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Musical Courier 1927-01-06: Vol 94 Iss 1, 1927
91 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 32. See the scan on archive.org.
1MUSICAL COURIER
2GRAY-LHEVINNE FILLING SPECTACULAR SEASON
3Her Audiences Overflow Vast Auditoriums Such as Memorial Hall in Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pa.—245 Recitals This Year
5The Gray-Lhevinne personality has left its mark on the history of the current musical life of America. The brilliant individuality and the charming, but forceful, originality of this violinist has won the hearts of multitudes until little by little in the past four years a new ideal of program presentation distinctively Gray-Lhevinne has made this Californian one of America's most popular violinists.
7FACTS TELL STORY OF POPULARITY
8Facts tell a story no fancy phrasing could picture. In 1923 Gray-Lhevinne filled eighty-eight dates; in 1924, one hundred and thirty-seven, many of which were repeats; in 1925, one hundred and seventy-eight dates were filled by this violinist, with ninety-five returns; in 1926, two hundred and forty-five were played, one hundred and thirty-three being re-engagements. What a record of success?
10BOX OFFICE RECORDS
11The box office records show 175,395 persons have heard Gray-Lhevinne in recitals from September 25 to December 2 of this year. The key-note of the Gray-Lhevinne success is originality and keen insight into the hearts of her public. She builds programs of the unhackneyed in violin literature and she departs entirely from the stilted, conventional concert manner of presentation.
13HER INFORMALITY
14With a voice notably rich in quality and nuances, she tells informal bits and creates an atmosphere for each piece of music. She refuses to be bound by musical convention in her program building, preferring to make violin music understandable, thrilling, or heart appealing to the mass of human folk. The Gray-Lhevinne appeal is strictly individual and she has the dominant originality which is not held in check by tradition, but, like the West she hails from, is broad, appealing and beautiful.
16APPEALS TO EACH HEARER
17Her art is much more than just violin playing. It savors of the drama and she seems always to have a personal appeal to each of her hearers. The small child says: "She tells story music"—and is spell-bound; the musician: "She is an artist on the platform"—and is enthused; the parents: "She is a mother and she understands simple, human hearts." Here one has the Gray-Lhevinne magic—"an understanding heart"—no dry didactic, academic programs presented in a cold aloofness. She is warm, vibrant and human and chooses to play the sort of music that wins a loving friend, and presents it not as a cold distant star far above the heads of the masses. Gray-Lhevinne is frank and unaffected, daring to be her natural, cordial self upon the platform. Her personality is delightful and each type of person feels her charm and art.
19A PERSONALITY
20This is indeed an ideal personality. A Gray-Lhevinne concert relaxes the strain of tired hearts, for while presenting only the best in music, she is so spontaneously interesting and lovable one cannot help liking the things she does. Her magnetism colors everything until the cut and dried atmosphere of most recitals has been completely enveloped in charm, radiance and a spirit of happiness and joy. Gray-Lhevinne programs make people feel better, for here is not just an entertainer but an international artist—one hailed by the critics of the day as one of the greatest women violinists and yet one who dares to be humanly appealing.
22STUDIES HER AUDIENCE
23Gray-Lhevinne has refused offers to broadcast or to record for any of the reproducing companies. She feels that her power lies in "seeing" her audience. Never are the "house lights out" at any Gray-Lhevinne concert. She studies the faces, noting changing expressions and building as she goes, strengthening the weak points and increasing the mood to fit that individual audience.
25Estelle Gray-Lhevinne is in the midst of a season the equal of which, perhaps, no violinist can claim. This popular star is filling two hundred and forty-five individual recitals, and her box-office showing is spectacular. Facts and figures tell the story better than any empty words of praise just how the public likes Gray-Lhevinne.
27CLEVELAND SERIES: 10,500 PAID ADMISSIONS
28In February last the Gray-Lhevinne series in Cleveland, Ohio, was attended by 6,750; her repeat series in October brought forth 10,500 paid admissions.
30PHILADELPHIA SERIES
31The third Gray-Lhevinne series in Philadelphia, Pa., was attended by 13,675. The Philadelphia Ledger wrote: "She is the very soul of rhythm."
33AT BUFFALO 11,855 ATTEND
34Buffalo, N. Y., series in September and October, attracted 11,855 and in December a series of six to crowded auditoriums brought return engagements for still another series for this month (January).
36PITTSBURGH OVATION UPON RETURN
37Gray-Lhevinne has had tremendous success in Pittsburgh, Pa., and in other years at Carnegie Music Hall and in Memorial Hall, but when she returned to Pittsburgh on October 18 and again on November 12, great crowds taxed the capacity of Memorial Hall and gave her an ovation which left nothing to the imagination. Again the popular violinist was brought by the University of Pittsburgh and introduced as "America's best loved violinist, whom it is an honor to present again."
39TOLEDO BREAKS RECORDS
40Toledo, Ohio, last May Gray-Lhevinne gave a series of five recitals, and in October the series she gave in that city was heard by 18,300 said the Times of October 10, 1926, after her eighth Toledo appearance: "Not alone by her mastery of the violin—not alone by her personality—not alone by her dramatic ability—not alone by her possession of a far reaching, sweetly toned speaking voice—but all combined makes her the world's foremost woman violinist."
42THIRD YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO RETURN
43Again at Youngstown, Ohio, Gray-Lhevinne was heard by more than 4,000 and is being brought back for the third time in February.
45On February 2, over 1,200 people heard Estelle Gray-Lhevinne at Youngstown. The musical elite came from Alliance (where she gave two concerts in October), Akron, Canton, and other points. It was a distinguished assembly and the violinist gave a fine program which grew to twenty-eight compositions owing to the intense enthusiasm. The artist gave the Handel sonata, Tschaikowsky concerto, Saint-Saens Rondo Capriccioso, Vieuxtemps Fantasie Ap-passionata, besides many novel gems. The concert was endorsed by the Monday Musical Club, of which Eleanor Hudy is the president and Mrs. Austin Gil-lin chairman of program.
47In introducing the violinist of the evening, Dr. Kirby announced: "Tonight, February 2, happens to be the birthday of three of the world's greatest violinists: Fritz Kreisler, an Austrian; Jascha Heifetz, a Russian, and Estelle Gray-Lhevinne, an American, who is the greatest of all women violinists. It seems as if February 2 is a special date which proves great violinists are born, not made."
49MORE THAN 6,000 ATTENDED AT NEWARK, N. J.
50Newark, N. J., had a series in May attended by over 6,000 and when Gray-Lhevinne returned there in November she was heard by 14,586.
52GREAT OVATION AT COLUMBUS, OHIO
53On November 5, Gray-Lhevinne, drew an audience of many thousands to Columbus, Ohio, taxing the capacity of Memorial Hall, she was heralded in the Columbus Press as "the greatest living woman violinist."
55A unique honor was paid Gray-Lhevinne by the presence on the platform of twenty-five university and college presidents, who were charmed by her recital which they had come from all parts of Ohio and nearby states to hear. Other artists besides Gray-Lhevinne, who appeared in Memorial Hall, Columbus, during November, were Chaliapin and his opera company in Mozart's Figaro, the Ukrainian chorus, Mischa Elman String Quartet, Gigli, and Giannini.
57MANY THOUSANDS AT TROY, N. Y.
58A notable series was given in Troy, N. Y., which was attended by 6,280, which created a new record in that city.
60POUGHKEEPSIE BRINGS THOUSANDS TO HEAR HER
61Four thousand seven hundred and fifty heard Gray-Lhevinne in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in her series there, on November 30 and December 1.
63BETHLEHEM SERIES OF FIVE RECITALS
64An interesting series of recitals was given by Gray-Lhevinne in Bethlehem, Pa., where she was heard by 4,750 people. The Bethlehem Globe Times of November 23 said in a front page column review: "Local music lovers were given a rare treat by Estelle Gray-Lhevinne, under the auspices of George E. Hubbard, director of music. Mme. Gray-Lhevinne charmed her audience with her masterly technic, her heart-stirring melodies and vivid personality. Before each of the selections she told some unique incident in connection with the music in a manner as refreshing as she played it, so that her renditions had a real human touch."
66The Allentown, Pa. Morning Call of November 23 had this to say: "Audience was inspired and delighted with the rare artistry and performance of Mme. Gray-Lhevinne, noted violinist, under the auspices of Community Concert Course in Bethlehem."
68MONTCLAIR SUCCESS
69On November 16 Estelle Gray-Lhevinne had an outstanding success at her recital in the Montclair, N. J., Unity Symphony Series. Although there was a downpour, more than a thousand eager listeners heard Gray-Lhevinne in a delightful program. Unity Institute is presenting this season a splendid series of concerts, including Lucrezia Bori, Efrem Zimbalist, Boston Symphony, Mary Lewis, Lawrence Tibbett, Pablo Casals and Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Roland Hayes, Sigrid Onegin, New York Symphony with Walter Damrosch, Estelle Gray-Lhevinne, New York Symphony again, Percy Grainger, and Louis Graveure.
71The Montclair Times of November 17 said in review: "Although yesterday's weather was very inclement, an audience of over 1,000 attended the first recital given in Montclair by Estelle Gray-Lhevinne, who is regarded as the outstanding violin personality of the day.
73"That those in the audience knew they were listening to an artist of the greatest charm was evidenced early by the applause accorded Mme. Gray-Lhevinne.
75"The artist showed her complete mastery of the violin—the Tschaikowsky concerto was beautifully played. The tremendous technic of the artist was strikingly shown, delicate tracery, crystal clear harmonies, showed a beauty of effect difficult to approach. Mme. Gray-Lhevinne is an artist of great charm and unique personality. Gray-Lhevinne comes between two appearances of the New York Symphony Orchestra, with Walter Damrosch. The Symphony series will close with Percy Grainger and Louis Graveure."
77DELIGHTS IN WILLIAMSPORT
78On October 21 she played in Williamsport, Pa., considered as a "key city" and where she was received with enthusiasm. This was a return engagement for the violinist which was granted to the Williamsport public because of many requests, and it opened the city's artist series. An audience of over 1,500 greeted the popular violinist's return and an ovation was tendered her at the close of the recital. The Williamsport, Pa., Sun, in commenting on the work of Gray-Lhevinne, said: "Mme. Estelle Gray-Lhevinne, probably the greatest woman violinist since the death of Maud Powell, opened the artist course last evening. A large audience attended and attested the appreciation of Mme. Grey-Lhevinne's superb artistry by their response at her return engagement. . . . Last evening at the close of her concert a cheer was given in appreciation and admiration of the artist . . ." The Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin states in part: "The program was well built, the selections being chosen to appeal to all types of listeners. . . . The artist possesses a beautiful singing tone, full of rich quality and warmth. Her technic was superb. She makes the exceedingly difficult numbers she plays seem simple to understand."
80She was hailed by press as greatest of all women violinists in Williamsport.
821,500 IN AMSTERDAM AUDIENCE
83So great was the demand to hear Gray-Lhevinne at Amsterdam, N. Y., December 8, that seats were put on the stage and behind the scenes, and still a mob crowded the hall trying to hear the popular star. Frank Jetter, local impresario, was so delighted with the program that he exclaimed: "That was the very best recital I have ever heard." He has brought to Amsterdam, besides Gray-Lhevinne, many of the world's stars and this season includes in the series Hans Kindler, Braslau, the Dennis-Shawn production, Claire Dux, and Hulda Lashanska.
85The Amsterdam Evening Record of December 9 headed a review with: "Immense Throng at Music Event Enjoys Mme. Gray-Lhevinne's Recital . . . One of the largest and most enthusiastic audiences ever assembled in this city to hear a single musical attraction listened to Estelle Gray-Lhevinne, the world's greatest woman violinist, crowded every available space in the auditorium, including the stage. Mme. Gray-Lhevinne's charming personality at once captivated. She was at all times complete master of her instrument, expressing a deep knowledge of musical values, displaying a brilliant and faultless technic, surety and accuracy of tone, contrasting an exquisite delicacy of lighter phrasing with the power and majesty of heavier chord work as occasion demanded. But it was not the technical skill which so held the large audience, but the friendly and personal manner in which the violinist presented her program, putting the audience in the desired mood for the music." The above was part of a review written by Frank Jetter.
87"THE GREATEST VIOLINIST TO APPEAR HERE"
88The Glen Falls, N. Y., Post Star (December 8), had the following to say: "Audience charmed by Gray-Lhevinne. Musically inclined were privileged last evening to hear the greatest violinist to appear in this place in the memory of the oldest inhabitant, Estelle Gray-Lhevinne. She appeared before a large audience and to say that those who attended were pleased would indeed be using a mild term.
90"Intimate relation to her audience won appreciation and her masterly bowing charmed every hearer. For a few moments after she left the platform the storm of applause
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