Private Orchestral Concert

“The last of Edmund Schermerhorn’s musical ‘afternoons’ was this afternoon. Pity it should be the last, for few entertainments so refined, so civilizing, & so pleasant, have ever been given in New York. I was serious when I told Mrs. Bridgham that her uncle deserved a statue in Central Park. Programme: Overture to Lodoiska, Cherubini, the most interesting work of its composer that I ever heard. 2. Träumerei, Schumann (orchestra), not bad. 3. Beethoven’s quartette no. 4 in C minor—one of his earlier works, & full of suggestions of Mozart & Haydn. 4. Bach (E.) ‘Souvenirs de Weber’ (orchestra)—a mosaic of phrases from Oberon, Freyschütz, Euryanthe, & Preciosa (including the unmatchable Sunrise chorus). 5. Fantasie for violin (Rossini’s Otello), Ernst, by Herr Benno Walther. 6. Andante from quartette in D minor, Mozart. Most exquisite finale. Overture to Robert le diable. Brilliant trash. Many nice people were present, & enjoyed it. Other nice people were present, who did not enjoy it a bit, but to whom it was wholesome training to be obliged (by example) to sit still & hold their tongues during a performance of fine music.”