Harrison Sunday Concert: 16th

Includes program.

Includes program.

“The sixteenth Sunday concert at Steinway Hall last night was rather poorly attended. The only remarkable feature in the concert was a grand piano duet played on two grands by Messrs. Pease and Colby and composed by the former gentleman. It was a fantasia on the ‘Grand Duchess,’ and by far the best that has been heard this season. Mr. Pease has given us a brilliant, artistic and delicately woven transcription of Offenbach’s opera. The work commences with the ‘Sabre de Mon Père,’ and suddenly breaks off into the song of the regiment, which is elaborated à la Gottschalk in the most sparkling and effective manner. The brindisi of the last act, the cancan and the ‘Sabre de Mon Père’ are cleverly brought in, and receive all the brilliant ornamentation they call for. The transitions are splendidly managed, and a clear, artistic, coherent work is consequently produced. Mr. Pease’s work is the only good transcription of this popular opera that we have heard this season. It was encored and responded to by a duet in Gounod’s ‘Berceuse,’ which was also a very meritorious work. Mr. Bowler sang a very inappropriate song from ‘Maritana,’ although it favorably displayed his beautiful tenor voice. The other persons who took part in the concert are not deserving of favorable recognition, for the singing and violin and organ playing were not worthy of concerts of such calibre as the Steinway Hall Sunday concerts have hitherto been.”

“The especially interesting feature of the concert given at Steinway Hall on Sunday evening, was the performance on the piano, by Mr. Alfred H. Pease and Mr. Colby, of a fine arrangement of the airs from ‘The Grand Duchess,’ by the former. Mr. Pease also played the march from ‘Tannhauser,’ with admirable taste and execution.”

“. . . Mr. L. F. Harrison gave his sixteenth Sunday concert at Steinway Hall last evening. The singers were Mrs. Annie Kemp Bowler, a contralto, who has not gained greatly by singing on the stage, and Mr. Brookhouse Bowler, a capital tenor, who made his debut in New York some years since, under the direction of Miss Lucy Escott. The gentleman has a fine voice, sings with delicacy, and was deservedly applauded. He is the best concert tenor we have had for many years. Mr. Alfred H. Pease played several pieces on the piano-forte with taste, precision and skill. His duet on the ‘Grand Duchess’ was warmly received. The gentleman’s style is eminently popular, and takes with the public. Mr. Caulfield presided at the organ, and Mr. G. W. Colby at the piano—both efficiently. Mr. Kopta was the solo violinist, and acquitted himself with his usual dexterity.”