The Edison phonograph monthly (Dec 1914-Dec 1915)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, NOVEMBER, 1915 number of violin solos in faultless fashion, and the flute solos and accompaniment of Harold Ball Lyman displayed the high quality reproducing merits of the newdiamond disc instrument of Mr. Edison." The Philadelphia Inquirer, under date of September 19th, contained this account of the Recital: NOVEL PHONOGRAPH SHOWN Musicians and Critics Marvel at Edison Diamond Disc "Before an audience of well-known musicians and critics that filled Horticultural Hall, an unusual recital was given yesterday to demonstrate the surpassing qualities of the Edison Diamond Disc phonograph. Artists from the Edison Studio were present and sang their own works as they were played from the records. The experiments, which included the sudden halting of the phonograph or the singer, so that the audience could not tell whether one or the other was producing the song, evoked considerable comment. Verdi E. B. Fuller was in charge of the musicale. "A large number of invitations had been extended to musicians and critics from this city to be present at the event, arranged by Thomas A. Edison to demonststrate the wonderful re-creation of the living voice from the records by the Diamond Disc, reproduced on his newest phonograph. Vocal and instrumental selections were presented in the course of the recital. Harold L. Lyman, the flutist, appeared to play simultaneously with the record, 'Thou Brilliant Bird.' It evoked storms of applause, because as the notes from the phonograph mounted higher and higher the player kept in perfect harmony. Arthur L. Walsh, the violinist, whose records are made at the Edison plant, appeared also and he, too, faithfully followed simultaneously the playing of one of his selections. In both of these numbers the artist and the machine alternated or worked in duo, leaving the audience busy with discussion afterwards of the selections played by each. "The rich contralto of Miss Christine Miller was heard in three selections, including Mendelssohn's 'O Rest in the Lord' and the two Scotch classics, 'Bonnie Doon' and 'My Ain Countrie.' The living voice and the re-created voice of the record rose simultaneously and so pleasingly that encores were demanded." TONE-TEST RECITAL AT HARRISBURG, PA. Wednesday, September 15 (Attendance 900) Artist: Christine Miller. Recital held at the Technical High School under the auspices of J. H. Troup Music House. The J. H. Troup Music House write: "Christine Miller was certainly a grand success in Harrisburg. People here speak nicely about the recital. We have several good prospects as a result of the recital, and we believe they will result shortly in purchasers. We wish every one abundant success to all such recitals!" The Patriot of Harrisburg, under date of September 16th, published a portrait of Miss Miller standing beside the Edison Disc and said: NOTED CONTRALTO GIVES INTERESTING MUSICALE WITH AID OF PHONOGRAPH "Several hundred persons heard Miss Christine Miller, of Pittsburgh, a noted contralto singer, pay a tribute to the genius of Thomas A. Edison in recording and re-creating her voice by standing beside one of his latest inventions, the Diamond Disc Phonograph, and singing with the records of some of her favorite songs. The concert was given in the auditorium of the Technical High School building last evening before guests of the Troup Music House, of this city. "Miss Miller in the opening number allowed the instrument to begin the aria, 'O Rest in the Lord,' by Mendelssohn, and after a minute she began singing in unison with it, the harmony being perfect, it being almost an impossibility to decide the difference without wratching the lips of the singer. Numerous songs were sung in this way and she was applauded generously." TONE-TEST RECITAL AT ITHACA, N. Y. Thursday, September 23 (Attendance 1,600) Artist: Christine Miller. Recital under the auspices of The Maxudian Phonograph Company, held at the First Methodist Episcopal Church at 8.15 P.M. Mr. Maxudian writes: "We had a wonderful concert and a splendid audience. Christine Miller's recital was a tremendous success. The recital proved what we have been advertising for months previous, that the Edison Diamond Disc is the most perfected phonograph in existence and exclusively in a class by itself. "There were about 1,600 present, the representative people of the town. On the same evening there was a big Carnival parade and that eliminated the less musical element. We were most surprised to have such a large crowd, considering the evening. "If there was only one Diamond Disc Phonograph in existence, I would not change it for anything in the musical line. The same could be said for the recital. I would not change it for months of full-page advertising in this city. A recital of this value should be the best thing that could happen to promote the business of an Edison dealer." The Ithaca Journal on the following day published this: MISS MILLER CHARMS APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE Contralto Soloist Scores Hit — -Tone-Tests Prove Successful "Those who heard Christine Miller, the American contralto, give a concert under the auspices of the Maxudian Phonograph Company last evening in the First Methodist Church, were charmed with the wonderfully rich, sweet voice and womanly personality of Miss Miller, and intensely interested in the reproduction tone-tests of the Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph. "Although the appearance of Miss Miller had been announced as a concert, such really was not the case, for in no instance did Miss Miller give herself to the audience in her own and full capacity, but always in submission to the music of the phonograph in order that the public might have an opportunity of judging of just how accurately the machine was capable of reproducing true tone qualities. As Miss Miller last evening sang a few bars of the music, then discontinued, then again took it up, it was indeed difficult to one not watching the movement of her lips to determine just when she was actually singing, except for the increased volume of the music when the machine and Miss Miller were in unison. "Miss Miller's program was made up of two sacred songs, 'Oh, Rest in the Lord,' 'Abide With Me,' and "The listeners could not distinguish between the voice of the singer and that which issued from the machine. —Los Angeles, Calf.. Tribune.