Books › Musical Courier 1928-03-01: Vol 96 Iss 9, 1928 › scan 47
Scan 47
Musical Courier 1928-03-01: Vol 96 Iss 9, 1928
27 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 48. See the scan on archive.org.
1Salzedo Harp Ensemble Plays Over Radio
2"Carlos Salzedo, internationally acknowledged as the greatest living harpist, and his harp ensemble, will present an hour's program over station WMAQ on Sunday afternoon," said the Chicago Evening Post Radio Magazine of February 9, in announcing a concert to be given on February 12. The reviewer further commented as follows: "The understanding and capability of interpreting the masters of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as well as the moderns of our day, possessed by Salzedo is what differentiates him from any other artist and gives him world supremacy as a harpist. As a harpist, Salzedo's artistry and virtuosity, it is said, has never been equaled by anyone in any period of history. This explains, no doubt, his many successful tours in the United States and Europe, as well as his being engaged, like the great virtuosi of other instruments, Kreisler, Casals, Hofmann, etc., as soloist by the leading symphony orchestras, a distinction enjoyed by no other harpist.
4"Of Carlos Salzedo Leopold Stokowski, conductor of the famous Philadelphia Orchestra, has said: 'Salzedo is at once virtuoso, artist, composer and developer of the latent possibilities of the harp.' Walter Damrosch, who needs no introduction to the radio audience, has also commended Salzedo, saying: 'I do not think there is a man living today who is a greater exponent of the harp than Salzedo. He has certainly done more than any other in this country to keep the harp before the public as an instrument of the first rank.'
6"As a composer Salzedo ranks among the most significant of our time. His symphonic works have been played by leading organizations such as the Boston and Chicago symphonies. What Chopin did for the piano as a composer, Salzedo, himself a superb pianist, is doing for the harp; what Paderewski is to the piano as a virtuoso, Salzedo is to the harp.
8"The program presented by Mr. Salzedo and his ensemble was most interesting. Lucile Lawrence, the premiere harpist of the ensemble, played Ravel's Introduction and Allegro (with Mr. Salzedo at the piano) and without accompaniment Mr. Salzedo's Whirlwind. Mr. Salzedo himself was heard in a group of his own compositions, and the ensemble played Bach's Sixth French Suite and three Debussy preludes, Danseuses de Delphes, Danse de Puck and la Cathedrale Engloutie, and also the Song of the Volga Boatman.
10Hunsicker Sways Audience in Home Town
11"A winter season in Allentown without at least one notable concert by Lillian Hunsicker would be a season lacking in an important essential for many hundreds of Allentoniens who so much enjoy the voice of this capable soprano and who take every possible opportunity to hear her. Of course, there must be quite a few minor events during the season in which she will be heard, for there is no worthy cause that cannot command her heart and her art, but on at least one night of the winter a large number of people demand to hear her singly alone in a program that will show the versatility of her powers. That opportunity was given last evening in the High School auditorium when under the auspices of the nursing staff of the Allentown Hospital, Mrs. Hunsicker sang an exquisite program for a very large and enthusiastic audience that had but one complaint when the recital had ended, namely, that it had been all too brief. In every respect the concert was highly successful for the singer was in beautiful voice, there was a program that had been carefully prepared and was faultlessly given and her accompanists, namely, Coenraad Bos and Godfrey Pretz on piano and flute, respectively, left nothing to be desired." The foregoing, quoted from the Allentown, Pa., Morning Call of February 9, is self-explanatory.
13Philadelphia Chamber String Simfonietta in Concert
14The Philadelphia Chamber String Simfonietta, conducted by Fabien Sevitzky, closed its series of three public concerts on February 15, at the Penn Athletic Club Ballroom, with an excellent program, splendidly performed.
15The opening number was Handel's concerto in G, arranged by Alexander Siloti from the piano concerto and dedicated to the Simfonietta and Fabien Sevitzky. This is a very pleasing number and was beautifully interpreted. Following this came the Handel sonata in G minor, for oboe and strings, in which Marcel Tabuteau (first oboe-player of the Philadelphia Orchestra) had the solo part. Philadelphia audiences have many times been charmed by his artistry as a performer on this difficult instrument, but perhaps never has he appeared to better advantage than in this number. He was recalled many times by the enthusiastic audience. Mr. Sevitzky showed a remarkably fine sense of balance in his directing of the accompaniment. Gods, for voice and orchestra by Marc Blitzstein, proved a decided contrast in harmony, melody and everything else. Very modern in character, the vocal part was extremely difficult, but was well sung by Ruth Montague, mezzo-soprano. The composer was present and shared with Miss Montague in the applause. Tchaikowsky's serenade closed the program delightfully. In this number, which is written in four parts, Russian themes are cleverly utilized. The second movement, valse, was a charming bit, followed so closely by the sombre Elegia. The finale formed a spirited ending, and brilliantly closed a delightful and successful series.
17Cincinnati Conservatory Member Made Choir Director
18Louis John Johnen, baritone, one of the younger members of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music faculty, has been appointed choir director of the Walnut Hills Christian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Johnen, still in his twenties, started his career as a boy chorister in the Cincinnati May Festival. Editor-in-chief of his high school annual; graduate from the University of Cincinnati with honors in chemistry; artist in the Zoo Opera Company for seven seasons; teacher of history, French and mathematics in a Connecticut high school; studio director of broadcasting stations; soloist at the New York Matinee Musical; soloist with the Armco Band, Middletown, Ohio—these are some of the steps Mr. Johnen has taken on his way to success.
19Mr. Johnen received his instruction at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music under John A. Hoffmann and the late Ralph Lyford. He studied in New York under Robert Hose, a former Cincinnatian. Notwithstanding his youth, critics have agreed that Mr. Johnen has arrived. One said of him: "His voice is assured and of unusual richness; his diction excellent, his interpretation admirable."
21Edward Johnson Booked Until Summer of 1929
22The rush and crush of operas and concerts in 1928 and 1929 will apparently exceed the Edward Johnson 1927 season, solidly booked though that was. His particular achievement of 1927 at the Metropolitan Opera House was the singing of five leading roles in eleven days, but this season he began by singing every night but one in the week of February 13—three nights in five days. On Monday, February 13 he sang Jose to Jeritza's Carmen; on Wednesday he appeared in The King's Henchman, and on Friday he sang Pelleas and Melisande.
23Other important contracts for plans announced for Mr. Johnson, which take him into the summer of 1929, are numerous. Following the close of the Metropolitan Opera season this year he will have a concert tour, prior to rehearsals in June at Ravinia, Ill. This is Mr. Johnson's third year with Mr. Eckstein's Ravinia Company, and he will appear there in some fifteen roles between July 25 and September 3. After Labor Day the tenor will have another concert season which includes important engagements such as soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. This concert tour continues until it is time to fulfill a third operatic contract which has been signed for Mr. Johnson and Mme. Jeritza with the San Francisco and Los Angeles Opera companies, from September 20 until October 13. Another concert series follows, until December, 1928. The tenor will then begin rehearsals for his seventh season at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. This next Metropolitan season begins as usual after the first of the year, 1929, and continues until the spring. Contracts for the summer of 1929 and thereafter will be announced later by Mr. Johnson's managers, The Metropolitan Musical Bureau.
25Edwin Hughes in New York Recital
26Edwin Hughes, pianist, will give a recital at Brown University, Providence, R. I., on March 4. He will also be heard in a program at Town Hall, New York, on the afternoon of March 10, this event marking his first appearance in New York City in a solo recital within two seasons.
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