by this unsolicited tribute and the many others equally as praiseworthy coming from the press, the management announced just before closing that the directors would erect a new theater especially designed for French opera comique. Whether such a plan materializes or not it is certain that when the company returns to New York it will find many ardent and enthusiastic supporters waiting.
31But La Perichole! At this late date there is little new to add to what has already been published at length in the dailies. On the afternoon of the first performance, at the dress rehearsal, it was discovered that the orchestra score was not the same as that used by the chorus. As a result the chorus had practically to learn its parts over again and all within a few hours. Nevertheless, after a public announcement, the curtain went up and in spite of the handicaps a very creditable performance was given, the outstanding star being Mlle. Syrie, whose singing of a street song in Spanish "stopped the show" and won her such an ovation that she was forced to repeat it three times. Especially good, too, were M. Servatius, particularly in the third act "dinner" scene which brought many laughs, and M. Foix, the tenor, who is very well liked. The remaining performances of the week made up for any discrepancies of the first night, and the company's first season here ended in a blaze of artistic glory.
33In closing this brief review it seems as if a word of praise should be offered George Blumenthal, whose enthusiasm and never-say-die spirit have made this French season possible. A smaller theater next time with a few readjustments and success should follow—especially with the vast repertory of short and delightful operettas available.
35Lisa Roma Returns to America for Tour
36Lisa Roma, American soprano, has returned to the United States for a three months' tour which will cover the principal cities of the eastern coast. Following her return to Europe, Miss Roma will give a concert in Paris and London, after which she probably will remain abroad to sing with some of the big orchestras and at the Opéra. Her French repertory includes Thais, Faust, Manon and Louise.
38NEWS FLASH
40Eckstein Coming to New York
41(Special telegram to the Musical Courier)
42Chicago.—Louis Eckstein, general director of the Ravinia Opera, will leave Chicago on Sunday to be in his offices in Aeolian Hall, New York, next Monday, January 10. Mr. Eckstein's stay in the East will be indefinite but he will return to Chicago as soon as all plans for the coming season at Ravinia have been fully arranged.
44R. D.
46Cleveland Institute Notes
47CLEVELAND, OHIO—An unusual program at the Cleveland Institute of Music, presenting only women members of the faculty, introduced to the public Roberta Felty, an instructor new at the school this year. Miss Felty played the Prelude, Chorale and Fugue, by Cesar Franck, with breadth of interpretation, displaying excellent understanding of the broad architectural structure of the composition. The three movements were performed in a manner which left no doubt in the minds of her hearers as to the quality of her musicianship, and the prolonged applause gave this new faculty member generous recognition of her pianistic abilities.
49Miss Felty was heard a second time in a sonata with Charlotte Demuth Williams. Again she demonstrated interesting qualities of her musicianship, proving herself an adept ensemble player and a satisfactory interpreter of a quite different type of music in this Debussy sonata. Mrs. Williams played with a warm and singing tone, bringing out all the lovely qualities of her talents which have made her such a popular musician in Cleveland.
51Another number on the program was Brahms' Trio in C minor, opus 101, played by Ruth Edwards, pianist, Mrs. Williams, violinist, and Rebecca Haight, cellist. There was a unanimity of musical feeling among the players, and the climaxes in the first and last movements were skillfully brought out. The trio brought to the Presto a lightness, and to the Andante, a lyric quality of unusual beauty. D.
53Mabel Rockwell Uses Thorpe Book
54Mabel D. Rockwell, teacher of singing at the Pennsylvania College for Women in Pittsburgh, was in New York during the holidays in conference with Harry Colin Thorpe, whose Modern Vocal Technic is used by Mrs. Rockwell with all her pupils. She reports that students are enthusiastic over the results obtained with this unique book.
56—AMATO—
57The Celebrated Baritone
58Will accept a limited number of pupils
59Voice — Repertoire — Interpretation
60By appointment only
61Studios: Hotel Ansonia, New York City
62Telephone Susquehanna 3320
64My Adventures in the Golden Age of Music
65By HENRY T. FINCK
66(For Forty-three Years Musical Editor of the New York Evening Post)
67There are reminiscences about Theodore Thomas, the de Reszkes, Patti, Caruso, Anton Seidl, Eames, Calvé, Nordica, Melba, and the others in that glorious galaxy of stars down to Maria Jeritza, Bori, Easton, Galí-Curci, Percy Grainger.
68Brilliant Pen Sketches of Musical Celebrities
69"Place it in company with Huneker's 'Steeplejack' and you have the two chattiest, most discursively entertaining books of their kind ever written in this country."—Charles L. Buchanan in the Herald Tribune, New York.
70"This autobiography of Henry T. Finck, for forty years the distinguished musical critic of New York, is without exception the most interesting book of its kind published for many years. Not only does it give a fascinating account of the author's remarkable training for and interesting experience in his chosen profession, but it is an accurate history of the music of New York for the last half century, and contains charming pen-pictures of all the great artists and composers who have been heard in America during that period, many of whom were his devoted friends. This delightful book has not a dull page in it, and should appeal to every music lover and find a place on the shelves of every library."—Mrs. Theodore Thomas.
71"What has always impressed the readers of Henry Finck's colorful observations in our world of music has been decidedly and preeminently his fine courage to sustain his own opinions, the while voicing no corrosive acrimony in as frank disapprovals as he found necessary. His natural kindness and understanding, his belief in constructive criticism made it worth while for any conscientious artist to pause, peruse, and ponder. Grateful for the manna of his artistic encouragement, I feel doubly enriched by the happy ties of long friendship with the lovable author and his wife."—Geraldine Farrar.
72Crown 8vo. Cloth. 478 pages. 31 full page illustrations. $5, net; $5.18, post-paid.
73At All Bookstores, or Direct from the Publishers
74FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY
75356 Fourth Avenue, New York
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