• Piano Institute of Julius Theodor Höger: participating institution

Prager Zeitung 23/7/1862 published news that ‘The annual examinations for pupils of the music institute of Mr Julius Theodor Höger will take place on 26 and 27 of this month in the Hall on Žofín Island.’ Bohemia 23/7/1862 also published news of this event, relating that: ‘(Musical examinations) On 26 [July] at 11am and at 5pm take place in the Žofín Island Hall the music production, and on 27 July at 10.30pm the examination concert of the Music Institute of Mr Jul. Theod. Höger.’

Lumír 24/7/1862 reported that the ‘Annual examinations for pupils of the music institute of Mr Julius Theodor Höger will take place on 26 and 27 of this month in the Hall on Žofín Island.’ Brief comment about these examinations was published in Lumír 7/8/1862 in a review covering similar events in Prague music teaching institutes over the summer months. The correspondent noted that insufficient space was available in Lumír to report in detail upon all such events. However, the critic reported that examinations in all piano institutes had been ‘for the most part good, in some places even excellent... [pupils demonstrated] their technique, their clean touch, able performance and other good qualities, which is of great credit to the directors and teachers of their institute... As to the performances and the arrangement of the programme, the institute of Mr Th. Höger... was very well satisfying ’

A review, signed ‘Zvř.’, was published by Národní listy 2/8/1862. This reported that ‘Last Sunday took place the final examinations for pupils of the said institute, and in solo playing and in ensemble playing on multiple pianos, as well as in ensemble playing with other musical instruments, testified to satisfactory training of the fingers and to their [the pupils] acquaintance with piano technique. The programme to the examinations comprised classical and salon music. The most interesting number was the Concerto in A minor by Jan S. Bach for piano, violin and flute with accompanying string quintet, the performance of the number being accurate as to notes and inscrutable as to spirit - it required nothing more. Native composers were represented by Ambros, Dreyschock, Kittl and in other good compositions. Especially interesting for its Hungarian features as well as for its successful performance was the Ouverture to the opera Hunyady Laszló by Fr. Erkel. The arrangement for 4 pianos by Mr Vanous, a teacher of the institute of Mr Hoeger, is successful.’

The Bach Concerto was obviously performed with piano taking the place of the harpsichord part. No details of the programme of works performed on the first day of these examinations was noted by any of the listed source texts. No specific participants over the two days were identified.

Prager Morgenpost 26/8/1862 published an advertisement noting that the teaching year at the ‘Music Institute of Jul. Th. Höger at nr.378-1 vis-a-vis Suchy’s Uhren-Niederlage begins on 1st September 1862.’