Books › Musical Courier 1927-10-27: Vol 95 Iss 17, 1927 › scan 35
Scan 35
Musical Courier 1927-10-27: Vol 95 Iss 17, 1927
72 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 36. See the scan on archive.org.
1BERENICE VIOLE, AMERICAN, GIVES HER IMPRESSIONS OF PARIS AND BERLIN
3When asked her impressions of Paris and Berlin, after a year's residence in each city, Berenice Viole, young American pianist, left the musical end out of it and dealt rather with human nature.
5"To me," the gifted pianist began, "human nature has always been a never-ending source of interest, and so I must confess that instead of bringing back with me an enormous knowledge of the sights of Paris and Berlin, during a year's residence in each, my most vivid impressions were rather those concerned with the various people whom I came to know over there. Not that I didn't love both cities for themselves, for they are both tremendously fascinating and beautiful and I never tired of rambling about on foot, exploring. But I'm not a real tourist when it comes to visiting churches, palaces and museums, because they all look so much alike to me after the first few.
7"Eric Delamarter, assistant conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, once advised me to 'stay away from Americans, if you wish to learn French,' and as I was very anxious to acquire as much of both French and German as possible, along with my music study, I made my friends rather among the French and Germans themselves. It was, to me, so interesting to be allowed to see a bit of their family life and observe the difference between their customs and ours.
9"Life seems to move in so much more moderate a tempo abroad (in spite of the rush and bustle in the Paris streets) and it would seem ideal in many ways if it were not for the constant political unrest. I never realized before how precious our feeling of security is, bounded, as we are, mainly by oceans instead of hostile nations. Over there, one has more the feeling of living at the foot of a volcano, and the idea, hopeless or otherwise, that a war, ever so often, is inevitable. I was asked so eagerly by many French people after my return from Berlin whether I thought Germany was getting ready to make war again. They so evidently doubt the latter's good faith in disarming. I had, of course, absolutely no knowledge on that score, but I could only assure them that I hadn't observed the least war-like spirit. That I had been surprised, instead, by hearing them often express a sincere admiration for French art and the French good taste in so many ways.
11"In order to aid myself in learning something of both languages, I exchanged English for French and German. I found that there were twenty Germans to every Frenchman who were interested in studying seriously. Of course, every Frenchman you meet offers to give you lessons and wishes to start out by having you repeat, 'Donnez moi un baiser.' They can be so delightful, if they wish, though correspondingly disagreeable, almost rude, when things don't go to suit them.
13"What woman isn't thrilled a bit by the manners of the foreign men, having one's hand kissed so beautifully as they all do it, and being complimented so lavishly? The Frenchman is perhaps more quick and extravagant with compliments than any of the others and arrives also with breath-taking speed at declaring himself deeply smitten and jealous. He begins almost immediately by saying, 'How beautiful you look this evening!' 'Whose heart do you wish to capture that you are wearing such a stunning gown?' (An old one, by the way.) Or another favorite opening: 'Tell me, madame, what do you think about love?' When I tell them it bores me, there follows a moment of shocked silence! Is it possible that any one can be bored by love? Then a chorus of protests, 'Why, love is the most wonderful thing in the world!'"
15"It is, at any rate, a subject of which they never tire. I think a Frenchman is never so happy as when bragging about his success with the women, though I'm told that the more he brags generally the less there is to it. He so naively tells you that the Frenchmen are the greatest lovers in the world; that they must be first in something, and since it can't be in business, then it is in love. I am quite sure they value their success in affairs of the heart more than in any other line. However, they seem so ready to fall for every passable-looking woman that, personally, I couldn't get excited over their attentions.
17"The women are a bit lazy, mentally (though not at all unintelligent) but they are certainly extremely charming. They are not beautiful in the strict sense of the word (I thought the most beautiful women I saw abroad were either Polish, Austrian or Russian), but they have that certain 'chic' in wearing their clothes that so many other women lack. They are always gay and always flattering.
19"I had always supposed that in France, where so much liberty is evidently allowed both husband and wife in sentimental affairs, that neither of them would be jealous of the other, as we might be over here; nor that, being for the most part Catholics, they would divorce each other. But it seems that a husband's philandering can cause just as many tears and recriminations and quarrels over there as over here.
21"I am quite sure that the French do not look upon sentimental relationships between men and women as we do, and it is perhaps only one of the methods which many French girls employ (particularly those without a 'dot') to get a husband, as many such relationships end in marriage.
23"For real family life, strong family ties, and a desire for and interest in children, one must go, I think, to Germany."
25Carnevali Resumes Activities in New York
27Vito Carnevali has returned to New York after spending the summer in Europe and appearing in concert on tour with Gigli in the United States and Canada. Mr. Carnevali conducted the vocal class at the Summer School of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, Italy. A successful concert closed the season, and among the pupils who were well received were Louis de Sanctis, tenor; Ead Mueller, contralto; Emily Laurora and Alice Safford, sopranos. They sang Italian classic arias as well as operatic arias, and concluded the program with a scene from Cavalleria Rusticana. The Tribuna Giornale d'Italia and other Italian papers commended Mr. Carnevali highly for the excellent results he had accomplished with his pupils.
29Mr. Carnevali has now resumed activities at his New York studio and is very busy teaching and composing. His compositions, sacred and secular, are published by J. Fischer.
31Cherniavskys Triumph in Mexico City
33The Cherniavsky Trio concluded its Mexico City appearances with a tenth recital on the evening of October 18 amid the greatest enthusiasm. There was an audience that entirely filled every inch of available space in the auditorium and hundreds were turned away. At the conclusion of the concert the public refused to leave the theater, the stage was filled with flowers thrown upon it by devoted admirers of the Cherniavsky Trio and finally the people thronged on to the stage, kissing the players' hands and manifesting in every manner their delight. The Cherniavskys were carried to their cars on the shoulders of the crowd and left the city like conquering heroes. It is said by those who are familiar with musical matters in Mexico City that no such sensation was ever before known there.
35The Cherniavskys began their American tour on October 22 and will continue it until December 17, when they sail for Java, Australia and Africa.
37PITTSBURGH, PA.
39PITTSBURGH, PA.—The Pittsburgh Orchestra Association is entering upon its twelfth season, and has already published its program for the fall and winter concerts. During the past eleven years the association has presented to Pittsburgh some of the best music that can be heard in this country. Such organizations as the Boston Symphony and the New York Philharmonic, which are to appear for three pairs of concerts, are attracting much interest. Mrs. William Thaw, Jr., president of the association, announces that programs for the present season are under the supervision of the music committee, comprised of Charles Heimroth, Mrs. Lawrence Litchfield, Mrs. Daniel M. Clemson, Mrs. George Bassett and Moorehead B. Holland. The Pittsburgh Orchestra association season will be opened November 4 and 5 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Serge Koussevitzky.
41The first Sunday concert of this season's free organ recitals in Carnegie Music Hall was given by Dr. Charles Heimroth.
43Dr. Casper Koch, city organist, gave the first of the thirty-ninth season of free organ recitals in Carnegie Hall, Northside.
45First hearings in the Atwater Kent Foundation contest took place at the Hotel Schenley under the direction of Mrs. William Maclay Hall, state chairman of the foundation.
47Anne Griffiths, voice instructor, has opened her music studios on Ellsworth Avenue.
49Ella Meyer, teacher of piano and harmony, will be associated with the Misses Shearer Music Studios this year. Miss Meyer is an accomplished pianist and organist and will be heard in recital during the season.
51Pittsburgh will entertain a number of brilliant artists in the course announced for the season by James A. Bortz, who takes over the management of the former Edith Taylor Thomson concerts.
53Mme. Fitz-Randolph, experienced vocal instructor, recently opened her vocal studio on Ellsworth Avenue.
55The Yost String Quartet, under the direction of Gaylord Yost, opened its season by playing an engagement at Oakmont, Pa.
57Charles James King Versatile
59Rare skill and artistic refinement are attributes that have been applied to the playing of Charles James King, pianist, accompanist, and head of the piano and ear-training department of the Master School of Music in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. King has showed ability that enables him to coordinate in ensemble performances and play with individual freedom when appearing as soloist, as well as having displayed talent as a composer, several of his songs having met with much favor on recital programs. A list of well-known artists with whom Mr. King has appeared jointly includes the names of Elsa Alsen, Lambert Murphy, Suzanne Keener, Francis Rogers, Edwin Swain, Mme. Micler-Narody, Lillian Gustafson, Doris Doe, and many others. He has also played in two piano recitals with Dorsey Whittington.
61Excerpts from some of the press criticisms dealing with the several phases of Mr. King's versatile art run as follows: "A delightful little Estonian folk song, arranged by Mr. King, had to be repeated ……. Played accompaniments with entire ease, good tone and thorough understanding." (New York Evening Post). "She was excellently accompanied by Charles King, one of whose songs (in manuscript) also figured on the program." (New York Times). "……. included The Locket by Charles King, whose accompaniments were a distinct asset in the performance." (New York Herald Tribune). "Mr. King is refreshingly free from mannerisms…….His touch is virile, and his technic shows skillful training. He possesses temperament in the true sense and that means that his artistry is well balanced, no one phase being exploited at the expense of the others." (Meriden, Conn., Record). "……. though young, Mr. King displays a splendid knowledge of technic, and is gifted with a delicate touch, which makes his numbers the more pleasing." (Sarasota, Fla., Herald).
63Ponselle Sets Standard in Erie
65When Rosa Ponselle appeared in Erie, Pa., early this month, she created another of her memorable impressions. E. A. Haesener, critic of the Dispatch-Herald, headed his review with "Rosa Ponselle Gives Vibrant Program Here—Glorious Voice Captivates; Personality Pleases." The article continued in part: "Erie's new musical season opened last night in a glorious manner. Many a day has passed since we have heard such beautiful singing in this city as was heard last night. Rosa Ponselle, that great artist of enthralling charm and ennobling personality, held a large audience in enraptured attention for an hour and a half. Such a voice, such extraordinary vivacity, such seemingly exhaustless energy! If Rosa Ponselle did not thrill you last night then I do not know what would turn the trick. Singers who appear here in future will have something to live up to."
67Evsei Beloussoff Returns
69Evsei Beloussoff, cellist, has returned to New York and reopened his studio. Mr. Beloussoff spent a profitable summer in California, vacationing and concertizing. He scored a signal success at San Diego and at Coronado Beach, where he gave two recitals. According to the Coronado Journal, "He came, he saw, he conquered." According to the San Diego Union, "His playing was a revelation. His sweet and vibrant tonal quality was especially lovely in the pianissimo passages and he is a past master in the art of producing a beautiful carrying tone in his velvet mezzo-voce."
71Mr. Beloussoff's appearances during the coming season will include a recital at the Peabody Institute series in Baltimore on March 23.
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