Bonewitz-Volkmann Trio Soir�e: 1st

Event Information

Venue(s):
Irving Hall

Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
21 March 2025

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

23 Oct 1873, 8:30 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  George Matzka;  Charles [cellist, composer] Werner;  Adolph Sohst;  Mme. [pianist] Bonewitz;  Anna Drasdil
2)
Trio, piano, strings, no. 1, op. 63, D minor
Composer(s): Schumann
Participants:  George Matzka;  Charles [cellist, composer] Werner;  Mme. [pianist] Bonewitz
3)
Trio, piano, strings, no. 1, op. 15, no. 1, F major
Composer(s): Rubinstein
Participants:  George Matzka;  Charles [cellist, composer] Werner;  Mme. [pianist] Bonewitz
4)
Sonata, cello, piano, op. 65, G minor
aka Sonata, violoncello, piano, op. 65, G minor
Composer(s): Chopin
Participants:  Charles [cellist, composer] Werner
5)
Legende von der heiligen Elisabeth, Die, aria
Composer(s): Liszt
Participants:  Adolph Sohst
6)
Romanzen und Balladen, op. 49. Beiden Grenadiere, Die
aka Two grenadiers
Composer(s): Schumann
Text Author: Heine
Participants:  Adolph Sohst

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Post, 30 August 1873, 2.

Early announcement. “We are glad to learn that the subscription list for the series of trio-soirees proposed for next season by Madame Bonewitz-Volkmann, has already been opened.”

2)
Announcement: New York Post, 12 September 1873, 2.
Early announcement. “Madame Bonewitz Volkmann has arranged the programme for her series of trio-soirees, the first of which will take place at Irving Hall on Thursday evening, October 23. The performers at these concerts will be Madame Volkmann (piano), Mr. Matzka (violin), Mr. Carl Werner (violoncello), Mademoiselle Anna Drasdil (contralto). The song parts will be taken by Mr. A. Sohat (baritone), and by the New York Quartet Club.
 
The selections for the first evening are [lists program].”
3)
Announcement: New-York Daily Tribune, 15 September 1873, 2.

Early announcement. “Mme. Bonewitz Volkmann announces a series of four trio soirées at Irving Hall, the artists to consist of herself (piano), Mr. Matzka (violin), and Mr. Werner (’cello). Miss Drasdil is to sing. The first performance is fixed for Oct. 23, when a trio by Schumann and one by Rubinstein are to be played.”

4)
Announcement: New York Post, 16 October 1873, 2.

“Madame Bonewitz-Volkmann announces that she will give four trio-soirees at Irving Hall during the season, the first to take place on the evening of October 23d, when instrumental selections by Schumann, Chopin and Rubinstein will be played by Mme. Volkmann, pianist, Mr. Matzka, violinist, and Mr. Carl Werner, violincellist; and Mlle. Drasdil, the admirable contralto, will sing airs by Stradella and Schubert.”

5)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 23 October 1873, 8.
6)
Review: New York Post, 24 October 1873, 2.

“The first of the above-named soirées took place last night at Irving Hall, the performers being Mme. Volkmann, pianist, M. Matzka, violinist, and Carl Werner, violoncellist. A carefully selected programme was offered, the first piece being the ‘First Trio, D Minor,’ in four movements, by Schumann. This was well played by three artists, although in some parts Matzka was rather harsh and uneven. The First Trio in F Major by Rubinstein was also finely executed, and as it is more interesting than Schumann’s, it evidently afforded more pleasure to the audience. These two selections were admirably rendered, the phrasing being excellent. Mr. Carl Werner was very deservedly applauded for his performance of Chopin’s Sonata in G Minor, (four movements,) especially in the Adagio and the Finale Vivace, both of which he played with the skill and taste of a true musician.

The vocal part of the concert was undertaken by Mr. Adolph Sohst, who sang a recitative and aria from Liszt’s ‘Heilige Elisabeth’ so well that he received a very hearty encore. It must be borne in mind that this artist is one of those which only vocalists of taste and culture can really make interesting. Mr. Sohst’s rendering of it was, therefore, the more creditable to his musical intelligence. His rich baritone voice was a second time heard to good advantage in Schumann’s ‘Beide Grenadiere,’ in which the strains of the ‘Marseillaise’ are introduced.

To Madame Volkmann’s credit it must be said that she was the life and soul of the whole concert. She performed most difficult pieces with the greatest ease and grace. Very few pianists dare to undertake such compositions as were offered last night, and the public ought to be far more appreciative of such a treat than it was. Irving Hall should have been crowded.”