George Templeton Strong on Messiter, Trinity Church Music Director

Event Information

Venue(s):
Trinity Church

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
12 July 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

18 Apr 1869
20 Apr 1869
23 Apr 1869
27 Apr 1869

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  A. H. Messiter

Citations

1)
: 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., 18 April 1869.

“Pech tells me Messiter resigns as Musical Director at Trinity. Good. I have never asked a favor during my 22 years service in the Vestry, but I shall do my uttermost to get Pech made Messiter’s successor and anticipating this resignation I have already made some interest for him. He knows the difference between ‘Music’ and ‘Tolerable Music’ between e.g. Mozart and the Anglican Smiths and Thompsons, and is aware that tolerable music is like a ‘Tolerable’ egg B not to be endured B least endurable of all in Divine Service.”

2)
: 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., 20 April 1869.

“Conference with Cisco & Skidmore this A.M. about the Music of Trinity Church. Messiter resigns, but will withdraw his resignation if $2000.00 be added to the appropriation for [illeg.] & for his choir. A troublesome question. We agreed to call an informal meeting of Standing Committee tomorrow afternoon.”

3)
: 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., 23 April 1869.

“Our Standing Com. met with the Rector at Vestry Office Wednesday and agreed informally to recommend an increased appropriation ($2000.00 increase) for music at Trinity Church. I acquiesced, under protest, and so I surmise Mr. KapellMeister Messiter will withdraw his resignation and continue to Anglicize and afflict for an indefinite period.”

4)
: 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 1869.

“Anthem at Trinity was Mendelssohn. Can Messiter be undergoing a change of heart?”