Music Meets Drama

  “Composing is nothing, but writing letters is tedious business.   When you compose music your intentions are mostly understood, but when you write you are never sure how your meaning will be construed .”   (Christian Sinding, composer.   Musical America ,   March 25, 1910)     In that same March 1910 Musical America article with Sinding’s quote was a review of a salon concert presented by Gena Branscombe at the American Women’s Club of Berlin.   This was a well-reviewed concert of her songs performed by Belle Forbes and A.C. Jackson.   Christian August Sinding (1856-1941) is not well-known in today’s music world.   Born in Norway, he eventually studied and lived in Germany coming under the influence of Wagner and Liszt.   In his era, he was internationally acclaimed much like his fellow country man Edvard Grieg. His compositions included lyrical piano and chamber music works,  symphonies, violin concerti, songs and ch...

  The Gena Branscombe Project is proud to announce the "Bringing Back Branscombe to the Upper West Side" concert on Saturday, May 6th, 5 PM at the New York Society for Ethical Culture - 2 West 64 Street. https://www.eventbrite.com/.../bringing-back-branscombe... We hope you will join us for a concert of French Horn pieces, a violin sonata, piano works, song and choral pieces all representing Miss Branscombe's ties to the Upper West Side. Below is the Eventbrite link for purchasing tickets. See you May 6th. https://www.eventbrite.com/.../bringing-back-branscombe...  

  ……”Mr. Lawrence Tibbett sang “Hail Ye Tyme (of Holiedayes)” last Tuesday and they say it went gloriously.   I missed it.   I hope you can use the publicity.   It would seem worth using. (December 26, 1935 letter from Gena Branscombe to Mr. Austin at Arthur P.   Schmidt Company, Boston, MA. – AP Schmidt Publishing Company collection at the Library of Congress)   Yes, the famous Metropolitan Opera baritone, Lawrence Tibbett (1896-1960) performed Gena Branscombe’s Christmas song, “Hail Ye Tyme of Holiedayes” in December 1935.   Whether on radio or concert is not known.   Tibbett an operatic baritone was also a star of movies and sang on the radio.   He has a Hollywood Star of Fame.   And, he was the first singer of his era who was wholly American trained!   In her letter Gena asks Mr. Schmidt if he can use this information for publicity knowing it would be worth using.   To have someone as famous as Lawrence Tibbett pe...

 Recently Gena Branscombe’s grandson, Roger, sent me a copy of a poem he had found in the family files. Over many years the crumpled piece of paper held the words to a  poem titled, “Farewell to THE OLD TIMER”    To the right of the title is typed, “American Folksy Song of 1942 (With apologies to all concerned.”)   With great humor the poem writers, who were Branscombe Choral members, describe in great detail the demise of Miss Branscombe’s “rack.”  Gena raised her wand to beat the time and the rack went down!  The “rack” is obviously her conductor’s stand that with much assistance could not be revived.  The Choral members found the “dough” to gift their beloved conductor a new rack hoping she doesn’t want the old one back!  What wonderful humor and one does wonder what the “American Folksy Song of 1942” was.   This poem/song must have been performed by Choral members at their annual Spring luncheon.   In 1942 with World...

  Work on doctoral dissertations is arduous with specific guidelines for research and writing form.   For over 3 years Regan Russell researched Gena Branscombe’s life through publications from over 100 years ago and interviews.   She sought out scores of 150 arts songs many of which were out-of-print, some not available because Miss Branscombe lost or destroyed them and the original manuscripts of some were in libraries where copies had to be made.   Persistence….that describes Regan and her dedication to Gena Branscombe’s songs!   On November 17, 2022 at Boston University, Regan presented her doctoral dissertation “Love in a Life: The Art Songs of Gena Branscombe.”   Her presentation included a lecture on Branscombe’s life, song development and a performance of five songs beautifully sung by baritone Gray Leiper with Regan accompanying him.   Regan’s work was scholarly, passionate about the subject matter and her musicianship exceptional.  ...

The Gena Branscombe Project has announced applications for their 2023 scholarships are now open.  They are awarding a $400 scholarship to an up-and-coming student composer, arts administrator and conductor. The deadline for applications is April 30th.. Honoring Miss Branscombe's belief in education and mentorship we offer these scholarships in her name.    Share this information with your students and colleagues www.thegenabranscombeproject.com #BringingBackBranscombe

  Dear Mr. Austin: Am leaving for New York in the morning – after a very wonderful visit.   Kindness of every sort has been showered upon me – officially and personally.   Am enclosing two notices which I’d like back – please later.   All the papers were good to me – and the consensus of opinion seems to be that I really can conduct ! (January 18, 1930 Gena Branscombe letter to her publisher, Mr. Austin, at Arthur P. Schmidt Co. in Boston- held at the Library of Congress)   On January 8, 1930 a woman conductor, Gena Branscombe, led The Women’s Symphony Orchestra of Chicago in a performance of her music, “The Dancer of Fjaard, ‘On Over the Water’ from “Pilgrims of Destiny,” and the ‘Symphonic Suite for Orchestra’ from her “Quebec Suite .”   From this concert she noted the importance of kindness, positive press coverage and the recognition that “…I really can conduct .” The Chicago women’s orchestra was found in 1925. Their mission was to premier...