Henry Bethuel Vincent: and some suggestions on the art of listening with or without the organ

              1912
Henry Bethuel Vincent

The Denver Republican:
As a speaker Mr. Vincent is instructive, entertaining and amusing.  As a musician his playing is superb.  Either talk or recital alone would be more than delightful; the combination of the two makes an evening as charming as it is unique.


And some suggestions on
The Art of Listening
with or without
THE ORGAN

The Savannah Morning News:
For an hour and a half Mr. Vincent richly entertained an appreciative audience.  He has the sympathetic temperament, the vivid imagination and the superb technique which particularly fit him for the mastery of the organ.  His comments were most witty and interesting and kept his audience simmering in good nature that occasionally bubbled over into hearty laughter.  It was an intimate and interesting talk with the friends whom he won with his first few sentences.

MR. VINCENT'S PERSONAL ADDRESS IS ERIE PENNSYLVANIA BOX 17


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WITH THE ORGAN
MR. HENRY B. VINCENT—with the organ and some suggestions on ways of increasing the pleasure of listening—offers an evening that is altogether unique: that is both entertaining and profitable: that it is as attractive to miscellaneous audiences as it is valuable to colleges, schools and music clubs.

The importance—both to the community and the individual—of a taste for, and an understanding of, good music, is everywhere recognized.  The entertaining character, the helpful influence and the artistic stimulus of this novel combination of organ playing with popular and suggestive talks on the appreciation and enjoyment of music can hardly be over estimated.

As a Specialist in the Art of Listening Mr. Vincent is particularly well fitted by nature, training and experience.  Recognized as one of the leading American organists he combines with his skill as a player an equal skill as a speaker.  His talks are untechnical and charmingly conversational.  His pertinent criticisms and ready wit keep his audiences constantly on the alert.  His representative and understandable programs aptly illustrate his unique and helpful suggestions.

Those who wish to be entertained find great pleasure in the musical numbers and the comment concerning them; those who wish more than mere entertainment find valuable aid in the art of getting the greatest possible pleasure out of music—the real Art of Listening to it.

The constantly growing interest in, and demand for, those things which add to the enjoyment of the listener—those things which make for a wider horizon and for broader culture—is indicated by the extraordinary success of Mr. Vincent's Music Talks with the Organ.

The immediate recognition of the value of his work, the enthusiasm with which he has been everywhere received, and the rapidly increasing demand for his services on church and lecture courses, as well as before clubs, schools and conservatories, have led him to devote himself, almost exclusively, to the important cause of popular musical culture.




WITHOUT THE ORGAN
When an organ is not available Mr. Vincent offers either of the following popular Lectures on the Art of Listening:

MUSICAL INDIGESTION
A diagnosis and a remedy.
THE RULES OF THE GAME
What to look for and when to look for it
ARTIST AND AUDIENCE
The relation between composer performer and listener
TRADITIONS AND MUSICAL MAKE-BELIEVE
An appeal for individuality of opinion
RAGTIME AND MUSICAL SLANG
Use and abuse and influence on American music


The Lectures—like the Music Talks—treat of music from its human side and from the standpoint of the average auditor.  They are suggestive of many things which increase the pleasure to be found in music.  They are a plea for active listening rather than mere passive hearing.  They are intended for those who care, and who are interested in knowing better how to care.

The lectures may be given either singly or in series, and if desired, supplemented by one or more recital programs.  But since they do not require musical illustration, they are particularly suitable for many places where an instrument is not available.

Commenting on Mr. Vincent's course of lectures at Chautauqua during the season of 1912, The Chautauquan Daily said among other things: He tells—with characteristic force and cleverness—a deal of solid truth about music and audiences, and clothes his ideas in vigorous style…  He unmercifully flays hypocrisy in musical matters…  He has a keen wit and his epigrams are things to remember.  While the audience laughs at some clever speech he proceeds to nail down a truth.

Mr. Vincent's contributions to American music have been varied and important.  Among his compositions are the well known oratorio: The Prodigal Son; the oriental Song Cycle: The Garden of Kama; two opera successes: Esperanza and Indian Days; besides many songs and instrumental pieces.  As a director he has occupied many important positions; as an organist his tours have extended over the greater part of the country.  He has for years been identified with the music at Chautauqua: is at the head of the Organ Department and Organist to Chautauqua Institution.




Some Condensed Press Comment

Columbus State Journal.
His program was interesting; his playing superb.


New York World.
One of the leaders in the younger generation of American musicians.


Hamilton Ontario Herald.
Mr. Vincent is a marvel.  He merited the storm of applause which greeted him.


Toronto World.
An artist of great ability.  He has splendid technique, delicate phrasing and sympathy.


Springfield Republican.
Mr. Vincent gave to a large and enthusiastic assemblage a rare treat and one that will long be remembered.


Washington Herald.
Unquestionably a magnificent organist.  He handles his instrument with an individuality all his own.


Greeley Republican.
A fascinating speaker and a remarkable musician.  Easily the most entertaining man who has appeared in Greeley.


Valdosta Daily Times.
Mr. Vincent made the soul of the organ speak.  Altogether one of the most enjoyable and unique programs ever given in Valdosta.


La Junta Tribune.
Even those who felt they cared little for music came away caring more and knowing much better how to care.  Mr. Vincent has done La Junta good.


New York Musical Courier.
His work is marked by artistic suavity; is live, brilliant, full of grace, color and expression, and filled with happy buoyancy which people enjoy.


Montgomery Advertiser.
Other organists have made great music at the keyboard of the Court Street organ, but Mr. Vincent produced results that have not hitherto been brought out of the great instrument.


Birmingham Age-Herald.
Mr. Vincent stands quite alone in this clever innovation.  The unique combination of organ playing with much breezy comment concerning the human side of music is proving extremely popular.


Cheyenne Tribune.
Many famous musicians have come to Cheyenne but perhaps never before has there been one who made a more favorable impression.  The man from Erie at once captivated his audience.


Conneaut News-Herald.
Mr. Vincent has struck a vein of rich possibilities.  He gave many people that which will add to their capacity of finding permanent pleasure in music.  He was on friendly terms with his audience as soon as he had spoken a dozen words, and was followed with eager attention for an hour and a half of instruction, amusement and enjoyment.


Chautauquan Daily.
Mr. Vincent's program offerings have been free from the dry and pedantic and full of life and richness, and his playing takes a fascinating hold upon the listener because of its poetic imagery, its wonderful tone color, and its masterly power.  * * * * Mr. Vincent has handled the instrument with extraordinary deftness and seeming lack of effort as grateful to the audience as it is rare among organists.  With this clever quickness and ease in manipulation is coupled the power (given to so few of the many who play) of making the organ talk and it is perhaps this particularly human attribute which appeals most strongly to an audience, and gives pleasure to the greatest number of people.