The Edison phonograph monthly (Dec 1914-Dec 1915)

12 EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, MARCH, 1915 NOTED EDISON SINGERS ACCOMPANY THEIR OWN VOICES ON EDISON DIAMOND DISC RECORDS A CONCERT of more than usual significance to lovers of music, particularly to those who have heard about the new Edison disc, but have not found it convenient to hear it in person, was given, complimentarily, at "The Edison Shop," Fifth Avenue and 40th St., New York, on Wednesday, February 17th, from 10.30 A. M. till 4.30 P. M., by the Phonograph Corporation of Manhattan. The affair had been widely and effectively advertised in several metropolitan morning papers, announcing in particular that "Christine Miller will sing" together with Elizabeth Spencer, Donald Chalmers and John Young. The object of the concert was clearly stated, i. e., to demonstrate the quality of the Edison disc recording by the singers themselves. Miss Miller was scheduled to sing between 2.30 and 4.30 P. M. The throng that came in response to such an unusual invitation was far beyond the capacity of "The Edison Shop" to accommodate. Hundreds were turned away unable to gain even standing room. A waiting throng of several hundred on the ground floor were entertained by the playing of the Edison Disc in the Concert Chamber in the rear, until the throng on the fourth floor, listening to the recital, could be dismissed and another audience admitted. Meanwhile it was found desirable to bring the singers down to the main floor to temporarily entertain the standing crowd. When the fourth floor had been vacated, another audience soon filled the place and waited patiently for the singers to return again. A number of such recitals were held, and yet there were hundreds unable to be accommodated. A very creditable feature of the affair was the entire absence of any commercialism. In introducing the speakers and records, only this brief bare statement was made; that the Disc record would first be played; then the artist would sing it alone; then both singer and disc would be heard together. Not a word in praise of either singer or disc was spoken so that the recital took the nature of a very delightful musicale. That it was a fashionable audience intent on hearing good music was clearly evident. It took no experienced eye to detect among the throng several professional music lovers who, besides lending a very critical ear, were enthusiastically delighted with the disc and its artistic tone. The expression of approval on their faces and in their manner, indicated that they fully enjoyed the test and intently looked for musical effects that were duly forthcoming as the records continued to play. Christine Miller chose "Good Bye Sweet Day." It was a song just suited to occasion and to the temper of the audience, for sun and sky and air could not have combined to produce a more charming afternoon. And, as the record played, one could see beyond the open windows, behind the rostrum, the sunset effects on many a building, while the fleecy clouds went sailing by, in a deep azure sky. But when Miss Miller took the song into her own bosom and then sang with an earnestness and feeling so characteristic of all her artistic work, the audience was spell-bound. Then she sang with the record, and leaning toward the instrument, as if toward some child of song, she gleefully sang it again catching up the aria here and there showing a remarkable familiarity with the spirit as well as the notes of her song. Finally as if to add a farewell good-bye touch to the beautiful effect, the chorus came in, composed of Elizabeth Spencer, Donald Chalmers and John Young. The applause which followed was ample testimony that the selection had been thoroughly appreciated. Next was a selection by Elizabeth Spencer entitled "Long, Long Ago." It, too, like Miss Miller's song, was sentimentally reminiscent, and she entered into the spirit of it with genuine enthusiasm and feeling. When she accompanied the record it was difficult to tell at times which was singing, Mrs. Spencer or the record, for she caught up the air here and there and so beautifully did her voice blend with the record that one could hardly detect when she had ceased to accompany it. One could not help, too, being impressed by the fact that both record and voice were lovers in every sense of the word, fully in tune, fully in unison, and delightfully one in vocalization and enunciation. If Mrs. Spencer had had a protege she was proud to introduce, she could not have had a more sympathetic manner toward such a debutant than she seemed to display toward her Edison disc record. We like to emphasize this fact, for the occasion seemed to demonstrate more than a tonal perfection — it indicated that the record had caught the spirit of the singer and reflected every quality of her voice, only the personality being excepted. Donald Chalmers chose his anvil song which he sung with all the iron vigor of a blacksmith, lusty, strong and confident. He was, as usual, in a jovial spirit, and when he accompanied the record, seemed to be as sure of its tone as he was of his own voice. It was a new test for the Disc in that each tone had to be clearly and forcibly enunciated and sustained without a break or a scratch — a result that was much appreciated by the audience and roundly applauded. A better record could not have been chosen for both singer and disc. John Young selected "Her Sweet Smile Haunts Me Still" and delighted every one by his sympathetic voice and clear, even, well-sustained tones. He caught up the air, when singing with the disc, at several points, finally ending with the disc on a very high note which he took with storm and enthusiasm that brought forth a round of applause even before he had finished. Altogether the affair was a most pronounced success, admirably conducted and fully accomplishing the end in view, i. e. — to demonstrate the quality of Edison discrecording by the singers' own voices.