Language Selection
Event title:
Second concert given by pianist Rudolf Hasert
Venue: Konvikt
Event type: Art music culture
Date: 21/03/1862
Season: Lent
Programme comprising:
- HASERT, Rudolf: soloist, pf
Commentary:
Národní listy 21/3/1862 published news that Hasert was to give a concert ‘on 21st this month’ at 5pm in the Konvikt Hall. No further details of this production, its programme or other participants, appeared in either Národní listy or Dalibor.
Bohemia 19/3/1862 published a small notice announcing ‘Second Concert of Rudolph Hasert Friday 21st March 5pm in the Konvikt Hall.’ Two days later Bohemia 21/3/1862 reported in that day’s almanac of events: ‘5pm. Konvikt Hall. 2nd Concert of Mr Hasert.’ A review, signed ‘V.’ was then published by Bohemia 23/3/1862. This reported that ‘Although everyone was unanimous that they encountered at the first concert of the Royal Danish Court Pianist Mr R. Hasert an artist of high rank, the second concert given by the aforementioned was only sparsely attended. The programme was again exorbitant... [including] pieces by the concert-giver, which did not assist in contributing to the success of the occasion. To begin was a sonata of his own composition, the first movement distinguishing it as a noble composition. The second [movement] was made up of an Andante of a peculiarly bellicose character, interrupted by an extremely poetic Intermezzo religioso.’ Of Hasert’s technique the critic considered his playing to possess a clarity and accuracy appropriate to playing Bach, an expressiveness and poetry suited to Schumann and Chopin, and a brilliance reminiscent suited Liszt. These attributes were displayed in the pieces that he performed, the ‘Königsfuge’, the Scherzo, Romanze and Nocturne and the Don Juan-Phantasie. His technique was also apparent in his own Paraphrase on Danish folksong themes.
A similar brief note of this concert to that appearing in Bohemia 19/3/1862 was published in advance by Prager Zeitung 21/3/1862. This issue of Prager Zeitung also reported that ‘Tomorrow at 5pm the Royal Danish Court Pianist Rudolph Hasert gives a second concert in the Konvikt Hall.’ A review, signed ‘!!’ was published by Prager Zeitung 23/3/1862. The correspondent reported that ‘Mr Hasert, who gave on Friday his second, yet alas weakly attended concert, is due the most brilliant testament to his technical ability and his perceptive manner of playing. The choice of works was this time of Bach’s ‘Königsfuge’ from the Well-Tempered Klavier, then a Burleska, then Schumann’s B-flat major Scherzo and D minor Romanze, then Chopin’s Nocturne op.37 nr.2. Liszt was represented by his Don Juan-Phantasie. Of individual compositions by the concertgiver we heard a great Sonata in A minor, from which the Andante was conspicuous with its striking form, then a Paraphrase on a Danish folksong, and ending with the previously played Variations for left hand on the aria ‘Casta diva’ from Norma. We once more had the opportunity to wonder at his fluent virtuosity and colossal memory. Mr Hasert played all the pieces by heart. General speaking, his playing is to be marvelled at but exclusivity of programme and ease of performance could not be warmed to. When the auditorium was so sparsely filled, we may only attribute this to the pieces on the programme. The few listeners, greeted the concert-giver with general approbation.’A review, signed ‘-ý.’ was published by Prager Morgenpost 22/3/1862. The critic commented upon the length of this concert and that notwithstanding the astonishing spectacle of the pianist’s stamina and ability to play for two hours, this was deemed to long to be of interest to the audience even though the programme iteself was interesting. This was thought to have been the reason for the poor attendance of this event. Of Hasert’s playing itself the correspondent drew attention to his excellent virtuosity as demonstrated in the work by Liszt, and also his poetry and expression evident in Chopin’s Nocturne. ‘The only fault [of his performance] was the rash tempo in Bach’s Königsfuge (A minor). He the texture was unclear, blurring the entries of the theme.’ Although the concert was deemed to have been ‘favourably’ successful, the audience was not as numerous as would have been wished.
The work described by the newspaper sources as Bach’s ‘Königsfuge’ cannot be identified. Although the name suggests Die Kunst der Fuge with its theme supplied to the composer by the King of Prussia, the Prager Zeitung review did note that the piece was from Das Wohltemperirte Clavier and the Prager Morgenpost review reported that the key of the work was A minor whereas Die Kunst is in D minor. The programme is listed in the order in which the works were described by the Prager Zeitung review, but with the Sonata given first as noted by Bohemia 23/3/1862.
Summary of sources:
Bohemia (19/03/1862)Prager Zeitung (21/03/1862)
Prager Zeitung (21/03/1862)
Bohemia (21/03/1862)
Prager Morgenpost (22/03/1862)
Bohemia (23/03/1862)