Sixty Years of California Song Part 25

FREDERICK ZECH, JR.

Mr. Zech, pianist and composer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and came here with his family in 1860. He began his musical studies early in life. He made such progress in his studies that later he went abroad and studied from 1882 to 1887. While in Berlin he became a private pupil of Theodore Kullack. He began to teach in 1878. His first academy was the New Academy of the Tone Art in Berlin. Before going abroad he had conducted symphony concerts and recitals and was a successful teacher, also composed many beautiful compositions in serious music, two symphonic poems and orchestral music and conducted the same successfully.

HENRY HEYMAN

Sir Henry Heyman is the dean of coast violinists, and occupies one of the highest positions as a conscientious artist and a most successful teacher. His beginning was under the direction of Frederick Buch, a noted instrumentalist of his time. He studied a number of years in Leipsig under such famous teachers as Ferdinand David, E.F. Richter, E. Rontgen, Fred Herman, Carl Reinke and S. Jada.s.sohn. During his studies abroad he was prize graduate at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Leipsig. On returning to his home in San Francisco he organized the Henry Heyman String Quartette. With his own company he gave concerts all over the coast cities as far north as Victoria, B.C., and as far south as Honolulu, on which occasion he was knighted by King Kalakua, who made him Knight of the Royal Order of the Star of Oceanic, also solo violinist to His Majesty, an honor he fully appreciates. Sir Henry is a vice-president of the Royal College of Violinists of London, also an honorary member of the Bohemian Club, and the Family, the latter one of San Francisco's most exclusive organizations. Apart from his great success as a teacher and concert leader he occupies a unique position in the social and musical life of the city. He still teaches and acts as musical director at all great functions. He is also an intimate friend of all the European and American celebrities, including Paderewski, Joseph Hoffman, Ysaye, Kubelik, Elman, Joseffy and many others who visit San Francisco as artists and are entertained by Sir Henry. Many noted composers have dedicated their works to him. As director and honorary secretary of the San Francisco Inst.i.tute of Art, Sir Henry comes closely in touch with the younger generation of musical aspirants--many of the best violinists of today are proud to call themselves his pupils. On the occasion of the eight hundredth anniversary of the founding of Bologne (Italy) university, he was made corresponding member of the musical section for California. He is a member of the American Guild of Violinists and later has been the recipient of many honors here and abroad from those who appreciate him as a musician and genial friend to those who know him best.

MRS. LOUISA MARRINER-CAMPBELL

Mrs. Marriner-Campbell was born and educated in Waterville, Maine. She was one of the early musical people who came here and has lived in this state, especially San Francisco since the early sixties. Of her early musical life I know nothing, it was only through our musical life in California that we became known to each other and always have been loyal friends. The first time I ever saw and heard her was at Dr.

Lacy's church when the Handel and Haydn society gave the Creation. She sang the solo parts and I never have forgotten her or her singing. She was gowned in a stylish robe of some soft clinging wine-colored material and her blonde hair was done up in a soft coil on the crown of her head. At her throat was a soft frill of lace, becomingly arranged and finis.h.i.+ng the picture, leaving a lasting impression, which was still more strengthened by her beautiful singing, for which she received the most hearty reception. Her voice was exceedingly high and her trills were like a bird's in their perfect oscillations and accurate touch, showing her perfect control of the vocal organs.

At that time she was Mrs. Marriner. Several years after her husband's death she became Mrs. W.C. Campbell. She and her husband have both been extremely popular in all undertakings of a musical nature. She was the highest salaried singer of her time and foremost in all musical advancement twenty-five years ago. Her musical career, which has been exceptionally well-balanced and harmonious, is like a statue of fine proportions that beckons the young to emulation. Mrs. Campbell confines herself entirely to teaching the young people of San Francisco and is acknowledged as a teacher par excellence. She has studied abroad--in England, France and Italy, and during the years of the seventies was coached by the famous prima donna, Madam Anna Bishop, receiving from her all the traditions of the English school and particularly the oratorio traditions. She is still in California and happy both in her home and occupation of developing the young voices of her city. While abroad Mrs. Campbell studied with Errani, Albites and Muzio, a nephew of Verdi.

SAMUEL D. MAYER

Mr. Mayer, organist and tenor, arrived in San Francisco, May 13, 1866, from New York City where he was organist of Calvary and other churches and solo tenor of Trinity Episcopal Church. The Sunday following his arrival he commenced his duties as tenor of Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco where his brother, James C. Mayer, was at that time the organist. Continuing in that position until May 1, 1868, he resigned to accept the position of organist in St. John's Episcopal Church, Oakland, remaining there until May 1, 1872, when he was appointed organist and tenor of the First Congregational Church of San Francisco, serving in this dual capacity for forty years. He relinquished the position of tenor but continued to act as organist and musical director and on May 1, 1912, he will have completed forty years of consecutive service in this church.

MRS. J.M. PIERCE

Mrs. Pierce has been identified with the history of music in San Francisco since the early days. Born in Philadelphia, and losing her mother when she was but five years of age, her father, Mr. Samuel Cameron, brought her to California across the Isthmus, to place her in the loving and motherly care of his sister, Mrs. Eugene Doyle, who had one daughter of almost the same age. These cousins afterward became very well known in the public school and church histories by their duet singing, Ida Doyle and Maggie Cameron being in demand on all important public festivals. On the night of the arrival of the steamer when the father and little daughter reached the home on Rincon Point, then the best residential part of San Francisco, where a hearty welcome awaited them, the little five-year-old child was told to "sing for her new-found relatives" and with pale face and dressed in deep mourning even to a little black silk bonnet, for the lost mother, she sang Lily Dale and Old Dog Tray while all listened with tears and astonishment to the sympathetic voice, and an uncle, Mr. James Cameron, exclaimed, "It's not a child, it's a witch." In the old Rincon school, so famous for its splendid teachers and also many scholars who afterwards became famous in California history, Maggie Cameron was called Hail Columbia because her voice could lead the singing of the entire school so strongly. In the old high school, corner of Bush and Stockton streets, under the leaders.h.i.+p of Mr. Ellis Holmes, who was a devotee of music and himself possessed of a rich ba.s.s voice, Miss Cameron developed into a public singer, doing her first solo work on the "musical days" of the Girls' High School.

She was a pupil of Mrs. Marriner-Campbell five consecutive years, singing with her teacher in duets all over the state; of Otto Linden in sight reading; Mme. Rosewald, operatic repertoire, and of Richard Mulder, husband of Inez Fabbri. Mr. Mulder called Mrs. Pierce "his most distinguished pupil."

At this time she was also soprano at the First Baptist Church on Was.h.i.+ngton street, Dr. Cheney, pastor. This historic old church afterwards became a Chinese theater. Before graduation from school Miss Cameron accepted the position of soprano in the choir of Rev. Dr.

A.L. Stone's church, corner of Dupont and California streets. Dr. Geo.

H. Powers was the organist. While in this church Miss Cameron was married to Mr. James M. Pierce.

[Ill.u.s.tration:

Clara Avan Mrs. Emma D. Monnet-Swalley Dr. J.B. Wood Hattie Derby Lillian Cus.h.i.+ng Minnie Peterson Charlotte Zimmerman Pauline Peterson Edward Thomas

PUPILS, 1896-1900]

Soon after this Mrs. Pierce accepted the position of soprano at the Church of the Advent, Rev. Mr. Lathrop, pastor; Louis Schmidt, organist. After two years she joined the choir of the Plymouth Church, which celebrated its golden anniversary January 12, 1912, Rev. T.K.

n.o.ble, pastor. She was a member and the soprano of this flouris.h.i.+ng church for five years. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce and their two children then took a trip East with the intention of making Boston their home, but the longing for California was too strong and after an absence of two years, during which time Mrs. Pierce was soprano in the largest Congregational Church of Freetown, Ma.s.s., they returned to California where Mrs. Pierce again resumed her church and concert work, singing in the Church of the Advent, Mr. Lathrop, and after eighteen months in Grace cathedral, Dr. William Platt, rector, and William Whittaker, organist, where she remained as soprano six years. The fine instruction she had received as a singer enabled Mrs. Pierce to hold several important positions as teacher, being several years at the Perry Seminary in Sacramento and also at the Irving Inst.i.tute, San Francisco, under Mr. and Mrs. Church. She had a large cla.s.s of pupils, many of whom hold important positions today. The position of soprano of the First Unitarian Church, then the largest and most fas.h.i.+onable congregation in San Francisco, being offered Mrs. Pierce, she accepted it, and was for ten years in this very happy connection, Dr. Horatio Stebbins, pastor, Mr. Louis Schmidt, Mr. J. Humphrey Stewart and Mr.

Henry Bretherick, the present inc.u.mbent, being organists. At this period Mr. and Mrs. Pierce gave up their home in San Francisco, which had always been recognized for its hospitality and charming musical atmosphere, always welcoming and entertaining the musicians of the city and new arrivals, and removed to Berkeley to enter their son and daughter into the University. Here Mrs. Pierce again took up the leaders.h.i.+p in the Unitarian church choir, then being held in Stiles hall and until the new church was built she sang but after the service of dedication of the church she resigned, the singing being of a congregational form and led by a baritone voice. At clubs and parlor receptions, Mrs. Pierce is still a favorite ballad singer and is always greeted with appreciation and pleasure, for her voice though not so powerful as in its prime, still exemplifies the value of her early training and fine method of pure Bel Canto. Like the auth.o.r.ess of this book, she proves a perfect method in youth preserves the beauty of the voice even unto and beyond the three score and ten. Mrs.

Pierce and Mrs. Marriner-Campbell were the singers at the famous Chamber concerts given by Messrs. Schmidt and Weil and who were considered by a patronizing public the exponents of the best music ever given in California, and at the concerts given by Mr. Henry Heyman and those of Mr. Jacob Rosewald. Mr. Joseph Maguire's last appearance in public was when he and Mrs. Pierce sang at a concert under the direction of Mr. Stephen Leach. They sang the fine old English duet, When Thy Bosom Heaves the Sigh to tumultuous applause and were recalled again and again. Before Mrs. Campbell's departure for Europe, at a farewell concert (held in the Howard Presbyterian Church, Mission street, before 1800 persons), Mr. Walter Campbell and Mrs. Pierce gave a most spirited rendering of the difficult old Italian duet for ba.s.so and soprano of Master and Scholar with tremendous effect. At the music jubilee held in old Mechanics'

pavilion in 1878, Mrs. Pierce was seated in the third row of sopranos and very willingly took her place, when after the first chorus, Mr.

Zerrahn, the leader, leaned forward and said, "Please, that lady, come out here," and placed her at his side, so telling and pure was the carrying quality of her voice that he at once singled her out for the cherished "front row."

Always a.s.sociated with the highest efforts in music, Mrs. Pierce is one of the founders of the successful Musical a.s.sociation of Berkeley and also of the New Oratorio Society of Berkeley which has in its members.h.i.+p many of the most prominent musicians in the University town, the musical center of California.

A very high compliment was paid Mrs. Pierce on her departure for the East in 1876 when the Handel and Haydn society of San Francisco, under the distinguished leader, John P. Morgan, gave her a letter of introduction to the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, bespeaking for her all the privileges which it could grant to a "devoted and well beloved member of its sister society on the Pacific Coast." This was the first time this signal honor had ever been given to a member.

One of the most pleasurable remembrances I have of Mrs. Pierce is a.s.sociated with a Handel and Haydn concert in Mechanics' Pavilion.

Elijah was given and with Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Haydn, Mrs. Pierce sang the immortal trio, Lift Thine Eyes, to tremendous enthusiasm. The trio had to be repeated three times, so evenly and perfectly were the voices blended. Later this trio was sung with great success at a reception given by the Bohemian club. Mrs. Pierce, Miss Wood and Mrs.

Birmingham were the singers.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

REMINISCENCES OF LATER CALIFORNIA MUSICIANS AND SINGERS

JOSEPH MAGUIRE

In the death of Joseph Maguire, California lost one of its finest tenors. He was known to a wide circle, both in this state and Nevada.

He was a mining man, but it was as a musician that he made his reputation. He was a tenor singer of great sweetness and power. The public had a keen appreciation of the purity of his vocalization and had the opportunity to hear him weekly at the Unitarian Church, Dr.

Stebbins, pastor. His sickness was of short duration and his death came as a severe blow to his many musical friends and a.s.sociates. He was a member of the Amphion Quartette and Bohemian Club chorus. He was tenor in the St. John's Presbyterian Church on Post street, in the quartette, where he and I sang for two and a half years. It was a half hour previous to his death while in a delirium that he sang like a bird Gounod's Ave Maria, imagining himself at a musical gathering. The last sad rites were performed under the auspices of Occidental Lodge, F. & A.M., of which Mr. Maguire was a well-beloved member. He was a native of Bolton, England, aged forty-four years.

In memory of our much beloved Joe Maguire, as he was affectionately called by his California friends who loved him for his beautiful singing and for his own self, I shall give the musical service as it was rendered at the church. A most beautiful tribute of flowers, in the shape of a lyre with the silver strings snapped and hanging loosely, was placed in the choir where he stood each Sabbath and sang his glorious songs. Certainly no one knew him but to love him, and the last tribute of song given him by his friends will last as long as memory remains in the living musicians who a.s.sisted in the ceremonies at the church.

Funeral Services in Memory of _JOSEPH MAGUIRE_

September, 1833--March, 1878 First Unitarian Church, Geary street San Francisco, Sunday, March 24, 1878.

1. Organ voluntary.

2. Chorus of male voices:

Brother, through from yonder sky Cometh neither voice nor cry, Yet we know from thee today Every pain has pa.s.sed away.

Brother, in that solemn trust We commend thee dust to dust, In that faith we wait 'till risen, Thou shalt meet us all in heaven.

3. Readings from the Scripture: Extracts from the Book of Job.

Rev. Horatio Stebbins.

4. Double quartette for female voices.

Their sun shall no more go down; the Lord shall be their everlasting light; and the days of their mourning are ended.

For the Lord shall feed them and G.o.d shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

5. Funeral oration, by Harry Edwards.

6. Choral from Spohr's Last Judgment.

Lord G.o.d Almighty, we adore Thee; Thou, Lord, will take away every sorrow; Thou wilt wipe away all tears from my eyes.

Yea, every tear and every sorrow Thou wilt wipe away from our eyes; nor death, nor pain, nor sorrow shalt then be known.

7. Remarks and Prayer, by Horatio Stebbins.