Showing posts with label violin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label violin. Show all posts

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Evangeline Larry: Teacher of Violin

Once again, we see that Lovecraft's sitz im leben (setting in life) places him in the midst of a "trend" in Providence. Recently, Chrispy has given you the biography of Mrs. Nauck, his violin teacher. "For two years I made such progress that Mrs. Nauck was enthusiastic...". She was, by Lovecraft's memory, the preeminent teacher for children. However, there were many others, it appears, who made a living teaching violin.

Providence was growing rapidly (akin to the growth of a Las Vegas today). Plenty of opportunity.

We saw a glimpse of Oscar C Roy, a Belgian. Today, we find another prominent violin teacher in Providence: Miss Evangeline Larry circa 1895.

For such teachers to have enough students for support, there had to be "a trend in the wind", methinks. It was the thing to do. Recall that in this era - the 1890's - much entertainment was done at home of the stylish and elite. Theater was held, but singing, piano playing, and so forth were often after dinner evening divertiments. (Watch the wonderful movie, Meet Me In St Louis, for instance, a nostalgic reproduction displaying circa 1903).




WHEN we affirm that one possesses the soul of genius, we have touched the foundation on which greatness is built. Evangeline Larry possesses in a large degree, both by nature and education, the elements which combine to make the true and successful musician. To know her and understand her temperament, is to recognize that she belongs to the class of artists who win honor and fame. Though born in Weston, Mass., in 1872, she removed to Penacook, N. H., soon after, where her father, Rev. John Hale Larry, was actively interested in educational work, and it was in the Granite state that she took her first violin lessons, when eight years of age, and commenced the development of her wonderful musical powers. Subsequently the family removed to Providence, R I., where her study became methodical, earnest work, her parents deciding to fit her for a professional career. For several years she has been a student with Herr Kneisel of Boston, and to-day she is the most prominent violin teacher in Providence. As a concert violinist she fills many engagements ; she plays with fine artistic taste and finish, possessing to an unusual degree that rare quality, soulfulness. Her musical insight and interpretation lend great charm to her rendition of the classics, while her coloring of some delicate bits of composition, is wonderfully dainty and exquisite. Miss Larry is modest and unassuming, with a sweet graciousness of manner which wins many warm friends. Musically considered, she is doing a phenomenal work for one so young. Strongly devoted to her art, it is her plan to broaden her culture by study in Europe. She has the ideal home environment, where she has been carefully nurtured and educated. Her musical ability has been used in pleasant cooperation with her father in his ministerial duties. Her summers are spent with the family at " The Manse," their summer home at Penacook.



Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Oscar C Roy

Shades of Erich Zann?

To Chrispy's knowledge, Lovecraft only learned violin from Mrs. Nauck. HPL and Roy probably never met. However, Mrs. Nauck had competition in town. Through an odd circumstance, the image of Roy was preserved and sold on Ebay. I was compelled to check it out, and discovered an ad in an old 1905 cookbook "Choice Receipts Arranged by Ladies of St. Mary's Guild of Grace Church of Providence Rhode Island" which was preserved by Google Books.

At long last, Lovecraftians, for the first time in over a century, Mr. Roy and his advertisement have been rejoined.





The seller's notes: Antique Photo of Violinist. Matted in original 6 " X 8" frame with the name "Ye Rose Studio" Providence, R.I. on bottom right corner. On the back of the Matte is written " Monsieur Oscar C. Roy - Winter 1902 - 1903". Would look great framed in an avid violinist's home.

The text of the ad.

OSCAR C ROY
TEACHER OF VIOLIN
ROOM 23
CONRAD BUILDING
385 Westminster St
Providence RI
Mr Roy received his Violin education from the Belgian Masters at the Royal Conservatory of Music Brussels, Belgium

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