Books › Musical Courier 1928-09-06: Vol 97 Iss 10, 1928 › scan 29
Scan 29
Musical Courier 1928-09-06: Vol 97 Iss 10, 1928
65 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 30. See the scan on archive.org.
1Music and the Movies
3Notes
4The Singing Fool, Al Jolson's second Warner Brothers' picture, will start the new film regime at the Winter Garden some time this month. The opening will be a red letter occasion and Jolson himself is one of the composers of Sunny Boy, which he will introduce for the first time on the Vitaphone.
6The Tempest, with John Barrymore, is going strong at the Rivoli, and Emil Jannings in The Patriot is also drawing large audiences to the Rialto, this being called his greatest picture.
8Owing to Photophone synchronization, the premiere of De Mille's Godless Girl, which was scheduled for the Gaiety, has been indefinitely postponed.
10Roxy's
11For musically orchestral playing, effective singing and dancing, beautiful girls and costumes, appropriate scenery and striking lighting effects, the programs at the Roxy Theater would be difficult to surpass in a motion picture theater. The offerings this week are no exception to the rule. The first number is an organ solo, following which the orchestra plays the Orpheus overture, with a special violin cadenza by Erno Rapee played by the first violinist. Then comes an artistic presentation of Irving Berlin's Roses of Yesterday, in which the grouping of some of the Roxy dancers is particularly effective. Following the Magazine and Fox Movietone Newsreel, is the most pretentious number on the program, A Tale of Araby, which is a dramatic and musical episode after the manner of A Thousand and One Nights. A huge cast is used for this presentation, and it is evident that no pains have been spared to make the offering artistic as well as spectacular. This episode forms an appropriate introduction to the feature picture. It is entitled Fazil and is the story of an Arabian Prince who succumbs to the charms of a Parisienne and marries her. Then follows the portrayal of the clash between Eastern and Western customs and traditions.
13The Paramount
14The Water Hole, described as "a screen drama" by Zane Grey, proves to be a good comedy at the Paramount this week. Richard Jones is given credit for the directing, and has done an excellent job. Nancy Carroll reveals a flair that should make her desirable for comedies. She is a "comer." Jack Holt and John Boles are in the cast.
16On the stage one sees Parisian Nights, a revue of the boulevards of Paris, the first John Murray Anderson production since his arrival home from Europe. The Williams Sisters, George Dewey Washington, Rex Mara, Henry Mack, Gretchen Eastman and others take part along with Paul Ash, the stage band, Jesse Crawford, and other novelties. It is an excellent bill.
18Music on the Air
19AN ANALYSIS
20Many and diversified opinions have been expounded the last two years as to the low frequencies of radio music. Nothing definite had been ascertained as to what are the actual low frequency requirements of amplifiers and speakers. The Hiller Audio Corporation realized that the root of the matter lay in the amplification and production of low frequencies necessitated by the transmission of music, so they took the subject in hand and analyzed the most popular musical orchestrations and ascertained the lowest frequencies which appeared in these selections. Their analysis resulted in the following findings:
22With the exception of the piano and the organ, the most prevalent lowest frequency in orchestrations was found to be approximately 48 cycles, with infrequent depths as low as 40 cycles. Frequencies of 53, 60, 64 and 72 cycles were prevalent for the bass viol, bass tuba and bassoon. The kettle drum, of course, is included, but its fundamental frequency depth is only approximately 80 cycles. In jazz renditions the lowest necessary frequency was 42 cycles, since in very few cases did the piano accompaniment reach below this. As far as piano selections were concerned, 30 cycles appeared in a few cases, but 36 and 40 were the lowest most prevalent in the popular rhapsodies and marches. The organ, of course, stands alone in its class. The fact that it produces 16 cycle notes is of no particular interest, however, as this is practically inaudible, being felt more than heard. The difference between 16 and the most prevalent piano and orchestra low frequencies is a matter of perhaps one octave, and since organ music is seldom broadcast in comparison with piano and orchestra numbers, the low frequency ranges of the last two groups of instruments can be considered as criterions. As such, these engineers believe that the lowest necessary frequency to be amplified can be considered as approximately 40 cycles.
24ON TUNING THE DIAL
25AUGUST 27 TO SEPTEMBER 2.—After an absence of a week, returning to the radio was like a home-coming. It is true that some habits become indispensable. Sharply at eight we had our ears tuned for the WOR broadcast of what we looked forward to as an entertaining musicle. Florence Gilmour had promised to give some modern French songs. If there is one school adapted to the evasive quality of the moderns it is the French. It also needs the type of voice Miss Gilmour has—the coloratura; fortunately this singer also embodies warmth and color with her purity. The close of the Philharmonic concerts for the summer ended one of the rare treats of the hot months. The NBC is to be thanked for its cooperation in providing those unable to attend the open air series a worthy attraction. Schumann's Symphony was played with a romantic charm by Van Hoogstraten and his men. Wednesday was an interesting day: The Philco hour always is deserving of comment, just as is the Palm Olive hour, because of the artists associated with the attractions. In the latter, Miss Palmer executed the aria from Romeo and Juliet with precision and beauty; the lilt of this French gem keeps it from becoming hackneyed. Miss Dragonette is, of course, one of the most popular of radio stars; her name spells something of interest whenever it is billed, and the Philco people place her well when they associate her with the works of Herbert, as on this night. Before tuning in on a political hearing on Thursday, we enjoyed the Levitow orchestra on WOR and the Negro spirituals arranged by Shilkret on the Maxwell concert; both these orchestral ensembles stand for musical enjoyment. Erva Giles added her bit with the old timer, Hear the Gentle Lark. From a standpoint of execution Miss Giles did her part admirably; her voice was flexible and she was accurate in the roulades, but what happened to the high notes of the cadenza? They are really the reason for the song, and the lack of them makes the musical skit fall flat. In the Atwater Kent program the Sittig Trio and Graham MacNamee provided a change. The baritone has had one of those sometimes-read-about rises to fame which makes one almost believe in fairy godmothers. It has been spectacular and of course has had its definite effect on Mr. MacNamee; he is now celebrated and he knows it. His singing, however, still has a certain charm and he has acquired confidence. No doubt his program on this evening was heard by many and enjoyed from various angles.
27MARGHERITA TIRINDELLI.
29Chicago Movie Musicians Strike
30The controversy between the Chicago Federation of Musicians and the Chicago theater owners over the new schedule of prices demanded by the union resulted in a strike which started on September 3, the day after the expiration of the old contract. As a result about 300 of the neighborhood motion picture houses operated without music and will continue to do so until some adjustment can be made. The De Luxe were not affected by the strike, as their contracts with the union have still a year to run. The strike is likely to spread sympathetically to the other unions connected with the theaters.
32Through the commissioner of conciliation, B. M. Marshman, the U. S. Department of Labor has offered to mediate in the strike. Jack Miller, president of the Exhibitors' Association, has accepted the proposition, but up to September 4 no reply had come from James C. Petrillo, president of the Federation of Musicians.
34Binghamton Institute Announces Faculty
35The Binghamton Institute of Musical Art announces the engagement of Zofia Naimska, pianist and teacher, to head the piano department, beginning October 1. Mlle. Naimska is a pupil of Leschetizky and bears his unreserved praise and recommendation of her both as an artist and teacher. Other members of the faculty are Rose Jeanne Slifer and Eva A. Reinhardt for piano; Francis Frank and Paul A. Jackson for voice; Walter Griswold, Donald Chartier and Raymond Gage for violin, and Mary DeNio for dramatic art. Opportunities for the study of all orchestral instruments are available through the cooperation of first chair men of the Binghamton Symphony Society. The directors of the Institute announce, as features for next season, an a capella mixed chorus and a students' symphony orchestra, both to be conducted by Francis Frank, conductor of the Binghamton Symphony Society.
37OPPORTUNITIES
38UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITY for conservatory or club group. Expert master teacher, concert pianist and lecturer, trained by world famous pedagogues, will conduct classes and teach part time in cities neighboring New York. Address: "K. J. B." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 113 West 57th Street, New York.
40FOR RENT—Handsome furnished studio, absolutely sound proof, can be rented entire Mondays and Thursdays throughout season. Grand Piano. Carnegie Hall district. Permanent tenant desired. Address: "A. L. T." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 113 West 57th Street, New York. one of two readings
41FOR RENT—Handsomely furnished studio, absolutely sound proof, can be rented entire Mondays and Thursdays throughout season. Grand Piano. Carnegie Hall district. Permanent tenant desired. Address: "A. L. T." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 113 West 57th Street, New York. one of two readings
43FOR RENT: Entire Wednesdays and Saturdays in large, handsomely furnished, Steinway Hall Studio, 58th Street front-age. Permanent tenant desired. No dancing. Possession September 1st, 1928. Address: "H. N. H." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 113 West 57th Street, New York. Phone Circle 4500.
45PART VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP with established teacher of reputation offered by New York musical club. Students, and all who love music, write for prospectus and learn advantages gained by affiliating with this well known organization. "Z. A. R." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 113 West 57th Street, New York.
47METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE STUDIOS—Beautiful two room unfurnished Studio Apartment, Southern exposure, Hardwood flooring throughout, private bath, for lease, also a small studio, and part time can be arranged for by the hour, day or month. For particulars and rates inquire of Manager, Mr. Black, 1425 Broadway, New York. Pennsylvania 2634.
49FOR SALE—Studio L shaped 24×26—12½ ft. ceilings—beautifully decorated; private street entrance; dressing room with mirrored walls, complete kitchen, bath, store room. Back entrance; apartment house service. Roof garden. Sutton Place location. Address: "A. G. C." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 113 West 57th Street, New York.
51FOR SALE: Violin—264 years old—owned by Mrs. Kathryn Houlihan, 759 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks, Pa. Phone: Federal 0938 or Federal 1739.
53SECRETARY—Well educated and of good personality and executive ability, seeks position. Five years' experience; two years as secretary to prominent vocal teacher. Address: "R. R. B." care of MUSICAL COURIER, 113 West 57th Street, New York.
55The Vanderbilt Studios of New York
56Mabel Duble-Scheele, Proprietor
5713-15 East 38th Street
58Resident, non-resident studios, with or without bath. Large, teaching studios with bath $70 up, also rooms without bath $40 up.
59Piano studios rented by the hour.
60Telephones, Lexington 8998 and 10125
61VANDERBILT STUDIOS
62At 13 East 38th Street
63Excellent food at moderate prices
64Under Expert Japanese Management
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.