Deutscher Liederkranz Concert: 2nd

“This well known vocal society, which occupies the foremost position in the city in the numbers and excellent training of its chorus and the enterprise shown by the director, Mr. Agricola Paur, is giving to the American public for the first time all the great choral works of the modern German schools, gave its second concert of the present season last evening, at their hall, on Fourth street. The first selection was the lovely overture of Mendelssohn, ‘A Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage,’ which was very daintily and expressively handled by the orchestra. Mr. A. Sohst then sang Sir Olaf’s noble baritone song from Gade’s cantata, ‘Erl King’s Daughter,’ and to an enthusiastic encore he responded with Gumbert’s song, ‘The Sea Hath Its Perils.’ Miss Antonia Henne, contralto, gave a ballad by Maschek and was warmly received and encored. After an oboe solo by Mr. Kutzleb and a ‘cello quartet by Messrs. Bergner, Liesegang, Sachleben and Wallott came the principal event of the evening, the first performance of Brahm’s new requiem for full chorus and orchestra, with a few solos interspersed, which were undertaken and delivered in true artistic style by Miss Henne and Mr. Sohst. This is not a requiem mass, but designed for the funeral services of those not connected with the Catholic Church. The words are selected from various psalms and are very happily chosen. The music is extremely massive in character and very trying on the voices and instruments. The composer seems to have approached his subject with all the gravity of style and devotional reverence it demanded and to have carefully avoided any tawdry dramatic effects or aught savoring of the footlights. There is, however, much in the work that is monotonous, and consequently ineffective. Portions of it are worthy of the grand old choral schools, and one number, ‘O Death, Where is Thy Sting?’ is overpowering in its massive proportions. The chorus did their work in highly commendable style, showing excellent results of the long and careful rehearsals to which they were subjected by the conductor. It would be well for the society to bring out such a work again this season in a larger hall, and under more favorable circumstances in regard to weather.”