A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Niederrheinische Musikfeste

by Herbert S. Oakeley

NIEDERRHEINISCHE MUSIKFESTE, i.e. Lower Rhenish Musical Festivals, now held in triennial turn at Whitsuntide, at either Düsseldorf, Aix-la-Chapelle, or Cologne, and from an artistic point of view perhaps the most important existing. The originator is said to have been Dr. Ludwig F. C. Bischoff, a very active musician and litterateur, who some seventy years ago assembled together the musicians in his province, and instituted a 'Thuringian Musical Festival,' which was held at Erfurt in 1811. In 1817 Johann Schornstein, music- director at Elberfeld, following the example of Bischoff, collected the musical forces of Elberfeld and Düsseldorf, and gave a performance on a large scale in the former town, thus laying the foundation of the Lower Rhenish Festivals. For the success of the Elberfeld attempt was decided enough to induce several of the most influential persons in the two towns mentioned to take the matter in hand, and to arrange two grand concerts for Whitsuntide, which should take place alternately at Elberfeld and Düsseldorf. The organisation of these concerts exacted so much labour and trouble that it was resolved to propose to a third neighbouring city to take part in them, and an offer of cooperation was made to Cologne, which at first declined the proposal. The first four festivals were therefore held at Elberfeld and Diisseldorf alternately.

From the time of the retirement of Elberfeld in 1827, Aix gave in its definite adhesion, and except during the political disturbances from 1848 to 1850, and also in 1852 and 1859, these festivals have since occurred at Düsseldorf, Aix, or Cologne.

Without entering into the detail of each occasion, a few facts may be mentioned. The 15th meeting, at Düsseldorf, in 1833, may be considered the most important which had occurred, and as marking a new epoch in the history of these now renowned festivals. For it was on this occasion that the direction of the music was first entrusted to Mendelssohn, then in his 26th year.^[1] Another distinguishing feature was a third concert improvised by him on the morning of Whit-Tuesday, which was subsequently known as the 'Artists' concert,' in consequence of the introduction at it of detached and solo pieces. In 1835 Mendelssohn conducted at Cologne, and on the following Whitsuntide directed the 18th festival at Düsseldorf, on which occasion his oratorio 'St. Paul' was produced. He reproduced Handel's 'Joshua' at Cologne in 1838, and on that occasion continued his great work for his country and for the musical world generally of reviving the superb choral works of Sebastian Bach, which, partly in consequence of their extraordinary number and want of classification and publication, had been suffered to remain almost in disuse, until resuscitated by one of the greatest disciples of the glorious 'Cantor of Leipzig.'

At the 21st festival, at Düsseldorf, in 1839, Mendelssohn was again at the helm, introducing there his 42nd Psalm 'As the hart pants,' and at the 'Artists' concert' playing his second pianoforte concerto. In 1842 he conducted at Düsseldorf, and made its festival memorable by the introduction of the 'Lobgesang,' which had been already performed at Leipzig and Birmingham; and in 1846, at Aix, for the seventh and last time, he directed a grand selection, when Jenny Lind sang, and produced extraordinary enthusiasm—the occasion being recorded as the 'Jenny-Lind-Fest.' Her singing of Mendelssohn's 'Auf Flügeln des Gesanges' and 'Frühlingslied,' at the 'Artists' concert' is described by chroniclers of this festival as producing an effect wholly unparalleled. In 1852 no festival took place, but in the following year Hiller and Schumann shared the direction at Düsseldorf, respectively contributing a Psalm—the 125th, and a Symphony—in D minor.

From this time the Rhenish Festivals became in some respects even more than previously interesting. The great composer who had done so much for them had indeed passed away, but so great a fame had been secured for them, partly in consequence of the memorable occasions on which Mendelssohn had presided, and also on account of the engagement of more celebrated soloists and of the selection of fuller if not more interesting programmes, as to attract for these Whitsuntide meetings more attention, and to draw musical visitors from all parts. In 1855, at Düsseldorf, Mme. Lind-Goldschmidt sang in Haydn's 'Creation,' Schumann's 'Paradise and Peri,' and at the Artists' concert.

Düsseldorf was fortunate enough in 1863 again to secure her services, and the choral selections were conducted by Herr Otto Goldschmidt. An unusual and interesting feature on this occasion was an organ solo by Herr van Eyken, who played Bach's great prelude and fugue in G minor. The following Whitsuntide, 1866, Madame Lind-Goldschmidt was once more heard at a Düsseldorf festival, in Handel's 'Messiah' and Schumann's 'Paradise and Peri,' etc., Madame Schumann, Auer, and Stockhausen being the other soloists, and Herren O. Goldschmidt and Tausch conducting.

The table on the opposite page shows the localities, the directors, and the chief choral and instrumental works from 1818 to the present year.

To this brief glance at their origin and progress, a few remarks may be added as to the distinctive features of these and other German festivals, which strike an habitué at our own large musical gatherings. Perhaps the most important difference is the greater care in preparation. Far more time is devoted to rehearsals of full band and chorus, under the conductor's direction, than with us. Hence the performances are undoubtedly more finished than at English festivals, at which only two hurried rehearsals take place for seven or eight performances. In Germany six full rehearsals are held for three concerts.

In the next place, the first object in England is to raise money: in Germany the great object is to benefit art. One of the bad results of our system is that committees shrink from risking the performance of any but popular works which will draw and 'pay.' One of the good results of the foreign plan is that only classical works of high artistic merit are given. No such selections as some of those at evening concerts at our festivals would be tolerated in Germany.

In the Rhineland all classes rejoice at an opportunity to take part in 'das liebliche Frühlingsfest.' Remuneration appears to be a secondary consideration; indeed the services of the chorus, which often comprises members of the best families, are gratuitous, and are given con amore. And one consequence of this, and of a general agreement and enthusiasm on the part of the amateur performers, is a moderate charge for tickets. The admission to the best places is less than a third of that chez nous. Moreover, in consequence of the occurrence of the great 'Feast of Pentecost,' the whole population of these Rhenish towns seems to be then en fête, and to take the liveliest interest in the festal musical performances now so thoroughly associated there with Whitsuntide.

Carl Klingemann, Mendelssohn's friend, writing to England concerning the Düsseldorf meeting of 1836, says:—'Never did I hear such chorus-singing. All the singers, with the exception of the soloists, were amateurs, as also the

No.	Year.	Place.	Conductors.	Principal Choral and Orchestral Works.
1	1818	Düsseldorf	Burgmüller	Haydn's Seasons and Creation.
2	1819	Elberfeld	Schornstein	Handel's Messiah; and Symphony 2, Beethoven.
3	1820	Düsseldorf	Burgmüller	Handel's Samson; and Eroica Symphony.
4	1821	Cologne	Do.	Schneider's Das Weltgericht; C minor Symphony, Beethoven.
5	1822	Düsseldorf	Do.	Stadler's Das befreite Jerusalem; and Symphony 4, Beethoven.
6	1823	Elberfeld	Schornstein	Handel's Jephthah, and Symphony 7, Beethoven.
7	1824	Cologne	F. Schneider	Schneider's Deluge; Symphony 4, Ries.
8	1825	Aix-la-Chapelle	F. Ries	Handel's Alexander's Feast; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
9	1826	Düsseldorf	Ries and Spohr	Spohr's Last Judgment; Messiah; Symphony in D, Ries.
10	1827	Elberfeld	Schornstein	Schneider's Paradise Lost; Symphony 5, Beethoven.
11	1828	Cologne	Ries and Klein	Klein's Jephta; Symphony 4, Beethoven.
12	1829	Aix	Ries	Creation; Symphony 4, Ries; and Eroica, Beethoven.
13	1830	Düsseldorf	Do.	Handel's Judas Maccabaeus; Symphony 5, Beethoven.
14	1832	Cologne	Do.	Handel's Samson; Symphony 7, Beethoven.
15	1833	Düsseldorf	Mendelssohn	Handel's Israel in Egypt; Pastoral Symphony, Beethoven.
16	1834	Aix	Ries	Handel's Deborah; Jupiter Symphony, Mozart; and part of 9, Beethoven.
17	1835	Cologne	Mendelssohn	Handel's Solomon; Symphony 8, Beethoven.
18	1836	Düsseldorf	Do.	Mendelssohn's St. Paul; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
19	1837	Aix	Ries	Handel's Belshazzar; Kings of Israel, Ries.
20	1838	Cologne	Mendelssohn	Handel's Joshua; Symphony in D, Mozart.
21	1839	Düsseldorf	Do.	Handel's Messiah; Eroica Symphony, Beethoven.
22	1840	Aix	Spohr	Handel's Judas; Symphony 7, Beethoven.
23	1841	Cologne	Kreutzer	Klein's David; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
24	1842	Düsseldorf	Mendelssohn	Handel's Israel; Lobgesang; Symphony 5, Beethoven.
25	1843	Aix	Reissiger	Handel's Samson; Symphony G minor, Mozart; Eroica, Beethoven.
26	1844	Cologne	Dorn	Handel's Jephthah; Missa Solemnis, Beethoven.
27	1845	Düsseldorf	Rietz	Handel's Joshua; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
28	1846	Aix	Mendelssohn	Creation; Alexander's Feast; Symphony 5, Beethoven.
29	1847	Cologne	Dorn and Spontini	Handel's Messiah; Symphony 7, Beethoven.
30	1851	Aix	Lindpaintner	Handel's Judas; Eroica Symphony, Beethoven.
31	1853	Düsseldorf	F. Hiller	Handel's Messiah; Symphony 9, Beethoven; and 4, Schumann.
32	1854	Aix	Lindpaintner	Handel's Israel; Symphony 7, Beethoven.
33	1855	Düsseldorf	Hiller	Creation; Paradise and Peri, Schumann; Symphony 5, Beethoven.
34	1856	Düsseldorf	Rietz	Mendelssohn's Elijah; Alexander's Feast; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
35	1857	Aix	Liszt	Handel's Messiah; Symphony in C, Schubert.
36	1858	Cologne	Hiller	Hiller's Saul; Walpurgisnacht; Eroica Symphony, Beethoven.
37	1860	Düsseldorf	Do.	Handel's Samson; Symphony 7, Beethoven; and 1, Schumann.
38	1861	Aix	F. Lachner	Beethoven's Missa Solennis; Joshua; Eroica Symphony, Beethoven.
39	1862	Cologne	Hiller	Handel's Solomon; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
40	1863	Düsseldorf	Otto Goldschmidt	Mendelssohn's Elijah; St. Cecilia's Ode; Symphony 5, Beethoven.
41	1864	Aix	Rietz	Handel's Belshazzar; Magnificat, Bach; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
42	1865	Cologne	Hiller	Handel's Israel; Symphony 7, Beethoven.
43	1866	Düsseldorf	O. Goldschmidt & Tausch	Handel's Messiah; Eroica Symphony, Beethoven.
44	1867	Aix	Rietz	Handel's Judas; Symphony 5, Beethoven.
45	1868	Cologne	Hiller	Handel's Messiah, Cantata, Bach; Symphony 9, Beethoven; 3, Schumann.
46	1869	Düsseldorf	Rietz	Handel's Joshua; Magnificat, Bach; Symphony 7, Beethoven.
47	1870	Aix	Lachner	Beethoven's Missa Solemnis; Eroica Symphony, Beethoven.
48	1871	Cologne	Hiller	Handel's Joshua; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
49	1872	Düsseldorf	Rubinstein	Handel's St. Cecilia's Ode; Tower of Babel, Rubinstein; Symphony 8, Beethoven; 4, Schumann.
50	1873	Aix	Rietz	Handel's Messiah; Symphony 9, Beethoven.
51	1874	Cologne	Hiller	Handel's Samson; Pastoral Symphony, Beethoven; and Italian, Mendelssohn.
52	1875	Düsseldorf	Joachim	Handel's Hercules; Missa Solennis; Symphony 1, Schumann.
53	l876	Aix	Breunung	Handel's Solomon; Eroica Symphony, Beethoven.
54	1877	Cologne	Hiller	Haydn's Seasons; Symphony 9, Beethoven; and Hiller in C.
55	1878	Düsseldorf	Joachim	Schumann's Faust; Orpheus, Gluck; Symphony 2, Brahms.
56	1879	Aix	Breunung	Beethoven's Missa Solennis; Symphony 2, Schumann; 9, Schubert.
57	1880	Cologne	Hiller	Handel's Israel; Violin Concerto, Beethoven.
Thus Düsseldorf has held 20, Aiz 17, Cologne 16, and Elberfeld 3 Lower Rhenish Festivals.
App. p.731 "Add the table the following particulars of the festivals since 1880:—"
58	1881	Düsseldorf	Gade and Tausch	Handel's Samson; Gade's Zion and Symphony in B♭.
59	1882	Aix	Wüllner	Handel's Joshua; part of Bach's B minor Mass; Symphony, no. 9, Beethoven.
60	1883	Cologne	Hiller and Brahms	Haydn's Creation; Mendelssohn's Ps. cxiv; Symphonies, Eroica, Beethoven, and Brahms in D.
61	1884	Düsseldorf	Brahms and Tausch	Handel's Messiah; Bach's Magnificat; Brahms's Symphony in F; Beethoven's PF. Concerto no. 5.
62	1885	Aix	Reinecke and Kriese	Handel's Judas Maccabeus and Alexander's Feast; Beethoven's C minor Symphony.
63	1886	Cologne	Wüllner	Handel's Belshazzar; Symphonies, Beethoven no, 9. Mozart in E♭, and Brahms, no. 4.
64	1887	Düsseldorf	Richter and Tausch	Handel's Joshua; Bach's Ascension Cantata 'Lobet Gott'; Tausch's 'Miriam's Siegesgesang'; Beethoven's PF. Concerto in G; Symphonies, Beethoven's Eroica and Schumann's in B♭.
65	1888	Aix	Richter and Schwickerath	Messiah; Bach's 'Gottes Zeit'; Mendelssohn's Ps. cxiv; Bruch's 'Schön Ellen'; Finale 'Gotterdämmerung'; Brahms's Double Concerto; Symphony, no. 9, Beethoven.

greater number of the instrumental performers. It is this circumstance which gives to this festival its peculiar excellence and beauty. From all the neighbouring towns and the whole country round the dilettanti were gathering, arriving in steamboats or Eilwagen, not to toil at an irksome ill-paid task, but for a great musical field-day, full of soul and song. All ranks and ages unite for the one harmonious end.… Add to this love of the art, good training, well cultivated taste, and general knowledge of music, and it is explained how such an effect is produced. You felt the life, the pulsation of this music, for their hearts as well as their understandings were in it. It was in this chorus and in this band that public interest was centred; the audience listened and enjoyed, but the amateur performers constituted the festival.'

The importance of these Rhine festivals, from an artistic point of view, was alluded to at the commencement of this record of them. The roll of eminent musicians of European fame who have conducted them alone claims such recognition; while the long catalogue of masterpieces performed, especially those for orchestra, in which English festivals are as a rule sadly deficient, is in itself an extraordinarily interesting and suggestive document. The following list of the number of times of performances of Beethoven's Symphonies at these Rhenish festivals gives a tolerably fair estimate of the proportionate admiration in which those masterpieces are held by the great composer's countrymen:—

No.	2,	performed	once.	No.	5,	performed	eight times.
"	4,	do.	twice.	"	7,	do.	do.
"	6,	do.	do.	"	3,	do.	nine times.
"	8,	do.	do.	"	9,	do.	twelve times.

App. p.731 "In the small list of symphonies at the end of the article, the right hand column should read as follows:—

No. 5,	performed	nine times.
No. 7,	do.	eight times.
No. 3,	do.	eleven times.
No. 9,	do.	fourteen times.

[ H. S. O. ]

1. See under Mendelssohn, pp. 270, 271.