Mills Soirée Concert of Piano Music: 1st

Event Information

Venue(s):
Steinway's Rooms

Price: $2

Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo)

Performance Forces:
Instrumental

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
27 August 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

06 Mar 1865, 8:00 PM

Program Details

Rhapsodie Hongroise, No.10 was encored, and in response, Mills performed Fantasie on Gounod’s Faust.

Performers and/or Works Performed

5)
Composer(s): Schumann
6)
Composer(s): Chopin
7)
Composer(s): Chopin
9)
Composer(s): Mills

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 03 March 1865.

2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 03 March 1865.

3)
Announcement: New York Post, 06 March 1865.

     Says the concert is at Dodworth’s.

4)
Announcement: New York Herald, 06 March 1865, 4.

      “He will be assisted by his pupil, Miss Luckhardt, a debutante.”

5)
Announcement: New-York Times, 06 March 1865, 4.

     Gives program.  “We need scarcely add that these works will be rendered with faultless accuracy.”

6)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 06 March 1865, 7.

7)
Review: New York Post, 07 March 1865.

     “Notwithstanding the neighboring excitement of the patriotic assemblage at Union Square, there was a full and highly enthusiastic attendance at Mr. Mills’s soiree last night, at Steinway’s. Many of our leading musicians were present, and warmly applauded the pianist’s classical selections and finished playing. The last piece on the programme—Liszt’s ‘Rhapsodie’—was encored, and in response, Mr. Mills played his ‘Faust’ arrangement. Scarlatti, Bach, and other classical authors were also duly represented.”

8)
Review: New-York Daily Tribune, 07 March 1865, 5.

     “Mr. S. B. Mills gave his first soiree of piano-forte music at Steinway’s Room last evening, assisted by his pupil, Miss Luckhardt.  Mr. Mill’s plan in these soirees is to illustrate the piano music and the past and present schools in their most extended variety.  In pursuance of this plan, he played compositions by Scarlatti, Bach, Chopin, Schumann, and Liszt.  The first piece on the programme was a Rondo by Chopin.  The composition is extremely beautiful, imaginative, now bold and vigorous, then dreamily tender and through all there runs a vein of such quaint, poetic feeling that we recognize at once the inspiration of pure genius.  This was brilliantly played by Mr. Mills and his pupil Miss Luckhardt. The young lady has a firm, even touch, and her execution is clear and rapid.  Of the extent of her powers of course we cannot judge, but we can say that she executed her part of the duet on this occasion very satisfactorily. . . .

     The two Etudes by Chopin were the gems of the evening. . . . The performance of Liszt’s ‘Rhapsodie Hongroise’ was by far the most brilliant as a feat of executive agility that Mr. Mills gave during the evening. . . .

     Mr. Mills possesses a most perfect technique, so perfect indeed, that it is hardly possible to imagine anything superior.”

9)
Article: Dwight's Journal of Music, 18 March 1865.

"Among the New York pianists Mr. Mills takes a prominent position. And not merely on account of his finish as a virtuoso, but also that he endeavors earnestly to remain true to the spirit of art. His musical cultivation is not one-sided; he does not strive to awaken astonishment by means of this or that species of charlatanism, or to make a speculation out of it:—no, he appears to have a higher aim. He endeavors, by means of untiring perseverance, to become master of the greatest difficulties, and then use those means with a noble object in view; the worthy interpretation of the works of our great masters. Mr. Mills's taste is not one-sided; if he seems to have a preference for this or that master— and who has not his favorite?—he does not exclusively devote himself to any one composer. Whether he plays the works of the classic or modern romantic school, it is with the same care and attention. We may he occasionally of a different opinion with him in regard to the manner in which he interprets this or that composition, the tempo he takes, his rhythmic handling of the phrase, &c.; still he always gives so fine a picture of the idea laid down by the composer, that we must thank him for a noble enjoyment. If Mr. Mills continues to grow; if his intellectual and technical acquirements continue to keep step one with the other, we shall follow his artistic development with the greatest interest, and gladly see him enter the ranks among the greatest pianists of our day. Mr. Mills is at present giving a series of soirees for pianoforte music; here is the programme of the first. It is quite unnecessary to say anything about the value of these compositions; each one bears the stamp of its gifted creator."

Rondo, for two Pianos……….. F. Chopin

Sonata. in D………………..    Scarlatti.

Prelude and Fugue. C minor……… Bach.

Intermezzi, Op 4. bk. 2… R. Schumann.    
- Allegretto semplice
- Allegro moderato.
- Finale Allegro.    

Etudes………………………….. F. Chopin.    
- No. 7, Op. 25
- No. 5, Op. 10

Rhapsodie Hongroise, No. 10............. Liszt.