Synopsis
For eight summers starting in 1868, German-born American conductor Theodore Thomas led concerts at New York City’s Central Park. As usual with Thomas’ programs, there was a calculated mix of old and new music, and more than a few premieres.
On today’s date in 1871, for example, Thomas conducted the first American performance of Kaiser March, a brand-new work by German opera composer Richard Wagner completed earlier that year to honor Wilhelm of Prussia who had just become Emperor of a united German Reich. It went over very well back in Germany, and, considering that: a) everybody likes a good march, especially at summertime pops concerts and, b) a sizeable percentage of New York’s musicians in Thomas’ day were either German-born or German-trained, we can assume Wagner’s Kaiser March was well-received at its American debut.
Five years later, in 1876, Thomas would conduct the premiere of another celebratory march by Wagner, this one commissioned for the 100th anniversary of the American Revolution. Wagner was paid $5000, an enormous sum of money in those days, to compose an American Centennial March for national festivities in Philadelphia.
Both of these marches are seldom performed today, and are regarded as pretty thin stuff, musically speaking. Wagner quipped that the best thing about his American Centennial March was the fee he received for writing it.
Music Played in Today's Program
Richard Wagner (1813-1883): American Centennial and Imperial Marches; Hong Kong Philharmonic; Varujan Kojian, conductor; Naxos 8.555386
On This Day
Births
1763 - French composer Étienne-Nicola Méhul, in Givet, Ardennes
Deaths
1974 - French composer Darius Milhaud, 81, in Geneva
Premieres
1911 - Elgar: Coronation March, at coronation of King George V and Queen Mary
1926 - Walton: Portsmouth Point Overture, in Zurich, at Festival of the International Society for Contemporary Music
1938 - Krenek: opera Karl V, in Prague at the New German Theater
Others
1871 - Wagner: Kaiser March at a Theodore Thomas Orchestra concert at Central Park Garden in New York City
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
Your Donation
About Composers Datebook®
Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.
He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.