The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-30


 !. A local, musician who has achieved more than local fame by her mastery of the piano remarked at the open meetinst of the Music Study club last week: Birmingham is richer In fine oianists than any other city of it's aize. inathe country" This comment has, indeed. frequently been made, by music critics and people generally; and when one4considers the performers who show senaiine excellence of talent, tempera- ,nert training and execution, the num- Der possessing all of the deslraple characteristics is surprising, to say the least. In a casual survey appear De- ,orar one's minds eye such pianists as Mrs. William Gussen, Mrs. Laurehs Black. Mrs. Truman Aldrich, Mrs. Hous- .on Davis. Mrs. Monetta Stribllns- walls Miss Ruth Julien and others whose pianism gives them claim 10 the high place which they enjoy in artlsuc circles.
 IT is especially gratifying, however .o know of the youthful genius which promises to retain Birmingham repu- tation for a wealth of fine planlsts' anu tbis thought recalls remark made seF- eral summers ago by Mrs. Gussen Wnei Inc sunerior talent of one Of her SUI dents was mentioned to her by a friend. "Yes." said Mrs. Gussen, she unques- tionablv has talent, but 1t is certalhlS not to be compared with that or Alien Gray Mooring, a younger pupil ol mine" The playing of this young sirl was not at that time familiar to the .,lt among whom it is now recognized as mar excellence. She had played at the occasional recitals at which her teacher permitted her to gain repose and proficiency, but this. with the eX- ception of her impromptu entertainment of friends was as nearly as she hae ennroached to the "limelight' so mnea to be desired by budding genius Re- cently. however, she played a solo In illustration of the work of the Music Study club and the maturity Of tooch and temperament displayed gave her instant recognition as a pianist of great nronlise. Later she was called upon 10 give other solos and, with manifest smprovement each time she appeared before the audienoe her position as an unusual pianiste for one of her years vas clearly established.
 IT will be learned with decidedly nleasant interest that this charming young musician has had her efforts crowned with brilliant triumph re- cently in being engaged to present series of recitals at the Chautauqnd in Monteagle this summer. Her sum mer engagement will begin in June almost immediately after her gradua- tion from the Margaret Allen school and from the Conservatory of Music. The southern Chautauqua attracts be- tween 5000 and 10000 visitors to Mont eagle during the season and weekly evening concerts are conspicuous events in both the student and social life of the place. A superb orchestra, With Franz J. Strahm, a noted director, at its head, has been secured and Miss Mooring will be the piano soloist, giN- ing a number of the great concertos ot Weber, Mendelssohn and Scharwenka.
 For a young girl who lacks several years of being out of her ''teens," Miss Mooring's success is astonishing. She has had much in her favor, however, for, as everyone hHoWS, ehNiiohiiieiie has much to do in shaping ones ca reer and in her home there has al- ways been the musical atmosphere. She is the daughter of Mrs. M. l.. Moor ing, who is one of the best known of local musicians and with whom her lrst training was received. Her talent, however, was early recognized by Mir and Mrs Gussen and a few years ago at the age of 14, she was awarded scholarship in their conservatory, so 1T is to them that she gratefully and with girlish enthusiasm insists that all credit for her success is due.
 Birmingham will watch with muen interest and confidence, as well, the initial appearance of this gifted girl at the Chautauqua.