W. K. Bassford and J. H. Poznanski Concert

“Irving Hall.—This spacious and beautiful hall was last evening well filled, the occasion being a grand concert by Mr. W. K. Bassford, organist of Dr. Adams’ church, and Mr. Issac R. Poznanski, the violinist, in which they were aided by other artists. The programme presented a pleasing variety of select vocal music and that specially adapted for the violin and piano. Leading off the programme was the duo, ‘Love and War,’ by Mr. M. [sic] J. Hill and Mr. J. R. Thomas, which was sung with artistic effect, after which Mr. Poznanski played a ‘Grande Fantaisie Pathétique,’ of his own composition, on the violin, betraying a wonderful mastery of the instrument. Mr. Hill next sung that exquisite air of Stigelli, ‘The Tear,’ imparting to it all the exquisite melody of which it is capable, and was followed by Mlle. Josey Hofle, who sung the cavatina ‘Eine Holde Edl Dame,’ from the ‘Huguenots,’ by Meyerbeer, with most delicious sweetness and power. Both the latter were encored, as also was Mr. Bassford, who, with his accustomed easy grace and artistic touch, executed on the piano several favorite selections from ‘Il Trovatore.’ Schubert’s song, ‘The Wanderer,’ as sung by Mr. Thomas, with rare correctness, delicacy and force of rendition, completed the first part of the performance. The second part consisted of the song, ‘The First Meeting,’ by Abt, sung by Mr. Hill; another instalment [sic] of magnificent playing on the piano by Mr. Bassford, in which he played the illustration, ‘The Jealous Stream,’ his own composition; still another song by Mr. Thomas, his own song, ‘The Voice of the Mountain Land,’ additional performances on the violin by Mr. Poznanski, made up of selections from romanza by Vieuxtemps [sic], and Carneval de Venise, by Paganini; the Ave Maria of Gounod with obligato [sic] accompaniments by Messrs. Dressler, Poznanski and Bassford, by Mlle. Hofle, and the duo, Faust, Gounod, [sic] composed and performed by Messrs. Bassford and Poznanski. Altogether it was a rare and most acceptable evening’s entertainment, as shown in the unbounded applause with which each performance was greeted, and the frequency of the encores.”

“Mr. W. K. Bassford, organist of Dr. Adams’s church, and Mr. J. H. Poznanski, the violinist, gave together a concert, Wednesday evening, at Irving Hall. They were assisted by Miss Josey Hoflé, Mr. W. J. Hill, and Mr. J. R. Thomas. Mr. Poznanski played a fantasie pathetique of his own composition, and played it well. If not a violinist of the highest order he has many real good qualities which raise him above the average of ordinary concert players. He is an excellent musician, and he plays with good expression, and depth, and freedom of tone, but he is occasionally uncertain in chords and pizzicato movements. Allowance should be made for Mr. Bassford, who, having injured his hand in a recent accident, was unable to do himself justice. Miss Josey Hoflé has a fine, powerful voice, and uses it with discretion. Her rendering of the Page’s song from ‘The Huguenots’ was rather ungraceful in effect from being sung in German, and this was, perhaps, the cause of a perceptible want of delicacy in phrasing. Mr. W. J. Hill is one of the most pleasing of concert tenors. He was in good voice, and received one of the best-merited encores of the evening. Mr. J. R. Thomas sang with his accustomed verve, Schubert’s ‘Wanderer,’ and his own charming song, ‘Voice of the Mountain Land.’ Notwithstanding the weather the hall was tolerably well filled.”