Church Music Association controversy with Edmund Gross

Event Information

Venue(s):

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
6 October 2025

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

08 Jun 1870
28 Jun 1870
16 Sep 1870
12 Dec 1870
14 Dec 1870
15 Dec 1870
19 Dec 1870

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Church Music Association;  Erdmann Gross;  George Templeton Strong

Citations

1)
: 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., 08 June 1870.

“Visit from Dick Tucker & Edmund. I think the controversy with that fatuous Herr Erdman Gross may be peaceably disposed of. Suggested to Edmund that he ask his Newport fellow-citizen August Belmont for a subscription to C. M. A. Edmund replied ‘[illegible]’ & holds Belmont the most arrogant, supercilious, & purse-proud of wealthy Dutchmen. So I have always thought, though I did not like to say so. This strongly-expressed opinion, coming from one so cautious & charitable as Edmund, is a powerful confirmation of my own.”

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., 28 June 1870.

"With Dick Tucker this morning, I held a conference with the Teutonic Peter Cook Esq. (Koch?), who pettifogs in a good-natured way, looks like a big jolly Centre Market butcher, and probably wants to be a respectable person, and his client Herr Erdman Gross, impresario of chorus singers, who wants $300.00 for service he never rendered. In look, manner, & speech, Herr Gross curiously resembles a tricky, money-grabbing German Jew. And his dealings with us bear the same aspect. Nothing came of our conference."

3)
: 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., 16 September 1870.

"Wasted an hour this morning in the stinkful purlieus of the Marine Court, about that vexatious claim set up by Herr Erdman Gross, whose whole stock of decency would be too small for a litter of Westphalia swine to begin life upon."

4)
: 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., 12 December 1870.

"At Marine Court 10 a.m. that case of Erdman Gross against myself & others of the C. M. A. being on the day calendar. I don’t believe Herr Gross ever thought of this dishonest claim till some pettifogger put it into his head. But ten to one we shall be beat."

5)
: 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., 14 December 1870.

"That vexatious Marine Court case will probably be tried tomorrow. I feel a little anxious. I don’t want to be cheated out of $300.00. I don’t want this little swindling Philistine to rejoice against me. And I don’t want him to be both party & witness, and (for the first time in my life) a material witness, likely to be confronted by contradictory evidence, for I presume the plaintiffs will swear to anything. The conflict, if any, will be as to my notice to him April 19th that his paid chorus was not wanted, & as to his absent threats. I shall probably be in a great rage when the trial is over, but I shall try to get exceptions to the evidence & rulings on which we can suspend M. Gross’s judgment for two or three years."

6)
: 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., 15 December 1870.

"At Marine Court 10 a. m. ready for trial, with Pech & Cooke & Dick Tucker. His counsel, the distinguished Peter Cook, did not expect to see us, & evidently did not want to try the case, so he bethought himself of a 'material witness' casually absent, & asked for an adjournment. Alker J. has curious notions of practice. We were at the head of the day calendar, but he sent the motion to another 'J.' at Chambers & took up another case. So we consented to postponement till Monday & plaintiffs & defendants had leave to impart together. Peter Cook proposed to accept a formula offer of $175 and then came down to $150, which I declined—perhaps unwisely."

7)
: 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., 19 December 1870.

Settled up with Herr Erdman Gross for $150. Total expense of that swindle $225.25.