Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-11
MAINE MUSICIANS.


holding Il song rehearsal at different
homes in West Brooksville was formed
few weeks ago. AT the last meeting.
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Lauch.in
Davis. was organized The Fircsido
Club. and in addition to the usual re-
hearsal will be a literary program.
This club will meet fortnightly on
Thursday evenings and at the next
gathering. Nov I. the life and works
of Longfellow will be considered The
following officers We're appointed:
President, Mrs. Lauchlin Davis: secrr-
tary. Miss Lucy W. Jones: membership
committee, Miss Laura Jones. Mrs. ~.
Davis. Miss Lacy Jones: entertainment
committee. Mrs. Inez White. Mrs
Goodell, Mrs Sidney Halves
On Sunday Nov. 3 the "Creation''
was presented at the State street
| church in Portland under the direction
! of the orGanst. DR.. Latham True The
church quartet Mrs. Florence Knight
Palmer soprano: Miss Henrietta ID.
Rice. contralto: Frederick A. Kennedy.
| tenor and William Themes. basso was
| assisted by d picked chorus, all trained
| singers. whose voices harmonizcd
| perfectly. In spirit and artistic in
| depreciation the work was beautifully
| done and was listened to with the clos
| est attention by Il congregation that
completely filled the church. Mrs
Palmer. Mr.. Kennedy and Mr. Themes
were the SOloiSts
concert WAS recently given in
Rumford Falls by the Festival chorus
of that town. Among those who took
part were Arthur cuShman. accom-
PIANIST. Miss Agnes r. Russell, soprano
solOiSt. Mrs. Winnificd Staples Smith
Mr.. Nils Nallhoff and Antero Bussolati
The orchestra was composed Of tic
best musicians of the town, and was
| under the leadership of Carl Briggs.
who is a son of Mrs. George Briggs the
well-known Maine composer. One
half the proceeds were rendered Mr.
CuShman by the chorus i'm appreciation
of his help and interest in the chorus
the past year.
Ardon w. CoombS of Portland. an
amateur vioinSt of considerable re-
pute is the proud and fortunate pu,
SCISSOR of two valuable Instruments. a
violin and u cello Both Instruments
are the undoubted' work of old masters
and are of very superior quality of
tone. The violin was made in 1852 10y
Pctrus Sanctus Magcini who lived ut
BreScia and VIII" WAS especially ceic-
brated for his double baSSoS. He
made few volinS but they We're Of
superior quality. The instrument noN
owned by Mr.. CoOmbS bears a date
label of 1872 and number Of expert
violin makers and players who al.
familiar with the work Of this maker
have examined the instrument and
emphaikaliy expressed their opinion
that il is the g"nuin" work of TIL,
master. The opportunity which led to
the purchase of this violin by Mir
CoombS WAS quite exceptional and ac-
cidentII. 1t WAS purchased abroad py
a student residing in Boston but who
spent seven years in a conservatory III
Stuttgart. 1t was brought home 70
Boston in tho autumn of 1894 and the
owner pledged it as collateral for q
lean. The owner was unable to re-
deem it and the Pledge left it with 4
we'll known music house for sale Mr.
ConmbS happened to visit that stor"
on almost the very day that the violin
had been left and recognizing it's fine
VuditIeS ne Drought IL HollP ON VnIfIN
days trial. being Obliged t" give u
bond in Il large sum for its return. in
case he should not buy it, no
musician in America had seen the in
strument up to this time but several
of note have examined it since Mr.
toombS became it's owner. one of the
most noted ViOliniStS of tho day when
in Portland to fill an engagement re-
queStcd to be allowed to examine the
instrument and he said that in Secur-
ing such Il treasure Mr.. COombS had
accomplished a miracle which could
not bc repeated in a lifetime by an
amateur although such opportunities
do come t" the professional oc-
caSionally. The cello is the genuine
work of one of the celebrated family
Of 5aglano and bears date of ISL. 1t
was brought to America by William
Muller who played first cello in the
Boston Symphony orchestra and since
ms death it has passed through several
hands until it WAS finally purchased
by Mr.. roombs. who. although he doc.
not play tho instrument himself en-
Joy its beautiful tone whom played BIZ
others in the frequent musicals which
he is accustomed to hold in his own
homo