The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-27
PROF. DAVIES ANSWERS.


arc very annoying our1ng tne snort space
OF time they are permitted to live, but
there is always one consolation-they 60
out OF existence with the cold weather.
but Mr.. Mosquito Carter is evidently not
of that breed
From the very first week Of his residence
in this city he has been flying around
poisoning the minds of the people Of this
city against the resident musicians. 1t ia
indeed very strange that nearly one hun
dred thousand people could have been
fooled in all the past years that this town
possessed great musical talent both vocally
and instrumentally, only to be awakened
from their delusion by Mr.. Carter of Olean,
who makes no secret Of his views regard
ing the general ignorance Of the music
ians and the people Of the city.
His letter is just what might be ex-
pected. He pretends to accept the chal-
lenge Of Haydn Evans to play on the
organ, but in reality accepts the challenge
for the piano forte and names his own
conditions. presume should contest be
arranged Mr.. Carter would again make an
excuse to visit his mama" as he did
when he was to play Rossini's "Stabat
Mater" for d. Protheroe recently. He
must accept Mr.. Evans challenge to play
On the organ, pay the money or cease his
vain boasts.
Since Mr.. Carter charges my letter with
having so many "falsehoods," might ex-
pect from George Carter the virtues of
George Washington in telling the truth
Scanning through his frail remarks, am
greatly disappointed in this respect. He
speaks as though / had made claims Of
having impaired superior instructions,
whereas | have made no such claims and
even now l think it rather inexpedient to
do SO With the exception of four years
spent pursuing musical education with
DR.. Joseph Parry, in Swansea, Wales, and
DR.. Frederick j. Karn, London, I have
lived within the radius Of fifteen miles of
Scranton from my childhood. In the past
five years Of my experience as q teacher OF
vocal culture, musical theory and compost
tion in Scranton, / may claim Of hav-
ing turned out fair number OF vocal
lists and have prepared nineteen candidates
who have passed examinations for the de.
gree OF bachelor or music, two having
taken gold medals for their excel
lency Of paper work and composition, un-
der such examiners as DR.. LonRhurst of
Canterbury cathedral, the late DR.. w. A.
Garrett, editor London Musical Times and
DR.. L. j. Hopkins, the composer and
greatest living authority on the organ and
organ playing. Mr.. Carter seems to crowd
the vocalists OF the world against that OF
little wales. with It's scanty population Of
one and half million. BY the way where
has Mr.. Carter been breathing the air of
this planety A reputable gentleman
who lived somewhere near the would-be
artists former home informs his friends
that our rival to Anton Rubenstien and
lgnaz PaderewsH was known in fair
Olean as a player of dance music. Should
this modern Apollo turn his time to COM
position ne would doubtless display won
derful rhythmic variety in forms Of polkas,
chacones, minuets, mazurkas, boleros,
fandaugos, brawls, maypoles, hornpipes,
rlgandons, reels and gigues. Bach
the youngar, Papa Haydn, Beeth-
oven aud Wagner might be buried
in tomb of nonentity, outclassed by sugar
coated crotchets aud quaters Of the "Sweet
Bye and Bye" order. MIR. Carter claims Of
having been pupil of Mr.. Dudley Buck,
The famous American composer on being
told Of this assumption by prominent
vocalist of this city, refuted the truth of
the statement. Mr.. Carter admitted to the
late director Of the Elm Park church choir
that he. Carter, had not seen copy of the
Messiah, the most popular oratorio the
world has ever known, until last year. Is
1t then any wonder that his repertory is
scsnt and falls back on childish melodies
wanting even Of single modulation and
be pooh-poohed at such an authority as
the London Musical Times. which is read
the world over, where English speaking
musicians exist. Mr. Dyfed Lswys Of
London, declared that Mr.. Carter's accom-
paniments to his singing at Elm Park
church was the most abominable he ever
heard. Mr.. Carter denies reference to
Senior Del Pueati, and wishes to infer that
he did the tapping to the side walls of his
classical structure as sudden sign for
transposition to a remote key. Hum!
Strange that such thing should occur in
the middle OF vocal performance Now
Mr.. Carter informs all concerned that he
has played at Relnbergers Pastoral sonata,
but did not annonce it. What pity
What did Miss Leonora Won Stosch say
OF his accompaniment to her violin solosi
Well, it would not reflect much credit on
Mr.. sherwood were it told here.
Until today We were led to believe that
all Scranton musicians were in the Rip
Van Wrinkle drama. Now the curtain
raises with something more encouraging.
George Noyes Rockwell is now acknowl-
edged to be an organist Of great abilities.
But since there is not musician In town
MIR. Rockwell must be satisfied with being
an organist. MIR. Carter wishes to justify
his abilities as reader of music to the
fact that he has been re-engaged at the
Elm Park church, This the organist no
doubt thinks is 4 great condescension on
his part toward Scranton, but to me re-
fleets limp generosity on the part of those
who engaged him. Let me give here in
parallel columns the words Of MIR. Carter
on what pianist should be, as printed In
last Sundays News and in his letter in the
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