April 20, 19 22
Recital at the Seymour School
“The Growth of Modern Music” was the subject of an interesting lecture recital given by Henry Cowell at the Seymour School of Musical Re-Education, on April 4. Mr. Cowell was heard in three groups of his'own compositions, in classic, modern and ultra-modern style. Not only is Mr. Cowell a composer of real ability, but he is also an interesting talker as well, and was able to emphasize the normal development of modern music, through historical analogy, in an entertaining fashion which caught and held the attention of his audience throughout the evening. Specially interesting from the modern viewpoint was a group based on ancient Irish mythology. Another number which seemed especially to please was entitled : “An Amiable Conversation,”׳ which Mr. Cowell was frank to state had been suggested for programing as two Chinamen talking, the conversation being rudely interrupted by the entrance of some one in. the shop. Louise Vermont sang, a number of Mr. ■Cowell’s songs most acceptably. They, proved to be quite unusual one, but none the less interesting.
Opera in Montreal
The Montreal Grand Opera Company, a new organization consisting mostly of American singers, opens a season of eight weeks there at the Theater St. Denis on Monday evening, April 24. The opera for the opening week will be “II Trovatore,” to be followed with a change in the bill each week in the following order : “Faust,” “Bohemian Girl,” “Lohengrin,” “Aida,” “Carmen,” “Pagliacci” and “Tannhäuser.” The artists of the company, which has been assembled in New York by Fred Rycroft, are Ivy Scott, Louise Searle, Myrth Carmen, Erna Pielke, Marianna Dozier, Henry Thompson, Alfred Shaw, Leon Hierapolis, Eugene Martinet, Francis J. Tyler, Pierre Remington and Henry Weldon. The musical director is Basil Horsfall of Montreal, and the opera is staged by J. K. Murray, the veteran baritone for so many years the mainstay of the Castle Square Opera Company. Popular prices will prevail, the top price being $1 in the evening and fifty cents at matinees, except for box seats. .
Farewell Reception for Elly Ney
On April 13 a farewell reception was given at the Ampico studios, 437 Fifth avenue, in honor of Elly Ney. During the afternoon Mine. Ney played Schubert’s “impromptu” and “Moment Musical” and Schumann’s “Scenes from Childhood,” which were thereafter reproduced by the Ampico exactly as played by Mme. Ney. Later in the afternoon her recordings were broadcasted from Wanamaker’s radio station and wpre received over the radio in the Ampico studios, Mme. Ney and the guests listening in. Toward the end of the afternoon she delighted the audience by her playing of Beethoven’s sonata in D minor and the Brahms rhapsody in G minor.
Among the quests were Mr. and Mrs. Nelson O’Shaugh-nessey, Mrs. J. F. D. Lanier, Mrs. Samuel Untermeyer, Mrs. William Burns Kennedy, Mrs. Henry Martin Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. Eustace Corcoran, Princess Lvoff, Rose O’Neill, Mr. and Mrs. Paolo Gallico, Major Gen. Daniel Appleton, Mr. and Mrs. Willem Mengelberg, Erwin Nyiregyhazi and Willy Van Hoogstraaten.
Gruen Going to Australia
Rudolph Gruen will accompany Paul Althouse and Arthur Middleton on their coming tour to Australia. They will sail from San FrancLco on July 12, the tour lasting until November. Concerts will also be given in New Zealand and in Honolulu.
Mr. Gruen’s dates this month include: April 9, musicale at the home of Mrs. Simon Frankel for Delphine March; 19, Northampton, Mass., for Arthur Middleton; 20, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, for Raoul Vidas and Graziella Pareto; 22, Manhattan Opera House, for Adolf Bolm; 27, East Orange, N. J., for Evelyn Scotney.
Kerns at Halifax and Truro Festivals
Among her various musical activities this month, Grace Kerns is to sing three times at the Halifax, N. S., Music Festival, on April 24, 25 and 26. The following day_ she will appear at the Truro Festival in the same Province. Miss Kerns won unusual approbation on her tour of. the Maritime Provinces last season, and her appearances there this year are re-engagements. Associated with her on the tour will be Nevada Van der Veer, Judson House and Fred Patton.
Hamlin E. Cogswell Dies
On April 8, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, there occurred the death of Dr. Hamlin E. Cogswell, director of music in the public schools of the District of Columbia. Several months ago Dr. Cogswell suffered a nervous breakdown, but recovered sufficiently to resume his work in the schools a position which he has held since 1914. He was well known as a music director, instructor and composer, having occupied many important positions in the musical and educational world.
Koshetz to Appear at “Big Stick” Concert
Nina Koshetz, soprano of the Chicago Opera, who recently gave a successful New York recital at the Town Hall, is to be one of the prominent artists to appear at the annual gala concert of the “Big Stick” (Grosser Kundes), at the Manhattan Opera House, New York, on Saturday evening, April 22. The “Big Stick” is an important Jewish publication, issued in New York, which each season holds a gala affair at which many important artists appear.
Samuel Gardner to Be Married
Cards are out announcing the coming marriage of Samuel Gardner, violinist, to Stella Field Barnard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Washington Barnard, of Montclair, N. J. The wedding ceremony on April 26 will be followed by a reception at the Hotel Marie-Antoinette, New York.
Mary Jordan Gives Radio Concert
Mary Jordan, contralto, scored a success when she sang via radio at Camp Travis on April 4. The voice of this well known singer carried from New Orleans to San Diego and from Mexico City to Chicago, and was enjoyed by the thousands of people who “listened in.”
MUSICAL COURIER
ment of the program was a distinct credit to the good taste of the conductor and the masterful playing of each number brought a full measure of applause for both men and leader. The symphony presented was Mendelssohn’s No. 4 in A major, “Italian,” op. 90. This number was given with sympathetic reading and effective playing. _ Following the intermission, Bizet’s suite No. 2, “L’Arlesienne,” was given superbly by the orchestra and following came the incidental solos which were the most popular numbers of the program. These included “Ave Maria” (Bach-Gounod), cello solo, Karl Kirksmith; “Berceuse” from “Jocelyn” (Goddard), French horn solo, Gustave Albretch; “Meditation” from “Thais” (Massenet), violin solo, Emil. Heermann. “The Mastersingers” (Wagner), made a fitting conclusion to a most delightful evening. The conductor, the soloists and the ensemble were compelled to acknowledge the applause frequently. All in all the concert was one of the greatest music events ever given here. ־	_
The new pipe organ of the First Methodist Church was heard for the first time March 20, at a recital given by Prof. Dwight Smith of Pittsburgh, who for many years has been organist of the North Side Presbyterian Church in that city. The recital proved Mr. Smith’s mastery of the instrument; it was a perfect combination of artist and organ. Three numbers selected by the organist were varied enough to test the instrument in every detail and answered the test to the full measure of the people’s expectation. During the intermission Mr. Smith discussed “The Evolution of the Pipe Organ.” Vocal selections were given by Tom Wekls, baritone, and Leone Granstaff, soprano. Their numbers contributed in no small measure to the success of the recital.	R. McC.
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ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Rosa Ponselle Busy
Rosa Ponselle has completed her fourth season with the Metropolitan Opera Company, a season that was again one continuous success for this remarkably talented artist.
The story of Rosa Ponselle is one of the most interesting in the history of American music. Within a single year the young soprano arose from an unknown singer to the rank of prima donna dramatic soprano of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Unlike most famous artists, Miss Ponselle has never appeared on the grand opera stage in any other capacity than that of prima donna—all the more remarkable when it is considered that her study of grand opera was compressed into less than the space of a year before her debut.
Only three years have passed since that eventful night when Rosa Ponselle made her sensational debut in the leading female role of “Forza del Destino,” when she was coupled with Caruso in the revival of that opera, yet in that time her name and fame have spread from coast to coast. In addition to the eight leading roles which Miss Ponselle created during her first three seasons, she sang two new roles this season, and one is already beginning to wonder how many more she will be called upon to create during her fifth season at the Metropolitan.
The leading music critics throughout the country have acclaimed Miss Ponselle a great artist, as successful on the concert stage as in opera. This fact is attested to by the number of cities that are anxious to hear her and by the number of concert, festival and orchestral engagements which she sings between opera seasons. ^ Miss Ponselle will interrupt her spring concert tour to join the Metropolitan Opera Company for her appearances with that organization in Atlanta next week, after which she will start out again immediately and concertize until the end of May.
Kerr and Arden Delight Bridgeport Audience
Bridgeport, Conn., April 15.—On Friday evening, April 7, one of the most delightful concerts of the season was given here at the Stratfield Hotel in honor of the birthday of the great humanitarian, writer and poet, Fanny Crosby. Those appearing were Cecil Arden, contralto of the Metropolitan Opera Company; U. S. Kerr, bass-baritone; Virginia Syms, soprano and artist pupil of Mr. Kerr, and William Reddick, pianist. All of them pleased the large audience, as the following notice from the Telegram would indi-
Ca“The program opened with four songs by Cecil Arden. Miss Arden, although listed as a contralto, has a range of wonderful high notes that should place her _ among the mezzo sopranos. Her voice is warm and luscious and all her numbers were most pleasing.
“She was followed by the renowned bass-baritone, U. _b. Kerr. His is a magnificent voice, powerful, mellow, thrilling. His interpretations were remarkable for the great variety of their vocal shadings. His control of tone is notable.
“Virginia Syms, soprano, was another reason for the success of the concert. All of her songs were lovely. _ A sweet, clear voice, a winning personality, sympathetic interpretation, combined to make her numbers delightful. Piano solos by William Reddick were enthusiastically received.”
K. H.
(Continued from page 39)
byterian Church and head of the vocal department of the Toledo Conservatory of Music.
The ■Sunday afternoon concerts at the Fine Arts Studios are well attended. The first recital was given by Josef Martin, who presented an all-Russian program. Marcus Keller-mann, baritone, gave the second program of the series.
Doris Benson, supreme president of Mu Phi Epsilon sorority, was the guest of Epsilon Chapter during the annual inspection, March 8 and. 9. Mrs. Benson expressed herself as highly pleased with the work of the local chapter.
Dorothy Elton, soprano, and Georgina Potts, pianist, ap-peared in recital with the Monday Musical Club on March 6.
Noriria Schelling Emmert is to be one of the soloists at the presentation of Cesar Frank s ' Beatitudes on May 3.
Edna Beach Webb, pianist, and Helen Sloan, contralto, will be the soloists at the annual concert of the Monday Musical Club.	S■
Winnipeg, Canada, March 28.—'The latest artist to appear here was Percy Grainger, who gave two sue-cessful concerts with the Winnipeg Male Voice Choir before accompanying it on its recent American tour. Mr. Grainger has played here five times and is one of the most popular pianists who visits Winnipeg. His selections were all delightful, and his delicate pianissimos and lyric passages were exquisitely done. The work of the choir, however, aroused local patriotism to fever heat. The Board of Trade Hall was filled to capacity both nights, and the choral numbers were enthusiastically received. The choir, conducted by Hugh C. M. Ross, B.A.,. F.R.C.O., has not only technical perfection in the essentials of balance, pitch, diction, tone, etc., but also has a real personality, the subtle something which transforms mere efficiency into art. It is especially good in numbers having a bizarre or fantastic element, and in delicate, ethereal passages. The two “chanteys,” written by Grainger and dedicated to the choir, were of especial interest. They were “Dollar and a Half a Day and a setting of Kipling’s “Anchor Song.” )Winnipeg honestly believes this choir is the best of its kind on the continent, and has had no reason to find fault with the reception accorded the choir in Chicago, Duluth, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Minneapolis.	.
February was also the month for local recitals. Among the pianists who appeared in the Fort Garry concert hall were Eva Clare, one of the foremost Canadian pianists; George Wilson, who gave a program composed almost entirely of Liszt numbers, and Beryl Ferguson. Pupils of Jonas Palsson and vocal pupils of Watkin Mills also gave recitals
The Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg has been doing splendid work all winter. It is the city’s oldest musical club and now has a membership of seven hundred. The weekly programs have been of a very good standard and excellent variety. In bringing John Barclay, English baritone, and Myra Hess, English pianist, the club has conferred a real musical benefit on Winnipeg this winter. John Barclay sang here last month, and in a program made up of modern British, French and Russian, and one or two American composers, he gave immense pleasure. He is a fine interpretative artist and his voice is of rare beauty. Myra Hess played a program of Scarlatti, Schumann, Bach, Chopin ahd Debussy before the club and gave another recitalat Rupert’-s Land Hall. She compares with the very best pianists who have visited the city and the audience was unusually enthusiastic, even for a city which runs to pianists. Her Debussy group ofHour preludes was delightful and the B fiat minor sonata of Chopin was the best performance of the work ever given here. The Musical Club is making efforts to secure Miss Hess for a public recital which will be open to the public, not only the club members, for next season.
An unusually good local afternoon was the one given to negro spirituals arranged by Cecil Burleigh, Nathaniel Dett, Dvorak and Coleridge-Ta. lor, though the last named was represented by his piano version of “Deep River,” very well played by Beryl Ferguson. The spirituals were sung by a mixed chorus of sixteen members and soloists from the Burton L. Kurth studios. Mrs. Kurth was contralto soloist and Mr. Kurth played the piano accompaniments. The music caught the fancy of the listeners, especially as the singers showed that they had put intelligent work into the preparation.	*״■ •
Zanesville, Ohio, March 24.—The largest audience in the history of the \Vheeler Theater was present March 17, when the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra gave a free concert From the first notes of the “Oberon” overture (Weber) until the last notes of “The Mastersingers” (Wagner) the audience sat breathlessly, save at such times when applause was in order, and then it was given spontaneously and without stint. The organization was in fine fettle and Conductor Ysaye was in one of his happiest moods. The concert was all that a symphony concert should-be. The happy arrange-
MARIE STONE LANGSTON
Mezzo-Contralto
3 TIMES IN PITTSBURGH THIS SEASON
April 27, soloist Apollo Club—Pittsburgh Male Chorus concert, Carnegie Hall.
January 24, recital Carnegie Hall.
January 26, recital Twentieth Century Club.
PITTSBURGH APOLLO CLUB,
3 Appearances Within Six Years.
Address: 411 North 36th Street,	Philadelphia, Pa.