MUSICAL COURIER
$7
“In Old Virginia” to Be Heard in Richmond
Last year John Powell was one of the American composers who contributed toward the musical setting of the Pilgrim Tercentenary Pageant held at Plymouth. This year his overture, “In Old Virginia,” will usher in the Virginia Historical Pageant, which takes place at Richmond in June. The overture was given its first hearing last summer at the Norfolk (Conn.) Festival. Upon this occasion Mr. Powell made his first bow as a conductor, thus joining overnight the ranks of the three-in-one, namely, pianist, composer, conductor. However, in Mr. Powell’s own modest estimate of himself in the latter capacity, he does not expect to reach posterity by route of the baton.
In his overture Mr. Powell has sought to epitomize the spirit of the Virginia of antebellum days. His music summons the ghostly reveries of crinoline and courtly cavaliers from the silences of yesterday and they dance gaily to his music, unmindful of the brief cadence of their happiness and the impending doom hovering at the threshold of the morrow. Someone recently said that although a modern, in that he was born in 1882, Mr. Powell differs from the majority of his brothers in modern art by possessing “the conscience of the ear.”
O D ITUAR_y
Adelaide C. Okell
Adelaide C. Okell, head of the piano department of the Wesley College Conservatory of Music, University of North Dakota, died of influenza at Grand Forks, N. D., on May 16.
Born in Yonkers, N. Y., she received her musical training in New York from Adele Margulies and Rafael Joseffy. Later she studied, at various times, with Teresa Carreno in Germany and Switzerland. From 1892-1900 she was a member of the faculty of the National Conservatory in New York, from which she resigned to devote her entire time to private pupils. An accredited exponent of Carreno’s method, Miss Okell prepared many pupils for that great pianist, upon whose recommendation she was appointed, in 1917, to the position at the University of North Dakota. Besides her academic duties she found there a fruitful field for pioneer work through her lecture-recitals on Wagner, which drew constantly increasing audiences and gave the greater part of her listeners their first taste of the works of the Bayreuth master. She also was a most successful propagandist for our own MacDowell, of whose mother and widow she^ had been a close friend. Miss Okell prepared for publication Carreno’s posthumous book, “Possibilities of Tone-Color by Artistic Use of the Pedals” (John Church Co., 1919).
Rudolf Ballin (Pappenheim)
Eugenie _ Pappenheim’s husband, Rudolf Ballin, well known in insurance circles, died at his home, the Colonial Hotel, New York, May 12. The funeral took place at the Campbell Funeral Church, May 15, and was private.
He was an ardent music lover, and the older generation well recalls that his wife, Eugenie Pappenheim (still living), was the first singer of Wagner roles in this country, about 1870.
OLIVE MARSHALL Soprano
Soloist with the New York Oratorio Society “The Messiah”—December 28, 1921 “St. Matthew Passion”—April 13, 1922 Exclusive Management:
HAENSEL & JONES	Aeolian Hall, New York
Gertrude Ross
FIVE
Early Spanish-Californian ¡Folk ¡Songs
(With Spanish and English Words)
Harmonized and set for Voice and Piano For High voice $1.25 net	For Low)voice
For Piano
Ride of the Cowboy—Gertrude Ross...............60
Spanish Serenade—Gertrude Ross.................60
For Violin and Piano
From “Early Spanish-Californian Folk Songs”
Un Pajarito (A Fickle Maiden)..................60
Yo no se si me quieres (I Know Not if You Love Me)..................................60
Nadie me quiere (Old Maid’s Song)..............50
Thematic Pages upon request
J. FISCHER & BRO. New York
Fourth Avenue at Eighth Street (Astor Place)
years of Friday night concerts with never a miss nor a fault, and that is surely a record for one man.
St. Olaf’s Choir Returns.
On April 28 the St. Olaf Choir of Northfield gave a program at the University Armory. The choir had already made one appearance here this season. Suffice it to say that this evening’s singing was up to the high standard set by the choir. No more perfect choir singing has ever been heard here. Melius Christiansen directed with the same precision and vigor that always marks his appearances.
The Norwegian Glee Club.
The Norwegian Glee Club, with Carl Hansen directing, gave a concert at Church of the Redeemer. Grieg compositions comprised most of the program and it was a rare treat.
Gertrude Hull’s Recital.
Gertrude Hull, of the University Music Department, gave a recital at the Little Theater (on the campus), on April 25. She is a splendid artist. Her program was carefully chosen, including Handel, Gluck, Reger and Cyril Scott. She was enthusiastically received.
Apollo Club Concert.
The Apollo Club gave a splendid concert on April 19 at the Auditorium, under the direction of Hal Woodruff. The club shows progress every year and is now on a firm basis of artistry. The songs were well sung, with proper phrasing and much attention to tone values. The assisting artist, Lambert Murphy, has one of the finest tenor voices in this country and he knows how to use it. The whole concert was a success.
Thursday Musicale Program.
The Thursday Musicale program of April 6 was given by Mr. and Mrs. James Bliss and Mrs. Emerson R. Harris. The former two gave piano numbers, including new compositions by Ravel, in which there were many wonderful effects.
Oscar Seagle’s Song Recital.
Oscar Seagle gave a song recital at the Auditorium on April 19, when he was artistically assisted by Mrs. William MacPhail (nee Margaret Gilmore). The whole evening was a success. The voice of this artist is beautiful, his interpretations were of the finest and his evident deep understanding of music and the allied arts gave his singing exceptional value. Minneapolis is happy in having Mr. Seagle a guest teacher at the MacPhail School during these four weeks.
Memorial Tablet to Caryl B. Storrs Unveiled.
A memorial tablet to Caryl B. Storrs was appropriately unveiled in the music room of the Minneapolis Public Library, April 29. This beautiful tablet commemorates the work done by this strenuous worker in advancing the best in music through the seventeen years that he was associated intimately with the music of the city. He was music critic on the Tribune, but his influence was more far-reaching than that. He was considered an authority on all questions of music and lectured and wrote and talked music until he made the hosts of music lovers see the highest in music and thus the great symphony orchestra of our city came to stay. This tablet represents Mr. Storrs in a sitting position with a music page before him. It was subscribed to by his friends.
Notes.
A delightful recital was given at the home of Mrs. Herbert Clark on April 28, by Clara Williams and Wilma Anderson Gilman. Compliments were many for these gifted artists.
The Minneapolis Symphony Quartet gave a program at the Unitarian Church, April 5. .,Schubert’s A major quintet, with William Lindsay (pianist), was splendidly played. The entire program was most enjoyable.
Sunday, April 2, Edna Swanson Ver Haar, contralto, sang with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra at the Auditorium. This artist has both voice and style and was enthusiastically received. The orchestra played the Gold-mark overture, “In Springtime,” with precision and feeling. The fourth Schumann symphony was interesting.
Donald Ferguson, of the music force at the University of Minnesota, directed his own composition, “Symphonic Waltz.” He is a musician of emphatic attainments and a composer who is to be reckoned with in the future. His work was fine and serious and merits other hearings. He is an excellent composer. E. Joseph Shad-wick, of the violin section, played the Weiniawski D minor concerto in an admirable manner.	R. A.
Orpha Kendall Holstman Gives “Universal Satisfaction”
Orpha Kendall Holstman, the Chicago soprano, who was recently heard in New York in recital, is in receipt of the following letter of commendation from H. B. Bartholomew after her appearance as soloist with the Batavia-Geneva Musical Club:
,,	,	May 3, 1922.
My dear Mrs. Holstman:
Just a note to tell you how very much your work with my choruses was appreciated. In the many years as director of the Batavia-Geneva Musical Club we have never had a soprano give such universal satisfaction.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) H. B. Bartholomew.
Huberman’s Artistic Programs
Bronislaw Huberman, who recently sailed for Europe, has the distinction of being awarded the first place for artistic violin programs in New York this season, according to an article by Deems Taylor in the New York World. The program which Mr. Taylor considered the best of the year consisted of Respighi’s sonata for violin and piano (American premiere), Bach’s adagio and fuga in C, Tschaikowsky’s “Souvenir d’une lieu cher,” and Lalo’s “Symphonie Es-pagnole.”
Cincinnati College of Music to Have Letz Quartet
The Letz Quartet will appear at the College of Music in Cincinnati on January 22 next. Other colleges that have recently booked this organization are: Connecticut College, New London, Conn.; State Normal College, La Crosse, Wis., and Smith College, Northampton, Mass.
May 25, 1 922
MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MAKE FINE SHOWING IN MUSIC
Boys’ Glee Club Contest—Final Friday and Sunday Night
Symphony Concerts—Oberhoffer’s Record of Nineteen Years—St. Olaf’s Choir Returns—Gertrude Hull’s Recital—Apollo Club Concert—Thursday Musicale Program—Oscar Seagle’s Song Recital —Memorial Tablet to Caryl B.
Storrs Unveiled
Minneapolis, Minn., May 10.—Music in the public schools of Minneapolis had a great boost with the public showing made during the week of April 17. The North, Central and West high schools had had concerts and operas that just about defied criticism. On April 20, East High put on “Pirates! of Penzance” with a full cast and orchestra, under the capable direction of John H. Marville. This was followed the next night by South High, giving “Chimes of Normandy,” with H. Griebenow directing. Professionals who heard these performances could hardly believe it possible that high school students could give such smooth, refined and all-around good productions. The choruses were well sung, the solo parts were excellent, and the orchestras had plenty of vigor and ■tone— all this giving a good background for the whole opera. And these operas—music, words and acting—were learned and staged in four or five weeks. All this splendid work comes easily in the high schools because of the fundamental work done in the grades.
April 17 the all-grade orchestra made its annual^ debut with seventy-five players, under the skilful directing of Ruth Anderson. Two rehearsals were called, each of one hour’s length. About twenty-five per cent, of the players knew the music; the others had never seen it, and in that short time Miss Anderson gave seven numbers, of varied keys and rhythms, with never a hitch or a miss. The children played with artistic finish. No player was over fourteen years old. With no more special preparation than above mentioned, the concert was a huge success, and showed the splendid work done in the schools.
Boys’ Glee Clubs Contest.
After this musical prelude, the final all-city boys’ glee club contest was held. The three above mentioned concerts were given in the city Auditorium, this having been made possible by the generosity of the Minneapolis Orchestral Association. The proceeds go to buying stringed instruments for the grade schools.
The first club contest was for unchanged voices in which the Motley, Miles Standish, Bremer (sixth grade) and Lake Harriet contended, with Lake Harriet winner. The second contest was with Longfellow, Douglas, Sheridan and Hamilton schools, in which Douglas won. The third contest was put on with Irving, Prescott, Emerson and William Penn, with Emerson a winner. The fourth contest (junior high), Seward, Franklin and Bremer, with Seward winner. The contestants had won in the previous contests in each of the four districts of the city. While the judges were making their decisions, the combined glee clubs sang a series of songs under T. P. Giddings. The voices—sweet and pure—were perfectly in tune and the perfect control that Mr. Giddings had of them made this a memorable performance. Some tones were a close approach to the St. Olaf Choir, which we all hold as perfection. The whole concert, with its hundreds of participants, was put on in a little over an hour. Careful planning did it and added materially to the enjoyment of the concert.
Final Friday Symphony Concert.
The final Friday night symphony orchestra concert of the season was given April 7 at the Auditorium, with Maria Ivogtin, soloist. This fine artist shared honors with the orchestra. The Brahms E minor, No. 4, op. 97, symphony was a magnificent piece of playing and the prelude to “The Mastersingers” (Wagner) and Richard Strauss’ tone poem, “Death and Transfiguration,” were splendid. A great ovation followed for Mr. Oberhoffer, conductor. Miss Ivogtin sang the Mozart aria, “Mia spiranza adorata,” and “Oh Powerful Princess,” from “Ariadne auf Naxos,” by Strauss.
Final Sunday Symphony Concert.
The final Sunday symphony concert of the year was given at the Auditorium, April 9, with Henry Williams, veteran Welsh harpist (member of the orchestra), as soloist. He played Saint-Saëns’ fantasie for violin and harp, op. 124, with the help of William Keller, violinist, also a member of the orchestra. This was a beautiful work, beautifully played. The orchestra played Mozart’s serenade for strings, Tschaikowsky’s Fourth symphony in F minor, and Kami’s “Festival March” and “Hymn of Liberty.” This was the end of the sixteen years of Sunday concerts, every one of them arranged and directed by Mr. Oberhoffer. This program was a fitting climax to all these years of Mr. Oberhoffer’s work. Nineteen
SSWAYNEH
Care of Equitable Trust Company, 23 rue de la Paix, Paris, France
Jean de Reszke 53 Rue de la Faisanderie Paris
I CCrUI7TI7E’V institute LLutnlj 1 IL JV I of Piano
47 Boulevard Berthier, Paris, France
Under the personal direction of MME. THEODORE LESCHETIZKY
(Marie Gabrielle Leschetizky)
John Heath, Associate Director. Artists' Class and Private lesson«