Marthe Servine (1862 in Paris – 1960[1]) was a French-American composer and pianist, primarily known for her works for solo piano, and songs.
Marthe Servine
Photo of French-American composer-pianist Marthe Servine, from an advertising flyer for her 1919 concert at1919 concert at Aeolian Hall (Manhattan), New York
Marthe Servine was born in Paris of French parents.[2] She was brought to the U.S. at the age of 10 and became an American citizen.[2] She returned to France to study music.[2] She studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire[3] and made her debut at the age of 12.[4] At her debut she played the Mendelssohn G Minor Concerto, under Xaver Scharwenka.[3] She continued her piano studies with Vasily Safonov.[3] She also studied composition with André Gedalge, the teacher of Honegger, Milhaud, and Ravel.[2]
Sometime before or during 1919, Servine returned to the U.S. She gave a piano recital on March 8, 1919, at Aeolian Hall, in New York.[5] At this concert, she performed exclusively her own compositions,[5] a trait shared by all of her known concerts, as is shown by her concert programs.[6]
After 1919, but before 1924, Servine moved back to Europe, where the captions on her manuscripts show that she spent some time in France and some in Britain.[6] She gave many concerts in Britain, all known ones consisting of her own works, and all with herself at the piano.[6] Her works were also played in concerts of which she was not a part, by the Brosa and Kutcher String Quartets,[6] among others, and “many distinguished British singers have featured her songs.”[2]
In 1939 or 1940, Servine returned to New York.[2][6] She took up residence in the Upper West Side,[6] and gave one concert, on February 9, 1941.[7][8][9][10] The performers included the Roth Quartet and herself at the piano.[2][4][5][7][10] The concert was well received, garnering several positive reviews from major New York newspapers.[2][4][5][7][8][9][10] In the New York Sun review, she was described as a “vigorous person of middle years”.[8] F. D. Perkins, writing in the New-York Tribune shortly after the concert, described her music as showing “solid and well-schooled musicianship and knowledge of form and of generosity in regard to melody”.[4] Her style was “pervaded by the atmosphere of late nineteenth century romanticism…[it occasionally called to mind] Brahms and Cesar Frank, or…MacDowell. The B flat quintet had one rising phrase in the strings which recalled Wagner”.[4]
In the early 1940s, Servine married American Malcolm Dougherty, and around the year 1945 they moved together to Great Barrington, Massachusetts.[6] Her song cycle “The Year” was captioned “Great Barrington, 1945”.[6] She lived there until her death in 1972.[6] Her last known work is a draft of a Prelude for two pianos, dated October 28-November 1, 1972.[6] In 1973, her husband donated the collection to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.[6]
Works
Marthe Servine composed symphonies, concertos, operas, choral works (both with and without orchestra), chamber works for various combinations of instruments and for solo instruments, and over 400 songs. She does not appear to have made any recordings. Her few published works are:
Songs
Brahma
The call
A drinking song
How sweet I roamed
Identity
Solo piano works
Prelude & fugue
Sonata in D minor
Choral
Rune of Hospitality
Compositional style
Several of the reviewers remarked on the composer's surprisingly conservative style and rich sonorities.[2][4] The Musical America reviewer, known only by the initial "C.," states that "The music heard on this occasion follows both traditional structural models and the traditional melodic feeling of the later Romantic school...the composer approached her group of instruments from the standpoint of orchestral coloring and the opulent sonorities achieved added a general lushness of effect to the melodic element".[7]
Her works were viewed very positively by most, including J.B of the New York Post, who said "Madame Servine, judging by yesterday afternoon's offerings, just misses being a great composer".[9] One reviewer, however was critical, stating that, with regard to her sonata for violin and piano (Sonata in B minor), "the length was excessive for the material, the emotion never quite realized in sound".[8]
Pianistic style
Servine was considered to be an accomplished pianist by the reviewers of her 1941 concert. The reviewer from Musical America known as C. said that she “proved to be a pianist of noteworthy virility of style, with an entirely adequate technique and the command of a rich warm tone”.[7] Noel Straus of the New York Times said that she “played these works…with the same vitality and warmth, the same richness of tonal effects, reflected in her compositions….[She gave] the works readings that searchingly unfolded the full intentions of [the compositions].”[2]
Known concerts
All of the following concerts are documented by concert programs in the New York Public Library's Marthe Servine Manuscripts collection[6]
1919, March 8 – at Aeolian Hall, New York. Piano recital, program consisted of works by Servine, who also was the sole performer. Works performed: two sonatas (F minor & D minor), Twelve Variations on a Hindu Theme. NYPL collection has flyer, program, and notice/review.
1920-1939 – during her stay in London, “concerts of her works were given by the Brosa and Kutcher Quartets, and others”.[2] Also, “Many distinguished British singers have featured her songs”.[6]
1924, May 28 – at Steinway Hall, London. Song recital; program consisted of English-language texts set by Servine. Performers: Lilian Humphreys (singer), Marthe Servine (piano). Works performed: 23 songs. NYPL collection has program.
1925, April 21 – at Wigmore Hall, London. Song recital; sung in English (some English and some translated poems), all by Servine. Performers: Lilian Humphreys (singer), Marthe Servine (piano). Works performed – 20 songs. NYPL collection has program.
1926, February 18 – at the University College of North Wales, Bangor, Wales. Department of Music Chamber concert; all works by Servine. Performers: Lilian Humphreys (singer), Kathleen Washbourne (violin), Marthe Servine (piano). Works performed: 12 songs, Violin and Piano Sonata in B Minor. NYPL collection has program.
1926, March 24 – at Wigmore Hall, London. Piano recital; all works by Servine, who was the sole performer. Works performed: Prelude and Fugue in D minor, Sonata in F minor, Twelve Variations on a Hindu Theme, Sonata in D minor. NYPL collection has program.
1938, January 26 – at Wigmore Hall, London. Song recital; all works by Servine. Performers: Astra Desmond (contralto), John McKenna (singer), Frederick Riddle (viola), Marthe Servine (piano). Works performed: 12 individual songs, the song cycle The Lover's Sequence (a setting of Twenty-five Anonymous Spanish poems). NYPL collection has flyer, program.
1938, April 25 – at Wigmore Hall, London. Chamber music concert; all works by Servine. Performers: Brosa String Quartet, Marthe Servine (piano). Works performed: Piano quintets in B flat minor and E flat major, Sonata for violin and piano in B minor. NYPL collection has flyer with program on back.
1938, May 26 – at Wigmore Hall, London. Piano recital; all works by Servine. Works performed: Twenty Preludes, Sonata in D minor. NYPL collection has flyer with program on back.
1941, February 9 – At Town Hall, New York, New York. Chamber music concert; all works by Servine. Performers: Roth String Quartet, Marthe Servine (piano). Works performed: Piano quintets in B flat major and E flat major (“Spring”), Sonata for Violin and Piano in B minor.
Sources
There is a photo of Servine in the Marthe Servine Manuscripts collection at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.[6]
References
^"Marthe W. Dougherty (1862-1960)". Find A Grave. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
^ abcdefghijkStraus, Noel. "Concert is given by Roth Quartet: Marthe Servine, composer, is heard at piano with string group at Town Hall", New York Times, Amusements, p. 21, 1941, February 10, 1941, retrieved August 19, 2013.
^ abcThe Roth String Quartet in a Program of Compositions by Marthe Servine. Program for concert at Town Hall, New York, NY, Feb. 9, 1941.
^ abcdefPerkins, Francis D. Marthe Servine plays at recital of own works: heard with Roth Quartet in program of 2 quintets and violin-piano sonata. New York Tribune, February 10, 1941.
^ abcdHuneker, James Gibbons. "Marthe Servine in piano recital", New York Times, p.13, March 9, 1919.
^ abcdefghijklmn"Marthe Servine Scores", JOB-76-13, Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
^ abcdI.K. Compositions of Servine played by Roth String Quartet. New York Sun. Feb. 10, 1941.
^ abcJ.B. Roth Quartet plays works by Servine. New York Post. Feb. 10, 1941.
^ abcAnon. The Roth String Quartet. The Musician. March, 1941.
External links
New York Public Library catalog record for Marthe Servine Manuscripts collection
August 17, 2023
marthe, servine, 1862, paris, 1960, french, american, composer, pianist, primarily, known, works, solo, piano, songs, photo, french, american, composer, pianist, from, advertising, flyer, 1919, concert, at1919, concert, aeolian, hall, manhattan, yorkborn1862pa. Marthe Servine 1862 in Paris 1960 1 was a French American composer and pianist primarily known for her works for solo piano and songs Marthe ServinePhoto of French American composer pianist Marthe Servine from an advertising flyer for her 1919 concert at1919 concert at Aeolian Hall Manhattan New YorkBorn1862Paris FranceDied1972Great Barrington Massachusetts United StatesMusical careerOccupation s Composer Pianist Contents 1 Biography 2 Works 2 1 Songs 2 2 Solo piano works 2 3 Choral 3 Compositional style 4 Pianistic style 5 Known concerts 6 Sources 7 References 8 External linksBiography EditMarthe Servine was born in Paris of French parents 2 She was brought to the U S at the age of 10 and became an American citizen 2 She returned to France to study music 2 She studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire 3 and made her debut at the age of 12 4 At her debut she played the Mendelssohn G Minor Concerto under Xaver Scharwenka 3 She continued her piano studies with Vasily Safonov 3 She also studied composition with Andre Gedalge the teacher of Honegger Milhaud and Ravel 2 Sometime before or during 1919 Servine returned to the U S She gave a piano recital on March 8 1919 at Aeolian Hall in New York 5 At this concert she performed exclusively her own compositions 5 a trait shared by all of her known concerts as is shown by her concert programs 6 After 1919 but before 1924 Servine moved back to Europe where the captions on her manuscripts show that she spent some time in France and some in Britain 6 She gave many concerts in Britain all known ones consisting of her own works and all with herself at the piano 6 Her works were also played in concerts of which she was not a part by the Brosa and Kutcher String Quartets 6 among others and many distinguished British singers have featured her songs 2 In 1939 or 1940 Servine returned to New York 2 6 She took up residence in the Upper West Side 6 and gave one concert on February 9 1941 7 8 9 10 The performers included the Roth Quartet and herself at the piano 2 4 5 7 10 The concert was well received garnering several positive reviews from major New York newspapers 2 4 5 7 8 9 10 In the New York Sun review she was described as a vigorous person of middle years 8 F D Perkins writing in the New York Tribune shortly after the concert described her music as showing solid and well schooled musicianship and knowledge of form and of generosity in regard to melody 4 Her style was pervaded by the atmosphere of late nineteenth century romanticism it occasionally called to mind Brahms and Cesar Frank or MacDowell The B flat quintet had one rising phrase in the strings which recalled Wagner 4 In the early 1940s Servine married American Malcolm Dougherty and around the year 1945 they moved together to Great Barrington Massachusetts 6 Her song cycle The Year was captioned Great Barrington 1945 6 She lived there until her death in 1972 6 Her last known work is a draft of a Prelude for two pianos dated October 28 November 1 1972 6 In 1973 her husband donated the collection to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts 6 Works EditMarthe Servine composed symphonies concertos operas choral works both with and without orchestra chamber works for various combinations of instruments and for solo instruments and over 400 songs She does not appear to have made any recordings Her few published works are Songs Edit Brahma The call A drinking song How sweet I roamed IdentitySolo piano works Edit Prelude amp fugue Sonata in D minorChoral Edit Rune of HospitalityCompositional style EditSeveral of the reviewers remarked on the composer s surprisingly conservative style and rich sonorities 2 4 The Musical America reviewer known only by the initial C states that The music heard on this occasion follows both traditional structural models and the traditional melodic feeling of the later Romantic school the composer approached her group of instruments from the standpoint of orchestral coloring and the opulent sonorities achieved added a general lushness of effect to the melodic element 7 Her works were viewed very positively by most including J B of the New York Post who said Madame Servine judging by yesterday afternoon s offerings just misses being a great composer 9 One reviewer however was critical stating that with regard to her sonata for violin and piano Sonata in B minor the length was excessive for the material the emotion never quite realized in sound 8 Pianistic style EditServine was considered to be an accomplished pianist by the reviewers of her 1941 concert The reviewer from Musical America known as C said that she proved to be a pianist of noteworthy virility of style with an entirely adequate technique and the command of a rich warm tone 7 Noel Straus of the New York Times said that she played these works with the same vitality and warmth the same richness of tonal effects reflected in her compositions She gave the works readings that searchingly unfolded the full intentions of the compositions 2 Known concerts EditAll of the following concerts are documented by concert programs in the New York Public Library s Marthe Servine Manuscripts collection 6 1919 March 8 at Aeolian Hall New York Piano recital program consisted of works by Servine who also was the sole performer Works performed two sonatas F minor amp D minor Twelve Variations on a Hindu Theme NYPL collection has flyer program and notice review 1920 1939 during her stay in London concerts of her works were given by the Brosa and Kutcher Quartets and others 2 Also Many distinguished British singers have featured her songs 6 1924 May 28 at Steinway Hall London Song recital program consisted of English language texts set by Servine Performers Lilian Humphreys singer Marthe Servine piano Works performed 23 songs NYPL collection has program 1925 April 21 at Wigmore Hall London Song recital sung in English some English and some translated poems all by Servine Performers Lilian Humphreys singer Marthe Servine piano Works performed 20 songs NYPL collection has program 1926 February 18 at the University College of North Wales Bangor Wales Department of Music Chamber concert all works by Servine Performers Lilian Humphreys singer Kathleen Washbourne violin Marthe Servine piano Works performed 12 songs Violin and Piano Sonata in B Minor NYPL collection has program 1926 March 24 at Wigmore Hall London Piano recital all works by Servine who was the sole performer Works performed Prelude and Fugue in D minor Sonata in F minor Twelve Variations on a Hindu Theme Sonata in D minor NYPL collection has program 1938 January 26 at Wigmore Hall London Song recital all works by Servine Performers Astra Desmond contralto John McKenna singer Frederick Riddle viola Marthe Servine piano Works performed 12 individual songs the song cycle The Lover s Sequence a setting of Twenty five Anonymous Spanish poems NYPL collection has flyer program 1938 April 25 at Wigmore Hall London Chamber music concert all works by Servine Performers Brosa String Quartet Marthe Servine piano Works performed Piano quintets in B flat minor and E flat major Sonata for violin and piano in B minor NYPL collection has flyer with program on back 1938 May 26 at Wigmore Hall London Piano recital all works by Servine Works performed Twenty Preludes Sonata in D minor NYPL collection has flyer with program on back 1941 February 9 At Town Hall New York New York Chamber music concert all works by Servine Performers Roth String Quartet Marthe Servine piano Works performed Piano quintets in B flat major and E flat major Spring Sonata for Violin and Piano in B minor Sources EditThere is a photo of Servine in the Marthe Servine Manuscripts collection at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts 6 References Edit Marthe W Dougherty 1862 1960 Find A Grave Retrieved 19 February 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k Straus Noel Concert is given by Roth Quartet Marthe Servine composer is heard at piano with string group at Town Hall New York Times Amusements p 21 1941 February 10 1941 retrieved August 19 2013 a b c The Roth String Quartet in a Program of Compositions by Marthe Servine Program for concert at Town Hall New York NY Feb 9 1941 a b c d e f Perkins Francis D Marthe Servine plays at recital of own works heard with Roth Quartet in program of 2 quintets and violin piano sonata New York Tribune February 10 1941 a b c d Huneker James Gibbons Marthe Servine in piano recital New York Times p 13 March 9 1919 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Marthe Servine Scores JOB 76 13 Music Division The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts a b c d e C The Roth String Quartet Musical America Feb 25 1941 a b c d I K Compositions of Servine played by Roth String Quartet New York Sun Feb 10 1941 a b c J B Roth Quartet plays works by Servine New York Post Feb 10 1941 a b c Anon The Roth String Quartet The Musician March 1941 External links EditNew York Public Library catalog record for Marthe Servine Manuscripts collection Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marthe Servine amp oldid 1128374292, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
