The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-02

The general shaking up that will
occur in the church choirs of the city
this spring has been unequalled in the
history of musical Scranton The chorus
choir epidemic has q firm grin upon
the city, and sOlOists will probably
be obliged to keep in the background
until the experiment of chorus and
congregational singing has been tried
to the satisfaction of all interested.
When the idea becomes prevalent in a
church that fifteen or twenty uncultl-
waited singers can be hustled into a
choir and render church music with the
same pleasing effects that are given by
trained vOcalists who have spent time
and money in perfecting themselves for
the work, an actual test is invariably
necessary in order that the tempest
may be stilled. Some years ago the
cornet fad was very popular in church
music. Even in rural districts each
church had its bugler. and musical
members We're led to frightful deeds in
following the trumpeter, who inflated
himself in a conspicuous position on Il
platform before the congregation. OF
late, however, the cornet has lost caste
as an incentive for religious sentiment
in church music, and has returned to
its proper sphere i'm the street band.
The chorus choir boom will not last
forever in this city. The combination of
eight baSso, one soprano, no tenor and
three cOntraltO voices. or other distri-
buttons of voice equally Unbalanced
which frequently occur in the volunteer
chorus a In
will have an exceedingly depressing eff
feet upon the nerves of musical mem
bers of a church congregation, and
they will welcome the paid quartette
again with real pleasure.
The following extract from private
letter written by Joseph u. Burns, the
well known Wilkes Barre basso, soon
after visit to New York, will interest
many of our readers: Having heard
Melba in the character of Marguerite
in Faust i feel more confident i'm the
success of our tOwnslady, Miss Sadie
Kaiser, than ever. Melba Is the great
est living artist today, pronounced so
by the critics, yet, | say was rather
disappointed i'm the quality of her tone
ter and the apparent effort required
of her to reach high b natural In the
last scene. which, however drove the
audience wild with enthusiasm at every
effort Miss Kaiser was a phenomenal
success with the American Concert
company in England and Wales, and
she can reach G, ID, Il and even Il with
as much ease as Melba can reach b
natural"
The Milwaukee correspondent of the
New York Musical Courier says of Pro-
fessor Daniel Protheroe, Mus. Bac.: BE
ginning his musical career at FIVE years
old, his progress has been unimpeded.
He has been conductor of many choral
societies, always with prominent sue
cess, eliminating in an effort at the
Worlds fair, which won him the high
est prize in that greatest of musical
contests
Charles Jarvis, the well known pian-
ist of Philadelphia. died Feb. 25. His
death recalls an event which took place
during the State Teachers association,
held last year in this city. After Mr..
Jarvis had completed a splendid read
ing of the Sonata Appassionata," of
Beethoven, the applause was slight, A
musical lady of this city upbraded
several teachers for their lack of an
probation, receiving the reply. "Oh,
never heard him before" With
scornful look she said, 81 am listening
to Beethoven, not Jarvis" Silence
reigned.
Jean de Reszke Is the only one of the
great singers Of the Metropolitan Opera
company who, 1t Is said, refuses to
sing at private musicales for hire. Mrs.
Bradley Martin, In her efforts to secure
him last year, offered him $4,000 for a
single song, but he decliend, saying
he preferred to be heard only from the
stage. The story Is told of him that
on an occasion when he was visiting
the house Of one OF the Rothschilds