Promenade Concert

The concert will be played on Schreiber-Cornet Factory’s new patent brass instruments.

“…The Seventh Regiment Armory presented a brilliant sight last night, when Grafulla gave his last concert for the season. Looking from the balcony, the eye fell on a human kaleidoscope of fashionable promendaers, and the strains of the band mingled curiously with the unceasing hum of voices; the rainbow colors of silk, satin, and moire antique, with the hundred dainty little hats and lovely faces, formed a mosaic pavement around the centre platform on which Grafulla waved his baton over a score and a half brass and reed speech makers. Now and then the smiling face was overshadowed with an ominous frown like a thunder cloud, and a flash of lightning wrath annihilated some unlucky wight who ventured to tread on a voluminous train. Still the fair promenaders found sufficient time to listen to and appreciate the delightful music. The programme comprised selections from Ricci, Verdi, Rossini, Strauss, Meyerbeer, Donizetti, Kuhner, Suppe, Parloro [Parlow] and Grafulla. One of the compositions of the last mentioned was a charming waltz, called the Henrietta Waltz, and commcmorative of the great ocean yacht race. The introduction was a beautiful andante, comprising a cornet solo of much beauty. The waltz itself is of the Strauss or Lanner spirit, and cleverly and spiritedly worked up. It will, when published, make a very effective piano piece. The various themes blend into each other with as satisfactory an ensemble as the most exacting German waltzer would wish. Schrieber’s instruments, of which we spoke before, were used for the first time on this occasion.” 

“The closing concert of Grafulla’s Seventh Regiment Band last evening was attended by two thousand persons. The new instruments, made by the Schreiber Company, with which Mr. Grafulla has equipped his excellent band, were on this occastion first introduced to public notice, and the performance was very satisfactory. The volume of sound was remarkable, and the songs sweet and pure. After the performance a small company of invited guests were entertained at a supper, and the evening ended with a dance.”

“…Graffulla [sic] gave another concert at the 7^th Regiment Armory last evening, exhibiting the new Schreiber instruments to flourishing advantage. Their great value as an improvement is now signally manifest.”

“On Tuesday evening Graffula’s [sic] Band gave their last promendade concert for this season, the occasion being a ‘benefit’ to the band. The rooms were crowded to excess by a brilliant and fashionable gathering of the friends of the regiment, among whom were a large number of officers from other organizations. The new instruments made a favorable impression, though very few seemed to care much about them, the majority enjoying the pleasure of the promenade.”