Music and Some Highly Musical People Part 34

Cincinnati now claims to be (very justly too) a decidedly musical city; and Boston and other older places, which have all along enjoyed the reputation of leading in matters pertaining to general art-culture, have been warned to look well to their laurels if they would not lose them through the advancement made by this their younger sister, so long considered the "Queen of the West." It is true that this distinguis.h.i.+ng t.i.tle has within a few years been claimed by Chicago, and even St. Louis. These latter, however, base their right to the name mostly on the results of the census-returns. In all that relates to the substantial greatness of a city,--viz., the general intelligence, solidity of character, and proportionate wealth of its inhabitants,--Cincinnati, I think, may still be considered as approaching nearer to the Eastern cities than either of the others mentioned. This is certainly true as regards the musical devotion of its people; and this characteristic is the one, perhaps, which most threatens the supremacy so long held in the East.

Having said this much of Cincinnati's residents in general, it will of course be expected that a very promising and brilliant addition is now to be made to these records. The reader, however, must be reasonable, and not expect _too_ much; for the same depressing causes (these have already been sufficiently particularized in other parts of this book) which have operated in other sections of the country against the subjects of these sketches have been also always fully in force in Cincinnati. It is thought that all candid observers will agree with the writer when he confidently avows his belief, that no other people, while laboring under so many disadvantages, would have or could have done better than these have done. But, judging from the facts at hand, there is really no need to beg the question; and therefore, without offering further excuses, I shall proceed with the record.

The colored children attending the public schools of Cincinnati are regularly taught to read music. They are frequently complimented for their good singing by their music-teachers.

The mention of the Cincinnati schools, by the way, brings to the writer's mind very pleasant recollections of his boyhood's home, and of the times when he attended school there. Twenty-five years ago, the colored school-children of Cincinnati were much remarked for excellent singing. They were not then, as they are now, taught to read music in the schools, but readily "caught" the pieces to be sung from the teacher, who sang them over a few times. I remember that at one time our favorite school-song was one called "The Captive." But only detached portions of it come to me now. It was a piece descriptive of the fortunes of war. A soldier of the defeated army is left behind a prisoner. The song describes his longings for freedom, and desire to rejoin his now-distant comrades.

I think the chorus ran in this wise:--

"Sound again, clarion,--clarion loud and shrill!

Sound! Let them hear the captive's voice.

Be still, be still!"

No answer being made to this signal, the prisoner thus laments his cruel fate:--

"They have gone; they have all pa.s.sed by,-- They in whose wars I have borne my part, They whom I loved with a brother's heart: They have left me here to die."

The melody was quite pretty, and the solo of the captive was of music so appropriate and pathetic as to bring tears to the eyes of both singer and auditory. Some of my former schoolmates, now grown to womanhood and manhood, will probably remember better than myself this song and others that with "glad hearts and free" we used to sing so earnestly in the schoolroom and at our school-exhibitions. From what I learn from credible sources, it may be stated, that a visit now to the schoolrooms of Cincinnati would reveal a scientific acquaintance with music so great as to almost prevent the making of a comparison between the two periods under consideration.

The Mozart Circle, under the direction of _Mr. William H. Parham_, is a vocal organization of twenty-five members, established about three years ago. In July, 1875, this society gave a public performance, in costume, of the cantata of "Daniel." No attempt was made to notify the press that the cantata was to be rendered; but a gentleman of fine taste, and one who is generally on the lookout for all signs of art-advancement made by the colored people, was present on the occasion referred to. His impressions of the performance were recorded the next day in the Cincinnati "Gazette" and "Commercial,"

and were as follows:--

CONCEALED MUSICAL TALENT.

MR. EDITOR,--Permit me the use of a small s.p.a.ce in your next issue to speak in deserved praise of a musical entertainment enjoyed by a portion of our citizens last Monday night.

It was the cantata of "Daniel," rendered in full costume by the recently organized Mozart Circle, which, embracing about twenty members, has in the short s.p.a.ce of six months developed a capacity which gave them success in this enterprise. It is a pity that their excessive modesty prevented their seeking the service of the press; for they have thereby kept themselves in an obscurity which it is my hope that this article will serve to draw them from. The preparation made for this entertainment should not have its service limited to a single occasion. It deserves repet.i.tion, and an appreciative public deserves the opportunity to enjoy it.

Louisville, Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, and other cities more or less remote, would give themselves a treat, could they prevail on the Circle to render the cantata in their midst. Not having consulted any one connected with it, it is a voluntary suggestion from me, that parties craving the enjoyment of a refined musical entertainment open communication with Mr. William H. Parham, its musical director.

W.P.W.

CINCINNATI, July 7, 1875.

The _Rev. Thomas H. Jackson_, pastor of Allen Temple, himself an excellent singer, a few weeks ago organized a select choir for the purpose of rendering the cantata just mentioned. _Mr. William H.

Morgan_, who sings in the princ.i.p.al _role_, is a young gentleman quite worthy of the high praise which his performances have elicited. All the members of the choir sing well; but among them no one gives more marked promise than does a young schoolgirl of only thirteen years, named _Elnora Johnson_. The compa.s.s and sweetness of her voice are considered marvellous. This society promises to give the cantata "Esther."

From the foregoing it will be seen that much attention is being given to a study of some of the higher forms of composition,--a very encouraging sign indeed.

Another vocal society is called the Arion Quartet Club. _Messrs.

Andrew D. Hart_ and _John Lewis_ are two of its members: the names of the others I have not learned.

There are at present no instrumental societies except one or two very good quadrille bands.

_Mrs. Ann S. Baltimore_ is an accomplished pianist, and possesses, besides, a melodious voice. She has been favorably noticed by the press.

_Professor Moore_ plays skilfully the parlor-organ and piano-forte. He teaches the playing of these instruments, and also teaches vocal music.

_Mr. D.W. Hamilton_ is the very popular leader of a string-orchestra.

The private circles of Cincinnati are ornamented by several cla.s.sical singers of both s.e.xes.

First among the ladies is _Miss Fannie Adams_. She is welcomed as a member of the Cincinnati Choral Society; and is a skilled pianist, giving lessons on that instrument.

_Misses Ernestine and Consuelo_, daughters of Peter H. Clark, Esq., are sweet and scientific singers. They are pianists also.

_Misses Mary and Fannie Cole_, members of the Mozart Circle, are distinguished for the beauty of their voices, the last-mentioned particularly.

_Miss Sarah Werles_ has a voice which is much appreciated, and under her fingers the cabinet-organ itself seems to sing.

_Misses Ella Smith_ and _Ella Buckner_ must not be forgotten as valuable aids on public musical occasions.

Among the males, _James P. Ferguson_ is distinguished as a ba.s.s, and _Thomas Monroe_ as a tenor singer.

_Joseph Henson's_ voice always has in it music of an inspiring character.

_Fountain Lewis, jun._, was diligently prepared during his boyhood for an organist, and in that direction is proving quite worthy of his father's care.

By reference to a programme of a combined dramatic and musical entertainment given in Cincinnati in May, 1876, under the direction of the popular elocutionist, Powhatan Beaty, I find the names of the following musical people not previously mentioned:--

Mr. Charles Hawkins performed "Streamlets" and "A Summer's Reverie" on the piano; Mrs. Emma E. Clark sang the solo, "Brightest Eyes;" Mr.

Charles Singer sang a baritone solo; Mr. Edwin de Leon sang "Poor Old Joe;" and Mr. William H. Jones sang "My Soul is Dark."

I am not informed as to the extent of proficiency displayed on this occasion by these performers; but relying, as I ought, upon the good judgment of Mr. Beaty, presume that he called none to his aid except those at least fairly skilled in the rendering of music. The above names are, therefore, recorded here.

The city of Chicago contains quite a large number of very excellent musicians belonging to the race whose acquirements are here recorded.

Besides several very fine church-choirs, there is a large organization of well-trained vocalists, the performances of which have been highly spoken of by the journals of Chicago and those of other cities in the State of Illinois.

_Mrs. Frances A. Powell_, the founder and directress of this society, is also the leading soprano of the Olivet Baptist Church choir. She was educated at Buffalo, N.Y.; and her superior powers as a vocalist have been made the occasion of very flattering testimonials by the press of Chicago and of the States of Illinois and Wisconsin.

_Mrs. Harriett E. Freeman_, an excellent mezzo-soprano, leading the singing of Quinn-Chapel choir, has been complimented by the press. She was educated at New Bedford, Ma.s.s.

_Mrs. Charlotte M. Alexander_, leading soprano of Bethel-Church choir, was educated at Cincinnati.

_Mrs. Bessie Warwick_, soprano and brilliant pianist, was formerly a pupil of Professor Baumback of Chicago.

_Mrs. Hettie Reed_ possesses a contralto-voice of remarkable purity and sweetness. She is one of the princ.i.p.al singers of the society first mentioned, and has been highly complimented by the critics of Illinois and Wisconsin.

_Miss Eliza J. Cowan_, educated at Chicago, a member of the Olivet-Church choir, is a very promising contralto-singer.

_Miss Flora Cooper_ has a voice of such great depth, that it really may be styled baritone. She was educated in Chicago, and is a teacher in one of the public schools of that city.

_Mrs. Esther Was.h.i.+ngton_ (_nee_ Miss E. Fry) is a finished performer on the organ and piano-forte. This lady is a graduate in thorough-ba.s.s and harmony from Warren's Conservatory of Chicago.

_Miss Frankie Buckner_, an accomplished organist and pianist, received her training at Detroit. She has been praised by the papers of Madison, Wis.; was at one time pianist to a large singing society: and is a contralto vocalist.

_Mr. William D. Berry_ is a finely-cultured tenor, a ready reader of music, and excellent in oratorio performance. Mr. Berry formerly lived in Hamilton, Ont.