Evenings with the Great Musicians Lecture: 3rd

“With piano-forte recitals.” Topic: Handel

“Mr. J. N. Pattison gave the third of his course of illustrated lectures on Music and its Great Composers last night at De Garmo Hall. The room was crowded, and the deep interest manifested by the [illegible] in the entertainment was proof enough that Mr. Pattison has undertaken a useful enterprise. His subject was Handel, to whom he did not hesitate to assign the very first place among all musicians, past, present, and future. He gave a rapid sketch of some of the incidents of the composer’s career, with brief but intelligent comments upon the characteristics of his works and a few anecdotes. There was not…” [remainder of the one-paragraph review is very difficult to read].

“Mr. John N. Pattison’s lectures on music with illustrations by means of the piano, have proved very successful. The third of the season was given yesterday evening at De Garmo’s Rooms, and was largely attended. Mr. Pattison took Haendel for his theme, and varied his remarks upon the great composer’s life and achievements, by performing [lists works]. Mr. Pattison’s clear and powerful touch told capitally in these pieces, which were supplemented by three vocal numbers, Mme. De Ryther singing ‘Lascia ch’io pianga’ and ‘He shall feed His flock,’ and Miss Borie contributing ‘Come unto Him.’”

“Mr. J. N. Pattison gave a lecture and piano recital last evening at De Garmo Hall, which was very well attended. It was the third of the series, and the new enterprise of this favorite pianist seems to have taken a firm hold of the public mind. The subject on this occasion was a great and fruitful one, ‘Handel, the Colossus in the Realms of Music.’ Mr. Pattison gave a very eloquent and interesting account of the life and the labors of the great composer, displaying oratorical powers of no inconsiderable extent, a delivery worthy of an experienced artist in the lyceum, and, in the illustrations of his remarks the skill and thorough finish of a first-class pianist. He played the fugue in E minor, which he represented as a ‘fire’ fugue, probably the result of the composer’s witnessing one of those terrible conflagrations that a century ago used to devastate London. He gave to the theme and its developments that nervous power, clear phrasing and fine expression that made the fugue as light and sparkling as one of his own salon works. The quaint ‘Chaconne,’ in G major, and its fantastic treatment was rendered in a no less happy manner, and the well known ‘Harmonious Blacksmith’ ended one of the most interesting musical entertainments given in this city this season. Mme. De Ryther and Miss Annie Borie sang three selections from the works of the immortal composer with exceeding effect and finish and received much applause. Mr. Pattison will lecture on Mendelssohn on Tuesday next…It is quite a treat to hear such works interpreted by skillful fingers and preceded by a clear, intelligent explanation of their meaning and of the characteristics of the composer.”