J. L. Rice Concert

Event Information

Venue(s):
Steinway Hall

Conductor(s):
Carl Bergmann

Price: $1 reserved & unreserved

Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo), Orchestral

Performance Forces:
Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
9 May 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

09 Dec 1869, Evening

Program Details

New York premiere of Rice’s Fantasie. Also included an unidentified cello sonata performed by Bergner.

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
Composer(s): Herz
Participants:  J. L. [pianist] Rice
3)
aka Mendelssohn's Wedding march; Fantasie on Midsummer night's dream
Composer(s): Liszt
Participants:  J. L. [pianist] Rice
4)
Composer(s): Rice
Participants:  J. L. [pianist] Rice
5)
Composer(s): Meyerbeer
Participants:  Jenny Landsman
6)
Composer(s): Schubert
Participants:  Jenny Landsman
7)
aka Prophete. Coronation march; Grand processional march; Krönungsmarsch; Crowning march
Composer(s): Meyerbeer

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 07 December 1869, 12.

Notice.—On this occasion Mr. Rice’s Fantasie in concerto form for piano and orchestra will be performed for the first time in New York.”

2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 07 December 1869, 9.
3)
Advertisement: New-York Daily Tribune, 08 December 1869, 3.
4)
Announcement: New York Post, 09 December 1869, 2.

“At Steinway Hall this evening Mr. I. L. Rice [sic] will give his first concert. He is a pianist, and a composer, too, and among other selections will play an original concerto for piano-forte and orchestra. Miss Landsman will be vocalist [sic] of the evening, and Carl Bergner [sic] will play some violoncello solos.”

5)
Announcement: New-York Daily Tribune, 09 December 1869, 4.

Difficult to read. “Mr. I. N. Rice [sic], a young Philadelphian, has just come back from Europe, where he has spent [illeg.] time in musical studies. He brings with him [illeg…] piano-forte fantasia, in concerto form, and purposes performing it this evening at Steinway Hall, with the [illeg., probably “assistance”] of Mr. Bergmann’s orchestra. Mr. F. Bergner [illeg…] Jenny Landsman will give [illeg.] to the entertainment.”

6)
Review: New-York Times, 10 December 1869, 5.

“Steinway Hall was well filled last evening, the occasion being a first concert by Mr J. L. Rice, the pianist. Mr. Rice gave a piano solo by Herz, a paraphrase of the ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ and a fantasie of his own composition, all of which were rendered with great spirit, and Mr. Rice received as warm applause from his audience as the most ambitious performer could desire. During the evening, Miss Jenny Landsman sung [sic] an aria from ‘L’Africaine,’ and Mr. Carl Bergner [sic] gave a violoncello solo. The concert, which was decidedly successful, concluded with Meyerbeer’s ‘Coronation March.’ Of Mr. Rice’s performance we may have an opportunity of speaking more critically hereafter.”

7)
Review: New York Post, 10 December 1869, 2.

“A well-attended concert was given at Steinway Hall last night by Mr. I. N. Rice [sic], a young pianist of considerable technical ability and other points of merit, promising well for his future career. He played a selection from Herz, Liszt’s ‘Mid-summer-Nights Dream’ fantasia, and the piano part of an original concerto for piano-forte and orchestra, composed by the pianist, and giving evidences of careful study. Miss Landsman sung [sic] several selections, being especially acceptable in Schubert’s ‘Serenade;’ and Mr. Bergner played solos on his favorite instrument, the violoncello. A good orchestra, led by Carl Bergmann, gave variety to this agreeable if not striking concert.”

8)
Review: New-York Daily Tribune, 11 December 1869, 7.

“Mr. I. L. Rice [sic], a young gentleman of Philadelhpia, who has just returned from a course of study somewhere in Europe, made his first appearance in New-York as a composer and pianist, on Thursday evening, at Steinway Hall. His audience was much larger than we expected it to be, and received him with marked favor. Of his playing not much need be said, except that he has a pleasant and delicate touch, but needs further practice and study before he can [illeg.] rank as an artist. As a composer he displays talent which deserves encouragement. He presented on Thursday night a fantasia in concert form, for piano and orchestra. The first movement, an allegro, is melodious, correct, and cleanly built, and the orchestration, if it shows no special inspiration, is at least careful and pleasant to the ear. The second movement, and andante, makes a most unwarranted use of the allegretto from Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. The composition closes with an allegro of less merit than the preceding movements. Mr. Rice was assisted by Carl Bergmann with a good orchestra; Mr. Frederic Bergner, who played the violoncello solos; Miss Jenny Landsman, who sang to the satisfaction of her numerous admirers and Signor [illeg.], and accomplished accompanist. Mr. Bergner’s merits are too well known to need commendation here. Miss Landsman does not seem to us to be in the right road to artistic eminence. She apparently thinks more of mannerism than of method, and in the effort to embellish [?] her songs with meretricious graces of delivery she forgets their sentiment [?]. Her voice is pleasant and the foundation of her musical education has been well laid, it will be a great pity if at the beginning of her career she acquires tricks of style which may be a hinderance [sic] to her hereafter. Let her remember that simplicity is the essence of truth.”