Theodore Eisfeld
Encyclopedia
Theodore Eisfeld was a conductor
, most notably of the New York Philharmonic Society, which became the New York Philharmonic.
, of Dresden
. Between 1839 and 1843 he served as Kapellmeister
of the Court Theatre at Wiesbaden. He came to New York
in 1848, and in 1849 was the first man chosen to by the New York Philharmonic Society to be sole conductor for an entire season (prior to this time it had been customary for several musicians to share the conducting duties). He began the custom of giving an annual Christmas performance of Handel
's Messiah
. He also introduced the first regular concerts of chamber music in New York.
From 1849 through the 1865/1866 season, when he resigned, Eisfeld often served as conductor of the New York Philharmonic Society. In this period it was customary for the conductor to change from season to season, sometimes with two men sharing the duties. On 18 February 1851, he began a series of quartet
concerts, the first being given at Hope Chapel. Eisfeld was also the first conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Society, which was founded in 1857. He continued in this position, alternating with Theodore Thomas between 1862 and 1865, before Thomas took over.
On Eisfeld's return trip from a visit to Europe in September 1858, he was one of the few survivors of the burning of the steamship where he was lashed to a platform and so drifted on the ocean, without food, for nearly two days and nights. Eisfeld never recovered from this extraordinary prostration, returning to Germany in 1866, and remained there until his death in Wiesbaden at 66.
In his autobiography, Theodore Thomas described Eisfeld as follows:
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, most notably of the New York Philharmonic Society, which became the New York Philharmonic.
Biography
Eisfeld's chief instructor in musical composition was Carl Gottlieb ReissigerCarl Gottlieb Reissiger
Carl Gottlieb Reißiger was a German Kapellmeister and composer.-Biography:...
, of Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
. Between 1839 and 1843 he served as Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots Kapelle and Meister . The words Kapelle and Meister derive from the Latin: capella and magister...
of the Court Theatre at Wiesbaden. He came to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in 1848, and in 1849 was the first man chosen to by the New York Philharmonic Society to be sole conductor for an entire season (prior to this time it had been customary for several musicians to share the conducting duties). He began the custom of giving an annual Christmas performance of Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
's Messiah
Messiah (Handel)
Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later...
. He also introduced the first regular concerts of chamber music in New York.
From 1849 through the 1865/1866 season, when he resigned, Eisfeld often served as conductor of the New York Philharmonic Society. In this period it was customary for the conductor to change from season to season, sometimes with two men sharing the duties. On 18 February 1851, he began a series of quartet
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
concerts, the first being given at Hope Chapel. Eisfeld was also the first conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Brooklyn Philharmonic
The Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, commonly known as the Brooklyn Philharmonic, is an American orchestra based in the borough of Brooklyn, in New York City...
Society, which was founded in 1857. He continued in this position, alternating with Theodore Thomas between 1862 and 1865, before Thomas took over.
On Eisfeld's return trip from a visit to Europe in September 1858, he was one of the few survivors of the burning of the steamship where he was lashed to a platform and so drifted on the ocean, without food, for nearly two days and nights. Eisfeld never recovered from this extraordinary prostration, returning to Germany in 1866, and remained there until his death in Wiesbaden at 66.
In his autobiography, Theodore Thomas described Eisfeld as follows:
Conductors of the New York Philharmonic Society, 1849 - 1865
- 1849-1854 Eisfeld
- 1854-1855 Eisfeld and Henry Timm
- 1855-1856 Carl BergmannCarl BergmannCarl Bergmann was a German-American cellist and conductor.-Biography:...
- 1856-1858 Eisfeld
- 1858-1859 Bergmann
- 1859-1865 Bergmann and Eisfeld