Sixty Years of California Song Part 28

John W. Metcalf is a product of my state, Illinois, and, like the writer, he inherited his musical talent from the maternal side. His first teacher was his mother's sister, who was a pupil of Bozzini and prominent as a pianist and vocalist. In 1877 he went to Leipsic to complete his schooling in music. He was accepted as a pupil at the Royal Conservatory and was one of thirty who pa.s.sed. He studied faithfully three or four years, piano with Carle Reinecke and Louis Maas; theory with Ernest and Alfred Richter; composition with Reinecke, Rust and Jasa.s.sohn. The director of the conservatory, Conrad Schleints, a warm personal friend of Mendelssohn, gave solicitous attention to the promising young American and bestowed upon him at graduation the coveted Hilbig prize, which had been won but twelve times in the history of the conservatory. After returning to America, he taught four years near Chicago, one year at the Dana Inst.i.tute in Ohio, and one year as head of the piano department of the Boston Conservatory. He left Boston on account of ill health. After directing for three years the Garfield University at Wichita, Kas., he came to Oakland, Cal., where he still resides, and we are proud to claim him as one of California's composers and renowned teachers of the pianoforte. I feel honored to sing his songs and teach them to my pupils. I append what I consider one of his best:

ABSENCE

Sometimes between long shadows on the gra.s.s The little truant waves of sunlight pa.s.s, My eyes grow dim with tenderness the while, Thinking I see thee, thinking I see thee smile.

And sometimes in the twilight gloom, apart, The tall trees whisper, whisper heart to heart, From my fond lips the eager answers fall, Thinking I hear thee, thinking I hear thee call.

GEORGE LINCOLN BLAKE

Mr. Blake, eldest son of George H. Blake and Margaret R. Blake, was born in Stockton, California, July 8, 1858. When he was twelve years old he began his musical education under Prof. Henry Von der Mehden.

He was a conscientious and faithful student. Four years later his progress was so marked that his instructor gave him first cornet place in the Silver Cornet Band, which was composed of his advanced pupils.

The excellent work of the band was soon recognized and the first great public performance was at the old Woodwards Garden, before ten thousand people. Their performance was received with tremendous acknowledgment from the public. The band continued in its good work for a number of years. In 1875 he made an educational visit around the world and visited all places of interest and heard the music of the Old World and when occasion presented also a.s.sisted in various theaters in the cities where he sojourned. He returned once more to California in the fall of 1876, resuming his musical and professional engagements until September 30, 1879. He then made a second trip to the Old World, visiting Queenstown, Antwerp, Cork and other cities. He returned to California once more by way of the Indias and j.a.pan, November 1, 1881.

When he was twenty-four years old he began playing in the California theater orchestra and remained there during the leaders.h.i.+p of Charles Schultz, and at the same time was a member of the Second Regiment band at the Park. In 1887 he moved to San Bernardino and during his residence there formed and was leader of the Seventh Regiment band, was also the local leader of the orchestra at the Grand Opera house when his services were needed for the pa.s.sing shows without orchestra.

He remained in this capacity until 1879 when he moved to Santa Cruz and remained until 1894 returning to Oakland and finally settling in San Francisco where he continued in his professional line in the various theaters and musical demonstrations which presented themselves until the earthquake, when the theater where he was employed was destroyed and music, like other business was at a standstill. For over thirty years he has played with the best musical talent on the coast and has been an acceptable and reliable musician in any capacity in which he has been called. After the disaster he came to Oakland and was at once engaged to play at the Ye Liberty theater under the able management of Director August Hinrichs. At this theater he is at present actively employed.

[Ill.u.s.tration:

Mrs. Winona Bruce-Schmidt Jean Louderback Bernard McMahan Juliet McMaul Lorena d.i.c.key Lorena Kimball Mabel L. Drake Dolores D. Ferguson Geo. Allison

PUPILS OF THE 1900's]

PROF. HUGO MANSFELDT

Prof. Mansfeldt, whom all recognize as the dean of pianists, needs no words from me to place him in higher estimation of the people of California. My friends.h.i.+p with him extends through many years of musical companions.h.i.+p and during that time he has risen until now he is the acknowledged master of the instrument, and holds the most distinguished position in the musical world. His art in bringing out from time to time such a splendid array of clever pianists is proof positive of his excellent qualities as a teacher and has fixed his reputation beyond cavil. Much more could be said in regard to his artistic reputation but it would be superfluous reiterations of facts that are known to all who have heard him or have the advantage of a personal acquaintance with him as I have. I feel honored to place this sketch of him in my history with other distinguished musical celebrities of this age and generation.

A.W. KLOSE.

The subject of my sketch, A.W. Klose, was one of our pioneer singers.

In 1852, when I was a girl of sixteen, he sang the ba.s.s in the choir of the Presbyterian Church of Stockton. He was there for three years.

He was born January 25, 1831, in Verden, kingdom of Hanover, Germany and educated there. He came to California in 1849, to Stockton in the early part of 1854. Business called him to San Francisco in 1862.

After he left Stockton we never met again until September 26, 1896, in Oakland, after forty-two years. He belonged to the Handel & Haydn society from 1860 to 1867. At that time I was in Santa Cruz. He was one of the organizers of the Harmonic society, Prof. Dohrmann, director. Later John P. Morgan was leader. He was also one of the charter members of the Orpheus society of male singers, conductor, Prof. McDougal. Connected with the Orpheus was also a choral of women's and men's voices. They gave some fine concerts in Oakland at that time. At the death of Prof. McDougal this society went out of existence, but afterward reorganized with men's voices only, as it now exists. Mr. Klose was one of the members of its musical committee for years. While in San Francisco he was director of the Methodist choir until he came to Oakland to reside. He sang in the First Presbyterian church choir for over thirty-five years. He retired about three years ago. He went to his final rest August 19, 1912, at the age of eighty-one years. The death of my friend records the last of the galaxy of fine men singers who came here in the earlier days to seek wealth. He was always ready to a.s.sist in the advancement of the best music. He sang in the days when we were judged by the knowledge of how to sing correctly and with intelligent understanding of the work. He was always a devout Christian, an efficient worker in the Sabbath school and endeared himself to all by his quiet, dignified manner. I think this testimony will stand for him in every community where he sojourned. I, as one of his earliest friends, gladly pay him my last tribute of respect and place his name in affectionate remembrance in my record of old singers. Old-time friend, "rest in Peace."

SAN FRANCISCO'S CELEBRATED FRENCH HORN QUARTETTE

GEO. FLETCHER, WM. E. BLAKE, NATHANIEL PAGE, GEORGE STOREY

The picture facing page 118 was taken in the Bohemian Grove on the Russian river during the annual outing in 1895. This quartette was part of the Philharmonic society of San Francisco. These musicians with Mr. Wm. Wellman, flutist, were engaged during the season of revelry among the pines and with their leader, Herman Brandt, discoursed the music that made the hills resound with their funeral chants over the death of dull care. Since this time Mr. Fletcher has died, Mr. Page is now in London and has risen with great honors as a composer as well as a fine musician and California is proud of her native son. Mr. Storey and my son, Mr. Blake, are still in San Francisco, playing when the occasion presents.

[Ill.u.s.tration:

Pauline Joran Elsie Joran Mrs. Blake-Alverson Lulu Joran

THE JORAN QUARTETTE, 1883]

PROF. MAURO SOLANO

Prof. Solano, one of our best known musicians, has been a prominent harpist among us since 1873, when he came here from Guadalajara, Mexico. He was married July 24, 1862. He resided in Guadalajara eight years, then moved to Mazatlan and lived there three years. Later he came to San Francisco and taught the harp there for seventeen years. I had always enjoyed his excellent playing in the different theaters of San Francis...o...b..t it was not until I returned to San Francisco in 1888 that I fully appreciated his wonderful art in playing the Spanish harp. I took up my residence on Geary street in a lower flat and across the court in the upper flat was the professor's studio. We became mutual friends, being in the same line of work and I had the advantage of listening to his best efforts at his own practice hour night after night, if he had no other engagement. How I longed to try my voice with this beautiful music and be accompanied by a master. At last my opportunity arrived when he asked me to come and sing for him.

He had fine songs for my voice. I gladly accepted his gracious compliment and it truly was an hour of musical delight. It was not my last pleasure for we had many such hours and his charming wife was an appreciative listener and would enthusiastically applaud our efforts.

Those were happy hours but they too soon came to an end for he had built a home in Alameda for his old age. Later I came to Oakland and we have never met since. He was actively employed for several years after that period but has retired and lives in Alameda. I read an account of his fiftieth wedding anniversary on June 24, 1912, which was celebrated with a high ma.s.s of thanks at St. Joseph's Church in Alameda. In his profession he had many of our best known women for his pupils, among them Miss Beatrice Tobin who is now Madam Duval of Paris, Miss Theresa Fair now Mrs. Oelrichs of New York; Mrs.

Fitzsimmons, Miss Jenny Dunphy, Miss Gertrude Carroll.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

WITH MY PUPILS

WILLIAM H. KEITH

Mr. Keith was born in the sixties in San Francisco. As a young man he held for several years the position of manager of the art department of Shreve's, corner of Montgomery and Sutter streets. He began his voice lessons with Moretti. After a period he [Transcriber's Note: missing word supplied] discontinued and began his studies with Madam Blake-Alverson. After studying with her some time, he decided to adopt music as his profession. He went to Paris in 1890 where, upon the advice of Jean de Reszke, he studied several years with Sbriglia and then prepared himself for opera under Giraudet of the Conservatory of Music. He then went to London and prepared himself for oratorio under Randegger. His European career was one of continuous success and he sang in London, Edinburg, Berlin, Dresden, Paris, etc. His first great work in American concerts was at the Worcester musical festival in company with Madam Melba, Mme. Lillian Blauvelt, Campanari and other artists, all under the baton of Carl Zerrahn. After singing in concert and oratorio and other musical attractions for a number of years, he received a flattering offer from the Mollenhauer Conservatory of Music, Brooklyn, to teach the vocal department, the place he has so successfully held since 1901, besides having large cla.s.ses of private pupils, both in Brooklyn and New York. He is considered a leading concert baritone of New York and his services are constantly in demand. Mr. Keith has made several visits to California with eminent artists like Rivarde, Lachaume and others.

MADAM TREGAR

Madam Tregar was one of my San Bernardino pupils of English parentage.

At that time she was married and living in a modest way, desiring some day to be able to satisfy her longing to sing. When she heard of my singing and teaching she ventured to call and consult me in regard to her voice. Her appearance did not inspire me with much encouragement, but after hearing her story I decided to see what could be done. She had never had any instruction except on the piano. I tried her rather doubtfully. To my surprise I found she possessed more pure and natural tones than I had ever heard in any voice. She had a range of almost two octaves, every note without a flaw. I felt sorry that there was so much to find in the voice, without a personality to round out the perfect instrument. It was evident she would be a thorough student, and do her work conscientiously, if she began. I resolved to try and see what could be done. At the end of sixteen months the change in the voice and woman was almost incomprehensible. The obstacles which seemed unsurmountable at first were but the first defects to be overcome, but with good understanding and proper placement these faults disappeared as quickly as the frost before the morning sun. At the closing recital of my sixteen months' stay she sang for her number Gounod's Ave Maria with violin accompaniment, in the original key, to the delight and great astonishment of the San Bernardino people, who rather made her the b.u.t.t of their musical jokes and hardly gave her recognition previously, as they thought her musical ability was of the most amateur sort. Her singing in the sixteen months of application in the right direction and proper placement, brought out one of the most phenomenal voices which has found favor abroad. She lives in London; sang for the late King Edward and his royal household guests and still holds sway among the musical people of London as the highest soprano from America in this century. After leaving the south I never knew what had become of her and often wondered if she kept up the good work begun in 1888. In 1904, eighteen years after, she surprised me by calling upon me to thank me for what I had done for her and her story in this time seemed like a romance to me. After I left San Bernardino she had succeeded so well that she concluded to go to her former home in London and continue the work and, after eighteen years of success, she came to San Francisco, stopped by the wayside to find her first instructor and with deep emotion thanked her for her a.s.sistance and good work when she needed a friend.

THE JORAN QUARTET

Prominent among the younger musicians of San Francisco in the 80's were three talented children since become famous both in this country and England, where they now reside. Their only teacher was their mother, who was an English pianist of repute. They formed a concert troupe in 1883 with Miss M. Hyde, accompanist and director.

Miss M. Hyde, _accompanist and director_.

Miss Lulu Joran, 16 years old, _piano virtuoso_.

Miss Pauline, 14 years old, _violin virtuoso_.

Miss Elsie, 12 years old, _piano virtuoso_.

Mrs. M.R. Blake, _soloist_.

It was most remarkable how these children interpreted the most difficult masterpieces, and played them with art. Once at a special concert in the Metropolitan temple, San Francisco, the youngest of them, Miss Elsie, was seated at a Steinway grand piano, too small to touch the pedals, (an adjustment had to be made) and with sixty of our best musicians on the stage she played from memory the most difficult concerto. All the children possessed the art of absolute pitch and they were able with bandaged eyes to tell the notes of any chords that were sounded. Miss Pauline was an excellent violinist besides possessing a fine contralto voice which I had trained for the s.p.a.ce of a year and a half. She is, I am very proud to say, a most beautiful singer in London today at the age of forty years. In 1910 I clipped from one of the English papers the following: "Pauline Joran, one of the most gifted young American opera singers now in Europe, made her debut recently in Milan under Sonzogno, singing at the Teatro Lirico, the role of Santuzza and Nedda with the greatest success. She has been singing in Great Britain under Sir Augustus Harris and will be heard here next season."

A teacher can be proud that her work of the foundation of tone building resulted in such a successful finish. Pauline possessed the talent and I could foresee the future if she had the proper means, for she sang with taste and feeling. She accompanied the singer with graceful interpretation on her violin and played the piano like an artist. We traveled and sang together for two years and went to Stockton, Sacramento, San Jose and all the smaller places around San Francisco. The latter part of the eighties the Jorans returned to London where they have remained ever since. In her girlish way Pauline used to say, "Oh, dear auntie, when I am a great singer won't you be glad and proud of me?" And so I am, and I hope all who have had the same help will be as successful as this young pupil.

WM. P. MELVIN

During my professional life as a vocal teacher I have been called upon to part with some of my musical family and also to perform the last tribute which one friend can pay to another--to sing the song asked for on his deathbed. During my residence in Oakland I have parted with five of my beloved pupils. The first string of my lute was severed by G.o.d's decree when he called William P. Melvin to a higher life. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, March 18, 1859, and came here in his infancy with his parents from Springfield, Ill. Dr. Melvin, his father, entered the drug business and William was engaged in the same business with him. Later on William was secretary of the Mountain View Cemetery a.s.sociation, which office he held until his last illness.

He had a beautiful, resonant and full ba.s.s voice. He came to my studio some time in 1895 and was enrolled among my students, and coming from a musical family, his brother, Supreme Justice Henry Melvin, possessing a fine baritone voice, and his beloved sister, Mrs. Mollie Melvin-Dewing, an excellent mezzo-soprano, it was not strange he sang so well in a few months. William received his instruction in the evening when his daily duties were over and came to my studio which was on the third floor of the building at 1108-1/2 Broadway, over the Clark Wise music store. He continued his studies until 1897 when his sickness began to affect his beautiful voice and his lessons were necessarily discontinued. The first two years his progress was so satisfactory that I hoped his third year would be the crowning year of his efforts as an efficient and splendid ba.s.s singer. My heart sank within me when I had learned the nature of the sickness that had permanently fastened itself upon him. He was as reluctant to discontinue as I was to have him, but we were obliged to submit to the inevitable decree, "Thou shalt die and not live." It was a sad parting. I tried to be cheerful and held out hopes for his recovery, but it was not to be. On October 3, 1899, he was laid away in the quiet tomb amidst beautiful blossoms and many tears from those who knew him best. Mr. Melvin was one of the most delightful personalities--gentle and kind as a woman, always genial and accommodating, with always a pleasant word for every one. Even though suffering from this disease which no doubt made life a burden, no one in his presence was aware of his suffering. He was always bright and cheery. As I pa.s.sed his casket with other sad friends to take a farewell look upon him and place upon his coffin my tribute of violets, my tears dropped upon his last resting place as I beheld all that was mortal of my beloved and affectionate pupil for whom I mourned as a mother mourns for her son. A prayer arose to my lips to the G.o.d of the universe that as peacefully as he slept in his earthly casket that He would give him the peace that pa.s.seth all understanding when he entered the portals of Heaven. Rest, sweet spirit, rest. You are absent but not forgotten by your sincere and devoted teacher and friend.

ROSE CHAMPION