The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1912)

Edison Phonograph Monthly, March, 1912 7 Bohemian Records Amberol (United States List, 50c; Canada, 65c.) Our Bohemian Records have found such a ready market that we have been constrained to list four additional Records, each containing two selections. Shipment of these Records by freight begins about March 1st, and they may be placed on sale as soon as they are received. 9814 "Prodana Nevesta," (a) Jako Matka Hanna Foerster (b) Verne Milo and vani (Smetana) Bohumil Pta'k 9815 (a) Nestastny Safaruv (b) Vsecko jedno je Bohumil Pta'k 9816 (a) Mne darovalo prstynek (b) Sedela cikanka Bohumil Pta'k 9817 (a) Ja jsem Mistr (b) Jamamholku Bohumil Pta'k Miss Hanna Foerster Miss Hanna Foerster, born in 1886 in Prague, became at an early age a pupil of Mrs. M. Prochazka, who kept a well-known singing school. She began as a singer at the Bohemian theatres of Prague, where she is now connected with the Royal Theatre, and she also sang in the German theatres of that city. Her clear, beautiful voice has won for her great popularity among her countrymen, who are perhaps the most relentless critics in the world. Bohumil Pta'k Bohumil Pta'k, member of the Opera of the National Theatre in Prague, Bohemia, was born in that city in 1870. He was a chorister in the Church of St. Vitus when but ten years of age, and he so impressed Francis Pivoda, the eminent professor of music, that he trained the young genius at his own expense. He soon became a favorite at the city theatre of Pilzen, and in 1896 when the National Theatre of Bruen, Moravia, made a tour through Italy and Dalmatia, Pta'k was hailed as one of the leading singers of the time. This foreign success led to his engagement by the great opera in Prague as its first tenor. He has since appeared in the opera houses of Berlin, Budapest, Petersburg and Moscow, and in the leading cities of Central Europe. His appearances in the United States have always been the occasion of enthusiastic receptions. Jules Lumbard, now 81 years of age, has sung "Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom" and other songs, into the Phonograph. The Chicago Historical Society will thus preserve for posterity the voice, which Abraham Lincoln is said to have believed to have recruited more soldiers for the Civil War than did all the recruiting agencies in the country. When Lincoln issued the first call for 100,000 volunteers, Lumbard stood on the old courthouse steps and sang the famous war song. I. O. O. F. Records We are listing in this issue three Records containing the ceremonial music of the Odd Fellows. They will find immediate favor among the members of this great organization, as they are published officially by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F. However, their range of sale is not limited to the Odd Fellows, but there is no doubt that they will achieve great popularity among all music lovers who hear them. They have been made by a perfectly balanced male quartet whose performance could scarcely be excelled. The use of an organ in all the accompaniments has given a fitting air of dignity which would make these Records very desirable for use in the various Odd Fellows' Lodges throughout the country — particularly, of course, in places where some difficulty is experienced in obtaining suitable musical assistance during ritualistic ceremonies. The Odd Fellows have chosen some of the grandest and stateliest melodies known as a setting for the expression of their ideals and vows. Keep these Records handy so that you can play them for every visitor who enters your store. One does not necessarily have to be an Odd Fellow to appreciate good music, so let everybody hear them, for they are sure to sell. Edison Concert at Northampton Mr. R. P. Wykes, an Edison Dealer in Northampton, England, held a smoking concert at Stagg's Head Hotel, Northampton, on December 14th last. The program contained, in all, thirty items, twenty being given on the Phonograph, the remainder being contributed by special artists engaged for the evening. The items rendered on the Phonograph were chosen, of course, with a view to demonstrating the variety of entertainment provided by the Edison Company's Record list. The Phonograph used for the purpose was a "Standard" machine fitted with "Cygnet" horn and one of the new Edison reproducers. The concert was opened with a "phonogram" from Mr. Paul H. Cromelin, managing director of the Edison Company, apologizing for his inability to attend in person, owing to business pressure in London. Although this Record was made without any preparation and in quite an amateur way, with an ordinary machine, an ordinary blank, and an ordinary type recorder, the clearness with which it was reproduced