Church Music Association Public Rehearsal

Event Information

Venue(s):
Steinway Hall

Conductor(s):
James Pech

Event Type:
Choral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
7 October 2025

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

27 Dec 1870, Afternoon

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Orchestra, unidentified;  Church Music Association;  Jennie Kempton
2)
Lurline, overture
aka introduction; Loreley
Composer(s): Wallace
3)
Mass, H. XXII, 11, D minor
aka Imperial Mass; Mass, no. 3; Nelson Mass
Composer(s): Haydn
4)
Preciosa, [incidental music]
aka Precioso
Composer(s): Weber

Citations

1)
Article: New-York Times, 27 December 1870, 5.
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., 27 December 1870.

“C. M. A. rehearsal 4 to 6 p. m. Orchestra, 74. Overture to Lurline (Wallace)—the Mass (with repeats)—& the overture & the alto solo from Preciosa. House quite full. Dr. Pech & his nice little wife dined with us. I think she will increase the work of the census taker before a great while.

Wallace’s overture is far better than I expected—a piece of first-rate work for a fourth-rate man. It is clear, sparkling, melodic, not in the least frivolous or commonplace, and suggests Weber. The Mass, with orchestra, was gorgeous. Every movement was enriched with color & new form. The performance was like seeing for the first time a great picture, engravings of which one has long loved. But the comparison is not quite accurate, because the orchestral wok includes so much that the piano score omits altogether, or condenses into a mere hint of Haydn’s conception. Mrs. Kempton sang her solo from Preciosa admirably well, and with great approval. It is evident that the Preciosa music, so full of genius & brilliancy, & so perfectly clear, will find great favor. Few people know any part of it, except the beautiful overture, & that has not been well rendered here, for a long while. Many are quite wild about the choruses as heard with piano accompaniment. I think they will prove to be even more enriched & intensified by the orchestra than the choruses in the Mass.”