Evening Star Newspaper, July 5, 1931, Page 68

& 16 THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, JULY 5, i931. NEW/ Or | HE hand of magic is widespread over this age. No sooner has a new and explosive idea been digested by the masses when another comes along and sends its predecessor into a vale of conventional oblivion. The auto- mobile now rattles along as unnoticed as a dried-up relic of Victorianism; electricity floods the house, with neither a grunt nor a groan; the telephone rings in Paris and a voice says “Are you there?” from Seattle; ice cubes bristle into shape in rubber trays in the pantry; a movie star says “I love you” once before a camera and subsequently says it three times daily in several thousand movie theaters throughout the country. Music has had its share of surprises. A few years ago a man waved his hand in the air and discovered that he could draw music out of it. Stokowski pressed some kind of a pbutton and his radio performance with the orchestra was said to be tuned to perfection. Discords have been found to be good music— and some of the classicists have been found to be quite as modern as the “modernists.” The latest musical idea has been baptized by a musician known especially for her work in Washington and New York—Mwe. von Unschuld—and this idea has been found to be good. Musical instiuction by television; this is the latest bit of magic that has come about, and the above-mentioned lady has had the honor to be the first lady in the land to in- corporate this interesting development through the piano. Teaching through the medium of television Seems almost like an ‘“‘Arabian Night's” tale. One buys a machine. One looks through the wicket that has been provided for the eyes. One sees a lens and through that lens, let us say, Mme. von Unschuld’s right hand mov- ing slowly on the keyboard. This all happens on a Tuesday. One knows that at such and such a time (and it is actually on a Tuesday) the instructress will give lesson No. 10 in her well known course on technique. Looking through the lens, Mme. von Unschuld is seen and heard continuing the lesson where she left off a week ago. There are the fingers, working slowly so as not to confuse the pupil— and there is the sound—and there are the mhxims as prepared by the teacher for that particular lesson. It all seems a bit weird. And yet it is said to be a wonderfully perfect performance. Although television has not struck home Yorcibly as yet, it is certainly catching on. It seems that in New York the mammoth de- partment stores carry the machines and that some 27,000 of them have been sold already. The fact that all branches of educators are bearing down on this field and that many of them, like Mme. von Unschuld, have started what promise to be vitally worthwile courses, indicate that this invention, which, when first mentioned threw mankind precipitously out of bed, is now absolutely at hand. MONG the musical notes and activities which have struck the world's attention most forcibly during the past few weeks are the storm of protest that has arisen in Paris over Heifetz's transcription for violin and piano of the famous Debussy “Afternoon of a Faun”; this has been called “a barbarous act”; the season of Rusian opera and Russian ballet at the Lyceum Theater in London under the direction of Sir Thomas Beecham— Chaliapin seems to have been splendid and not much else; the Metropolitan Opera Co.'s engagement of two new stage directors, Alex- ander Sanin and Hanns Niedecken-Gebbhardt; the ‘orchestral novelties that will he presented by Fritz Reiner and Albert Coates at the New York Stadium this Summer, among the most publicized “The Flea,” by Shaporin, said to be “representative of music today in Russia”; the statistics issued by the New York Times to the effect that of the 1,140 musicians play- ing in the 13 major symphony and operatic prchestras throughout the country 513 of them are native born—that the players come from 27 nations, that Seattle has the highest per- centage of native performers, that Chicago has the lowest native average, that the New ¥York Philharmonic has only 26 per cent, and thet Italians and Rusians—after the native element—are most numerous in these musical brganizations, and Rosa Ponselle’s phenomenal success in the title role of the Romano Romani ppera, “Fedra,” produced recently at Covent Garden. IERRE KEY'S “Musical Who's Who,” re- 3 cently published, should interest those who are at all biographically inclined. Although the summary of musicians found in this large Yolume is brief—and many names not found which should be among those present—there #s enough material at hand to satisfy the purious music sleuth. Here ages and dates ©of birth of your favorite musician may be d—there are many surprises—possibly a wisted year or two in some cases—and just Wwho studied with whom and what roles he or she has undertaken and what his or her pddress is. In some cases the artist’s history §s expanded at grzat length, and in others given only the briefest survey. The longest summary (as is often true in such matters) floes not by any means indicate the importance pf the man or woman, In surveying this volume, which also gives clue to many important musical organiza- ions, one wili find surprising information— ch as that Graham McNamee is listed as a ritone and that he was a boy soprano and ptudied piano when he was only 7, was born Washington, D. C., and has appeared on rograms with Schurann-Heink, etc. Wash- nians will perhaps be disappointed in the paratively few local names which are men- Nezw Compositions and Soloists Announced for National Symphony Orchestra— 1 eaching by Television. At top is Mme. von Unschuld, who is the first person to record methods of piano teaching before the television. Lower left is Bertha Gordon, 16-year-old pianist-composer, who received the medal of excellence in all-around scholar- ship from the Washington Musical Institute recently, and lower right is Octavia Marshall, talented young pianist, who was presented in recital here last week. EVERAL composers of international fame, including Alfredo Casella, who is widely known in America, will collaborate in the composition of a suite of short numbers which they will compose especially for the opening concert here next November 2 of the National Symphony Orchestra at Con- stitution Hall, according to word frcm Hans Kindler, conductor of the National Symphony, who is now abroad. Kindler's communication, just made public by Mrs. Wilson-Greene, manager cf the orches- tra, states that several European composers have offered to join in writing a suite that could be placed at Kindler's command for the opening performance. The opening number, “Estrada,” will be Casella’s number; the other numbers of the suite have not been named. Among the soloists who will be heard at sym- phony concerts of the orchestra here next Win- ter will be Ossip Gabrilowitsch, pianist and conductor; Brandoukow, brilliant young Rus- sian planist; Merson, a Hungarian pianist; Elizabeth Winstcn, pianist; Sylvia Lent and the concertmaster of the orchestra, violinists; Hans Kindler and the first cellist of the orchestra, and others, including singers, to be announced. A special performance of the Bach concerto for three pianos, with three Washington pian- ists as soloists, is also announced by Kindler as one of the features of the orchestra’s first sea- son of symphony concerts, of which there will be eight. A minimum of six American ccmpo- sitions will be played at symphony concerts by the orchestra next season, including Mary Howe's “Ballade Fantasque,” which Kindler recently included in his cello recital program at the Salle Chopin in Paris. Today Kindler is scheduled to play a pro- gram of cello music over the British Broadcast- ing Co.’s largest network fromx London. He also appeared in concert in Paris last Thursday and at Senlis, where he is summering, a week ago yesterday. Boys Band to Play for Convention. HE Washington Boys’ Independent Band will play for the international conven- tion of Baptist Young People's Unions of America at the Washington Audi- torium at the opening session on Wednesday evening. The band is un- der the voluntary leadership of Maj. C. J. Brown. C. J. Brown, jr., is bandmaster and instructor, ANOTHER well known Washington organiza- tion, the Apollo Male Quartet, will con- tribute selections during the week’s convention, This quartet is composed of Granville Leef, first tenor; Horatio Rench, second tenor; How- ard Moore, baritone, and Charles W. Moore, bass. Raymond E. Rapp is the accompanist and arranger for the quartet. He will also be at the organ at the Washington Auditorium during the convention. ORD has come from the environments of Indianapolis that at the Tenth General Convention of the American Guild of Organists held there last month the organ recital offered by Charlotte Klein, dean of the District of Columbia Chapter of the guild, was easily one of the most outstanding. Miss Klein played many selections that she played here in her recital at the Church of the Epiphany. NNOUNCEMENT has been made that Law- rence Tibbett, known for his concert, screen and operatic work, has donated $500 to . the National Federation of Music Clubs to be given as the first prize for the selection of the “best men’s voices.” A piano recital was given recently by the pupils of Frances Lloyd Daly at her home, in Lyon Village, assisted by Dorothy Wilson Hal- bach, contralto. Evelyn A. Foster closed her music school last Saturday evening with a piano recital in her studio, 1629 Columbia road northwest. Miss Foster will leave the city Wednesday for the Western Coast, where she will spend the Summer. Musigraphs ELEN BURY, mezzo-soprano, has re- turned from Darien, Conn., where she sang in a recital given by the pupils of Frank La Forge. After the concert Mr. La Forge entertained in his new home. Dr. and Mrs. Addams Stratton McAllister entertained last Monday evening at the studio of Frances Gutelius, when they presented their three young daughters in recital. Julia Adc- line, 8 years old, a pupil of Mrs. G. R. Chase, played three brief violin selections; 6-year-old Home, who studles with Miss Gutelius, played sonatinas by Clementi and Kuhlau, and Lydia Adams, the youngest, sang several numbers. Announcement has been made of the opene ing yesterday of the public courses of interpre- tation of seventeenth and eighteenth century music at Wanda Landowska’s school, Sainte Leu-la-Foret, near Paris. These courses, for auditors and performers, will be held during July, August and September on Saturday after- noons and are intended for all instrumentalists as well as singers. The private courses of technique, for harpsichord and piano, will be held twice a week as usual. Estelle Wentworth presented the first of her series of grand opera tabloids over Station WMAL last Thursday evening at 10:15 o’clock. ‘The opera was “Il Trovatore,” and those taking part included Christine Irish, Jesse Veitch, Ira Meyer and Miss Wentworth, director and pianist. Warren F. Johnson will give an organ recital at the Church of the Pilgrims at 7:30 o’clock this evening. He will play “Fantasia in C Major,” by Filippo Capocci, and ‘“Nocturne,” by P. J. Mansfield. Members and friends of the Chaminade Glee Club enjoyed their third annual boating party on the Emma F. Kane last Monday evening, Florence R. Hinman has been appointed chaire man for a banquet to be held in October celee brating the club’s tenth birthday. Mrs. Howard Blandy will serve again as accompanist nexs year, and additional officers are announced as follows: Gertrude Karst, publicity chairman; S. Eurelia Thomas, assistant publicity chaire man; Miriam Abell, librarian; Lillian Hcemrige haussen, assistant librarian, and Erminie Leonardo, Roberta Briesen and Inez Ballard, team leaders. Josie T. Fralley gave her annual recital Wednesday and Thursday evenings, June 24 and 25, at Pierce Hall before a large and en- thusiastic audience. Mrs. Frailey was assisted by Marie Carlin and Lois Reel. Miss Reel re- celved a class certificate, and class rings were awarded Marjorie Hager and Lois Reel. Class medals were given Dorothy Redmond, Ruth White, Evelyn Hanks, Eleanor Wall, Reha Levy, Lawrence Alsop and Julius Kaufman. ‘The vocal pupils of Otto T. Simcn gave & recital at the Institute of Musical Art last Sat- urday evening. Those who took part were Mabel Stevens, Juanita Shields, Clara Frame, Alma Otterstrom, Frances Crawford, Edna Morgan, Mary Black, Janet McDonald, Mary Turner, Rose Bright, Edna Janes, Archie Keegan, George Janes, De Witt Feeser, Alex- ander McFarlin and Addison Willey. Dr. Joseph Arthur Bernier of Quebec, Canads, who received the honorary degree of doctor of music from the Washington College of Music recently, returned to his home last Friday. His son, Conrad Bernier, leaves for Paris shortly to supervise the publishing of his own work on the plain song and chant. Mme. Zalipsky sails Wednesday for Paris. She will return to Washington August 5. Her pupil, Gertrude Borzi, recently was accorded a hearing before Armando Giannini in New York, He said of her voice, “Una bella voce” and other even nicer things. An interesting program was given last Sature day afternoon at the Chevy Chase Methodist Home by students of Mrs. F. B. Williamson, Those taking part were Hope des Jardins Fishe burn, Marjorie Hale, Martha Cline, Virginia McReynolds, Dorothy Cecil, Betty Sue Booth, Grace Cohen, Elaine Jones, Loring Smith, Hal Calvert, Franklyn Willlamson and Allen and Leonard Soudheimer. —___ MUSICAL STUDIOS. BESSIE N. WILD Stadier 680t Bn st Takoma Pare s’ c. PHONE GEORGIA 3233. : Karl Holer COMPOSER 3803 13th ST. COL. 7558. _® Armando Jannuzzi Grand Opera, Dramatic Tenor Voice Specialist Italian Method From La Scala, Milan, Italy Col. 4608 3403 14th St. N.W, WASHINGTON CONSERVA- TORY OF MUSIC, Inc. SUMMER SCHOOL AT 1416 20th STREET Offers Eminent European Master Pianist for TEACHERS' and Advanced Students’ Course. 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