Scan 8
Musical Courier 1928-12-20: Vol 97 Iss 25, 1928
88 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 9. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1December 20, 1928
2MUSICAL COURIER
4American Boy Conspicuous Among the Violinists Heard in Paris
6Mascagni Considered Old Fashioned—Respighi and Stravinsky Conduct Their Own Works—Bachaus and Gieseking Score with Beethoven
8PARIS.—Paris seldom shows much enthusiasm for women violinists. Among the very few exceptions are the recitals by Renée Chemet, who has been so much abroad of late that her friends in France gave her a rousing reception at the Pasdeloup concert in the Champs Elysees Theater when she played Vivaldi's A minor concerto and Chausson's Poem with the orchestra. She and Thibaud are always sure of a welcome from their compatriots. They are prophets that are honored in their own country.
10Geraldine Leo, a visiting violinist, made a fine impression at her orchestra concert in the Gaveau Hall. She was especially successful in Lalo's Spanish Symphony. She has youth and a pleasing personality, but she must return and play again. When was any important city ever captured in a single assault?
12KUBELIK AT THE OPERA
14Kubelik played on his celebrated Emperor Stradivarius in the Champs Elysees but did not attract as large an audience as he had at his recital in the Opera. He carefully played everything correctly and with studied style, but the approval of his hearers was languid.
16A young American violinist, Abram Goldberg, was welcomed with open arms by the students of the American Club a few Sunday nights ago. His tone is warm and appealing and his technical equipment is ample. He has a recital booked for a Paris hall when he returns from his present tour in Holland and Belgium.
18Pietro Mascagni, whose name sprang into fame some thirty odd years ago, was not particularly happy with his operatic experience in Paris last week. The music sounds old fashioned, and the performance was perfunctory. The public was strangely indifferent to the merits of Mascagni, both as composer and conductor.
20O. Respighi came from Italy to conduct the Lamoureux orchestra in a program of his own compositions, of which the Pines of Rome were already familiar to the Parisian orchestral public. The composer was frequently recalled to the platform. He should be satisfied with the sympathy shown him and his works. The new works were Overture to Belfagor, and a Triptyque Botticellien. He also directed the orchestra in several old lute works he had transcribed.
22STRAVINSKY'S NEW SYMPHONY HAS GREAT SUCCESS
24Stravinsky who, whether liked or not, is the chief of the ultra modern composers of savory discords, gave two orchestral concerts in the Champs Elysees Theater on November 16 and 17. He has a great following here and the applause which followed his new symphony was almost as loud and long as the riot caused by his Petrouchka suite. Other new works were the Volga Boatman, Etude, and Apollon-Musagete. The Fire Bird suite was likewise highly successful.
26THREE PIANISTS PLAY SAME CONCERTO WITHIN 24 HOURS
28Liszt's old war horse, the Concerto in E flat, has been trotted out for much public inspection of late, having been played by Lamond, Rosanska, and Borovsky with three different orchestras within twenty-four hours. The work unfortunately is growing old amid a number of newer works which are unworthy to take its place. Brailowsky chose Saint-Saëns' brilliant and tuneful concerto in C minor for his reappearance in Paris with the Colonne Orchestra at the Chatlet Theater, and he extracted all the music and effects to be extracted from a composition not too inspired. He was vociferously applauded and recalled time after time to the platform.
30Bachaus chose the more solid concerto in D minor of Brahms for his appearance with the Lamoureux Orchestra in the Gaveau Hall. Bachaus is particularly happy in the greatest works of the great German composers, and he made the Brahms concerto a delight to even the most Gallic of his hearers. He has announced a Beethoven recital in a few days.
32Walter Gieseking made a deep impression with his poetic interpretation of Beethoven's fourth concerto with the Orchestre Symphonique. It is a pity such a personal triumph as his reception was did not induce him to give a recital or two so that his fine art could be better appreciated.
34Ludovic Breitner, a venerable pianist who is said to have been a pupil of Liszt, gave an orchestral concert in the Chopin Hall, playing Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy as arranged by Liszt, a concerto by Edouard Schütt, and Les Djinns by César Franck. The concert was not very satisfactory, however; for, in spite of the artist's high musical intelligence as shown in his phrasing and style, his tone is too small for an orchestral accompaniment, and his rubato rhythms were frequently at variance with the steadier rhythms of the orchestra. His many merits would have shown to better advantage in a recital without the orchestra.
36WARM GREETING FOR MAAZEL
38The friends of Maazel, and many who were attracted to the concert by the conspicuous advertising, gave the pianist a warm greeting when he appeared, and insisted on several extra numbers at the end of the printed program. He proved again that he has power, delicacy, variety of nuance, brilliant technical skill, and an infallible memory at his command. His last extra number was an exhibition of astonishing virtuosity. His third recital, again in the large Champs Elysees Theater, will be given early in December.
40Other pianists, who have played in Paris recently, are first, the well known and popular Walter Rummel; secondly, a new-comer of great promise, Vladimir Sofronitzky, and the Cuban pianist, Flora Mora. The last named young artist studied long with the late Granados, whose music she interprets with great sympathy and understanding. In Spanish music in particular she finds her happiest means of expression, and she was wrongly advised in playing so much Mozart and Schumann at her recent recital, for this music is all too familiar. Spanish music is not well understood by the general public, for too few pianists can express the lift of it.
42HARP RECITALS
44Harp recitals easily become monotonous, even when the artist has all the excellent qualities of Hélène Chalot, who drew a good audience into the large Gaveau Hall to listen to her thirteen solos. She wisely had the help of a violinist to afford relief. Her harp playing was evidently very satisfactory, for her hearers showed much enthusiasm.
46Another harpist to appear in several Paris concerts of late is the young American, Virginia Morgan. Her recent recital at the American Woman's Club preceded her departure for London. Her health, strength, and large stature promise well for her career as a harpist, for the harp is a tiring instrument to play with brilliancy and power.
48Schubert Festivals are the order of the day. The French, with their passion for elaborate book-keeping and official control, waited for the month of November to give Schubert his due; for did not Schubert die in November? C. L.
50Berlin
52(Continued from page 7)
54and a number of others participated with Heinrich Grünfeld in this festival concert. Joseph Szigeti has been heard twice within a fortnight. In his own recital he was in splendid form and he fully justified his reputation as one of the most eminent of contemporary violinists. In addition to his technical mastery, to his cultivated tone and style, he has now achieved a fascinating freedom and ease of musical expression which is very rarely found in so high a degree. Besides classical numbers by Corelli, Tartini, Kreisler, Schubert, Paganini and a number of modern pieces, his program contained Eugene Ysaye's solo sonata which is dedicated to Szigeti. It is a straightforward piece of writing which reflects the great violinist's complete familiarity with the technical possibilities of his instrument. But besides this, it manifests Ysaye's powers as a composer in no mean degree. Ernest Bloch's Nuit Exotique, heard for the first time here, is hardly characteristic of Bloch's individual art. It shows, rather, his relationship to the French impressionist school. Boris Golschman at the piano revealed not only pianistic skill, but also the valuable faculty of adaptability.
56SZIGETI AND PIATIGORSKY PLAY DUETS
58The second time, Szigeti was heard in a joint recital with the eminent cellist, Gregor Piatigorsky, who fully equals Szigeti as an artist. What a delight it was to hear these two masters playing duos for violin and cello with an incredible virtuosity that was always combined with a highly cultivated taste! Of the other works, Kodaly's passionate and fascinating duo appears much more genuine in its savage moods than Ravel's rather cold and artificial gypsy music. Solo suites by Bach and Reger completed the interesting program.
60Henri Gil Marchex, from Paris, gave three piano recitals under the patronage of the Association Française d'Expansion et d'Échange Artistiques, with a view to presenting a cross section of French piano literature during the past fifty years. Over fifty compositions were chosen for this demonstration, and while there may be a difference of opinion on the artistic value of many of these representative works, there can be no disagreement as to the superior pianistic art of Gil Marchex, his powerful, intellectual grasp of the different styles and his musical culture.
62LHEVINNE AND BRAILOWSKY
64A number of other pianists of high rank were satisfied with presenting only the standard works and may, therefore, be treated collectively. Joseph Lhevinne is unsurpassed in the polish, ease and elegance of his manual skill. To hear him play Chopin etudes is a treat, indeed, but emotional expression is less characteristic of his art. Brailowsky gave fresh proof of his admirable and altogether extraordinary art, in a Chopin program, and Claudio Arrau, one of the most brilliant and successful of the younger pianists, has appeared frequently of late, and has not only strengthened his reputation but has added to his past achievements. The American pianist, Eleanor Spencer, well known in Berlin from her former residence here as well as her numerous public appearances, gave a recital in which the sterling qualities of her playing were clearly manifested. Ivan Phillipskiy is a highly gifted, though unequal player, combining high excellence in some directions with shortcomings in others—yet he knows how to hold his listeners.
66BATTISTINI PUPIL SCORES
68A long list of singers claim attention, and here, too, brevity is imperative. Richard Crooks has sung again, fascinating his public, as before, with the power and beauty of his voice. Celestino Sarobe, Spanish baritone, said to be a pupil of Battistini, is a newcomer to Berlin, but before long he will be heard in crowded halls, for he is gifted with a magnificent voice, which is capable of every shade of tone color and expression. Jan Kiepura, Polish tenor, also belongs to the elect few and enjoys sensational successes. His singing at present shows decided progress in refinement of technical treatment. Max Kaplick, a familiar figure in America, has earned much deserved praise for his cultivated singing and his fine voice.
70VERDI'S NABUCCO HAS GREAT SUCCESS
72In the histories of Verdi's operas special stress is always laid on Nabucco, the composer's first successful opera, which finally, after several unfortunate attempts, won recognition in 1842. In spite of its great success Nabucco was soon forgotten in Italy and has, perhaps, never been heard in other countries. The Mannheim Opera has now produced it for the first time in Germany, more than 85 years after the Milan premiere, and it seems quite probable that Nabucco will be heard before long in all the German opera houses, so powerful is the impression it has made in Mannheim. The work treats an episode from the history of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, and his daughter, Abigail, who is mentioned in the Bible. Even in this early score Verdi's dramatic genius is unmistakable. An intermezzo for the strings is praised as being one of the most beautiful pieces of operatic music of the entire nineteenth century, while the second act is said to be especially effective, the part of Abigail having a genuinely heroic grandeur. Erich Orthmann, principal conductor of the Mannheim Opera, is responsible for the revival of Nabucco, which was excellently brought out and received with great enthusiasm.
74The new Berlin Institute of Music for Foreigners, at the Charlottenburg Castle, has now finished its preparations for the first summer course which will take place in June and July of 1929. The list of the faculty includes Wilhelm Furtwängler as president, Eugene d'Albert, Edwin Fischer and Walter Gieseking for piano; Willy Hess and Joseph Szigeti for violin and Carl Schuricht for orchestral conducting. Courses of historical and aesthetic lectures will be held by Dr. Alfred Einstein, Prof. Adolf Weissmann, Prof. Curt Sachs, Prof. Johannes Wolf and Dr. Hugo Leichtentritt. Instruction in all branches of theory and composition will be given by Dr. Leichtentritt, as required. Since Berlin will be having, for the first time, a musical summer season of opera and concert next year, the students of the new institute will have ample opportunities to hear first rate musical productions of all kinds. An illustrated prospectus, containing detailed information, has just been published in English and may be procured by application to the managing secretary, H. W. Draber, Berlin W.15, Kurfürstendamm 26a, German Institute of Music for Foreigners.
76DR. HUGO LEICHTENTRITT.
78Easton Symphony Gives Fine Concert
80The Easton Symphony Orchestra opened its ninth season on November 22 at the Senior High School, Easton, Pa., before a large audience. Earle Laros conducted the program, which was given a rendition which probably had not been equalled by any other given by this organization. The personnel of the orchestra is practically the same as before with the exception of the concert-master, James Swindells, who apparently has imbued the men with his sense of artistic string playing. The program contained Corelli's concerto grosso, No. 8, in which the strings played with a sonority and sense of proportion that was most creditable to Mr. Laros. There was a splendid realization of the work, and the solo performers, Mr. Swindells, Joseph Thierry and Carleton Gordon, acquitted themselves with technical ease. The program also contained the Bach-Bantock chorale-prelude, Sleepers Wake, and the Ruy Blas overture of Mendelssohn. Maria Koussevitsky sang the aria from Le Ville of Puccini and later a group of songs with piano accompaniment and was well received. A group of lighter numbers, including the ballet from Rosamunde, the Kopak of Moussorgsky and the Waltz of Tchaikowsky, was played by the orchestra, and the program was concluded with the ballet music from Aida. It was an auspicious beginning of a season that holds many bright spots ahead. Mr. Laros conducted from a chair, owing to his recent accident when he was thrown from his horse by an automobile, but he seemed to have his usual control over the performance.
82Maazel Continues His Success Abroad
84The Musical Courier already has reported the outstanding success scored by Maazel in his first Paris and London recitals this season. He made a second appearance in Paris on November 26, when both critics and audience concurred in their enthusiastic approval. Maazel is a great favorite in Paris, and it is worthy of notation that his audiences, which are always large, are made up of people who are really interested in attending his recitals, for Maazel is adamant when it comes to the distribution of free tickets. He gave a second recital in London on November 28, and so great was the praise accorded his playing that his manager arranged for a third concert which took place on December 4, and which paved the way for a fourth recital to be given there in March.
86MRS. ELDRIDGE R. JOHNSON,
87of Moorestown, N. J., whose liberal donation to the Pennsylvania Grand Opera Company has made possible the continuance of that organization's season of performances. Mrs. Johnson, as will be remembered, was honorary president of the company last season. She has continued her interest in the success of the organization and took the first opportunity to show it by giving the aforementioned liberal contribution. (Photo by Vanity Fair Studio)
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.