Melodists’ Club Dinner
London: Freemasons’ Tavern
↓Programme
| Air, ‘John Anderson, my Jo’ | Mr. Broadhurst | |
| Air, ‘The Last Rose of Summer’ | Mr. Duruset | |
| Air, ‘The Soldier’s Gratitude’ | Mr. Sinclair | |
| Air, ‘The Mountain Maid’ | Mr. Sinclair | |
| Air, ‘Wake, dearest wake’ | Mr. Duruset | |
| Ballad, ‘Hey the Bonnie Breast Knot’ | Mr. Sinclair | Sinclair |
| Double Flageolet | Mr. Parry | |
| Flute Duet | Mr. Sedlatzek, [?] | Sedlatzek |
| Flute Duet (MS) | Mr. Sedlatzek, [?] | Sedlatzek |
| Free Piano Fantasia, incl. Sinclair’s ‘Hey the Bonnie Breast Knot’ and ‘The Last Rose of Summer’ | Mr. Moscheles | |
| Glee, ‘Oft, in the Stilly Night’ | Mr. James Roche | T. Moore |
| Hymn, ‘Non nobis Domine’ | ||
| Irish melody, ‘And doth not a Meeting like this’ | Mr. Broadhurst |
| Principal Vocalists: Messrs. Broadhurst, Duruset, Sinclair |
| Principal Instrumentalists: Messrs. Moschelles, Parry, Sedlatzek |
———————————
Encore: Ballad, ‘Hey the Bonnie Breast Knot— Mr. Sinclair—Sinclair
Reviews
The Courier (November 30, 1827): 3.
MELODIST’S CLUB.
This Club, whose object is the encouragement of Melody and Ballad Composition, opened its season on Thursday, with a splendid meeting at the Freemasons’ Tavern. The members and their friends (who by the rules of the Society can never visit a second time), sat down to an excellent dinner. On the cloth being removed, Non Nobis Domine, was sung all the vocal strength of the Club. On the toast—“Prosperity to the Melodists’ Club,” being drunk, Mr. Sinclair sung the ballad of “The Breast-Knots” very delightfully, and was encored. This ballad was the first that was published for the Club, and its popularity, all over the kingdom, has, it appears, induced one or two piracies.
The Secretary then read letters regret from those honorary members who were unavoidably absent, and announced various contributions to the library, and manuscripts; among these were copies of a glee, from Mr. T. Cooke; a duet, MS., by Mr. Parry; a glee, MS, by Mr. W. Ball; copy of a duet, by Sedlatzek, composed for two flutes, to one of Mochelles’ [sic] favourite pieces for the piano-forte; and copies of several newly published musical works. At the conclusion of this, Moschelles executed a brilliant fantasia on the piano-forte, which drew the most rapturous and well-earned applause from all parts of the room. It was a most brilliant inspiration. With magic quickness the Artist caught the lively air of “The Breast Knots,” which Sinclair had sung but a few minutes before, and sported with it through the most beautiful variations; and then, suddenly dropping it, introduced the plaintive air of “The Last Rose of Summer,” in a style of the deepest tenderness and pathos. The whole was chef-d’œuvre of execution, imagination, and taste. Duruset gave the sweet air of “Wake, dearest wake,” in a most effective manner; and his “Last Rose of Summer” deserved the marks of approbation with which it was received. Sinclair sung “The Soldier’s Gratitude,” and “The Mountain Maid,” in his best style. Several glees were sung Messrs. Watson. Parry, Duruset, James Roche, &c. The latter Gentleman sang “Oft in stilly Night,” and one or two other Melodies, very beautifully. Mr. Broadhurst was in fine voice; and among other admirable specimens of his talents, gave the Irish melody, “And doth not a Meeting like this,” with peculiar pathos; and “John Anderson my Jo,” with no less effect. Mr. Sedlatsek, of Vienna, whose late publication for the flute, with piano-forte accompaniments, composed by Moschelles, have attracted much notice in the musical world, was present upon the occasion.—Besides many other beautiful specimens of his art, he performed one of the duets lately published by Mayseder and Sedlatzek. Moschelles presided at the piano, and by his perfect execution supplied all that could be wanted to give effect to the brilliant, yet apparently facile performance of the flutist. Mr. Parry gave some delightful specimens of his talent on the double flageolet. A great variety of amateur music, both instrumental and vocal, filled up the evening; and notwithstanding the production of the new Opera at Drury-lane, which took away so much of the strength the Club, the opening night of this season was such as to give the fullest satisfaction; and to prove that the success of the Society was no longer a matter of hope, but one certainty. It was a subject of general regret that Mr. Braham was prevented from being present by his professional duties.
The Morning Post (November 30, 1827): 3.
THE MELODIST’S CLUB.
The first Meeting this season of this Society, founded for the promotion of ballad composition, took place at the Freemasons’ Tavern yesterday, and was numerously attended. Among the vocalists, were—SINCLAIR, BROADHURSTS, DURUSET, PARRY, WATSON, ROCHE, &c, &c., who sung a number of songs, duets, and glees, with infinite effect. BRAHAM and T. COOKE were prevented from attending by the new Opera at Drury-lane.—MOSCHELES performed most exquisitely on the piano-forte, and Mr. SEDLESZECK on the flute, and Mr. PARRY on the double flageolet. Several new compositions were presented to the Society, and the evening passed off most delightfully.
The Constitution; Cork Advertiser (December 6, 1827): 1.
MELODIST’S CLUB.
———
This Club, whose object is the encouragement of Melody and Ballad Composition, opened its season on Thursday, with a splendid meeting at the Freemasons’ Tavern. The members and their friends (who by the rules of the Society can never visit a second time), sat down to an excellent dinner. On the cloth being removed, Non Nobis Domine, was sung all the vocal strength of the Club. On the toast—“Prosperity to the Melodists’ Club,” being drunk, Mr. Sinclair sung the ballad of “The Breast Knots” very delightfully, and was encored. This ballad was the first that was published for the Club, and its popularity, all over the kingdom, has, it appears, induced one or two piracies.
The Secretary then read letters regret from those honorary members who were unavoidably absent, and announced various contributions to the library, and manuscripts; among these were copies of a glee, from Mr. T. Cooke; a duet, MS., by Mr. Parry; a glee, MS, by Mr. W. Ball; copy of a duet, by Sedlatzek, composed for two flutes, to one of Mochelles’ [sic] favourite pieces for the piano-forte; and copies of several newly published musical works. At the conclusion of this, Mochelles executed a brilliant fantasia on the piano-forte, which drew the most rapturous and well-earned applause from all parts of the room. It was a most brilliant inspiration. With magic quickness the Artist caught the lively air of “The Breast Knots,” which Sinclair had sung but a few minutes before, and sported with it through the most beautiful variations; and then, suddenly dropping it, introduced the plaintive air of “The Last Rose of Summer,” in a style of the deepest tenderness and pathos. The whole was chef d’ouvre of execution, imagination, and taste. Duruset gave the sweet air of “Wake, dearest wake,” in a most effective manner; and his “Last Rose of Summer” deserved the marks of approbation with which it was received. Sinclair sung “The Soldier’s Gratitude,” and “The Mountain Maid,” in his best style. Several glees were sung Messrs. Watson. Parry, Duruset, James Roche, &c. The latter Gentleman sang “Oft in stilly Night,” and one or two other Melodies, very beautifully. Mr. Broadhurst was in fine voice; and among other admirable specimens of his talents, gave the Irish melody, “And doth not a Meeting like this,” with peculiar pathos; and “John Anderson my Jo,” with no less effect. Mr. Sedlatsek, of Vienna, whose late publication for the flute, with piano-forte accompaniments, composed by Moschelles, have attracted much notice in the musical world, was present upon the occasion.— Besides many other beautiful specimens of his art, he performed one of the duets lately published by Mayseder and Sedlatzek. Moschelles presided at the piano, and by his perfect execution supplied all that could be wanted to give effect to the brilliant, yet apparently facile performance of the flutist. Mr. Parry gave some delightful specimens of his talent on the double flageolet. A variety of amateur music, both instrumental and vocal, filled up the evening; and notwithstanding the production of the new Opera at Drury-lane, which took away so much of the strength the Club, the opening night of this season was such as to give the fullest satisfaction: and to prove that the success of the Society was no longer a matter of hope, but one certainty. It was a subject of general regret that Mr. Braham was prevented from being present by his professional duties— London P.
Der Oesterreichische Beobachter (January 3, 1828): 11.
Der sogenannte melodists club, dessen Zweck hauptsächlich die Beförderung der Lieder-und Balladen-Composition ist, eröffnete am so. December seine Sitzungen. Nach dem Mittagsessen begann die Musik. Sinclair (der Tenorist) sang eine Ballade, die Moscheles in einer darauf folgenden Fantasie auf dem Pianoforte sehr kunstreich variirte; Duruset (Tenor) sang mehrere Balladen mit großem Beifall, und die HH. Moscheles, Sedlaczeck (aus Wien) und Parry führten ein Trio für zwei Flöten und Pianoforte aus, das großen Beifall erhielt.
The Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, vol. 9 (1827): 459.
At no dinner party in London is there given so great a variety of musical entertainment at the Melodists, for besides Braham, Sinclair, T. Cooke, Duruset, Broadhurst, Parry, Parry, jun. Watson, Collyer, Sola, De Begnis, &c. &c. who generally attend, Moscheles, Mori, Willman, Schunke, Stackhausen, Cianchettini, Sedlatzek, &c.&c. occasionally visit the club and perform on their various instruments.
Ignaz Moscheles' Concert Life 