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Scan 25
The violinist, 1903
19 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE VIOLINIST
3MONTHLY, CHICAGO FEBRUARY, 1903 SUBSCRIPTION, $1
5Signs of Increased Prosperity
6WE are receiving praise from all quarters for the improved appearance and quality of the January number, several call it the "best ever." Wonder what the opinion will be after February 1. Better yet, the subscriptions came so fast that Mr. Coyne had to go down to Washington to see about an appropriation for enlarging the new six million dollar postoffice.
8The Programs of a Year
9OVER 1650 programs of concerts where violinists appeared were sent to the editor during the year 1902, including probably every important bowing event that took place between the two oceans. New York state is credited with 274 of the total number, Illinois with 258, and then comes Iowa with 186. Why Iowa should show up so well is a mystery, but it is a familiar fact to dealers in violins that there is no better market for their instruments in the country. Pennsylvania is next, with 156, followed by Massachusetts, 153; Michigan, 98; Missouri, 84; California, Connecticut and Kansas, 70; Ohio, 63; Wisconsin, 62, and so on down to New Mexico, with 2.
11Two Positions for the Thumb
12A VERY great diversity of opinion exists, both among artists and theorists, as to the correct position of the left thumb. "Thumb opposite the second finger," says one authority, "because that is the natural position of the hand in repose, when the arm hangs loosely at the side." This seems quite conclusive, until another authority comes along and says that the thumb should rest lightly on the neck of the instrument below the first finger. "This," the second authority says, "does away with necessity of having two positions, for the thumb must be below the first finger in all the higher shifts; all beyond the third." Either way can be proven, by example and exhibits A, B, and C, to have the approval of great artists—but, of course, anything can be proved, or disproved. Usually pupils run across this perplexing problem for the first time in the "Life of Ole Bull," a most charming book of romance, adventure and facts concerning the early art life of America. The beloved Norseman did not enjoy a five year course in Berlin, artistically he was an orphan; a favorite pupil of no great master, he worked out a method of his own that defied the authorities of his time. The reason that players who use one thumb position are so opposed to any other position is easily apparent, and there can be no doubt that each one sincerely believes his way the best, since he has proved it time and again. Both adherents are right because for them to change to another thumb position, after years of playing, would usually be fatal to their whole technic. For young players the best plan, if they have a good teacher, is to follow his instruction. Anyone having something further to say is invited to do so next month.
14Inartistic Programs
15WHY will people who are supposedly artistic, like Mr. Neumann, jar our fine sensibilities by giving us bill-poster programs that look like the night edition of Hearst's Examiner? At Kocian's concerts we were handed a sheet of paper covered with advertisements, which, upon careful scrutiny, we concluded was intended for a program, for it contained a list of the solos, sans program notes, sans beauty, sans everything. Perhaps the clever manager is out for the rocks, but if not he should have some consideration for the program collector, and as punishment for past sins be compelled to vacate his lonesome box and sit beside some nervous person who delights in shaking a crumpled program just as Kocian reaches one of his finest pianissimos.
17No Place for Solo Violinists
18BUT there are several more inartistic things in connection with these Kocian concerts. The Auditorium is no place for soloists, unless they be trombonists. If such a hall is twice too large for the Thomas Orchestra then surely a violin soloist must be at a very great disadvantage in trying to
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