History of the HMC
Although it started as a club for women, in 1900 HMC began to admit men and to hold its twice-monthly meetings in the evening rather than the afternoon. In 1907 and 1908, it experienced financial difficulties, going into the "red". Members were asked to contribute extra to pay off the debt. In 1908, when it was recorded that performers would often not show up to play because of lack of time, members were asked to sign a letter of agreement to play, if asked. This brought about a commitment to participate and the Club seemed to flourish from then on.
In 2014, the Club was again in dire straits and in danger of folding. However, Judy Ginsberg came to the rescue, determined not to let the HMC collapse, by taking on the role of President. The Home Music Club continues to quietly go about its business and can claim to be “the second oldest existing musical organization in Toronto, after the Mendelssohn Choir".
A VOICE FROM THE PAST: ANNA MUELLER FARINI
The Centennial publication, THE HOME MUSIC CLUB OF TORONTO 1897-1997 has a wonderful, comprehensive history of the Club. This was a paper delivered to the Home Music Club at the Heliconian Club in 1955 by Florence Hagerman, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. T.D. Richardson. Mrs. T.D. Richardson (Anna Butland) was the Club Secretary from 1897 to 1904. In this paper, references are made to Women’s Musical Club and Home Music Club member, Anna Mueller Farini, who arrived on the Toronto scene from Germany early in 1898. A very impressive personality, she was greatly admired for her elegance, sophistication, refinement and culture in Toronto's musical circles and by the critics. In addition to being a talented essayist and pianist, she was also a composer. She served one year as president of HMC.
Mueller Farini is credited with the suggestion that the Club be named, "The Home Musical Club". This title, along with the HMC crest, served as the back cover design of the Centennial publication. The original front and back covers were designed by Club member John Whittaker and are retained for the 125th Anniversary Handbook. Only the colours have been changed, from red and black to blue and white. Thanks to Shaunie Young for creating this design change.
In a programme dated November 6, 1899, Mueller Farini performed Jensen's "Brantgesang" Piano Duo for 4 Hands with Anna Butland (Mrs. T.D. Richardson). Although Anna Mueller Farini claimed to be a student of Liszt, there is speculation that this claim is exaggerated. However, at a regular meeting at the end of the second season of WMC on April 5, 1900, she presented a sketch titled "Personal Reminiscences of Liszt". So maybe there is truth to the claim. If so (as our President Roland Wilk has pointed out), that reveals a direct connection between The Home Music Club and the composer Liszt!
Another aspect in which Mueller Farini differed from her Toronto peers, is that she did not assume her husband's name. While the early HMC executive members were married to financiers and businessmen, her husband, Guillermo Antonio Farini, was a tightrope walker and circus performer whose real name was William Leonard Hunt. He grew up in the vicinity of Port Hope, Ontario. His claim to fame is that in 1860 he crossed Niagara Falls on a high wire.
Anna Mueller Farini was a colourful addition to Toronto's musical scene. She died on June 7, 1931, at age seventy-seven.