S. B. Mills Annual Piano Concert
Event Information
Venue(s):
Irving Hall
Price: $1.00
Event Type:
Chamber (includes Solo)
Performance Forces:
Instrumental, Vocal
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
2 July 2016
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
13 May 1865, EveningProgram Details
Performers and/or Works Performed
Citations
“In the evening Mr. S. B. Mills, confessedly the greatest pianist in the country, will give his annual concert, assisted by Mr. Theodore Thomas and Mr. Stenis [sic], (baritone,) Mr. H.C. Timms [sic] officiating as accompanyist [sic]. Mr. Mills plays some of the grandest works of the new and old schools. His concert will be one of the most instructive and delightful of the season.”
“Mr. S. B. Mills’ annual concert took place at Irving Hall on Saturday evening. The attendance was not what it ought to have been, nor did it represent the number of tickets that had been disposed of, or the esteem in which this remarkable performer is held by the profession and the public. The programme contained but eight numbers. It was just long enough to satisfy without surfeiting the appetite. Mr. Mills always plays so well that it is difficult to compliment him on any particular occasion. He is conscientious, modest, careful, and a complete master of himself and his own resources. His method is solid and sufficient. By its aid, he has touched the highest rounds of pianistic art. Liszt has no terrors for him, but Chopin is the object of his choice. We know of no public player who enters so thoroughly into the spirit of the great Pole. The weird harmonic tissue which envelops the compositions of Chopin, is preserved with a grave yet gentle thoughtfulness that can hardly be too much extolled. In the delivery of a melody, and that balance of parts which is called phrasing, Mr. Mills is admirable. All the best characteristics of his style were illustrated on Saturday evening, and gave ample satisfaction to the audience. An agreeable feature of the programme was a duet for two pianos, on themes from ‘Faust,’ performed by Messrs. Pease and Mills, and composed by the first-named gentleman. It is an effective concert piece. Mr. Steins, a German baritone, was the vocalist of the occasion. He has a good voice.”