Books › Musical Courier 1928-03-01: Vol 96 Iss 9, 1928 › scan 29
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Musical Courier 1928-03-01: Vol 96 Iss 9, 1928
132 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 30. See the scan on archive.org.
1CHICAGO LOOKS FORWARD TO NEXT RAVINIA OPERA SEASON
3In the appended anticipatory reflections on the 1928 season of opera at Ravinia, Chicago, Edward Moore, musical reviewer of the Tribune of that city, probably voices the sentiments of many a lover of opera, ten weeks of whose summer will be made bearable and even pleasant by the excellent performances given each year in the attractive suburb of the western metropolis.
5Said Mr. Moore, writing in the February 26 issue of his paper:
7"Before we realize it, Ravinia will begin holding out its persuasive attractions again. One of the cheering thoughts, an antidote to impressions of slushy, February journeys about Chicago, is that before long there will be ten summer weeks out on the north shore of exceptional music in exceptional surroundings, the best of opera in the midst of nature, but a civilized, disciplined nature, where weeds are not and trees, lawns, and flowers are.
9"Ravinia is what it is because Ravinia has ideals. Founded seventeen years ago, it had culture and artistic education as its goal, and it went on its way toward that goal not by talking about it, but by doing it. The best performance of a year was not good enough for the next year; the next season scored an advance, and the one after that another.
11"The organization that comes there is the most representative body of singers the world knows today on one side of the footlights, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on the other. No finer orchestral body can be found anywhere than the Chicago Symphony: the singers belong in the first line of any opera house anywhere in the world. The repertoire is broad, the training is rigid and intensive, the performances are a great delight.
13"June 23 to September 3—remember the dates—Mr. Eckstein has not yet issued his annual prospectus, but he has been wearing an expression of satisfaction and content indicative that progress has not been in the direction of the rear. He is an enthusiast; at this time of year you will find it difficult to get him to talk about anything but Ravinia. It is a living thing to him, and no less to those who go there to enjoy it with him.
15"The nearest that he has come to a definite statement is that the 1928 Ravinia roster will again be an honor roll of musical art. In the light of past seasons, it is enough, at least for the present. He has seldom failed to be a good prophet, and with more honor than is usually extended to prophets."
17NEW HONORS FOR McCORMACK
19The new honors with which John McCormack has been vested by the Holy See, by which he becomes a Papal Count, will cause gratification but no surprise. McCormack has proved himself to be not only a real artist but a real gentleman and a real Catholic as well. He has been in the public eye for many years, and his record is one to be proud of. That it should have been recognized at Rome is only natural and to be expected. Characteristic of McCormack was his remark upon the receipt of news of the title conferred upon him. "I have become very much excited," he said, "when I think what joy and happiness it will bring to my mother and father in Ireland!" It is not every man who would think first of his mother and father on such an occasion. McCormack is one of them, and perhaps the whole-hearted sympathetic understanding of others is one of the things that have made him such a popular favorite the world over.
21RETHBERG TO CREATE THE EGYPTIAN HELEN
23We know of no one better suited to sing the leading role in the new Strauss opera, The Egyptian Helen, at its world premiere on June 6 next, at Dresden, than Elisabeth Rethberg. Strauss was anxious to have Miss Rethberg sing the first performance of his other opera, Intermezzo, an honor which the Metropolitan Opera singer was obliged to forego owing to her engagements in New York. Not to be daunted, Strauss stipulated that he would let Dresden give the latest opera its premiere in June providing Rethberg could do it. After long negotiations this splendid artist has been able to set aside all concert and operatic dates for that brilliant occasion. Immediately after the premiere Miss Rethberg will sail for America to rejoin the Ravinia Park Opera Company, her next engagement after that taking her to San Francisco for opera there. After that the 1928-29 season in America continues for the much-in-demand singer, so that she will have little or no rest between times.
25JUILLIARD SCHOOL'S NEW PRESIDENT
27The election of Professor John Erskine of Columbia University to the presidency of the Juilliard School of Music is another step forward in the efficient and fruitful administration of the generous benefactions of the late Augustus D. Juilliard. No more appropriate selection could have been made for this important post than that of Prof. Erskine, who is a gifted practical musician and musical savant, and who, through his previous activities as chairman of the administrative committee of the Juilliard Foundation, is thoroughly conversant with the policies of the institution and such needs and exigencies as call for energetic and intelligent handling.
29Professor Erskine has been granted an indefinite leave of absence from Columbia University to enable him to devote all his energies to his new duties, and all those connected with and interested in the Juilliard Foundation look forward to signal results.
31Musical Courier Forum
33The "Not Yets"
35Easton, February 14, 1928.
37To the Musical Courier:
39I write to thank you for the honor conferred on me when you published the short letter in which I expressed my appreciation of your views on Musical Appreciation.
41There is so much gratuitous criticism offered on many subjects and by people of very limited knowledge and experience, that it seems a new name might be given them—"The Not Yets."
43My attention was directed to this recently when I heard a delightful recital given by a vocalist who did have a somewhat worn voice, spoken of as a "Has Been." He sang as a finished artist, and what he failed in as a beautiful voiced singer he more than made up with his finished style and deep understanding of the texts.
45With my best wishes and regards,
47Sincerely yours,
49GEO. B. NEVIN.
51An American Should Win
53(The letter which follows brings up an interesting question: will our Schubert Prize contestants be representative of the best we can do? They will, if they will cast off the yoke of Europe and return to the sturdy simplicity which is American.—The Editor.)
55Washington, D. C.
56February 21, 1928.
58To the Musical Courier:
60Your splendid manifesto in behalf of American composers, "Give Them Support," in your issue of February 16, is but one of a series of similar pronouncements through which you have maintained a consistent and constructive policy. I wish I could materially aid the cause but perhaps a suggestion will not be found intrusive.
62There is a competition now pending for original works as a tribute to Schubert, in which prizes totalling twenty thousand dollars are to be paid. In this centennial contest an American composer may emerge the richer by $11,000. I have investigated the offer and find its sponsorship honest and reliable. There are no strings to the offer as the money will be paid in all events by J. P. Morgan & Co., on certification by the jury. Jurors may not compete; their standing in the musical world is added voucher for integrity.
64That is the economic side. There is another and very important aspect: the good name of American composers. Our composers are in competition with European musicians and the American prize winning works must go to Vienna to be judged alongside of the prize winners from nine zones, the final winner to receive ten thousand dollars. Will our prize winner be representative of the best we can do?
66From the new terms which I obtained from the Schubert Centennial Committee, 1819 Broadway, New York, it is clear that the contest is for original orchestral works, Hommage à Schubert. There are no restrictions as to scope or length. The competition, it is stated, seeks works characterized by strength of melodic line and by clarity. The closing date has been extended to May 1.
68Hoping this letter will help some young composer to economic betterment, I am,
70Yours for American Composers,
72ROBERT L. DIMYON.
74Marie Damrosch Comments on Young Pianist
76To the Musical Courier:
78The last of this season's Biltmore Musicales was enthusiastically applauded by an audience that completely filled the Grand Ball-Room. And why not? Did not Gigli thrill as usual with a generous program?
80It is not so easy for one who is still in the earlier stages of the game to win the enthusiastic plaudits of a Biltmore audience, especially when such a young artist is placed on the same program with so great a favorite as Gigli.
82On this occasion, however, the writer who has for some time watched with interest the rapid progress of Creighton Allen, the young American pianist, was pleased to note that the playing of his two groups won for him an ovation that caused him to respond with Schubert and MacDowell encores, to the evident further delight of his audience.
84A pianist who can today evoke and then hold the profound attention of his hearers from the moment he touches the keys to the very last chord, undoubtedly has a promising future before him.
86MARIE DAMROSCH.
88MUSICAL COURIER
90March 1, 1928
92News Flashes
94Rudolph Ganz has received word from Zurich, Switzerland, that his father passed away last week, at the age of seventy-nine.
96A cable from Paris states that Victor Benham "proved himself a great artist and brilliant pianist" at his recital on February 23. The Agriculteurs was crowded, and Benham met with "emphatic success."
98Rappold for Chicago Opera
100Marie Rappold, former Metropolitan Opera House star, has been engaged to sing a number of performances with the Chicago Civic Opera on its current transcontinental tour.
102Querze Pleases Monte Carlo
104According to a cable received from Monte Carlo the two recent performances of Raoul Querze, Italian tenor, were so successful that he was offered a contract for the remainder of the season. The report states that the critics were warm in their praise of the singer's voice.
106Sharlow for Chicago Civic Opera Spring Tour
108Myrna Sharlow has been engaged to sing on the spring tour of the Chicago Civic Opera Company. She joins the company on March 3 at San Antonio, after having filled her engagement with Ruffo and Zenatello in Philadelphia, where she sang Andrea Chenier on February 29.
110Papal Title for John McCormack
112John McCormack, who is already a Knight Commander of the Orders of St. Gregory the Great and St. Sylvester, has been elevated to the Papal Peerage by Pope Pius in recognition of his eminent position in the world of art, together with his lifelong and ardent devotion to the Catholic faith and the Holy See and his generosity to Catholic charities. By this elevation McCormack becomes a Papal Count.
114Coolidge Festival April 27-29
116The dates for the forthcoming festival in Washington, D. C., sponsored by Mrs. F. S. Coolidge, are announced for April 27-29. The program for the first evening will consist of a ballet under the direction of Adolph Bolhm and the orchestra will be led by Hans Kindler. A commissioned work by Stravinsky also will be presented at this time. On the afternoon of April 28 the Arnold Rose Quartet of Vienna will play, and that evening the Society of Ancient Instruments, a Parisian organization, will provide the program. On the afternoon of the third day Alfredo Casella, pianist; W. H. Kincaid, flutist, and Hans Kindler, cellist, will be heard, and in the evening the Chamber Music Orchestra will play under the direction of Hans Kindler. An adjunct to this will be the appearance of Mme. Patorni-Casadesus, harpsichordist, and Marcel Tabuteau, oboist.
118Ellen Ballon Wins Acclaim in Montreal
120The following telegram, relative to the recital by Ellen Ballon, Canadian pianist, at McGill University, is self-explanatory:
122Montreal, Quebec, February 17.
123Ellen Ballon's recital to provide a piano scholarship for McGill University was a brilliant event. The Governor General, himself a composer, and Viscountess Willingdon, Sir Arthur and Lady Currie, Sir Frederick Williams Taylor and the Hon. Wilfrid and Mrs. McDonald, were notable figures among the large audience. Miss Ballon had them spellbound by her amazing execution, her faultless technic, and above all by the spirit that inspired her. We are very proud of her.
125(Signed) COL. WILFRID BOVEY,
126Director McGill University,
127Department of extra mural relations.
129Clara Baur Memorial Scholarship Fund
131With the final returns from all those who participated in selling tickets for the alumnal theater party, given at the Shubert Theater, Cincinnati, by the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, it has been announced that the Clara Baur Memorial Scholarship Fund of $10,000 is within a few hundred dollars of completion. This statement was issued by Leo Paalz, treasurer of the Alumnal Association. Through the untiring efforts of John A. Hoffmann, the association's president, the theater party cleared approximately $2,300. In addition to this there were a number of donations from those who were personally interested in the project.
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