Prague Concert Life, 1850-1881

Event title:

Musical trial for forthcoming Národní beseda [National entertainment] given on 26/1/1862

Venue: Žofín Island (Žofín Hall)

Event type: Popular social musical and dance events

Date: 19/01/1862 4.30pm

Season: Carnival

Beneficiary: Endowments for Czech writers

Programme comprising:

General participants:
  • Orchestra of the Prague Civil Sharpshooters Corps: participating orchestra
  • KOMZÁK, Karel: director of ensemble, conductor
PROCHÁZKA, Jan Ludevít : quadrille Besední kadryla (Beseda quadrille), orch
HELLER, Ferdinand : galop [třasák] Lada (Venus), orch
PODSKALSKÝ, K. : Polka Líbánky (Honeymoon), orch
VESELÝ, Václav : Polka Pěkná hodinka (A pretty little hour), orch
PROCHÁZKA, Jan Ludevít : Quadrille on Slavonic songs Nedejme se! (Don't let us give up!), orch
LAUERMANN, Z. : galop [třasák] Jarní květy (Spring flowers), orch
ILLNER, Josef : kvapík [galop] Bouře (Tempest), orch
LŽIČAŘ, Slavojub : quadrille Zivio slavensi jug! (Long live the Slav south!), orch
LÁDE, ? : galop [třasák] Láde, orch
ŠTĚTNICKÝ, ? : mazurka Kochajmy się (Let’s enjoy ourselves!), orch

Commentary:

Prager Zeitung 19/1/1862 reported that ‘Tomorrow at 4.30pm will take place in the Žofín Hall the musical trial to the great Beseda being arranged for 5th next month at the same venue.’ This report, probably due to have been published in the newspapers previous issue on 18th January, was undoubtedly referring to the trial for the Národní beseda that actually took place on 26th January and not 5th April.

The Dalibor 1/2/1862 review noted that the items Lada (Venus) and Nedejme se (Don’t let’s give up!) were each repeated thrice after vigorous applause from the capacity audience. The composer of Líbánky (Honeymoon), K. Podskalský, was a pseudonym used by L. Procházka. However, the Dalibor critic mistakenly noted this name as ‘K. Podhajský’. Both periodical reports of the programme stated that the composer of Bouře (Tempest) was ‘Hynek’ Illner. This seems unlikely given that Hynek [Ignác] Illner was a singer and impresario who died on 8/11/1861 and who seems not to have written dance music. However, the Brno composer Josef Illner (1839-1894) wrote a Kvapík entitled Bouře.

This trial was a benefit event given in aid of endowments for Czech writers.


Summary of sources:

Národní listy (10/01/1862)
Národní listy (19/01/1862)
Prager Zeitung (19/01/1862)
Dalibor, časopis pro hudbu, divadlo a umění vůbec (01/02/1862)