Trinity Church Ascension Day Service Rehearsal

Event Information

Venue(s):
Trinity Church

Conductor(s):
Franz Rietzel [cond.-comp.fl-vn]

Event Type:
Choral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
15 October 2025

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

21 May 1873, 3:30 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Philharmonic Society of New York - Selected members;  Trinity Church Choir
2)
Anthem, unidentified
Composer(s): Barnby
3)
Messe solennelle de ste. Cécile, selections
aka St. Cecilia Mass; Saint Cecilia Mass
Composer(s): Gounod
4)
Chandos anthems, "O praise the Lord ye angels of his"
aka Chandos anthem, no. 12
Composer(s): Handel

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., 21 May 1873.

“Rehearsal 3 ½ p.m. of tomorrow’s service (Ascension Day). Rietzel had got our orchestra together this time, & it was vastly better than any we have yet had, being made up of Philharmonic people, such as Matzka. Temple was 2nd oboe, of course. In spite of John P. Morgan’s wretched leading, this was far the most promising rehearsal ever held in Trinity Church.

Programme mainly from Gounod’s Mass, which grows on me. Sanctus certainly original & beautiful, though more sentimental than solemn. Introit by Barnby—respectable. Offertory one of the ‘Chandos’ anthems, Handel—prolix, archaic, crabbed & wearisome. So it seems, at least, on a first hearing. No trace was perceptible to me, in this long composition, of Handel’s inspiration & fire.

Talked with B. Young of Florida—sometime one of our assistant ministers—the same who did me the favor to make me acquainted with that dirty bigamist & adventurer, Pech [former conductor of the Church Music Association]. The Bishop, though a hide-bound ‘Anglican,’ likes this orchestral innovation.”