Venue(s):
Steinway Hall
Conductor(s):
Carl Bergmann
Price: $.50
Event Type:
Orchestral
Performance Forces:
Instrumental
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
19 November 2015
“Philharmonic Rehearsal this afternoon. Sat thro’ three movements of a symphony by one Volkmann. The first movement was I think the most perversely and studiously harsh and ugly orchestral work I ever heard. The third—a scherzo— not much better. The adagio meant as a contrast, was made up of feeble gelatinous formless melodies presented mostly as solos for the flute and other wind-instruments. Three movements were a [illeg.], and I came off without waiting for the 4th.”
“The seventh rehearsal of the Philharmonic Society took place yesterday at Steinway Hall. The programme for the third concert consists of Volkmann’s symphony in D minor, a very elaborate, very difficult and not very interesting work, the ever popular overture to Fingal’s Cave, and Cherubini’s overture, ‘Les deux journées.’ Mr. William Mason, the pianist, is engaged to play at the third concert, and we understand the Hensel concerto will be given at the fourth. The audience at yesterday’s rehearsal shows a marked improvement in number over the previous houses of the season and we are glad to hail the fact as a recognition of the merits of this time honored society under their excellent conductor, Carl Bergmann. It is the only regular organization we have at present in New York to render orchestral classical music in a style benefiting the works it selects and the elevated taste of the public in mass, and it should be cordially supported.”