John Mokrejs ("Moke-resh") |
Dr. Frank Damrosch |
Vanderbilt Mansion After several generations of spending railroad wealth, the various Vanderbilt family members had nearly a dozen mansions up and down 5th Avenue, not to mention "The Breakers" at Newport. Perhaps this one was where the recital was held. |
Sat Feb 2
No synagogue again - because of snowing. Rose and I cleaned house till noon. Then I took a nap and practiced a little. Afterward had a good lesson on "Verd. Cl.'' with Mrs. C. altho' the top notes were not as good as they had been. How long does it take to gain certainty in singing! It should not! When I have once sung a tone well, I should never go back to a bad one - but alas - how often I do. Leopold says "I would rather disappear than not keep moving; either up or down - but not to stand still!'' In the evening, I took a bath and to bed at 10.30.
Sun Feb 3
A glorious cold day. I walked to church and gained thereby cheeks which were the envy of every girl in the choir. Very heavy services both morning and afternoon, and a rehearsal for the wedding after, so that by evening, my throat was nearly done for, which shows that I had been singing badly. I don't believe that this chorus work is doing my voice much good. In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Mokrej\v{s} were over to supper. We had a pleasant evening, he played over some new songs which he has composed, and which are really very good. I said I might be able to interest the Sch.'s in them and his Independence said he preferred to publish them himself and "if anyone was to make money on them, he was to be it.'' Well, I think to become well known would be worth while.
Mon Feb 4
At home till twelve, doing harmony and practising. The voice seems all right. After harmony lesson read French a bit and then went up to sing for Mr. Damr. Sang fairly well though not remarkably so. His criticism was this. That - whether accidental or not he could not say - there seemed a veiled or hazy quality in my voice - which if temporary meant nothing; but if chronic, would handicap me in competition with perfectly clear voices. At any rate I must strive to find one tone in my voice which is quite without it and build the other from that. Had a "row'' with Miss Braz. over my lesson hour which so upset me that my lesson amounted to nothing. I must not allow such things and people to affect me, but it is hard.
Tue Feb 5
A snow storm last night which stalled almost all cars. Finally reach Inst. fifteen minutes late, to find that Miss Coleman had not arrived and my trip was futile. Went down to library to read French when Miss Crosby came for me and together we went over the "Hansel'' Gebet with Mrs. C. At 10.30 we went in to Mr. Krehbiel, who arranged for us to sing several excerpts. We shall have to work hard, as we have only a week. It will be such fun. Miss Crosby is to sing the Gretel, I the H\"{a}nsel, as my voice is heavier. It is so funny that I should always have wanted to know Mr. Krehbiel better and now I am to have that chance. We are going to his house on Sunday for a "probe''.
Wed Feb 6
Hurried down for a lesson with Mrs. C. only to find her head over heels in work with the recital, and too nervous to give a lesson. So stayed at Institute till three reading and studying. Then walked up to St. Bar. to sing at a wedding. It was a most beautiful one and I never saw a collection of more beautiful bridesmaids than these. The bride was sweet and pretty and the ushers and groom good-looking - so - que vent on? The church was crowded and so many beautiful costumes! Ella and I walked almost home and "talked it over". In the evening, Mrs. Nad and Mrs. Sovak called. The former still looks rather worried and nervous, altho' she looks well - To bed at 10.
Thurs Feb 7
Studied all morning and at one went down and rehearsed "H\"{a}nsel'' with Miss Crosby and Miss Thursby. I believe it will go well. After that we went up to Mrs. Vanderb.s to hear the ``Trio Rameau.'' The recital was an exquisite success. Gilibert sang beautifully and the trio played some exquisite old music beautifully of course. Mrs.C. looked so distinguished and attractive in her black velvet, and alas! Mr. C. beside her seemed very mediocre and uninteresting. Many well-known people were there. The salle was most beautiful -- very high and deep, with beautiful tapestries on the walls, stained glass windows which shed a rich warm light, a huge fire in the fireplace and lackeys galore! Oh - it was lovely; that is the sort of setting Mrs. C. ought to live in, instead of having to wear herself out giving lessons.
Fri Feb 8
Used my piano hour to work on "H\"{a}nsel'' with Miss Crosby, but as Mrs. C. came very late, we did not do much. She was well pleased with the success of the recital and said she had never known a more lovable woman than Mrs. Vanderbilt. Another remarkable Tapper lecture on Schubert and his contemporaries. I really must begin taking notes on them; they are so fine. Went home and practised, as Anna did not come, but my voice seems very "back'' to me of late. Went to Miss Thursby's at 6, and missed the good singers, but heard some freaks! Mlle. Arta of the Manhattan - a fat blonde who wore pink - of course - yowled some songs - accompanied by appropriate gestures. An awful Keith-and-Proctor-esque lady recited a melodrama. A Miss Kirkby, from London, recited two negro bits, and she was really an artist. How some of those curiosities get in, I cannot imagine, for Miss Thursby herself is such an artist. Miss Crosby and I sat together and were much amused. Church rehearsal.
Composer, piano instructor, his own self-publishing imprint (Odowan means "song" in Lakota) 
Supervisor of Music Instruction for the NYC public schools 1897-1905; Founder and Director of the Institute for Musical Art and dean of undergraduate division of the Juilliard School of Music after they merged in 1927. 