The Germania Musical Society in Newport
The Germania Musical Society in 1853
In 1848 a group of German musicians arrived in America and took the country by storm. The ensemble would summer in Newport and were in demand at the Grand Hotels and private parties that made Newport summers the place to be, even before the coming Gilded Age. The Germanian’s eventually settled in Boston and then officially disbanded in the mid 1850s, with some members revising the name for other small orchestras for years to come. In 1850, the members of the orchestra were listed as Newport residents in the United States Census.
From the 1850 United States Census, Newport, Rhode Island
Showing the members of the Germania Musical Society at the Ocean House.
Carl Bergmann
Carl Bergmann was a cellist with the Germania Musical Society and was also one of the ensembles conductors. He later went on to conduct the New York Philharmonic. Here more of his music dedicated to the Grand Hotels of Newport.
Song of the Danube
A Choice Collection of Waltzes & Polkas As Performed by the Germania Musical Society. No. 7 Songs of the Danube. Composed in 1851
F.B. Helmsmuller
Composer and some time manager of the Germania Musical Society and others, he composed a number of songs for the orchestra and arranged other contemporary tunes for the instrumentation of the orchestra.
Souvenir de Newport Polka Redowa
Souvenir de Germania. A Choice Collection of Favorite Pieces as Performed by the Germania Musical Society. No. 4 Souvenir de Newport. Composed in 1850
Charles Lenschow
Charles Lenschow was one of the first conductors of the Germania Musical Society
Wedding March
Music of the Germania, No. 3. The Wedding March from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Felix Mendelssohn. Arranged for piano in 1850 by Charles Lenschow
William Schultze
William (Wilhelm Heinrich) Schultze a violinist, was born in Hanover, Germany where his father was a bandmaster. Schultze studied with Karl Müller 1843-1845 and Karl Böhmer in Berlin 1845-1847. Became leader of the Mendelssohn Quintette Club in Boston 1859-1878. Also played in the Boston Orchestral Union and the Musical Fund Society. Later, in 1877, Professor of Music, Syracuse University. Died in Syracuse in September 1888, while playing a recital .
Encore Sounds From Home
The Celebrated Encore Set of Sounds from Home as Performed by the Germania Musical Society. Composed in 1851. arr. for piano by F.B. Helmsmuller
William Ferdinand Thiede
Thiede performed with the Germania Musical Society on bassoon and arranged and composed some of their music.
The Sylph Polka
Dedicated to Miss Nine R. Petri. Composed 1851.
Carl Zerrahn
Zerrahn first played the Flute in the Germania Musical Ensemble and later became conductor of the orchestra. He later became musical director of the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston.
The Prairie Polka
The Prairie Polka. Dedicated to Mrs. Emilie Stave. Composed in 1854.