Philharmonic Society of New York Rehearsal

“Philharmonic rehearsal (private), for which I gave Mr. John R. Strong [Strong’s son, Johny] a pass. The glorious Eroica. Bargiel’s overture to Prometheus, which seems to have strong points, The excellent old Bergner did a ‘cello concerto (Schumann)—first movement expressive of the deepest dejection—as of one who has been notified of an overdrawn bank account on a wet day, with a pair of new boots, a deranged liver, & somebody sick at home. Second movement—Allegro, suggestive of a vivacious monkey. Happy to learn that Herr Bergner has decided not to convert himself into a temporary nuisance & that he will play something else or not at all.”