Mendelssohn Union Concert: 4th

Event Information

Venue(s):
Irving Hall

Conductor(s):
George Frederick Bristow

Price: $1

Event Type:
Choral

Performance Forces:
Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
20 March 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

27 Apr 1868, 8:00 PM

Program Details

All of the advertisements list John P. Morgan as a performer, but the review in the New York Times lists G.W. Morgan. Music in Gotham believes it was John P. Morgan.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Thomas Orchestra;  Mendelssohn Union;  John P. [organist--not John Paul of Grace Church] Morgan;  George Simpson;  Euphrosyne Parepa
2)
Christus am Oelberge
aka Engedi; David in the wilderness; Mount of olives
Composer(s): Beethoven
Text Author: Huber
3)
42. Psalm
aka Psalm 42; As the hart pants; For my soul thirsteth for God; My tears have been my meat; Why, my soul, art thou so vexed?; My God, within me is my soul cast down; The Lord hath commanded
Composer(s): Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 26 March 1868, 7.

Postponed from March 26.

2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 25 April 1868, 2.

Lists John P. Morgan.

3)
Announcement: New York Herald, 27 April 1868, 3.
4)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 27 April 1868, 7.

Lists John P. Morgan.

5)
: Strong, George Templeton. New-York Historical Society. The Diaries of George Templeton Strong, 1863-1869: Musical Excerpts from the MSs, transcribed by Mary Simonson. ed. by Christopher Bruhn., 27 April 1868.

“To Irving Hall and heard Mendelssohn’s 42 Psalm and the Mount of Olives, or rather ‘Engedi’ being both changed. Fairly rendered by the Mendelssohn Union, and Thomas’ orchestra. I confess the latter fell a little short on my recollections of twenty years ago. But the choruses are very great and the finale almost matchless. The Psalm never greatly interested me.”

6)
Review: New York Herald, 28 April 1868, 12.

“Mendelssohn Union Oratorio.—This well known vocal society gave their fourth and last performance of the season at Irving Hall last night before an immense audience. The performance consisted of Mendelssohn’s Forty-second Psalm, ‘As the Hart Pants,’ and Beethoven’s ‘Mount of Olives.’ The latter is sometimes called ‘Engedi, or David in the Wilderness,’ and is a work abounding in difficulties of the most formidable character. The chorus and orchestra were ably conducted by George F. Bristow, his commanding baton guiding them safely over some of the rough places. Madame Parepa-Rosa sang the trying solo, ‘Oh, Praise Him,’ and with Mr. Simpson, the still more trying duet, ‘I Love the Lord,’ in admirable style. Her voice took the ‘E in alt’ in the former member without the slightest difficulty. The work is rather too extensive in its requirements for the number of voices and instruments that the Mendelssohn Union brought to bear on it, but they all seemed to have undergone a severe and thorough training under the direction of Mr. Bristow.”

7)
Review: New-York Times, 01 May 1868, 5.

“Musical. Concerts. The Mendelssohn Union gave its last entertainment of the season on Monday evening. It was in many respects the best of the entire series, and—save that the orchestra was too small—the pieces received the best interpretation. The programme consisted of two important works—the 42d Psalm (“As the heart pants”) by Mendelssohn, and Beethoven's ‘Mount of Olives.’ The first-named work is comparatively unknown in this country, but it is one of the best and most fresh of the composer’s productions. It was rendered with much effect by the Union. Beethoven's ‘Mount of Olives’ was also given with marked delicacy and precision. Mme. Parepa-Rosa and Mr. George Simpson were the soloists. The orchestra was under the capable direction of Mr. G. F. Bristow, and Mr. G. W. Morgan [sic; advertisements for the concert clearly indicate John P. Morgan] presided at the organ.”