Description

MARY ANGELL

 

 

 

Professional Reputation and Artistry

Mary Angell established herself as a significant force in the early 20th-century music scene, earning a reputation for a performance style that was remarkably modern for its time. Contemporary critics frequently highlighted her “clarity and directness of appeal,” noting that her playing was “strong and simple” and “happily free from mannerisms.” This lack of Victorian-era affectation made her work appear “interesting and invigorating” to audiences and peers alike.

Recording and Technical Contributions

In the burgeoning music technology sector of the 1910s, Angell was a sought-after collaborator for the Imperial Player Roll Company. She played a vital role in the transition from mechanical, rigid piano rolls to “hand-played” recordings. Her contributions were marketed as the “solid part” of the company’s catalog, prized for capturing the “artistic phrasing” and specific “touch technique” that defined her live performances. Her work allowed for a more “personal interpretation” of music to be reproduced in homes across the country.

Stage and Repertoire

Throughout her career, Angell maintained a rigorous performance schedule across major American cities, particularly within the university and high-society circuits. She was known for a diverse and technically demanding repertoire that bridged classical virtuosity and contemporary compositions, including:

Liszt: Twelfth Rhapsody

Schubert-Tausig: Marche Militaire

Chaminade: Various compositions

Dohnányi: Rhapsodie

Critical Reception

Her career was marked by consistent acclaim from major publications such as the Chicago Daily News and the Inter-Ocean. She was often described as an artist of “international note,” respected for a “cunning” technical ability that matched her professional poise. Her presence at faculty concerts and high-profile recitals, such as those at the College Chapel or the Woman’s Clubhouse of San Pedro, solidified her status as a premiere talent of the pre-war era.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

Imperial 59220 Jeu Des Ondes The Play Of The Waves (Leschetizky)

QRS 62380 Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op.3 No.2 (Rachmaninoff)

Recordo 63300 Second Mazurka (Godard)

Recordo 66140 Valse Brillante Op 34 No 1 Ab (Chopin)