• Piano Institute of Bedřich Šimák: participating institution

Prager Morgenpost 24/7/1862 publised news of these examinations, reporting ‘Examinations. In the Music Institute of Mr Friedrich Schimak in the Little Quarter nr.272-3 will take place annual examinations on Sunday 27th July at 3pm and Monday 28th July at 4.30pm. The programme is very refined: it contains compositions by Schulhoff, A. [Ch.?] Wehle, Schumann, Mendelssohn and other masters.’ A brief unsigned review was published by the newspaper on 2/8/1862: ‘Music-production. In the Institute of music director Mr Friedrich Schimak on 28th and 29th July took place the examinations for pupils of this school. Of the pieces that were brought for performance were: 1. Tannhäusermarsch by R. Wagner, 2. Polonaise by Hampl, 3. Koncertstück by C.M. Weber, 4. Andante with Variations b Schuhmann [Schumann], 5. Sonata, F-minor by Beethoven, 6. Harmonamarsch by Fr. Schimak, 7. Rhapsodie by Voříšek, 8. Valse brillante by Hampl, 8. La Gazella by G. [Vilém] Graf, 10. Transcription on Teče voda teče by Fr. Schimak (new), 11. Ouverture by Tomaschek [Tomášek]. These pieces were performed with precison, expression, purety and understanding.’ No mention was made of compositions by Wehle or Mendelssohn, perhaps indicating that the works listed by the review were played as a concert programme on the second day of the examinations and the earlier list indicated compositions played over the course of both days.

Národní listy 23/7/1862 reported in the section of daily news that ‘In the Musical Institute of Mr B. Šimák, in the Little Quarter, nr.272-III, will take place the annual examinations on Sunday 27 July at 3pm and on Monday 28 at 4.30pm.’ The Národní listy 2/8/1862 review, signed ‘-bl.-’ remarked that this event was ‘in all respects satisfactory. The solo pieces were all performed with good expression, the pieces performed by pupils together on multiple pianos went almost entirely precisely. The works in classical as well as modern style were well chosen, as well consideration given to the musical fruits of native composers, among which excelled the energetic march and transcription of the Czech [folk]song Teče voda [Flowing water] by the director of the institute Mr Bedř. Šimák. About the solid [teaching] methods of Mr Šimák, demonstrated through the art of piano playing by his pupils, we were convinced of several times and recognized as good and tasteful.’

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... The pupils of Mr B. Šimák very acquitted themselves courageously. The choice of examination pieces was not only varied and performed appropriately and tastefully by the students, but also [included] new compositions.’

The respective programmes of the two days of examinations were not specified by the listed source reports, therefore the works listed in the Národní listy review and in the Prager Morgenpost report and review have been inserted into the database event programmes on each day.