Books › Musical Courier 1928-12-13: Vol 97 Iss 24, 1928 › scan 35
Scan 35
Musical Courier 1928-12-13: Vol 97 Iss 24, 1928
80 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 36. See the scan on archive.org.
1Ottorino and Mme. Respighi Appear in Chicago on Pro-Musica Program
3Leon Sametini Plays Own Sonata on Same Occasion—Mischa Elman Delights Audience—Skalski’s Concerts Intimes—Kedroff Quartet, Mendelssohn Club in Recitals—Other Important News
5FLONZALEY QUARTET
6Chicago.—When the Flonzaley Quartet says farewell at the close of this its last season, it will leave a vacancy difficult to fill, for in twenty-five years of public service the Flonzaleys have set a high standard and converted more music-lovers to chamber music than probably any other organization of its kind. At their concert at the Playhouse on Sunday afternoon, December 2, they gave generously of that superb art that makes their ensemble playing perfection itself, and which has won the Flonzaleys the esteem of music-lovers wherever they have appeared. Such playing as these four artists put into Quartets by Glazounov and Beethoven and the Death and the Maiden variations of Schubert makes so much keener the regret that this admirable organization is to disband.
8MISCHA ELMAN
9Mischa Elman returned for a second recital this season at Orchestra Hall, where he found a friendly and most enthusiastic audience on December 2. In programming the Handel D major Sonata, the Beethoven Sonata in F, the Vieuxtemps Concerto in A minor, besides the Saint-Saens Rondo Capriccioso and a group of shorter numbers by Bloch, Bonime, Chopin-Wilhelmj and Tartini-Kreisler, Elman had set a herculean task for himself. But for talent of his caliber, no task is too difficult, and he was as fresh, his technic as agile, and his tone as scintillating at the close of the program as when he began it with the Handel Sonata. He had a delighted audience vigorously applauding everything he played.
11PRO-MUSICA PRESENTS THE RESPIGHIS
12“Chicago chapter, Pro-Musica, presented Ottorino Respighi, assisted by Elsa Olivieri Respighi, soprano; Leon Sametini, violinist, in concert, December 4, Gold Room, Congress Hotel,” read the program. What with Mme. Respighi singing three groups, and Mr. Respighi playing her accompaniments and, with Leon Sametini playing his own Sonata for Piano and Violin in B minor, the order of things was somewhat reversed and the distinguished Italian composer-pianist took a secondary position, actually assisting the soprano in recital.
14Although Mme. Respighi is a charming soprano whose refined singing reflects the cultured artist and she was most successful at the hands of the musical audience, many were disappointed that there were not more of Respighi’s compositions—particularly the pianists, who had come to hear his piano compositions, of which there were none on the entire program. This was made doubly regrettable through the fact that Respighi proved a fine pianist in the piano part of his Sonata, and in his accompaniments. That and a suite of five songs called Deita Silvane were the only Respighi compositions on the program. Written in fluent, melodic style, and skillfully scored, both the sonata and the suite proved worthy compositions of a worthy composer.
16In Leon Sametini, the composer-pianist had an able executant for the violin portion of the Sonata, and the choice was a happy one for Sametini is one of the best musicians in this part of the country and his splendid performance added materially to the success of the number.
18VITALY SCHNEE’S PUPILS HEARD
19A recital of unusual merit was that in which Vitaly Schnee presented a group of his piano students at Lyon & Healy Hall on the afternoon of December 2. A fine pianist, Mr. Schnee has the ability of imparting his pianistic knowledge to others and in this branch of his art he has also been very successful, as witness the excellent playing of the students presenting the program of December 2. Of the five appearing, only the last three could be heard. Edward Brody, a fine talent developing under conscientious training, who rendered the Bach Courante in G major, Raff’s Tarantelle and the Turini Sonata. Joseph Markin, who should make a name for himself some day in the pianistic art should he continue along the same same lines of instruction, reflected credit on his teacher in Berens’ B minor Etude, Bach’s Invention in B minor and C major Fuga, Grieg’s Rigaudon and the first movement of the Mozart D minor Concerto; Frieda Wilson disclosed the splendid training received at the hands of Mr. Schnee in her playing of the first movement of the F minor Concerto of Bach, the Beethoven G major Rondo and the Rondo Brilliant of Weber. Mr. Schnee may well feel proud of these students. Norman Miller opened the program with Bach and Thome numbers. Frieda Bieloff followed with Handel and Mendelssohn compositions. Mr. Schnee was at the second piano in the Concertos and must have been a source of inspiration for the students.
21BUSH CONSERVATORY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
22Bush Conservatory has had a symphony orchestra for eight seasons and though there are yearly changes in the personnel—it being a student body—Conductor Czerwonky has built up an orchestra that is not only a credit to Bush Conservatory but which is capable of playing major orchestral numbers in a highly praiseworthy manner. At its concert at Orchestra Hall on December 3, such numbers as the Brahms E minor Symphony, the Wagner Tannhauser Overture and Massenet’s Scenes Alsaciennes comprised the task set for this student body. That it came out of the ordeal with flying colors is proof of the splendid training this ambitious organization of young musicians has received. They play with vigor, enthusiasm and understanding.
24The soloist was Esther Arneson, a member of the Bush Conservatory teaching staff, who played the Liszt E flat piano Concerto. To round out the program, there was also a Concertante for Four Violins and Orchestra by Louis Mauer, played by Robert Quick, Arthur Ahlman, George Swigart and Lorentz Hansen. Neither of these numbers was heard.
26ANDRE SKALSKI’S CONCERTS INTIMES
27In their second season, Andre Skalski’s Concerts Intimes are proving among the popular and interesting functions in Chicago’s musical program. Skalski is a man of many musical activities, which include that of conductor, pianist, pedagogue, ensemble player, in all of which he has achieved success. An all-around musician who is constantly searching for new and interesting music for his various programs, Skalski can always be relied upon to present programs that are different. No hackneyed numbers figure on Skalski programs. For the sixth concert of his Intimes, on December 3, with the assistance of Amalie Birnbaum and Michel Wilkomirski, violinists, and Lillian Rehberg, cellist, he played the Grieg Sonata for cello and piano and the Sinding Serenade for two violins and piano. Beautifully played with this versatile artist at the piano, they were heartily approved by the delighted listeners. Skalski is a happy addition to Chicago’s musical fraternity. He is alive, ambitious and efficient and accomplishes what he sets out to do with no mean success.
29CHICAGO MUSICAL COLLEGE NEWS ITEMS
30Katharine Kimmel, who graduated in organ last June, is organist at the Episcopal Church at Nebraska City, Neb. Florence Hobbs, also a pupil of the organ department, is organist at the Campbell Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago.
32Hugh McEdwards, pianist, pupil of Lillian Powers, is choirmaster at St. Alban’s, Sycamore, Ill. Mr. McEdwards also has a very successful class of piano pupils at Sycamore.
34Carrol Van Buskirk, scholarship pupil of Rudolph Ganz, is in charge of the music at the Ogden Park Methodist Church; he is also teaching privately at Ogden Park.
36Kathleen Powell, contralto, pupil of Herbert Witherspoon, was soloist at the Thanksgiving Service at Ogden Park Methodist Church.
38Lillian Gaede, coaching pupil of Troy Sanders of the piano faculty, is filling an extended tour with Public Theaters. Joe Robinson, also a pupil of Mr. Sanders, is on a concert tour through the South as joint artist and violin accompanist. Madeline Seymour, soprano, and George Kalmus, pianist, pupil of Mr. Sanders, gave a joint recital at the Recital Hall of the College on December 2.
40Linda Sool, violinist, artist pupil of Leon Sametini, and Gertrude Towbin, member of the piano faculty, gave a concert at the Hamilton Park Woman’s Club on November 27.
42Faye Crowell, contralto, artist pupil of Isaac Van Grove, is soloist this week at the Uptown Theater.
44Mitchell Cowen, baritone, pupil of Herbert Witherspoon, appeared in recital at the Statler Hotel, Detroit, Mich., on Thanksgiving evening.
46Lowell West, baritone, pupil of Graham Reed, accompanied by Virginia Bivens, pianist, appeared in recital at the Auditorium Hotel, November 25.
48From the studio of Mme. Libushka Bartusek, head of the dancing department, come the following items: Bernice Lille is headlining in Keith Vaudeville act; Evelyn Zambreno is leading lady for “Red” Grange, playing the Public Theater circuit; Helena Strakova returned recently from a twenty weeks’ engagement at the Aztec Theater, San Antonio, Tex.; Sonia Svoboda has also just returned from a ten weeks’ engagement at the same theater; Frances Brinkman danced at a Gypsy tea at the Hinsdale High School, November 22; Dorothy Kozelka and Ruth Anna Hruby, junior artists, have filled several club engagements this fall, appearing before the H. O. Stone Girls’ Club at the Morrison Hotel, October 30, and at the Logan Square Auditorium, November 14. Mme. Libushka’s Little Rosebuds, as the junior ballet is identified, appeared at the Arche Club children’s party at the Shoreland Hotel, November 30. The little performing artists are, Patricia Pugh, Eleanor Szabo, Marjorie Jane Angerer, Julia Hanson, Florence Hutner, Ruth Anna Hruby, Helen Kessler, Miriam Korn, Dorothy Kozelka, Ruth Kvitek, Claudia Willimovsky and Edna Kristufek. Helen Steinman, artist pupil of Mme. Bartusek, has been engaged by Albertina Rasch for The Lovely Lady company, now touring the East.
50Mme. Bartusek has been called upon to arrange entertainments for the children’s parties given by the Junior Chamber of Commerce at the Trianon and Aragon Ballrooms. Each year this organization entertains the needy little ones of Chicago at Christmas, bringing happiness to some six thousand children. Mme. Bartusek and her pupils will present two ballet pantomimes on this occasion, half of her company appearing at the Trianon and half at the Aragon.
52Kathleen Moffatt, artist pupil who received her master’s degree in piano last year, and who is now a member of the music faculty at Brandon College, Brandon, Manitoba, was featured in piano recital at the First Church United, at Brandon, on November 27.
54KEDROFF QUARTET AT KINSOLVING MUSICALE
55Not only has the Kedroff Quartet mastered the difficult art of quartet singing and lifted it out of the ordinary, dull and uninteresting to the unique, brilliant and edifying, but these four men are masters in program building. The skeptical who went to hear just a male quartet at the third Kinsolving Musical Morning at the Blackstone, on December 6, were astonished to hear ensemble singing of such remarkable finish as to make this organization in a class by itself. It would be difficult to imagine more exquisite shading, phrasing, tone quality and artistry than the Kedroff Quartet accomplishes. In folksongs, classics and more popular numbers the Kedroffs are unsurpassable and their success at the hands of the discriminating audience was nothing short of stupendous.
57MENDELSSOHN CLUB AND DORIS DOE
58At its first concert of the season, at Orchestra Hall, on December 6, the Mendelssohn Club had Doris Doe, contralto, as soloist. One of the most successful young contraltos of the day, Miss Doe has proved a great favorite here. This occasion was no exception to the rule, for she had her listeners completely in her favor from the beginning. Never was success better deserved, for singing of such high artistic finish as Miss Doe delivered through the medium of her gorgeous contralto is a rare treat. She sang
60(Continued on page 42)
62GORDON CAMPBELL
63PIANIST—ACCOMPANIST—COACH
64Repertoire for Vocalists and Instrumentalists
65CHICAGO MUSICAL COLLEGE Home Phone: Edgewater 8921
67HANS HESS
68CELLIST
69Management of Hans Hess, Fine Arts Bldg., Chicago, Ill.
71ELSE HARTHAN ARENDT
72Soprano
73Exclusive Management Louise Quealy, 848 Sunnyside Ave., Chicago one of two readings
74Exclusive Management LOUISE QUEALY, 848 Sunnyside Ave., Chicago one of two readings
76GORDON STRING QUARTET
77JACQUES GORDON CLARENCE EVANS JOHN WEICHER RICHARD WAGNER
781st VIOLIN VIOLA 2d VIOLIN CELLO
79Management: Gordon String Quartet, Orchestra Hall, Chicago
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.