Venue(s):
Young Men’s Christian Association Hall
Conductor(s):
William Berge
Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo)
Performance Forces:
Vocal
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
30 October 2021
“The promised Gottschalk Memorial Concert occurred at Association Hall last evening. It was memorial in name rather than in fact. A reunion in which the poetic phrasing of Ritter, the crystalline purity of Mills, and the piano-pyrotechny of Sanderson, would have displayed in turn might have brought back occasional reminiscences of the charms of the dead artist’s performances to those persons who had heard him in a not distant past, and would have enlightened those who had not as to his genius as an executant and composer. Judging from yesterday’s experience, however, the temperament and mechanical skill of Mr. J. Edward Haner, who gave the concert, were alike unequal to the task. The programme was the most representative part of the whole affair, and, without further comment, we must say, bearing in mind how little was done toward recalling the memory of the dead, and possibly how much was affected, where no recollections existed, to belittle at, that we wish the portion ascribed to Gottschalk had been the work of [illegible], and—in view of the questionable worth of the remainder—that the remainder had been Gottschalk’s own. The artists coöperating with Mr. Haner were Mme. Marie Salvotti, Mr. A. L. Mora and Mr. J. Lewenberg. The pluck and merit of all had abundant recognition at the hands of a numerous audience, so that it will be understood that the unfavorable opinion expressed above in regard to Mr. Haner relates exclusively to his fitness to fulfill a promise that perhaps no single artist could have prudently undertaken to realize.”
“The audience was large, and the applause abundant.”
“The Gottschalk Memorial, at Association Hall, on Wednesday evening, was a very interesting and touching tribute to the memory of the deceased composer by Mr. J. Haner, his pupil. The programme was mainly made up of Gottschalk’s works, the selections being calculated to display the main characteristics of the lamented pianist. They found able and conscientious interpreters in Mr. Haner and Mme. Salvotti. Messrs. Lewenberg and Mora also took part in the concert. We would recommend the latter gentleman to study such a work as ‘La Gallina’ a little more before he attempts to play it in public with Mr. Haner. It did not produce the desired effect, owing to his want of promptitude in his part.”