Liederkranz Hall

Event Information

Venue(s):
Liederkranz Hall

Conductor(s):
Agricol Paur

Event Type:
Choral, Orchestral

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
16 May 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

07 Oct 1866, 8:30 PM

Program Details

First concert of the Liederkranz Society this season.

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
Composer(s): Abt
3)
aka Stay with me
Composer(s): Abt
Participants:  Bertha Johannsen
4)
aka Grande fantaisie dramatique sur les themes de Faust
Composer(s): Pattison
Participants:  John Nelson Pattison
5)
Composer(s): Schumann
Participants:  J. [tenor] Biedermann
6)
aka Braut-Prozession; Wedding march; Bridal chorus; Brautgesang
Composer(s): Wagner
Participants:  Deutscher Liederkranz
8)
Composer(s): Chopin
Participants:  John Nelson Pattison
9)
Composer(s): Faubert
Participants:  Bertha Johannsen
10)
aka Gesang der Geister uber den Wassern; Song of the spirits
Composer(s): Hiller
Text Author: Goethe
Participants:  Deutscher Liederkranz

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 06 October 1866, 8.
2)
Announcement: New York Herald, 07 October 1866, 5.

“The first concert of the Liederkranz Society this season will take place this evening at the hall of the society, on Fourth street. The programme is very interesting.”

3)
Advertisement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 07 October 1866, 8.
4)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 08 October 1866, 8.

The review covers only the first part of the concert. Abt’s “Volkslied” was performed with accuracy. Bertha Johannsen proved she is still a fine singer although her voice has lost some of its glamour. Pattison played his frequently performed Faust fantasy with the usual technical skill. Mr. Biedermann possesses an excellent tenor voice especially for a chorus singer (amateur); however, he seemed overwhelmed with the demands of the difficult Schumann piece he chose to perform. The finale of the first part was Wagner’s “Brautgesang” which was performed and conducted excellently by the chorus and Mr. Paur. The pompous introduction of the piece was sung with accuracy and energy and the piano parts were sung tenderly and sensitively.

5)
Review: New York Herald, 09 October 1866, 7.

“The first concert of the season of this excellent vocal society came off at their rooms in Fourth street. The programme comprised selections from the works of Abt, Schumann, Kücken, Faubert and Hiller. The choruses were all sung with precision and in general with expression, and the voices were very well balanced. It is seldom in a German society that the quality of the tenor voices is as good as in the Liederkranz. Mr. A. Paur made a very good director. Mr. J. N. Pattison played one of Chopin’s dreamy studies in his usual masterly style, and Madame Bertha Johannsen sang as she always sings, like a true artist. Although her voice is much worn and has lost its freshness and melodious tones, yet she sings with such finished and consummate skill that she is still enjoyable in those matchless German lieds. The next concert will take place on Sunday next.”

6)
Review: New-Yorker Musik-Zeitung, 10 October 1866, 154.

J. R. Pattison has returned from Europe and also seemingly left his inappropriate ideas behind. It is very important for an artist to have a healthy self-confidence and pride. However, some self-reflection is also essential. He could be a good addition to the American artist scene, if he is willing to present himself appropriately. If he has not found satisfaction in his ambition yet, he has only himself to blame.

7)
Announcement: New-Yorker Musik-Zeitung, 10 October 1866, 154.

Bertha Johannsen will only give vocal lessons from now on. She will attract many students.

8)
Review: New-Yorker Musik-Zeitung, 17 October 1866, 170.

The performance of the choruses left nothing to wish for, especially the “Chor der Geister”. Wm. Steinway took on the solos in the chorus. Bertha Johannsen sang tastefully as usual; however, the Faubert song was out of her range and thus the coloratura was too heavy and thick. Mr. Pattison has improved significantly, yet less so as a composer. His performance on the piano however has become purer, more accurate and refined and he himself is calmer. With his energy and continued education he will accomplish much.

Mr. Biedermann is clearly an amateur, as we could hear. It is questionable if that entitles him to sing in these concerts.