Theodore Thomas Concert

Event Type: Orchestral
Conductor: Theodore Thomas
Performers: Theodore Thomas Orchestra; Rafael Joseffy, piano
Date and time: Public rehearsal November 3, 1887 at 2 p.m. Performance November 8, 1887 at 8 p.m.
Venue: Steinway Hall

 Program

Notes

In current usage, the musical introduction to Wagner’s opera is called a prelude.  For this concert, it was referred to in the press as either the German “Vorspiel,” (3) or as the “introduction.”  (1) (3) (4) (5)  In current usage, the final aria is called the “Liebestod” or by Wagner’s title, “Mild und leise wie er lächelt." For this concert, it was referred to as the “closing scene” in the press. (1) (3) (4) (5)

The public rehearsal of the Theodore Thomas Orchestra on November 3 and the symphony concert on November 8 were both announced by the Musical Courier on November 2. (4)

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The New York Times carried an advertisement for the concert. (2)

Reviews

According to The New York Times, the public rehearsal was well-received, a musical feast, although Mr. Joseffys playing in the Chopin Concerto was criticized for his lack of breadth in style. (5) The Musical Courier, writing of the rehearsal, noted that the acoustical properties of Steinway Hall were superior to those of the Metropolitan Opera House, where the orchestra had performed the previous season. Unlike The New York Times, the Courier reviewer thought that Joseffy played very well, and his performance was "loudly and enthusiastically applauded by the public, and [he] had to bow his acknowledgments after each of the three movements of the concerto." (3) Of the concert itself, The New York Times wrote that it was an emphatic success where everyone, including Mr. Joseffy, was said to be in the best of form and spirits, and Mr. Joseffys performance of the Chopin was the most striking feature of the evening. (1)

 [dcp/cfl]

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