15
MUSICAL COURIER
February 8, 1923
to induce them to excel in this instrument, which he has played all his life.
The annual Beethoven programs at the school also held unusual interest. The first, presented December 13, 1922, by pupils of Mrs. Heizer before the MacDowell Club consisted of a consecutive performance of the five Beethoven piano concertos. This program, requiring three hours of continuous playing, was excellent, affording as it did an opportunity to compare the works as could be done in no other way. Those who took part in this program were Sara Weiner and Harry Thatcher, Jr., each playing the orchestral parts on the second piano for the other. Pupils of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Heizer presented a program of comparison of the three periods of Beethoven’s creative work, a few words on which were given by Mrs. Heizer.
The second annual Beethoven program took place on December 17. Besides Sara Weiner and Harry Thatcher appearing, there was a fine ensemble from the Heizer Music School Orchestra, which played the minuet from symphony No. 1, in C major.
Sir Henry Wood with R. A. C.
London, January 12.—Sir Henry Wood has joined the staff of the Royal Academy of Music. He is to conduct a rehearsal weekly, and also the public concerts in Queen’s Hall. It is not unlikely that Sir Henry Wood will succeed Sir Alexander Mackenzie as principal when thé latter, who is now seventy-six, chooses to retire. L. C.
mine that they are going to keep themselves, fit in every way, and they find that long walks out into the country is the most effective way of accomplishing this condition. As in the larger cities, the folks living in the towns and small cities are all afflicted with auto-itis and they are fast forgetting the way to use their feet and legs in a good, brisk hike. Mr. and Mrs. Toy plan to walk each day four miles out into the country, refusing all offers of a "lift” by gracious passersby, and they are then in a condition to do from one to three hours’ practising in addition to strenuous traveling. They highly recommend this practice to young artists to build up their physical reserve.
The Toys will not return to Chicago until the middle or last of April, as they go to Iowa and Southern Minnesota for a few dates after their work in Kansas is completed.
Activities of Heizer Music School
There have been some interesting and unusual activities during the past year at the Heizer Music School, of Sioux City, Iowa, directed by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Heizer, In June an unusual program was presented, when there was played a splendid performance of forty violins in unison by pupils of Mr. Heizer. The more advanced' pupils fell into the spirit of the performance and made happy the younger players, who did their best to be unsurpassed. Also there were_ some viola quartets, which were among the first ever written. Mr. Heizer has arranged and paraphrased a large number of these quartets for his pupils
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EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC Rochester, N. Y.
AMERICAN ELEMENT STRONG AT RECENT AMSTERDAM CONCERTS
Amsterdam, January 8.—An occasion of unusual brillance before the departure of Mengelberg for America was the 100th anniversary of the birth of César Franck, commemorated by the Concertgebouw Orchestra in an evening’s performance of his works. This composer, years after his death, is now recognized as one of the great ones, and his works are appreciated at last for their truly deep and serious beauty. At this anniversary concert Mengelberg gave a magnificent rendition of the D minor symphony, and further presented three parts of the Psyché et Eros Suite and Le Chasseur Maudite. Eleanor Spencer, the American pianist, was soloist of the evening and played the Symphonic Variations with fine feeling and perfect blending with the orchestra.
Goldmark Requiem Played.
Dutch audiences are slowly becoming acquainted with the works of modern American composers, and the season has thus far introduced to us Schelling and, at a recent concert, Rubin Goldmark, whose Requiem was given a first hearing. We found it to be a work strong in color and lyric beauty, built with a sagacious manipulation of orchestral effects but without possessing a striking originality.
Mengelberg’s Nephew as Composer.
Also new to Amsterdam was the Symphonic Elegy by Rudolf Mengelberg, which had an especial interest because of the fact that its composer is a nephew of the conductor. He undoubtedly has talent for ,composition, the Elegy showing that he possesses a good knowledge of orchestration and a strong feeling for melody. It is somewhat sombre in color, however, and seems to be inspired here and there by Mahler, of whom we know Mr. Mengelberg to be an ardent admirer. The development of the young composer is of great interest and we are curious to watch what strides of advancement he will make in the future.
Pierrot Lunaire Again.
Besides this novelty, the debut here of Schonberg’s Perriot Lunaire must be mentioned because of its unusual interest. The good translation by Hartleben of Giraud’s poem has received a musical setting so extraordinary that it baffles description. Our idea of what music is is completely turned upside down by Schonberg’s medium of expression, and harmony and form, as we understand them, are non-existant. Indeed, in this composition, everything is sacrificed to color, and strange color at that. Even the voice which interprets the poem is of this same idea, neither singing nor declaiming, but delivering a sound somewhere between the two.
Although to our point of view, this seems a striving toward the unnatural, one cannot but be convinced that Schonberg is sincere and that what he creates emanates from absolute conviction. In any case, whether the judgment of this work be severe or cordial, the mark of genius is there, although it is not what we call a healthy spirit. The auditors were bewildered by what they heard, but did not fail to express their appreciation for the declamation-singing of Erika Wagner, who showed a great talent.
Damnation of Faust Has Brilliant Performance.
In collaboration with the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Mengelberg, the Toonkunst Society has presented a rarely heard oratorio, Berlioz’ Damnation de Faust. The presentation attracted much attention. The chorus of Toonkunst, of which we are justly proud, outdid itself, and all performers, together with Mengelberg, shared in a great ovation.
Familiar Favorites.
At the same concert that Goldmark’s Requiem was given, Birgit Engell, the Danish singer, again charmed us with lieder by Strauss and Mahler with orchestral accompaniment. Her voice is sweet; clear and flute-like. Strauss’ Serenade pleased so much that it was redemanded. Louis Zimmerman shared in the ovation for his beautiful violin obligato.
Gerard Hekking, the eminent cellist, is another favorite who was recently heard with the Concertgebouw at the Christmas matinee. He was greeted with storms of applause, although the Schumann concerto which he played is a poor medium for displaying his excellent powers.
K. S.
Mrs. Bready Lectures
Mrs. George Lee Bready has just terminated a very successful course of opera lecture-recitals at the Plaza Hotel. There were ten lectures in the course, beginning November IS and ending January 31. Mrs. Bready’s repertory includes the following operas: L’Africaine, Louise, Samson et Delila, Le Roi d’Ys, Thais, Tosca, L’Amore dei Tre Re, William Tell, Anima Allegra, L’Oracolo, Le Coq d’Or, Snegourotchka, Boris Goudonoff, Der Rosenkavalier, Salome, Die Tote Stadt, Mona Lisa, Tannhäuser, Der Flie-gende Hollander, Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Mrs. Bready’s method of dealing with the subject is instructive as well as entertaining. She gives the student of opera something of real value, and also helps the occasional visitor to the opera house to enjoy the works heard, endeavoring always to lecture upon operas in the repertory of the local company. Her recitals are of no less value and interest to those who never get to the opera at all. By reciting the text in a very dramatic manner, and playing the music with brilliant virtuosity and color, Mrs. Bready really gives an excellent idea of the entire work. She also describes the scenery and the action on the stage in such a way that the audience gets a living picture of the whole. It is as near as possible a reproduction of the opera in miniature.
During the season Mrs. Bready has also had numerous out-of-town recitals throughout New York State and as far south as Maryland. Her offerings have everywhere been received with the warmest approval.
How Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Toy Keep Fit
When the Australian violinist, Ernest Toy, and his wife, Eva Leslie Toy, start out on one of their long tours, as they are now engaged in throughout the State of Kansas under the auspices of the University of Kansas, they deter-