• KÖNIGSLÖW, Otto von: soloist, vl
• WEBER, Jan: soloist, vl
• PAULUS, Alfred: soloist, va
• GOLTERMANN, Julius: soloist, vc

Der Tagesbote 9/11/1854 published an unsigned report remarking that ‘Friends of classical Concert Music’ who had been dismayed at the recent departure of Mr Laub, would be pleased to hear that during this concert season the violin virtuoso Otto von Königslöw in company with Messrs Paulus, Weber and Professor Goltermann were to arrange some ‘Quartet Soirées [Quartett-Soiréen].’

Mercy’s Anzeiger 16/11/1854 reported that ‘For the second Quartet-Soirée by Mr von Königslöw and the Messrs A. Paulus, J. Weber and Prof. J. Goltermann, the following programme is scheduled: 1. Quartet by J. Haydn (C major), 2. Quartet by Franz Schubert (op.29, A minor), 3. Quartet with clarinet by W.A. Mozart (A major).’

News of the second Soirée in this series was published by Der Tagesbote 17/11/1854. The source reported the date, venue, programme and participants, and noted too that the well-renowned clarinettist Prof. Pisařowitz had agreed to play in the event. On 21st November a review, signed ‘J.H.’, was published by Der Tagesbote. The correspondent could not recall an occasion possessing such charm and novelty. Each of the three works were described in brief detail. ‘Father Haydn shows in this admirable work of small dimensions (as is usual in his compositions), an unartificial and natural tastefulness, perfect contrapuntal fluency combined with genial humour, [where] even the slight and not infrequently childlike themes are effective. The performance was praiseworthy and delightful and was particularly appreciated in the Menuetto and in the Finale. The witty, elegaic idea with which Schubert’s Quartet began seemed to promise great genius, but unfortunately this was not fulfilled by the further course of the movement or by the content of the Andante’. The progress of the first movement was likened to a smooth ‘discourse’, but contained few phrases of significance, being deemed to be more reminiscent of Onslow than of Schubert. Criticised as being ‘alien’ were dissonances that seemed to the correspondent to be ‘without reason’, specifically in the closing bars of the first movement and during the development section of the Andante. ‘Grateful’ and ‘highly poetic’ was the Menuetto, considered the ‘most interesting movement of the evening. The original character of the theme, the playful change of tonalites, the particular place with an unexpected C-sharp minor entry and the depth of expression of this wonderful intervention, made this movement so excellent that we would ascribe to it an intrinsic value that would stand beside Schubert’s best songs. Its success was also inspiring, at first receiving a warm reception, and the encore was vociferously applauded. The last movement of the Quartet is certainly not at the same level as the Menuetto, but it is still preferable to the first two.’ Finally, the review covered the ‘quite virtuosic’ performance of the Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, a ‘charming composition’ of ‘clarity and sublime beauty of form ... We were tempted to call this the music of Elysium, in that it soars with blessed and beatified ease, without deep or sad feeling, and with little elegaic tints applied with a wise hand onto a beautiful canvas.’ The Andante was encored. The playing of Pisařowitz [Pisařovic] was ‘with a mastery and expression that is above the most illustrious praise’. Königslöw and the other members of the string quartet were also commended. The review concluded by noting that the hall was well attended in view of the ‘dreadful’ weather.

A review, signed ‘Z.’, of this second Soirée was published by Mercy’s Anzeiger 19/11/1854. The correspondent related that ‘The second Quartet Soirée of Messrs von Königslöw, Weber, Paulus and Prof. Goltermann brought us a series of pieces that have either never, or only a long time ago, performed in Prague. Opening the occasion was a Quartet by Haydn in C major, typical of that master’s own charming and intimate style, its execution throughout was very dignified. The following Quartet op.29 A minor by Schubert is in the underlying musical handling of the prevailingly lyrical main themes, grateful material for a smooth and expressive effective development; it does not deviate from the generally observed form. The third piece, Quartet with Clarinet by Mozart in A major, was the highlight of the evening. Just as the felicitous ensemble thrilled through the great interest of the two heterogeneous tone-colours, so our enthusiasm was raised still further through the exceedingly splendid handling of the instrument on the part of Prof. Pisařowitz; in the Larghetto of this composition the wonderful impression made upon an enraptured auditorium by the said artist resulted in vociferous calls for its encore.’ The critic remarked that even though he too was in rapture over the performance, the subseqient demand for an encore was a convention to be deplorabled. Finally, the performances of all participants were commended and a note added that a very distinguished audience had been present.

The Czech-language periodical Lumír 21/11/1854 published a review signed ‘-š.’ of this event. Interestingly, the correspondent referred to the occasion not as a soirée but as a concert, noting: ‘The second concert, in which Mr Otto z Königslövu [von Königslöw] with Prof. Goltermann and Messrs Paulus, Weber and Pisařovic performed a spring-like Quartet by Haydn, [a] romantic [Quartet by] Schubert and a charming Quintet of Mozart [jaré quartetto Haydnovo, romantické Schubertovi a vnadné quintetto Mozartovo přednášeli], took place on Saturday 18th November and seemed still more magnificent than the first [event]. All three compositions were masterfully performed by the aforementioned artists. Particularly pleasing was Mozart’s Quintet in A major in which our excellent clarinetist Pisařovic competed with Mr Königslöv [Königslöw] in performance expression, and in the Larghetto of this work so inspired everyone present that the movement had to be encored. The audience was select and quite numerous.’