Julius Schuberth Semi-Centennial

“A celebration of a decidedly unique character took place last night, a hundred or more of prominent resident musicians being in attendance. It was the celebration by Mr. Julius Schuberth, the Broadway music publisher, of the semi-centennial anniversary of the founding of his firm. Fifty years ago, when but twenty years of age, he started his business in the city of Leipsic [sic]. In 1843 he established in New York a branch house, which has outgrown the parent tree.

Mr. Schuberth himself was the soul of the company last night. Though seventy years old, he is as active mentally and physically as a man of forty. He showed this in his sprightly management of the soiree, and by his effective violin performance of a Beethoven sonata. The musical guests present added their contributions to the pleasure of the evening. Mrs. Clara Brinkerhoff sang with excellent taste and effect, and was warmly applauded. Miss Josefina Filomena played the pianoforte, showing unusual strength of finger, and bringing out crescendo passages in a style we have rarely heard equaled. Mr. Wenzel Kopta proved his mastery over the violin, and Mr. Singer played accompaniments with artistic skill. Later in the evening Mr. Schuberth was serenaded by some of the members of Theodore Thomas’s orchestra.

About midnight a handsome supper was served in the basement of the building. Mr. H. C. Watson made a clever speech of congratulation to Mr. Schuberth, for whom Thomas Dunn English briefly responded, styling the present anniversary Schuberth’s golden wedding to art. Mr. Singer made some humorous remarks in German, and the party broke up at an early hour this morning. The occasion was one of special interest to such of the musical public as are aware of the high class of music which Mr. Schuberth has published and imported, consisting chiefly of the best works of the great German and Italian composers; and a man who for half a century labors to familiarize the public with these productions certainly deserves a more marked recognition than they who devote their brains and capital solely to the issuing of ‘Tommy Dodd,’ ‘Up in a Balloon,’ or the ‘Bird Waltz.’”