37
MUSICAL COURIER
1923
June 7,
BENNO
MOISEIWITSCH
Distinguished Russian Pianist
Now Touring Australia with
The
Pianoforte
Writes Its Makers as Follows:
The contribution yon are making in your peerless pianos to the cause of art—constituting at once an inspiration and a revelation to the musician—marks an epoch, I believe, of deep significance.
New and exquisite effects as to tonal colour, quality, and dynamics are here made possible for composer and interpreter.
I am convinced that the tonal gradations at one’s command as a residt—from a virile bravura to a uniquely delicate pianissimo, ever singing and warm—complemented by a sensitiveness of mechanism, not only render the Mason & Hamlin Pianos incomparable among the instruments of their kind, but also enhance the scope of music as an Art.
With sincere congratulations to you on adhering so unswervingly to your ideal, and with keen appreciation of your inestimable service to Music, believe me,
Yours very truly,
(Signed)	Benno Moiseiwitsch
simply because it happens to be popular. Teach little, if at all; finding and correcting the faults of others is detrimental. Concentration is the first essential, and concentration cannot be acquired unless regularly cultivated.”
It is worthy of mention that during the war the song, Little Grey Home in the West was sung on either side of the trenches—a German edition having been issued some time before hostilities began.
The composer is an advocate of all forms of outdoor recreation, golf and tennis claiming his devoted allegiance. To the active mind bodily exercise and change of scene are as refreshing as acqua vitte. His one hobby is the theater, attendance at which answers the purpose of a veritable “ ’busman’s holiday 1”	J.
Silva Conducting Nine Weeks’ Course at Cleveland Institute
Giulio Silva, one of the most distinguished of voice teachers, is conducting a nine weeks’ course at the Cleveland (Ohio) Institute of Music. The course opened June 1 and continues through August 2.
He is known as one of the most brilliant and deeply versed of living singing masters. His work at the David
GIULIO SILVA.
Mannes Music School in New York, where he has been a member of the faculty since coming to this country in 1920, has attracted a great deal of attention. In addition, he has been a guest-teacher at the institute during the last season and his course drew many students.
Probably no voice !teacher has a more comprehensive background of achievements than Mr. Silva. His European career included directing opera as well as individual voice training. He holds two honorary life positions, that of a life professorship at the Royal Academy of Parma and as Maestro di Canto at the Royal Academy of St. Cecilia at Rome. The latter is the most distinguished title held by any Italian singing master.
It is expected that Mr. Silva’s summer course at the institute, which opens just three weeks before the regular summer session, will attract the attention of music students from all over the country. He will bring with him six of his New York students who wish to continue their studies throughout the summer.
The institute feels that it is offering voice students an unusual opportunity in bringing Mr. Silva to Cleveland for the summer.	S.
Ethel Young Thompson’s Pupils Heard
On Saturday, May 26, eighteen of the advanced pupils of Ethel Young Thompson, a Perfield exponent of Cranford, N. J., gave a recital at her studio. The program was varied, showing fine taste in the selection of the numbers, both from classic and modern sources. The two-piano work added interest and variety, and was notable not only for its great value in the students’ training but also for the fine results attained. Those who attended the recital last year could not fail to notice the advancement of the students in both technic and interpretation, and to note again the beautiful touch which is so distinctive of Mrs. Thompson’s pupils.
George Miquelle, the distinguished French cellist who with his^ wife, Renee Longy Miquelle, has been heard in ensemble concerts throughout the East during the past season, will appear as assisting artist with Nellie Melba on her concert tour in the United States which begins early in October. George and Renee Miquelle are this year under the management of Anita Davis-Chase, of Boston.
Miquelle to Tour With Melba
HERMANN LOHR
[When a composer’s songs are sung so universally as those by Hermann Lohr, one is naturally interested in knowing a little something about the man himself. The following article was prepared for the Musical Courier in answer to numerous requests regarding the biography of English composers. These facts have been supplied by the publishing house of Chappell Harms, Inc., the American branch of Chappell, Ltd., London. It is our intention to publish from time to time similar articles on other well known English composers.—The Editor.]
To every composer his medium. Happy he, who, like Hermann Lohr, succeeds in striking his proper metier. Wagner hit the nail when he said: “Many a modest waltz outshines in respect of life, finesse and real musical beauty much of the big artificial stuff heard today.” Substitute song for waltz, and Wagner’s potent remarks might not inappropriately be applied to the tempting vocal fare so liberally provided by Hermann Lohr.
It is a mistake to brand as a creative weakling every composer who happens to favor the popular style of song writing. Hermann Lohr has proved to us that musician-ship and marked ability are not incompatible terms. His popular sheaf includes songs of widely different nature, sensitive and virile. What songs, for example, could be more opposite in tone and temper than Chorus, Gentlemen! and Little Grey Home in the West? Between the two extremes he places other varying styles and patterns, to wit: Where My Caravan Has Rested, The Ringer, Rose of My Heart, The Road of Looking Forward, The Little Irish Girl, So Fair a Flower, etc.
Hermann Lohr could hardly help being a musician. His early days were spent in an atmosphere of sweet sounds. Born at Plymouth in 1873, his father was the late Frederic N. Lohr, himself a composer. The family antecedents migrated to England about 1750 from Thorn, Poland. The composer of Little Grey Home in the West is, therefore, of Polish extraction. While a boy he played tbe violin in the orchestra at his father’s well known Plymouth concerts. At sixteen he entered the Royal Academy of Music, London. During his studentship he distinguished himself by winning the Charles Lucas medal for an original orchestral suite. Another promising early work was Serenna, a one-act opera, produced at the Lyric Theater by the then active Moody-Manners Opera Company.
When his school days had finished, he turned his attention to song writing. Success followed success. Further encouraged he signed a contract to write exclusively for Messrs. Chappell & Co. Some of his songs issued through this house have attained to universal popularity.
He is seldom mediocre, platitudinous or uneuphonious. Made up of simple elements, his songs are woven together by sensitive hands. Mythology and the old tales of daring appeal to his temperament, and human love, especially when linked with adventure, finds a ready response in his heart.
The song cycles—notably, Songs of the Nor’seland, Romany Songs and Songs of Roumania—reveal him in his happiest vein. Last in meditative and modulated phrases, the Four Indian Songs evince an innate mysticism, which he seems shy to disclose, but which permeates all his best work. The four lyrics have been drawn from Laurence Hope’s Garden of Kama. Noteworthy also are his Songs of the Southern Isles. Turning to his Russian Love Songs, it is