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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THEODOR BJORKSTEN.
'"THERE is no more noted vocal teacher
* in America than Theodor Bjorksten,
who has attained this position through the
remarkable results which he has been able
to show. In this day of uncertainties, with
thousands of teachers in the field who are
positively dangerous to the entire future
of vocal music, it is a real pleasure to
be able to speak truthfully of this man
and his work.
Bjorksten has gained
this standing in the remarkably short
T T OW happy dear old Handel would be
space of twelve years time, during which
could he but know what an absolute period he has put forth a very large num-
necessity he is to give the touch of dignity ber of pupils who are occupying church
to the flight of the years as they demise. positions all over America. Many success-
Is there a hamlet so far behind the times ful teachers are widening the circle of his
that it has not a chorus and soloists, do- good work. Prior to his location in New
York he was known as tenor with Christine
mestic or imported, to present the Messiah?
Nilsson and with her made tours all over
In some cases he would be happy, in Europe and America. In the height of his
others—but then he has been an angel success as singer he withdrew from that field
to settle in America as teacher and to sing
long enough to be forgiving.
occasionally. During his period of teaching
JMOW what will we do, who have had he not only advanced his pupils, but his
twentieth century waltzes and twen- own voice developed to such a great exterh
tieth century polkas and ditto clubs et al. that he has been urged by many to take
his place upon the concert stage again.
for the past few years ? This is where we
This we hope sincerely Bjorksten will
get our punishment, for even the fin de decide to do, for tenors of his caliber and
siecle is over and we do not yet know what ability are certainly rare. Admirably school-
the baby century will be christened; we ed under Delle Sedie, whose method will
only know that it arrived just as the old always stand as one of the greatest of all
times, in addition to Bjorksten's own
year petered out.
musicianship, which is very great, and
\ 1 7 H A T has happened to Puccini? Was his original ideas which a man of his
he not to have conducted his own stamp must evolve, he represents to-day
an artist of great value to vocal music. Not
opera, La Boheme, in New York? Per-
alone in attention to the voice has Bjork-
haps he has been vaccinated and couldn't sten displayed great care and taste,
come, or rather, perhaps it is a good thing but his studio and the perfection of
for the ewige geistrcich press agent that detail and surroundings bespeak art
in its most refined form.
The studio,
paper won't refuse ink.
one of the most elegant in Carnegie
A N D so Delia Fox is married. Well! Hall, is large enough to have permit-
who'd have thought it? Her first ted a large stage to be built at one
end of it, for the benefit of those
venture too.
studying operatic roles, and as plat-
A TALK ON THE VOICE.
form for musicales of his own.
The
IWl RS.W.VAN RENSELLAER LLOYD stage is not bare by any means, but
** invited a number of friends to her is daintily furnished, and in one corner
home on Fifth avenue to hear a talk on stands a shrine dedicated to Bach, consist-
the Technique of Musical Expression, a ing of a case containing every known work
wonderfully comprehensive lecture by the of that great master, surmounted by a val-
eminent voice teacher, Albert Gerard uable bust of Bach with a brass candelabra
Thiers, who still further illustrated his on either side. When it is known of the
points by group^ of songs which he pre- existing reverence for Bach it will not be
sented himself? His line of argument is surprising that Bjorksten organized the
that all musical expression is based upon a club known as the Bach Singers for the ex-
philosophical law which is tangible, en- clusive study of Bach. This club accom-
abling the subject to accomplish correctly plished marvelous results, yet after giving
it life Bjorksten was obliged to resign as
that which he properly understands.
After twenty years of successful study conductor, owing to the severe pressure of
and teaching, Thiers is certainly an au- his duties as teacher and his own study, to
which he gives great attention.
thority upon the voice and singing.
florid work in the arias he attempted as
though they were greased poles. There
is no doubt, however, that the audience en-
joyed him, and why should it not. It is
not often that one of his attainments finds
the opportunity to exploit himself before a
swell New York audience, and it is sin-
cerely to be hoped that it will be a long
time before he has a similar chance.
A1ME LACHAUME.
A MONG the most reliable musicians of
**• America is the well-known pianist
and composer, Aime Lachaume, who has
been hiding himself in the Philadelphia
College of Music for some time past. La-
chaume has just severed his connection
with that institution and is to delight his
many friends by resuming his public work.
He will go on tour with Gerardy.
In February, Miss Ruth Martin, of
Washington, D. C , will, with the assist-
ance of Bjorksten, give a magnificent
recital at the British Embassy in Wash-
ington. Miss Martin is the principal vocal
teacher at the National Cathedral School
(Episcopal) but she comes over for her
lessons twice a month to keep up her
studies. There are many recitals planned
for New York and it is safe to say that
Bjorksten will be very welcome on the
concert platform where he belongs by right
of his beautiful voice, his exquisite style
and his keen musical intelligence.
He will, as usual, spend his summer at
Bar Harbor, where he always takes large
classes with him to continue their studies.
One of the latest to study with Bjorksten
is Bert Georges, of San Francisco, Cal.,
whose magnificent baritone voice is already
showing the immense benefit of his work.
Bjorksten is noted for one thing above
all others, and that is equally conscientious
treatment of pupils studying as amateurs.
To this fact, no doubt, is due his great
and continued success.
riRS. JESSICA DE WOLF.
T~\URING the past month this admirable
**-* artist sang two notable engagements
in which her success was remarkable.
The soprano role in Elijah she sang in
Minneapolis, winning most laudatory press
notices. In Boston she sang the Christmas
presentation of Messiah with the Handel
and Haydn Society.
Nowhere has the
magnificent control of her breath, the
beauty of her tone and the intelligence of
her interpretative ability been shown to
such an advantage as in the new Sym-
phony Hall.
" Rejoice ye my People " and " I Know
that my Redeemer Liveth " were works of
art in the highest sense, and the reception
accorded her by the critical audience of
Boston is the highest tribute that she could
desire.
The choral work under Etnil Mollenhauer
was admirable as always under his skilful
baton. Miss Adelaide Griggs, contralto, was
disappointing. Willis E. Bacheller, tenor,
and Joseph Baernstein complete the list of
soloists.
j*
AN ARION CONCERT.
On Wednesday, January g, 1901, a pub-
lic concert will be given by the Arion Sing-
ing Society, under the auspices of the
Brooklyn Institute, in the Academy of
Music, at which the following soloists will
appear: Miss Maud Powell, violin; Miss
Louise B. Voigt, soprano; Mrs. Van
Duyn, alto; E. C. Towne, tenor; F. Louis
Berger, tenor; Andreas Schneider, bari-
Bjorksten will be heard shortly in a ton; Dr. Carl Dufft, bass; the Arion with
number of recitals, assisting pupils of his 120 male voices and the Arion Ladies
Chorus of ninety voices. This will be the
who are to appear.
Jan. 10, Miss Martha Strickland, lyric first appearance of the famous violinist,
Maud Powell, after her successful musical
soprano, will give a recital in New York.
tour
through Europe. The latest work of
Jan. 12, Miss Elizabeth Davis and
the
well-known
American composer, L. V.
Bjorksten, are invited to give a recital at
Saar,
"Die
Vaetergruft"
(Our Forefathers
Buffalo. Miss Davies, who has a powerful
Tomb),
which
is
dedicated
to the Arion,
dramatic soprano, will give a recital Jan.
will
be
heard
for
the
first
time
in this con-
22, in New York, at which she will also
cert.
have the assistance of her instructor.