• TERSCHACK, Adolf: soloist, fl

Bohemia 4/12/1860 reported that ‘Our virtuoso countryman Mr Terschak is coming here and will probably on Saturday give a concert. He is our countryman in so far as that he was born in Prague and lived the first seven years of his life here.’ The source then gave a brief account of the flautists travels, noting that when he was eight he travelled to Transylvania, then later throughout Europe from Vienna to England, and to Madeira from where he proceeded to Puerto Rico. On 8/12/1860 Bohemia then announced that ‘The well-known flute virtuoso A. Terschak, whose arrival in our capital Prague we recently announced, will be arranging a concert in the Konvikt Hall on Tuesday 11th December. Mr Bosendorfer in Vienna has sent a fortepiano to Prague specifically for this occasion.’ The Tageskalender of Bohemia 11/12/1860 published the date, time and venue of the event.

The Dalibor 20/12/1860 review related that Teršák gave two concerts, the first on 11/12/1860, and the second on 16/12/1860. Although this report published programme details concerning the contributions of the other artists participating on each of these occasions, the works that Teršák himself performed during the course of both concerts were only listed as a whole, and were not individually attributed to either concert. The correspondent noted that the flautist played only his own compositions, ‘namely: Babillard - la Sirène - Souvenir de Brium [Brünn?] - Le Fou’, and a Fantasie on [Czech?] folksongs entitled Pozdravení na Prahu (Greetings for Prague). Wonder was expressed at Teršák’s virtuosity, the critic noting that ‘His technique is perfect [. . .] his skill is astonishing’, and described in detail how the virtuosic dexterity created an impression upon the ear of the listener of the music sounding as though it was being played in two parts, melody and counterpoint. Praise was also accorded to the flautist’s expressive playing: ‘Apart from his ability in fingering, in breathing and in tonguing, it is appropriate to point out his tasteful and expressive performance, particularly in adagios [i.e. slow movements], and in soft and touching passages.’ Concerning Teršák’s skills as a composer, the correspondent was more circumspect, pointing to an ability to write piquant, elegant and lyrical themes, but commenting that while the pieces contained many ‘rich and charming ideas’ they would have benefited from more detailed development.

Detailed reviews of this event appeared in Bohemia 12/12/1860, signed ‘V.’, and Prager Zeitung 13/12/1860, signed ‘!!’. The latter reported that the ‘Concerning the performance of compositions, the concert given yesterday [as was often the case with Prager Zeitung, the report was written on the previous day to the published date of the newspaper] by the flute virtuoso Mr Terschak was a brilliant success. We find in the concert-giver an artist of the first rank, who breaks new ground in flute-playing...’ Terschak’s compass on the instrument was reported to stretch from low A up to high C. The virtuosity of his performance was such that the correspondent lamented how astonishment at his surmounting technical difficulties meant that his expression and nobility of tone could easily go unnoticed. The Bohemia critic drew attention to the flautist’s poetic performance, his dynamic range and lyrical higher register, and also commented that his own compositions too were of particular interest. ‘The success of the concert-giver was total. Supporting Mr Terschak was Mr Lukes, who sang with his usual mastery and customary success a song by Pivoda and F. Schubert’s “Elysium”, [and] Mr Ed. Naprawnik [Nápravník] who gave compositions by Tomaschek [Tomášek], Mendelssohn and Smetana, and was similarly applauded. Finally, it is to be mentioned the infrequent appearance here of a very good accompaninment from a sonorous grand piano [aus einem klangvollen Flügel].’

Details of the content of the programme are assembled in the event record from the various sources, Bohemia and Prager Zeitung clearly identifying the works by the concert-giver, and each of the sources providing various information about the remainder of the concert.