The Germania Musical Society in Newport
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. Read more about the members of the original orchestra here.
Let's met some of the musicians and composers and hear their music
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.
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 Germania
A Choice Collection of Favorite Pieces as Performed by the Germania Musical Society
No. 4 Souvenir de Newport
Composed in 1850
Soldier’s Departure March
As Performed at Newport by the Germania Musical Society
Dedicated to Miss Louisa Stanford of Newport
Composed in 1850
Charles Lenschow
Charles Lenschow was one of the first conductors of the Germania Musical Society.
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 .
page 56-157. Ryan, Thomas Recollections of an Old Musician. E. P. Dutton. New York. 1899
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 Nina R. Petri
Composed in 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
Dedicated to Mrs. Emilie Stave
Composed in 1854
P.O. Box 539
Newport, RI 02840
staff@historicmusicofnewport.org