National Piano-Forte Association and Conservatory for Musical Instruction Monthly Concert: 3rd

     The “words of the closing hymn are printed.”

     “The third monthly concert of the National Conservatory takes place this evening at the Academy of Music.  The list of performers displays a vast array of talent.  The first concerts were given in the large Hall of Cooper Institute, but it was found too small to contain those desiring to be present.  The Academy of Music has therefore been chosen for the third concert.  Those who would get seats, should go early.”

     Complete program and full text of finale.

     For those interested in an orchestral class at the conservatory, $5 for ten-week class; also, openings for classes in vocal music and violin.

     “The house was crowded to overflowing.  It was impossible to pierce the dense throng which blocked every avenue to the interior.”

     “A very large audience, crowding the Academy of Music in every part, attended the concert of the ‘National Conservatory.’ The program was long, and of varied merit. Several amateurs did the best they could with their limited means and cultivation; two of them, Miss Lizzie Allen and Mr. F. M. Hill, showing artistic ability. The gentlemen connected with the Conservatory, as professors, also gave their assistance, and very valuable it was. Mr. Edward Mollenhauer, who directed the whole entertainment, played an exquisite composition for the violin, in which, abandoning the set form of concert solos, he depicts with his instrument, backed up by orchestral accompaniment, an Indian narrative of war, peace, midnight and morning. It was played with all the exquisite taste which has made this gentleman one of our most popular violinists, and its agreeable melody was enhanced by the style of its performance. Master Bernard Mollenhauer [sic], a thorough chip of the old block, also played a violin solo, evincing the most marked improvement and an approximation to his father’s style which argues a dynasty of Mollenhauer violinists. The orchestra played the overtures to ‘William Tell’ and ‘Martha’ and a spirited ‘Triumphal March,’ composed by Mollenhauer, and dedicated to General Grant. The concert concluded with a patriotic song to the music of the Russian National Hymn.

     The business management of this entertainment was, by the way, most disgraceful. Persons who had secured private boxes arrived to find them occupied by strangers who had crowded in and refused to get out. The utmost confusion prevailed. The ushers were small boys, who were unequal to the task of appeasing the indignant multitude; but we are assured by those in charge that at no other concert to be given henceforth by the National Conservatory will such a state of things be allowed to exist.”