29
MUSICAL COURIER
Two Unique Services in Paterson Church
On June 3 an anniversary service is to be celebrated in St. Paul’s Church, Paterson, N. J., in mourning for John G. Zabriski, organist and director of the choir of sixty-five voices for twenty-five years, and in the evening another service will be offered for Mrs. Seddie Hoisted Benson, who will celebrate her fiftieth year of singing in one church. According to the Paterson Press-Guardian of March 29:
What a wonderful record! Using a wonderful contralto voice in praise of her Saviour has been a privilege that Mrs. Benson has constantly enjoyed, and a service to the church that cannot be estimated. The words of Holy Writ may be well applied to Mrs. Thomas Benson today:	“Many daughters have done excellently, but
thou excellest them all!”
Mrs. Benson began her career as contralto soloist of St. Paul’s in the old church that stood where the City Hall is now located. She was a member of the quartet choir for eleven years when St. Paul’s decided to organize a chorus choir for ten years Mrs. Benson sang with the chorus choir the younger singers experiencing the advantage of being seated next to her, to be led by her wonderful voice. In 1904 the vested choir was formed, and Mrs. Benson remained as one of the singers until the present day. It must be with joyful anticipation that she looks forward to joining in the wonderful program prepared for Sunday evening at St. Paul’s.
The pleasant part of this announcement is to be able to add that Mrs. Benson is in excellent health and spirits, that she is able to sing well, and that in no place outside her home circles does she find more joy in service than she does in St Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Klibansky Opens Master Classes
Sergei Klibansky, the New York singing teacher, has begun his master class at the Bohlmann Music School, Memphis, Tenn. During his absence Mr. Klibansky’s New York studio will be in charge of his associate teachers, Lotta Madden and Leroy Tebbs.
Juliette Velty, a pupil of Mr. Klibansky, has been appearing in concerts and dramatic recitations. April IS she was heard in a program of old and modern French songs at the Amities Françaises. Another very interesting recital was given by Miss Velty on April 22, at the Belgian Bureau, when she sang Belgian, Flemish and French songs. She also recently appeared in a dramatic recitation at the Mc-Alpin Hotel for the Cercle Franco-Américain. Before sailing for France she will appear in L’autre Fils, by Pier Decourvelle.
Grainger’s Molly on the Shore Popular
Throughout the United States and Canada, the London String Quartet has had requests at most every concert to play Percy Grainger’s ever popular Molly on the Shore and in many places where it was not programmed the quartet played it as an encore. This piece is equally popular in Europe. At a recent concert in Frankfort it was played by the Rebner Quartet and received the following comment: “The freshness and wittiness of Grainger’s treatment of an Irish Dance, Molly on the Shore, proved irresistible and a da capo performance became imperative.”
Vreeland Booking for Next Season
The Tuesday Morning Music Club has engaged Jeannette Vreeland for a recital Tuesday evening, March 11, 1924. Miss Vreeland has also been reëngaged with the University Glee Club, of Providence, for Friday evening, May 9, 1924.
day night. I wish to express my personal appreciation of your good judgment in the selection of artists made for this event. The performance of your people has reflected the very greatest credit upon your management.”
Gena Branscombe’s Compositions Enjoyed
A delightful program was given at the National Arts Club on May 23, when compositions by the well known and justly popular American composer, Gena Branscombe, were interpreted by Louise Hubbard, soprano; Julie Ferlen-Michaelis, violinist, and Earle Tuckerman, baritone, with the composer at the piano.
Mme. Hubbard sang a group of songs of the out-of-doors and another group of numbers in folk song style. Particularly beautiful were Just in the Hush Before the Dawn and Just Before the Lights Are Lit. The concluding song, In Granada, very effective in its Spanish rhythm and color, was enhanced by a violin obligato. Mme. ^Hubbard possesses a clear, high soprano voice of very pleasing quality, smooth and rich. She interpreted all the numbers with a wealth of feeling and sympathy.
Julie Ferlen-Michaelis rendered admirably one movement, larghetto con moto, from the sonata in A minor. This is skilfully worked out, with pleasing harmonic changes and contrast, Miss Michaelis displayed a good tone and a facile technic in her playing. Mr. Tuckerman was heard in two groups of songs, one, songs of faith, and the other from distant lands—India, China, Canada and England. Perhaps none of these were more exquisite than the first number, Three Mystic Ships. One which has found great favor among concert baritones the past season is At the Postern Gate, a number full of vigor, freedom and spontaneity. Mr. Tuckerman’s agreeable baritone voice lent itself well to the interpretation of these selections. The composer played artistic accompaniments for all of the soloists._
Miss Branscombe’s compositions are a valuable addition to American musical literature. She has variety and individuality of style. Her accompaniments are to be especially commended, because they fill in all the gaps and supplement the voice part instead of being merely a background. Particularly interesting are her varied modulations, which she handles with skill and subtlety. A large audience heard the recital and showed its appreciation in its interested attention and hearty applause.
Frederick Southwick to Go West for Summer
Frederick Southwick will close his studio at 609_ Carnegie Hall on June 9, and will leave for Minneapolis, Minn., for his fifth consecutive season as guest teacher at the MacPhail School of Music. Each fall Mr. Southwick brings back pupils who have started study during the summer and wish to continue their work with him in New York. This season it is also working in a different way, as two of his New York pupils are going on to Minneapolis to carry on their studies while he is in that city.
Early in November, Mr. Southwick will give his annual recital in New York, which will be held in Aeolian Hall.
This will be followed immediately by a short tour of recitals
in the Middle West.
ATLANTA, GA.
(Continued from page S)
which the following took part: Mrs. W. T. Roberts, Mrs. L. F. Herring, Mrs. W. A. Cooper, W. C. Britt and Mr, Dunagan.
A large audience of musicians had the pleasure of hearing Walter Chapman, pianist, in recital at Edison Hall.
Aloys Kremer, of Cox College and Conservatory, presented his pupil, Elizabeth Abbott, in recital on May 14 in the college auditorium. Miss Abbott was assisted by Alice Benton, violinist.
Mrs. Barili presented the following group of her pupils in recital on May 19: Sylvia and Jack Golberg, Abner Hirsch, Louise Neel, Katherine Flagler, Helen Peck, Alice Minahan, Gertrude Minahan, Rosipa Giardina, Hazel Stamps, Edith Epstein, Dorothy Hirsch, Stiles Mellichamp, Frances Wimbish, Charles Harmon, Josephine Ware, Juliette Edwards, Sylvia Schienbaum, Lauirie Quillian, Jack Goldberg, Elizabeth Otis, Louise Barili and Edward German.
Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor in charge of the carving of the Confederate monument at Stone Mountain, was the chief speaker on the program for the second monthly dinner of the newly organized Writers’ Club. Charles F. Hoke, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Hoke, sang a group of tenor solos.
Mothers’ Day was celebrated at Inman Park Baptist Church with a special Twilight Hour Concert by the choir. The program featured a group of songs composed by the pastor Samuel A. Cowan, in memory of his mother. Some of the principals of the choir were Mrs. M. L. Duggan, Clyde Lawrence and Mrs. E. F. Johnson, sopranos; Paul Ethride, tenor, and a splendid quartet.
The engagement is announced of Carolyn Hinkle of Virginia, a recent acquisition to the roster of radio-entertainers, and Walter Tison, WSB’s radio operator. They met first when Miss Hinkle sang for WSB—and are to be married in the late summer.
The Yaarab Temple’s million dollar shrine band gave a concert on Mother’s Day for the little cripples in the Scottish Rite Home for Crippled Children.
The Elks’ memorial service in honor of Mothers’ Day was under the direction of Signor E. Volpi, of the Atlanta School of Opera, assisted by Nora Allen and Thomas Dendy.
Henry Mullins, baritone, offered a fine program recently for the WSB radio fans.	P• G.
Oberlin Pleased with Notable Quintet of Artists
On May S, a notable quintet of artists—Mary Mellish, soprano; Nevada Van der Veer, contralto; Frederick Baer, baritone; Judson House, tenor, and Fred Patton, bass-baritone—sang at Oberlin, Ohio, in a presentation of Cesar Franck’s The Beatitudes. After the performance the artists’ managers were in receipt of a letter from C. W. Savage, president of the Oberlin Musical Union, in which the following paragraph appeared: “This is my first opportunity to write you of the unequivocal success of your quintet of soloists which appeared here in The Beatitudes last Satur-
LUCILLE OLIVER


Underwood & Underwood
—
A very gifted young American pianist, Miss Lucille Oliver, made her first London appearance on Thursday afternoon. ־ The charming quality of tone she produces from her instrument is one of the most noteworthy features of her playing: it has a roundness and softness all too rare. Miss Oliver’s command of tone gradations is considerable, and her technique is altogether satisfactory. The young artist has a special gift for interpreting atmospheric pieces, and there was nothing conventional about her program, in which modern music was well represented. Miss Lucille Oliver should have large audiences for her future recitals. —The London Lady.
PIANIST
Her Chopin was a marvel in dexterity, her flexible fingers giving tenderness and resonance to familiar numbers.—New York Morning Telegraph, April 6, 1923.
She has a fine technic, a good tone, a gentle, caressing touch and an ample supply of temperament.—New York Evening World, April 6, 1923.
She is a fine pianist, with light, sympathetic touch and much strength when required.—London Era.
Miss Oliver played Bach and Chopin with great beauty of tone and justness of contour in phrasing as well as warmth of and distinction of style.— London Morning Post.
Comments of New York and London Press:
A young American pianist, remembered for past performances which gave much dint of talent, Lucille Oliver, gave her first recital of the season in Aeolian Hall last night. There was much on her program which, of its own accord, could capture interest. —New York Evening Sun, April 6, 1923.
LONDON
Lucille Oliver, who gave her first London recital at the Wig-more Hall yesterday afternoon, is a young American pianist of no mean merit. She has a dainty and responsive touch, a sufficient technique, and an interpretative style which avoids alike tedium and exaggeration. She played Bach and Chopin decidedly well.—The Daily Telegraph.
Beyond a doubt the pianist of her years who can play Bach, Chopin, Debussy, and other exacting masters as she does should have no difficulty in making good when she has still further developed her powers and matured her tastes.—Westminster Gazette.
Miss Lucille Oliver .	. played Bach and Chopin with
great beauty of tone and justness of contour in phrasing as well as a warmth of and distinction of style.—Morning Post.
On Thursday Miss Lucille Oliver, a clever young American pianist, gave a recital before a large audience. She is a fine pianist, with light, sympathetic touch and much strength when required.—The Era.
NEW YORK
Miss Oliver has gained in musical stature since her last recital, and will soon be reckoned among those pianists who have no use for a handle to their surname, which appears to be a perquisite of genius. Her Chopin was a marvel in. dexterity, her flexible fingers giving tenderness and resonance to familiar numbers. The Bach concerto was given a conventional reading, while the “Variations on a Hill Tune” contained a delightful theme and was ably handled.—Ruth Crosby Dimmick, New York Morning Telegraph, April 6, 1923.
She has a fine technique, a good tone, a gentle, caressing touch and an ample supply of temperament. She approaches her program in an intensive though sincere manner and is always interesting.—Frank H. Warren, New York Evening World, April 6, 1923.	_____
Miss Oliver is a facile young pianist, who showed a good deal of talent in descriptive compositions last evening. Several numbers were highly enjoyable for their skilful tonal coloring and wide range of dynamics.—New York Herald, April 6, 1923.
The pianist, who has some of the best traits of her teacher in her equipment, pleased a friendly audience with her playing of an excellently chosen program.—New York Journal, April 6, 1923.
A good feeling for color contrasts, a light touch, considerable finger technic and an excellent rhythm sense are desirable things in an aspiring young pianist and Miss Oliver has them all.— Katherine Spaeth, New York Evening Mail, April 6, 1923.
For Terms and Dates Address: HAENSEL & JONES, Aeolian Hall, New York