Mister Liszt in London, 1827

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Probably the most remarkable aspect of Liszt's public music-making during his time in London in 1827 was the significantly high number of chamber performances he is known to have engaged in with over a score of instrumentalists and within a period of twenty-six days. Of the twelve 1827 London concerts that Liszt is known to have taken part, nine or more included performances of chamber works by him. This fact becomes clear when one considers that three of the twelve concerts were entitled “Seance Musicale,” chamber music events, when Liszt would surely have played on at least one occasion with violinists Anthony Oury and Charles de Beriot, violists John Moralt and Samuel Lyon, ‘cellist “Mons Poignie,” and harpist Theodore Labarre. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 8 April Liszt and his father arrive in London. 19 May Liszt performs at a Philharmonic Society concert rehearsal at the New Argyll Rooms. 21 May First “Seance Musicale” at the address of violinist, Antonio James Oury, 15 Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square, commencing at 3 p.m. 21 May Liszt's Philharmonic Society Concert. 25 May Liszt performs at Nicholas Mori's New Argyll Room Concert. Performed were a set of “New Grand Concertante Variations for Voice, Violin, Pianoforte and Guitar” performed by “Miss Stephens, Mr. Mori, Master Liszt and Mr. Huerta.” 28 May Second “Seance Musicale” at 15 Wigmore Street, commencing at 3 p.m. 2 June Liszt and Mori perform a duo at the Royal Society of Musicians Grand Festival at the New Argyll Rooms. 2 June Liszt plays at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. 4 June Third “Seance Musicale” at 15 Wigmore Street, commencing at 2.30 p.m. 5 June Liszt and Minasi perform a duo at Braham's “Benefit” at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. 8 June (a.m.) Liszt performs at Nicholas Bochsa's New Argyll Room Benefit concert. 8 June (p.m.) Liszt performs at Catherine Stephens's Benefit Concert at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. [?9 June] Liszt distributes tickets at the Edward Theleur Dancing Academy, 46 Great Marlborough Street, for all wishing to attend his New Argyll Room Benefit Concert on 9 June. 9 June Liszt's Argyll Room Benefit Concert. 14 June Liszt visits Charles Kensington Salaman at 19 Charing Cross. 14 June Liszt performs at a New Musical Fund Festival Dinner. 14 June Liszt performs at Trinidad Huerta's Argyll Room Benefit Concert.