March 29, 1923
MUSICAL COURIER
40
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SENG KHASI DANCE-SHILLÓNG
Eastern world where men are not the slaves of time—for time does not exist. Whatever was, is; whatever is to be, will be.
the natural, leisurely songs of a natural, primal people singing to their old gods in the same old way of the strange, unchangeable, the unknowable, the fascinating
THE MUSIC OF INDIA
(Continued from page 7)
wear a gold or silver crown, which is ornamented with flowers, tassels and chains.
The costumes of the men are no less ornate, and they add the plume of cock feathers, goat-hair, fly-flaps, sword and shield, which latter implements of war they use in mock combat.
In some of the ceremonial dances of the Khasis, they, like the Tibethans and other tribes of Mongolian descent, wear fantastic head dresses of animals disguising themselves as elephants, tigers, peacocks, serpents, monkeys and so on. This is highly entertaining and humorous, and delights the childish natives.
There are love songs, war songs, songs of death and ceremonies of the state.
Music, as we said before, plays an ;mportant part in the life of the Khasis. Their lovely, pine clad mountains, water falls, streams, and wild flowers, lend themselves to the poetic imagination, and there are many fairy stories and folk tales abounding in the hills. Whatever the occasion for a dance among the Khasis, they do about the same thing in the same way, as in most primitive music there is not much variety. But they seem quite happy with their repertory of tunes and instruments and are not conscious of their deficiencies of lack of progress in the art of music.
The shadows of yesterdays hang over the today of the hill-folk, and they are largely under the dominion of the dead, adhering to the time-worn customs, unaltered and unvaried except for the inevitable changes that come by word of mouth, for the Khasis have no written history, of music or anything else, and their customs pass down from father to son, or to be exact in this case, from mother to daughter—generation to generation. Perhaps that is why they are so interesting and unique to the outsider who wanders in, ever looking for something new and finding it only when he finds something very old.
Its very antiquity makes it different, and it is a far cry from modern jazz, or musical chromatics, and futuristic music, to the ancient, naked, strange melodies of the far hills of Assam. We are carried away from the today of the busy teeming marts of the fevered Western world, to the deep glens and high peaks of the Khasis hills; the soft throb of a drum through the forest on moonlight nights, or
the country is increasing all the time,- expanding so rapidly it is almost difficult for some of the old conservative musicians to understand, those who would be contented to have things stand still and be “just as they used to be.” There is a list of the festivals already announced for this spring season (not only in this country but also in Europe) given in the Musical Courier each week, that you will find, of interest. The west is developing rapidly in the line of festivals, in some places a week being devoted to them. Music can be said to be in a very healthy condition at present. Small towns have bands and many musical events are given in connection with the churches or clubs. While some of the programs are open to criticism, it can be said that in this respect there has been great improvement during the past few years.
DETROIT SYMPHONY
PLAYS KORNGOLD SUITE
ises to be a splendid one. There will be an opening reception on Wednesday evening, April 4, at St. Ann’s Inn, followed by a presentation of Sullivan’s Golden Legend, by the Orange County Choral Union, Ellis Roades director California artists and composers will be the feature on Thursday. A church music program, in charge of Grace Widney Mabee, will be held Friday afternoon, April 9. Through the courtesy of the Santa Ana Musical Association, the Flonzaley String Quartet will be a feature of the Friday evening session. W. A. Clarke, Jr., has extended an invitation to all of the delegates who attend the convention to be his guests on Saturday evening, April 7, in Los Angeles, for a Philharmonic Orchestra concert. The entertainment of the visitors is under the direction of Edith Wing Hughes.
Ivogun, as Soloist, Creates Sensation—“Pops” Feature Dance and All-French Program
Detroit, Mich., March 17.—Maria Ivogun, soprano, was the assisting artist at the eleventh pair of subscription concerts given by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall, March 8 and 9. Though much may be said about her singing of Mozart, whose scene and rondo, Mia Speranza adorato, was one of her numbers, it was in Zerbinette’s aria from Ariadne auf Naxos, by Richard Strauss, that she thrilled her audience. To a charming personality she adds a voice of fine quality and remarkable range and the technical difficulties of the Strauss aria were surmounted in a manner that evoked a storm of applause. Mr. Gabrilowitsch conducted his men through Brahms’ third symphony in F major, Korngold’s suite Much Ado About Nothing, op. 11, and Chabrier’s España Rhapsody. Interest naturally centered about the Korngold suite, heard for the first time here. The work of this young composer of the modern school called forth a variety of opinions. It is always a pleasure to hear these new compositions given in a careful and authoritative manner so that a knowledge of the modern trend in composition is obtained.
Symphony “Pop” Concerts.
For the concert given by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall, March 4, Victor Kolar announced a program of dance music that attracted one of the largest audiences of the season. The program consisted of the Nut Cracker Suite, by Tschaikowsky; minuet from the symphony in E flat, Mozart; Moment Musical, Schubert, and the Ballet Divertissement from Henry VIII, by Saint-Saëns. It was dance music of a high type and proved that the savagery so common in modern dance music is not necessary to set the feet tapping longingly or the blood tingling delightfully.
The program on March 11 consisted of the works of French composers. Bizet’s Little Suite, for orchestra; two movements from Godard’s Scenes Poetique; Saint-Saëns’ symphonic poem, Omphale’s Spinning Wheel, and the ballet music from Gounod’s Faust were the orchestral offerings which Victor Kolar conducted in his usual satisfactory manner. Muriel Magerl Kyle, a Detroit soprano, was the assisting artist and sang the recitative and air of Lia from L’Enfant Prodigue, by Debussy, and Depuis le Jour from Louise, by Charpentier, in a manner to bring her warm commendation from the critics. Mrs. Kyle has a fine dramatic voice, rich and warm in quality, and sings with excellent style.	J. M. S.
Answers to letters received in this department are published as promptly as possible. The large number of inquiries and the limitation of space are responsible for any delay. The letters are answered seriatim.
The Music Travel Club.
“Can you tell me the date when the Music Travel Club expects to be in Nuremburg, which I suppose is part of its itinerary on the way to Bayreuth? Also, I should like to know whether it would be possible for a person who was in Europe to join the club en route, for, as I expect to be over there in May, it might be that I could make part of the tour, as mine is also a musical pilgrimage and it would be a great help to have the benefit of the lectures and association with other musicians.”
The date given in the itinerary of the Music Travel Club for Nuremburg is July 29, and you are correct in thinking it was on the way to Bayreuth, where there will be a stay of two days. About join-mg the club on the way, it would be well for you to write to the headquarters, 1425 Broadway, as yours may be a question that has not arisen previously. The whole plan of the tour has been most carefully considered and arranged and will certainly be of great benefit to those participating. To hear music under such auspices will be an experience that will leave a lasting impression, fixing things in the mind in a way that can never be forgotten.
All Look Alike.
“There was a picture of the Ukrainian Chorus in the Musical Courier that is verv interesting from several points of view. First, it is exceedingly well grouped and arranged, which is not always the case when a body of singers is photographed. Then, they are all such a good looking set of people, hardly a plain face to be seen among them. But what particularly interested me is that there is such a strong likeness between six or more of the . women, that they can hardly be distinguished one from the other; they seem all to be cast in the same mould exactly, which makes me wonder if there is so marked a resemblance in features in that nation. They are certainly a handsome race with what may be called a ‘sweet expression’.”
The Information Bureau agrees with what you say of the good looks of the members of the Ukrainian Chorus. There is more variety of features and resemblances in the men of the chorus, but they must be a fine looking race of people if these are to be taken as samples. But you will have to consult Mr. Rabinoff as to whether the entire race is as handsome as the samples he presents to the public.
Spring Festivals.
“Will there be as many spring festivals this year as usual? Do you think there are any new festivals being arranged?”
There will be at least as many festivals this spring as usual, and the list grows larger each year. The general interest in music through
Choir Week Celebrated at Asbury Park
Asbury Park, N. J., March 10.—The first Choir Week, so far as is known in the history of choirs, was celebrated here in February, when the members of the First M. E. Church of that city under Mrs. Keator, conducted successfully a series of musical and social events. In addition to the concerts, recitals, etc., a Valentine Bazar was carried out.
February 1, a concert in the main auditorium had as visiting artists John Barnes Wells, tenor; the Mozart Club (women’s voices) ; Arthur Parker, violinist, and F. W. Vanderpool, who accompanied a group of his own songs.
At the banquet, 200 persons attending, guests were delightfully entertained by Edith Morgan Savage, in piano-logues, and by John Barnes Wells, in songs and after-dinner stories. Dr. J. H. Bryan, toastmaster, also the male quartet, added to the pleasure of the evening.
February 3 was Men’s Night, when the Corson Com-mandery band played, and the men of the choir entertained the large audience with a play, called A Pleasant Surprise.
The Sunday services were marked by the fine solos of George W. Reardon, baritone, and in the evening by the pastor’s message to the choir.
Monday and Tuesday members of the choir visited the Salvation Army, the Rescue West Side Mission, and the Bancroft and Searle Memorial Homes for the aged. Music was provided in some instances, and money and food given to the Salvation Army.
Each day of Choir Week was a Red Letter Day, and on February 7 a splendid musical program was rendered by Kate Elizabeth Fox, of Morristown, Frieda Klink, contralto, and a chorus conducted by Tali Essen Morgan, with Herbert S. Sammond as pianist. Gounod’s O Divine Redeemer, by Miss Klink, closed the program, Edith Van Gilluws playing the violin obligato, with Mrs. Bruce S. Keator at the organ. Reginald McAll, of New York, gave a demonstration of Sunday School music February 7. A splendid audience greeted him in most interesting and helpful suggestions as to tunes used in Sunday School work, and how they should be taught and presented.
February 8 Mrs. William Marshall, a warm friend of the choir, opened her beautiful home and entertained the fifty members.
Choir Week was planned and organized by Mrs. Bruce S. Keator, organist and choir director of the church, assisted by Mrs. J. Schuppan, chairman of the Woman’s League music committee.	B.
California F. M. G.’s Fifth Convention at Santa Ana
The St. Ann’s Inn at Santa Ana is to be the official convention headquarters for the fifth annual convention of the California Federation of Music Clubs, which is to be held in that city April 4-7. The hospitality committee will include Mrs. Cecil Frankel, Caroline Smith and W. A. Clark, Jr. Edith Wing Hughes is the chairman. Already indications point to a large delegation from all over the State, according to Lula Minter, of 322 Third street, Santa Ana, who has charge of the reservations.
The program, which is in charge of Lillian Birmingham, president, and Clarence Guslin, first vice-president, prom-
Everything for the Singer at
The HERBERT WITHERSPOON STUDIOS
MISS GRACE O'BRIEN, Assistent Secretary
44 West 86th Street, New York City
Telephone Schuyler 5889
MISS MINNIE LIPLICH, Secretary