Alfred H. Pease Concert 1st

“Mr. Pease also plays many of the compositions of Raff, a German composer not well known here.”

“Mr. Alfred H. Pease, a young pianist of much promise, gave his first concert at Irving Hall last night. The audience, though not very large, was select and critical. Mr. Pease requires only the advantages of assiduous study and familiarity with the public to make him a very acceptable performer. His touch is firm and pristine, and his style partakes of that delicate character which finds its excellence and its charm more in a careful rendering of the music than in any effort at extraordinary execution. The mind more than the fingers, in fact, is demonstrated in the performance of Mr. P—something which is always desirable but not always discoverable in a pianist. He was assisted by other artists of well known reputation.”

“Mr. Alfred H. Pease’s first concert on Saturday night last passed off agreeably and with entire success. The programme was more interesting than such miscellaneous documents are apt to be, and the number of which it was composed were carefully and ably interpreted. Miss Kellogg sang deliciously and was encored in each of her morceaus. On the second occasion of this exhausting honor she substituted for the polacca from “I Puritatni,” (which was given with great brilliancy,) a canzonetta in the Neapolitan style by Stigelli—playing the difficult accompaniment herself. A song by Mr. Pease was also sung as an encore, so that the affability of the lady entailed double duty on her part. A very good basso, Signor Gariboldi [sic], made his début, and displayed the fine quality of his voice in a tasteful and rotund way. Mr. Theodore Thomas and Mr. F. Bergner were the instrumental soloists. Both were thoroughly good. Mr. Peasr [sic] is a young pianist, who has but recently completed the routine studies of the German schools. He has mastered the technical difficulties of his instrument, and has already displayed a creditable facility in writing for it. He possesses a powerful hand and a “touch” which, while it yet needs mellowing, is decidedly better now than when we last heard him. Mr. Pease’s best effort was in the last movement of the trio by Fesca. The presence of other artists on the stage seemed to give him confidence, and his playing was, in consequence, free from constraint. Portions of Koatsky’s  [sic] “Reveil du Lion” were charmingly rendered; also of the performer’s own transcription from “Faust.” Both pieces are extremely difficult, and contain passages that demand not only endurance but great presence of mind and precision of hand. The former Mr. Pease possesses, but the latter are seldom at the command of the débutant. With experience before the public, the gentleman will, we doubt not, take a leading position among pianists. As it is, he may congratulate himself on the success of his concert.”

“The program only offered light (undemanding) pieces, except the two soli of Bergner and Thomas. Pease was not convincing, and the selection of works of unfavorable taste, although Pease did show more skill than expected. A very good basso, Signor Garibaldi, made his debut, and displayed the fine quality of his voice. Miss Kellogg enchanted the audience not only with the quality of her voice but also with her kind, seemingly never-ending smile. Attendance was good and the audience very elegant.  Everyone seemed pleased with the concert, which passed off agreeably. It was more interesting than such miscellaneous events are apt to be.” Includes program.