25
MUSICAL COURIER
FRANCES NASH
AMERICAN
PIANIST
DIRECTION OF EVELYN HOPPER AEOLIAN HALL, NEW YORK CITY
C hickering Piano
Cleveland Institute Begins Second Term
The Cleveland Institute of Music began its second, term on Monday, February 5, after concluding ׳a signally successful first term’s work. The present season finds the Institute established in its new and larger quarters at 2827 Euclid avenue, a change necessitated by its steady growth during the two and one-half years of its existence. Headed by Ernest Bloch, composer and educator, the school has grown not alone on the physical side, but has broadened the scope of its influence and spread its reputation considerably. Today eleven states are represented in its student 1body, while the generous proportion of scholarships awarded this year is evidence of the encouragement given to musical talent. The Institute ohorus is now almost three times as large as last year’s, and the string orchestra, recently organized, numbers twenty-two players, under Mr. Bloch’s direction.
Stillman Studio Recital
A recital was held in the studio of Louis L. Stillman, pianist, on January 28; in which the following pupils of Mr. Stillman participated: Ruth Stern, Thurston Shays, Edith Schiller, Gertrude Tasgal, Katherine Neuschwander, Emily Samson, Beulah Kassel, Anna Miller, Rose Meltzer, Adelaide Shays, Sophie Meltzer, Flora Fleischer, Grace Cowling, and Millicent Perskin—each one of them showing the influence of intelligent instruction. Mr. Stillman himself added to the program by playing a group of works by Beethoven, Schumann, Wagner-Liszt and Bach, all in a highly effective manner.
Mr. Hurlbut. She is first soprano in the Cosmopolitan Choral Club of New York, which meets weekly at Del-monico’s under the leadership of Harry M. Gilbert.
Famous Soloists to Be Heard by Radio
World famous artists who give recitals in Steinway Hall, New York City, can be •heard hereafter by the radio audience, as WJZ, the Radio Corporation-Westinghouse station at Newark, N. J., has been invited by the Steinway Piano Company to place its microphones in the hall. Many prominent artists, including Josef Hofmann, Joseph Lhe-vinne, Ernest Hutcheson, Percy Grainger, Magdeleine Brard, Katherine Bacon and Frances Alda have rendered programs for Steinway audiences.
The broadcasting of these concerts from the Steinway hall on Friday afternoons at 3:00 p. ■m. will permit thousands of students of the piano and other musical instruments to hear renditions of the best musicians. In order to become a good pianist or musician it is necessary for the boys and girls to have an ear for good music. Those who play by “ear” can clamp on a pair of head phones and reproduce the music on their musical instruments to their heart’s content.
The artists who are scheduled to appear in the Steinway Friday afternoon concerts are: Ernest Schelling, pianist, February 9; Arthur Rubinstein, pianist, February 16; Olga Samaroff, pianist, February 23. If for any reason these artists cannot appear on the dates mentioned other equally prominent artists will be secured in their place.
February 8, 19 23
Harold Lindau, Artist-Pupil of Cesare Sturani, Scores in Opera
Harold Lindau, an artist-pupil of Cesare Sturani, is winning new laurels in opera in Italy, according to word received from Milan and Asti. The young tenor first ap-
HA Ilf )1,1) LINDAU
peared at the Teatro Alfieri at Asti, the vehicle for his debut being La Forza Del Destino, in which he gained instant recognition. One of the principal papers spoke of him as being very forceful in the leading role and in which he “revealed a clear voice which aroused the audience to much enthusiasm and applause during the opera.”
Another reviewer commented: “In La Forza Del Destino, an opera which somewhat frightens the most experienced singer, the tenor, Harold Lindau, although a foreigner, achieved distinction. He has a voice, both sweet and brilliant, which he can adapt to either the lyric or dramatic style of singing. He sang many high tones, in which the role abounds, without sacrificing the quality, intensity or volume of them.”
Still a third critic called his voice “a tenor of sonorous timbre, with very brilliant high tones. He gets his best effects, perhaps, from the upper part of his voice, which is sympathetic, and velvety. He gained the enthusiasm and applause of the audience.”
After making such a favorable impression at Asti, it is not at all surprising that Mr. Lindau was shortly , afterwards called to the Dal Verme, Milan, where his impersonation of Radames in Aida resulted in another brilliant success, after which he sang Carmen. He will also be heard in other roles in his repertory at the Dal Verme.
This news of another young American singer’s success is indeed gratifying to those interested in the development of American art in Europe, and incidentally speaks well for the thorough training that he received from Mr. Sturani.
Sevcik to Sail February 10
Professor Otakar Sevcik, famous violinist, who joins the Bush Conservatory faculty (Chicago) this spring, sends word that he will sail for America on February 10 on the Berengaria. He will arrive in New York about February 16 and reach Chicago shortly thereafter.
The engagement of Prof. Sevcik by President Kenneth M. Bradley of Bush Conservatory is one of the most important single events of Chicago’s musical season. It brings to Chicago as a permanent factor in the artistic growth of the city and the country, one of the leading teachers of violin of the present generation. The advance demand for Prof. Sevcik’s time has been tremendous, and it is doubtful if he can take all those who have requested lessons from the great master. He will teach only a limited number of lessons a day, and from those who apply will select the ones to be accepted in his class.
Prof. Sevcik has offered one free scholarship to the most talented and deserving pupil in his class, and he made the specific. requirement that no pupils who have previously studied with him shall be considered for the scholarship, thus insuring perfect fairness in awarding the honor.
Prof. Sevcik’s presence focuses interest, also on the remarkably fine violin department of Bush Conservatory. Under the leadership of Richard Czerwonky, the well known violinist, composer and conductor, the training for both solo and ensemble work is very, thorough. The course of study is comparable to European schools in its comprehensiveness. An important feature is the big Symphony Orchestra of the Orchestra School, which is conducted by Mr. Czerwonky. This organization gives four public concerts a year to capacity houses in Orchestra Hall, one of Chicago’s largest auditoriums.
Another aspect of the violin department is found in the ensemble classes, also under the direction of Mr. Czerwonky. Here there aré several student string quartets, trios, etc., which rehearse and perform the masterpieces of chamber music literature—an inestimable advantage for the violin student. And above all, there is a fine atmosphere for student endeavor which greatly assists the pupil’s development.
The faculty includes several other artists of distinction.
Mrs. Thompson Busy in New York
Mrs. Charles W. Thompson-Slusser (formerly Leah Slusser) the Northwestern soprano, appeared in concert early in November in St. Maries, Idaho. Her beautiful voice and ringing high tones completely captivated her enthusiastic audience, who gave her many recalls. Well known as a soloist throughout the Inland Empire, Mrs. Thompson was a member of Harold Hurlbut’s annual master class at Spokane, Wash. Immediately following her concert at St. Maries, she left for New York where she is studying with