Books › Musical Courier 1927-04-07: Vol 94 Iss 14, 1927 › scan 26
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Musical Courier 1927-04-07: Vol 94 Iss 14, 1927
106 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 27. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1April 7, 1927
3BELGIUM HEARS MANY NOVELTIES
5German Works Again Figuring on Concert Programs—Two Interesting Belgian Works—Ansermet Returns
7BRUSSELS.—Concert life in Brussels has been interesting of late, from several points of view. For one thing, German music is creeping more and more into the programs. In less than a month we have heard Strauss' Don Quixote and Till Eulenspiegel, Gustav Mahler's second and fourth symphonies, the Kindertotenlieder, and that beautiful work, Song of the Earth, which was still unknown in Belgium.
9There have also been several Beethoven Centenary concerts; the Missa Solemnis and third symphony were heard at the Brussels Conservatory, the sixth symphony at the Popular Concerts, under the leadership of Ernest Ansermet, and the ninth symphony was given at the Nouveaux Concerts in Antwerp.
11The first Belgium performance of Arthur Honegger's Horace Victorieux was also conducted by Ansermet who has been reengaged for two concerts next season. He will then give Stravinsky's Petrouchka and Les Noces.
13A "TRIO CONCERTO" AND "QUARTET SONATA"
15Two more novelties were brought out, a "concerto" for harp, flute and cello, and a "sonata" for contralto and piano, by the two Belgian composers, Joseph Jongen and Fernand Quinet, respectively, both directors of conservatories, the first in Brussels, the second in Mons. Jongen's work has sonority, a charming plasticity of invention and a poetic quality that is distinctly personal. It is, moreover, very cleverly harmonized. The composer is at present engaged on a large work for organ, which will mark a new stage in his steady development.
17Quinet in his sonata, which consists of four movements, entirely rejects the accepted sonata form with its recurring themes, but depends on the general sentiment of the work for its unity. The entire sonata is impregnated with that peculiar poetry of mechanism which is so characteristic of our time.
19The Pro Arte Group recently gave a first performance here of Francis Poulenc's Ile de France, an exquisite trio for piano, oboe and bassoon, which is a marvel of taste, esprit and good humor. An equally delightful work but of a more delicate charm and repressed emotion, was a quartet sonata for piano, flute, oboe, and bassoon, by the young Italian, Vittorio Rieti.
21To conclude the novelties, the Théâtre de la Monnaie brought out the Belgian premiere of Honegger's opera, Judith, which although less inspired than King David, is nevertheless an effective work and had a great success.
23A. G.
25Niemack Soloist with New York Symphony
27The thirteenth season of Popular Concerts under the auspices of the Music Section of the Woman's Club of New Rochelle was concluded on March 25 with a program of unusual interest. The New York Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Rene Pollain, gave an adequate presentation of Tschaikowsky's Pathetic Symphony, and this was followed by Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole for violin with orchestra, in which Ilse Niemack appeared as soloist. It is a pleasure to record that this young violinist made an excellent impression. Without recourse to an exaggerated vibrato, she succeeded in producing a charming wealth of tone; and she further exhibited a satisfying mastery of technic. The audience as well as the men of the orchestra joined in a demonstration of cordial approval of the work of this talented young artist.
29Ernest Davis with Haydn Choral Society
31Ernest Davis was soloist recently with the Haydn Choral Society in Orchestra Hall, Chicago, in a program which included Handel's Acis and Galatea and William Lester's The Land of Souls. In commenting on the Handel music, one of the dailies stated that "The tenor solo was effective and well sung by Mr. Davis. He had the spirit of the words and his voice was firm and resonant. There was a clear line in the music, and he brought it out with character." "Mr. Davis fully deserved his generous share of the evening's success," said the Chicago Evening American, "if for no other reason than his handling of the exceedingly taxing tessitura of his tenor score. It lay very high and continuously in the trickiest part of the tenor register, but Mr. Davis' technic and experience made light of these difficulties."
33Unique Tribute to Guiomar Novaes
35Guiomar Novaes scored another triumph when she gave a recital on March 24 in Scott Auditorium, Toledo, Ohio. In reviewing her program the critic of the Times stated that "She plays like no woman one ever heard and like no man either. Such skill seems almost diabolical. Her genius is a consuming fire which leaps from her to the keyboard and from it out over the audience. They are as if in a spell." The Blade critic declared that "the performance was one long to be remembered by all who heard it, as the impression made is that of a dazzling luminosity." And it was the opinion of the New Bee that "The flattering reports which preceded her to Toledo were in no wise exaggerated. She is an artist equipped to do justice to the best requirements of modern piano playing."
37Bach's B Minor Mass to be Given
39The Oratorio Society will give the first complete performance in New York of Bach's B minor Mass at Carnegie Hall on April 21. The soloists will be Mildred Faas, soprano; Mabel Beddoe, contralto; Lewis James, tenor, and Horace Stevens, bass. The New York Symphony Orchestra will supply the instrumental background.
41Estelle Liebling Studio
43Some of the many activities of Estelle Liebling students are as follows—Claire Madjette has been engaged as leading prima donna of the Atlanta Municipal Summer Opera Company. Anne Yago, contralto, is now playing in the new Shubert production, Yo San. In June Miss Yago goes to St. Louis, where she is to sing the leading contralto roles with the St. Louis Municipal Summer Opera Company. Dorothy Miller, who has recently been playing the prima donna part in a Chinese operetta, The China Blue Plate, which has been touring the vaudeville houses, relinquished her role to join the twelve Liebling Singing Girls, who began their five months' Public tour at the Paramount Theater on April 2. The Liebling Singing Girls recently appeared at the Bradford Theater, Newark. The Liebling Singing Sextette appeared at the Capitol Theater, Detroit, the week of March 28. The Liebling Singing Octette will sing Easter week at the Brooklyn Strand Theater. Frances Sebel has signed a new contract as leading lyric-dramatic soprano with the WEAF Grand Opera Company. Jessica Dragonette has been re-engaged for another year by the WEAF Musical Comedy Company.
45"Sound Sense of Style
46Good Musicianship"
48"Is Possessed of a Rich Lyric Voice"
50NEW YORK
51RECITAL
52TOWN HALL
53MARCH 17
55Photo by Strauss Peyton
57DELLA BAKER
58Soprano
60Della Baker Press Comments of New York Recital, March 17th, 1927
62NEW YORK SUN—"A sound sense of style, good musicianship and a sure grasp of the contents of her offerings were the outstanding characteristics of Miss Baker's recital. Her high notes were admirably fresh and clear. Her program was rendered with considerable charm. There was individuality in all of her offerings, and that is something to be thankful for."
64NEW YORK TIMES—"A soprano of comprehensive range and musicianship."
66NEW YORK AMERICAN—"Her vocal gifts are many and she displayed them delightfully. She possesses a lyric soprano voice of broad range, fresh, beautiful quality, freely emitted and artistically controlled. She caught the spirit of the songs and had the ability to communicate it to her listeners." one of two readings
67NEW YORK AMERICAN—"Her vocal gifts are many and she disposed them delightfully. She possesses a lyric soprano voice of broad range, fresh, beautiful quality, freely emitted and artistically controlled. She caught the spirit of the songs and had the ability to communicate it to her listeners." one of two readings
69EVENING JOURNAL—"A well schooled voice."
71NEW YORK TELEGRAM—"There was substantial pleasure to be had of Della Baker's singing. Her work bears the unmistakable stamp of experience. Her voice is well trained and not to tax the mature powers. The critic (Herbert Peyser) heard from her a really dashing and voluble performance of Mozart's 'Alleluiah,' which had more than a modicum of style and captured something of the bright, spontaneous jubilation of the music. The singer proved able moreover to penetrate the poetic spirit of the French songs, to whose utterances she brought an element of really sympathetic understanding and lyric sensitiveness."
73HERALD TRIBUNE—"Della Baker, whose work in Oratorio is not unfamiliar, sings very well. She offers a skillful and colorful program. She interprets with skill and poetry of imagination. There is an air of a thrilling assurance in her performance which lends color and life. Throughout all four groups her diction was clear and exact."
75EVENING POST—"Della Baker, known as an oratorio artist, gave a recital to the evident satisfaction of her audience. She sings well, interprets with skill and her diction is excellent. She was thoroughly at home in all groups."
77EVENING WORLD—"A balanced and well rendered program was given by Della Baker. Her voice, clear and sweet, afforded evidence of sound training."
79New York Symphony Orchestra Tour
81NEW YORK AMERICAN, New York City—"Miss Baker scored a triumph, although appearing before such a vast throng, her voice carrying to the furthest fringe of the crowd in the world runs."
83BROOKLYN DAILY TIMES, BROOKLYN, N. Y.—"Miss Baker is possessed of a rich coloratura voice. Fortunately, her voice, though gentle, carried, and the entire auditorv heard her rendition, which was most enjoyable and fully worthy of the acclamation that greeted her singing."
85THE EVENING SUN, Baltimore, Md.—"Miss Della Baker, the Soprano, acquitted herself with much credit, she has an agreeable voice and uses it intelligently. She possesses the merit of excellent diction so that every word can be understood and she puts a measure of feeling into her work that gave it pronounced character."
87THE BALTIMORE AMERICAN—"In the Rienzi numbers Miss Della Baker, soprano, sang with rare sympathy and charm."
89THE WASHINGTON HERALD, Washington, D. C.—"Miss Della Baker displayed fine cultivation of voice."
91THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, Philadelphia, Pa.—"Della Baker, is a soprano of admirable equipment and artistic intelligence, established herself as a singer of assured reputation. Splendid as her voice is, its appeal is enhanced by her skill in using it."
93New York Oratorio Society in the "Messiah"
95NEW YORK EVENING POST—"Miss Baker displayed a voice of charm and beauty and was fully equal to the dramatic requirements. She is likely to be heard often in this field, in which there are too few qualified singers."
97NEW YORK TELEGRAM—"Miss Baker acquitted herself to the evident satisfaction of her hearers."
99NEW YORK TIMES—"Welcomed as a newcomer was Della Baker, the comely soprano."
101NEW YORK AMERICAN—"Sang with bell-like purity."
103MANAGEMENT RICHARD COPLEY, 10 EAST 43rd ST., NEW YORK
105Victor Records
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