William Steinway’s funeral

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The December 2, 1896, funeral for William Steinway, held at Liederkranz Hall in New York City, was an elaborate, emotional affair. Mayor William L. Strong was among the notables attending. Two speakers –Carl Schurz and Julius Hoffman--broke down during their eulogies, and many in the audience were moved to tears.

William Steinway died at age 61 on Nov. 30, 1896, at his residence, 26 Gramercy Park. Funeral services were held on Dec. 2, 1896. After a private Unitarian service at his home, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Charles A. Eaton of the Church of the Divine Paternity, the casket was taken to Liederkranz Hall for viewing by employees of Steinway & Sons. Subsequent services were by invitation only. The 2000 attendees included political leaders, many Steinway & Sons dealers (some from as far as St. Louis), representatives from various German societies, musical artists and George H. Chickering, the Boston pianomaker. The Chickering firm closed its warerooms on the day of the funeral.(3) Numerous floral tributes included a large lyre of violets from the Liederkranz Society, a silver laurel wreath from Ignacy Paderewski, a lyre of roses and lilies of the valley from those employed in the Steinway & Sons offices and warerooms, and a bank of flowers from the other employees.(1)(4)(5)

Services began with the Eroica Symphony by Beethoven, conducted by Heinrich Zoellner. Carl Schurz, journalist and politician, then gave the eulogy. Emotion overcame him, and breaking down, Schurz said, "Forgive me. I loved him."(2) Two movements from Zoellner’s "The Hero’s Requiem" followed, with singing by the Liederkranz men’s chorus and soloist, Lillian Blauvelt-Smith. Julius Hoffman, president of the Liederkranz, spoke next. Then songs by three soloists: "Ave Maria" by Emma Eames; a selection from Berlioz by Eduard de Reszke; and "Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit" by Mlle. Rose Olitzka. After a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Charles A. Eaton, services ended with Chopin’s Funeral March. The soloists were members of the Metropolitan Opera Company.(1)(4)(5)

A long procession marched with the casket to the 23th St. ferry while the band played Beethoven’s "Funeral March." Among the 13 pallbearers were Mayor Strong, Oswald Ottendorfer (newspaperman and friend), A. Fiegel (Consul General of Germany), George Cotterill (personal attorney and friend), Carl Schurz, and George Ehret (partner in North Beach amusement park). Interment was at the Steinway family mausoleum in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.(1)(4)(5)

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Sources:

1. "Death of William Steinway." Music Trade Review, Dec. 5, 1896, pp. 14-16.

2. Fostle, D. W. The Steinway Saga: An American Dynasty. New York: Scribner, 1995, p. 398.

3. "Honored Steinway’s Memory." Music Trade Review, Dec. 5, 1896, p. 10.

4. Steinway Family scrapbook. Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

5. "Wept at Steinway’s Bier." The New York Times, Dec. 3, 1896, p. 9.