Philharmonic Society of New York 1st Rehearsal for the 4th Concert

Event Information

Venue(s):
Academy of Music

Conductor(s):
Carl Bergmann

Event Type:
Orchestral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
12 September 2021

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

18 Feb 1870, 2:30 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka The Magic Flute; Zauberflote, Die
Composer(s): Mozart
3)
Composer(s): Rietz
4)
Composer(s): Mozart
Participants:  Emily [soprano] Davison
5)
Composer(s): Goltermann
Participants:  Frederick Bergner
6)
Composer(s): Schumann
8)
Composer(s): Beethoven

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 17 February 1870, 7.
2)
Review: New-York Times, 19 February 1870, 4.

“The first rehearsal for the fourth concert of the Philharmonic Society took place at the Academy of Music yesterday afternoon. Thanks to the weather, it was possible to obtain a seat during the performance of the following programme: [see above]

“The overture to the ‘Magic Flute’ is always welcome. The introduction of a quintette while rather an innovation on the usual programme, is certainly one worthy of encouragement. It is full of beauties, and was heartily appreciated. Mrs. Davison has a clear and pleasant voice and sang with good expression and with energy. The overture to ‘Genoveva’ by Schumann is new. It was first produced in 1847, and unfortunately, proved a failure. Whether it will be more successful now can be better recorded when its rendering is perfected. It bears evidences of the unsettled state of mind of the composer at the time of writing it. Beethoven’s symphony has been considered his masterpiece, and the life which he infused into the symphonic form, perfected by Bach and Mozart, is revealed in each of the movements. The first and last are especially fine and energetic. The programme, it will be seen, is an exceptionally good one.”

3)
Review: New-York Daily Tribune, 19 February 1870, 7.

“The first rehearsal for the fourth Philharmonic Concert took place yesterday afternoon, and introduced to the general public another amateur vocalist who has long enjoyed celebrity in private circles. Mrs. Emily Davison, who sang on this occasion an aria of Mozart’s, has an excellent soprano voice, of ample strength and, in a part of its register, of singularly rich and grateful quality. Her musical culture far surpasses that of many professional vocalists, and her power of dramatic expression is remarkable.

“The programme of instrumental music for the next concert is more than usually interesting. It includes Beethoven’s fifth Symphony (C minor), the overtures to Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute,’ and Schumann’s ‘Genoveva,’ a violoncello concerto by Golterman, played by Mr. Bergner, and a quintet by Rietz, for flute, oboe, clarionet, bassoon, and horn.”