U. C. Hill Testimonial Concert

“A grand testimonial concert was given last evening for the benefit of Mr. U. C. Hill, the founder of the Philharmonic Society. It would be unfair to cavil where all the principal artists volunteered their services. The orchestra, composed of the members of the Philharmonic and Aschenbroedel Societies, was under the able direction of Herr Carl Bergmann and showed the signs of careful training. Beethoven’s overture ‘Egmont’ was given with astonishing vigor and precision. The like may be said of the finale of the second part—Weber’s overture ‘Euryanthe.’ Miss Clara Louise Kellogg sang ‘Belraggio,’ from Rossini’s opera ‘Semiramide,’ and carried off the honors of the evening [see NYT review for further information]. Her beautiful, clear and ringing voice was also heard at great advantage in the song ‘In Herz mir Herein,’ by Abt, which she rendered in a spirited manner. The charming Clara Louise was in both cases redemanded, but, like a sensible artist as she is, declined to be too lavish of her delightful organ. Miss Pauline Ninninger deserves credit for her singing of ‘D’Amore,’ from ‘Trovatore,’ and was encored. As a matter of course, the stereotyped floral offering was not wanting. Signor Leoni (tenor) rendered the song ‘Noel Cantique’ with devotional feeling and passionate expression, too much of the latter, in fact. Signor Leoni is a good singer, but he must not pitch his voice too high, for he cannot do it without a severe strain upon his organ. Mr. S. B. Mills, whose interpretations of classical music are always welcome, was the pianist. His playing of ‘Concerto,’ in E minor, by Chopin, could not be surpassed. Nor must we omit Master Willie Hess, the youthful violinist, who rendered Vieuxtemps’ fantaisie, ‘Lucia,’ and whose playing was characterized by refinement and delicacy of touch. The whole performance was artistically, if not financially, a success.” 

“The concert given by the members of the Philharmonic Society for the benefit of U. C. Hill did not attract a very large audience to the Academy of Music on Saturday night. The entertainment offered was really good. Miss Kellogg sang two selections, though suffering from a severe cold. Miss Nininger gave, with much taste and feeling, the aria Sul ali  from ‘Trovatore,’ winning a prompt encore. Master Julian Hess, a boy violinist of more than ordinary promise, played a fantasia on ‘Lucia’ with much delicacy of execution. There were also several orchestral selections of average merit. It is surprising that a concert so rich in musical merit should have attracted such limited patronage.”

“On Saturday evening an orchestra, selected from the Philharmonic, Aschenbrödel, and other instrumental societies, with several of our best solo vocalists and performers, united in a testimonial concert in honor of the Nestor of the Philharmonic Society, Mr. U. C. Hill, before an audience small in numbers but mighty in enthusiasm.

The performance of Beethoven’s ‘Egmont’ overture was spirited, but showed here and there a slight lack of evenness and drill, not unnatural in view of the extempore character of the orchestra.

Onslow’s quintet No. 83 is smooth and melodious; the andante expressing convalescence, is peculiarly tender and expressive. The playing of a quintet by the stringed portion of the orchestra has a certain novelty, and the effect of so many strings carrying each separate part in unison was to give a certain wild and plaintive tone to the whole.

Miss Kellogg suffered under a serious attack of indisposition, and claimed the indulgence of the audience for substituting for the ‘Bel Raggio’ from ‘Semiramide’ an easier and simpler air. Master Willie Hess, the ten-year-old violinist, plays with taste and quite remarkable facility for so very young a virtuoso. On being encored he was accompanied by his sister, still younger, and already beginning to justify the hopes of future excellence excited by her earlier appearances.

Miss Nininger’s scena and aria from ‘Trovatore’ was sung with finish and delicacy, but with a minimum of power. She has but a thin thread of voice, but this small stock has been diligently developed and cultivated.

The second part opened with the first movement of Schubert’s delicious ‘unfinished’ symphony. Sig. Leoni sang the ‘Noel Cantique’ with feeling, but not with the rich and steady volume of tone which we remember in Lefranc’s execution of this number. Chopin’s concerto in E minor (first movement) was delightfully rendered by Mr. Mills, with orchestral accompaniment. His playing was, as usual, direct, clear, and crisp to a gratifying degree.

In Abt’s pretty song, ‘In’s Herz mir hinein,’ Miss Kellogg was evidently suffering under the throat trouble before alluded to, but sang very sweetly, though cautiously.

Lachner’s ‘Serenade,’ a quartette for four violoncellos, played by Bergmann, Bergner, Liesegang, and Hoch, and Weber’s ‘Euryanthe’ overture closed the performance.” 

“The concert by which Mr. U. C. Hill benefited, given at the Academy of Music on Saturday evening, was pretty numerously attended, and was very interesting. Three movements of Onslow’s quintet, arranged for an orchestra of seventy instrumentalists, and made very striking by the arrangement, was finely recited by the forces of Mr. Carl Bergmann. The same contributors to the entertainment, also delivered in faultless style the first movement of Schubert’s ‘unfinished’ symphony, and two overtures. We regret to have to correct the statement of a contemporary to the effect that Miss Clara Louise Kellogg sang ‘Bel Raggio,’ and that her ‘clear and ringing voice was heard to great advantage.’ Miss Kellogg was suffering from unusual hoarseness, and she substituted for ‘Bel Raggio’ ‘La Fioraja.’ Afterward she sang ‘In Herz Mir Herein,’ by Abt. The other features of the bill were a violin performance by Master Will Hess, who gives promise of becoming a great artist; the execution by Mr. S. B. Mills of the first movement of Chopin’s concerto in E minor; a scena and aria from ‘Il Trovatore,’ admirably rendered by Miss Nininger, and the ‘Cantique de Noël,’ equally well done by Signor Leoni.” 

“The Hill Testimonial concert at the Academy of Music in the evening was pretty well attended. The house was about two-thirds filled, and we understand that a great many tickets were bought by persons who did not attend. A large orchestra under Mr. Bergmann, besides Miss Kellogg, Miss Nininger, Mr. Leoni, and Mr. S. B. Mills, furnished the entertainment.”

“The orchestra was of colossal proportions, and included the members of the Philharmonic and Aschenbrodel Societies. The playing of the lovely movement from Schubert’s unfinished symphony was the best of the orchestral numbers.

Miss Kellogg was set down for Rossini’s ‘Bel Raggio,’ but, not being in very good voice, substituted a simpler song for it. She was recalled at each time but refused to sing. It is needless to praise Mr. Mill’s playing. There was also a violin performance by Master Willie Hess (who is only eleven years old) who gives promise of becoming a great artist at some future day.”