The three generations Mollenhauer: violinists and composers

              THE KUBAT CONCERT DIRECTION CO.
Announce
The Three Generations
MOLLENHAUER Violinists and Composers

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AMERICAN–CANADIAN TOUR
Season, 1914–1915



The Three Generations MOLLENHAUER Violinists and Composers

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THE THREE GENERATIONS
MOLLENHAUER VIOLINISTS
GRANDFATHER, FATHER AND GRANDSON
THE ONLY LIVING THREE GENERATIONS OF CONCERT ARTISTS THAT CAN JUSTLY CLAIM A PLACE IN THE RANKS OF THE GREATEST VIOLINISTS OF THE WORLD

THE VIOLINISTS MOLLENHAUER form a unique page and a co-incident in the history of music, it being the first time in the annals of musical events that the world has had an opportunity of hearing three generations, all of equal merit, performing on the same evening upon the same stage.  These artists do not only interpret all the works of other masters with the highest artistic skill, but as composers give to the public Trios, Duetts, and Solos which not alone gratify and please the layman and the Dillitantti but also astonish and delight their brother and sister artists and musicians.

The Press Clippings printed within these pages were permitted to appear here by the Mollenhauer's on condition that the management stated that they consented to their publication with reluctance, as these artists are decidedly opposed to anything that might influence a public in their favor prior to their performance, preferring to force a just recognition by their artistic ability.

It required a great deal of pressure on the part of their present managers to secure their sanction to the notices submitted, as they claim press clippings to be misleading, many mediocre performers displaying press clippings far beyond their true worth, which the public only discovers after their appearance.

Edward Mollenhauer performed duets and quartettes with the great Louis Spohr, who always spoke of him in glowing terms.  He was the only pupil of H. W. Ernst, violin virtuoso, and has had letters of recommendation from Franz Liszt, Mendelssohn, Hans von Bulow, Robert and Clara Schuman and many others too numerous to mention.

He performed in Berlin at the Grand Opera House, before William the Fourth, who was so taken with his playing that he gave him by his own imperial hand, aletter of introduction to his sister, the Empress of Russia.

The Mollenhauers not merely being interpreters of violin lore, but also the originators of a new school of Violin Art, seek to advance their own composition in preference to the standard technical works always performed and reperformed by every artist appearing upon a concert stage.

Exclusive Management, KUBAT CONCERT DIRECTION CO.




No one can form an adequate or correct opinion concerning these violinists by reading either press reports or managerial comments, as whatever truths might be written regarding their performances would seem to those unaquainted with their wonderful ability as exaggerated a vance notices, it appearing almost unbelievable that three generations of violinists all of one family can be equally balanced as regards artistic merit.  It can therefore be merely stated, that to appreciate the Mollenhauers at their value one must hear and see them.

Those who do not understand the technical in music cannot fully appreciate the greatness of these artists as it is one thing to play a Violin Solo, but it becomes a ten fold more technical feat and task when that Violin Solo is divided up into three equally difficult parts as then the intonation must always remain flawless and the phrasing remain uniform throughout.  So when the Mollenhauer Trio Concert Violinists played their Trios and other ensemble selections the audience could not believe they were listening to three violins, it sounded as if but one was being played by supernatural hand.

The famous Mollenhauer Trio Violinists and Composers was an event which will be remembered by those in attendance for a long time to come.  Such perfect ensemble, such clear and faultless intonation, such transparent and poetical phrasing we have never listened to before, were the expressions of those present.


THE THREE GENERATIONS



The famous Mollenhauer Trio Violinists and Composers was an event which will be remembered by those in attendance for a long time to come.  Such perfect ensemble, such clear and faultless intonation, such transparent and poetical phrasing we have never listened to before, were the expressions of those present.
The first part of the concert, excepting for the introductory number, the trio Twilight by Edward Mollenhauer, was devoted to pretty solid classical selections, including Spohr's 1st concerto, played by W. F. T. Mollenhauer; a concerto for three violins by Edward Mollenhauer, and the first movement of a Vieuxtemps' concerto, played by Master Willie Mollenhauer.  These three numbers gave exceptional opportunity for comparing and classifying the work of Edward Mollenhauer as a composer, and the result was increased recognition of the fact that this venerable artist (eighty-seven years old) is truly a great musician.
They present such a striking picture, this grandfather, father and son and being the first time in the history of music that three generations of celebrated violinists appear all upon the same stage that the audience is won over to them before they even put a bow to the strings.—

St. Paul Pioneer Press.




PRESS COMMENTS
Of the elder Mollenhauer Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians says;

Edward Mollenhauer was born in Erfurt April 12, 1827, violinist, a pupil of Ernst, 1841, a pupil of Spohr 1843, he established a violin school for advanced pupils and was one of the first originators of the conservatory system.  His works consist of a grand opera, The Corsican Bride, 1861, comic operas 'The Breakers' and 'The Masked Ball', three symphonies, one being the 'Passions', string quartets, songs and violin pieces.

The American History and Encyclopedia of Music comments: Edward Mollenhauer received his first instructions under his brother Fredrick then studied under Spohr and Ernst.  After playing in Germany and under the patronage of the Archduchess of Dessau in St. Petersburg, he was ordered to do military service, but fled to England, joining Julien's orchestra as solo violinist.

Another of the Mollenhauer compositions that was enthusiastically received was La Sylphide, that the elder Mollenhauer gave with an execution and technic wonderful in richness and tone quality.

In writing music the Mollenhauers combine beauty of motive and theme with the remembrance of the rhythmic melody that the public demands, and the result is more pleasing than many compositions by more familiar artists, who are prone to wander afield in their tonal themes.


It was a well arranged program, with the exception, perhaps of two many original compositions, no one of which, however, it must be confessed, was ordinary or tedious.  On the contrary, the duet for two violins and piano was a beautiful bit of poetic reverie, melodious and in excellent style, charmingly played by grandfather and grandson.  The same tribute may be paid to the Fantasie Caprice, which revealed the oldest Mollenhauer as a musician of sterling merit.  It was in several respects a remarkable performance.  The player displayed a finesse and technique that were youthful in vigor, poetic in conception, artistic and spirituelle in tonal quality.  His soul was in his music and it made a strong appeal to the hearts of his hearers.—
Brooklyn Eagle.


Leipzige Musik Zeitung
—In conclusion we can only add that The Mollenhauers have fully proven that they are artists of the highest rank.


The Lima Commercio, Lima, Peru
—We have heard Sarasate, Ole Bull, Vieuxtemps, Wieniawski, all in fact, but The Mollenhauers are the non plus ultra en el arte.


New York World
—Mr. Mollenhauer himself played four morceaux—a concerto by Mendelssohn fantaise

Edward Mollenhauer
 caprice (his own composition), a nocturne by Chopin and Paganini's Witches Dance.  Mr. Mollenhauer is so thoroughly a musician and so well known that it is hardly necessary to speak critically of his work.  The fantaise caprice showed that Mr. Mollenhauer is possessed of much delicate fancy as a composer.
Edward Mollenhauer, the oldest of the three, played with exquisite depth of feeling and wonderful technique, displaying a deep love for his art.  Several of his own compositions, brilliant writings for the violin, were numbers particularly enjoyed during the evening, every number of which was heartily applauded by the large audience present.




Repetoire of Edward Mollenhauer


Concerto No. 1

Paganini


LaFolia

Correli



Cadenza and revision by
H. Leonard


Concerto

Beethovan


Posthumos Fantastie

Vieuxtemps


Nocturna

Chopin



Transcription Sarasate



Concerto

Mendelssohn


Rondo Papageno

Ernst


Eligie

Ernst



Introduction by Sphor




Duett for two violins preformed by one on the Theme of Nel-Cor-Piu-Mi-Sento
Paganini






Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer has met with unprecedented success wherever he has appeared possessing as he does the lucky faculty of pleasing the amateur and astonishing his brother violinists.

The repertoire upon this page is but a small part of the works he has at his command.  He has written two concertos, five Rhapsodies, a Valse Caprice, and Adagio Rondo, a Symphony, several Indian pieces, one of which an Indian War Dance for large orchestra made quite a sensation in Europe upon its first production there, and was performed owing to popular demand every night for six months thereafter.

Mr. Mollenhauer has justly been entitled the modern Paganini owing to the remarkable ease with which he has overcome every known difficulty of the instrument and his propensity to create new ones of a startling nature.

Mr. Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, Sr., having also studied Contra Punte under the late Jean Joseph Bott. imperial conductor of Hanover and a favorite pupil of Spohr, it naturally follows that Mr. Mollenhauer's familiarity with all the compositions of Spohr, descended to him through his father and Mr. Bott the great Violinist's favorite pupil, enables him to give a rendition of these works the same as the composer performed them in the years of the past.

His distinguished father having been a pupil of Spohr and Ernst, both Edward and Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer,

Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer
 Sr., are the only living violinists today who can interpret and perform the works of Ernst and Spohr as these great artists played and fingered their own compositions.


Mr. Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer played a concerto of his own, a very difficult but formless work in three movements.  The peculiar and odd stage postures and his weird uncanny execution came the nearest to what we imagine the immortal Paganini to have been.  He was recalled again and again and gave two encores, among the manifold floral offerings which literally filled the stage and to make room for the violinists they had to be divided and sandwitched through the orchestra.  The first encore was with orchestra accompaniment, the second encore he rendered alone and yet the audience clamored for more.  Seldom has any artist received so spontaneous an ovation.—
New York World.


Mr. Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, heralded by the Wolfson Musical Bureau as the great violinist in his own compositions made his first appearance last evening at the Lenox Lyceum in conjunction with the Seidl Orchestra.  Seldom has the elite of New York turned out enmasse as it did last evening.  Nearly all the money kings and various members of their families were present and while there were many skeptics in the vast assemblage when Mr. Mr. Mollenhauer stepped upon the stage to perform his own Premier Grand Concerto assisted by the Seidl Orchestra, before the first movement was over however Mr. Mollnhauer had proved beyond a doubt to those least inclined in his favor that he was unquestionably a great artist.—
New York Times.



Repetoire of Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer


Concerto No. 5

Molique


Concerto No. 1

Molique


Concerto No. 2

Molique


Concerto No. 1

Spohr


Concerto No. 2

Spohr


Concerto No. 3

Spohr


Premier Grand Concerto in F Sharp Minor

Wieniawski


Concerto in D Major

Ernst


Concerto Pathetique F Minor

Ernst


1st Grand Concerto

Vieuxtemps


Piraten Fantasie

Ernst


Chaconne

Bach


Posthumos Grand Fuge

Bach


March Militaire, Preludium, Fuga, from Dur and Moll

David


Etudes No 3-5-16 (Peters Ed.) from the 24 Caprices of

Paganini


6th Grand Etude (Variations Bravura) on the Theme Last Rose of Summer for Violin alone

Ernst


Variations Bravura

Paganini


Nocturno in D Flat

Chopin



Transcription Wilhelmj



24 Variations Burelesque on the Theme Cara-Mama-Mia

Ernst






Master Willie Mollenhauer is fourteen years old and performs all the difficult works of the Classic and present day Masters such as Mendelssohn.  Paganini and Max Bruch concertos, etc., this little violinist ranks as regards artistic ability with Kocian and many other artists of matured age appearing now before the public.  He has been concertizing all over the world since his sixth year, and has been the wonder and astonishment of those fortunate enough to listen to his remarkable playing.

The grandson, whose appearance tallies exactly with that of the conventional youthful prodigy, tall, gaunt, thin and white of face, with long straight hair, played with much display of mettle and excellent training two movements from Paganini's somewhat tiresome

Wm. F. T. Molleuhauer, Jr.
 Second Concerto.  His best work was done in the Chopin nocturne which he did in response to a loudly demanded encore.

Master William Mollenhauer displays marvelous technic, with an insight in tonal shading and a temperament remarkable for his years, even under the instruction of such artists as his father and grandfather.  The audience was particularly pleased with his interpretation of the Ernst Airs Hongroises.

Master Willie Mollenhauer, a lad of 14, astonished the audience with his dexterity and understanding of technique and the tonal quality of his playing and was repeatedly called back in acknowledgement of earnest applause.

The young player has already accomplished much, and will doubtless mature into a musician of well-rounded qualities if he continues as he has begun.  He has temperament, too, which will assert itself as the somewhat present fragile physique-becomes hardier and manlier through years.  Standing beside his venerable grandfather in the duet they made a most striking picture.


Master Willie Mollenhauer, but fourteen years of age is without a doubt destined to be the greatest of violin Virtuosos.  He is but a slip of a boy, but he plays with the fire and expression that characterizes such masters as Kubelik.  Elman, Kreisler, and his playing immediately stamps him as an artist of rare ability and a credit to the grandfather under whom he studied from the age of three years.—
The Music News.

To judge them at their true worth, pro or con, one must hear them personally.

The great difficulty which every other artist must first encounter of getting his audience with him is entirely overcome by the Mollenhauers as soon as they step upon the stage.



Repertoire of Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, Jr.


Concerto

Mendelssohn


Concerto

Beethoven


Concerto in G Minor

Max Bruch


2nd Concerto

Paganini


8th Concerto

Spohr


2nd Concerto

Vieuxtemps


Romanza in G

Beethoven


Romanza in F

Beethoven


Nocturno in A

Chopin



Transcription Sarasate



Witches Dance

Paganini


Ronde-Des-Lutins

Bazzini


Souvenir de Bade

Leonard


Reverie

Vieuxtemps


Spanish Dances

Sarasate


Gipsy Ways

Sarasate






PRESS COMMENTS

Leipzig Zeitschrift
—Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, who played with much natural technique and fine feeling, gave as his solo number the Bravura March by David, and the Posthumous Fugue by Bach, both of which were played with wonderful skill.


Philadelphia Record
—No matter what the Mollenhauers play, whether they play the old masterpieces or their own compositions, one is always stirred to the depths by their performance, as it is always genuinely musical, has fire and dash in abundance and delights and warms the soul.


Daily Dispatch “Berlin”
—A select audience which went to criticize but remained to praise, attended the concert.  It would be a pleasure to speak of them at length but they are all that the word artists denotes.  Their art is so high that mere words and cold type seem tame.


New York Times
—Le Streghe may be mentioned as exemplifying most filicitiously the executant's talent.  The nocturne was rendered with great feeling and delicacy, and Paganini's agglomeration of technical difficulties, in shape of passages combining pizzicati and bowed notes, chords in harmonics, and so on, if not dealt with the matchless ease which history attributes to the work of the composer, was performed with accurary and vigor.


Toronto Globe, Toronto, Can.
—In the Ernst Concerto Pathetique, Mr. W. F. T. Mollenhauer commanded critical admiration for his mastery of the technical difficulties of the work, especially in the passages of double stopping and octaves.


De Post, Berlin.
—The Mollenhauers scorn barnstorming tricks calculated to impress an audience through the optic nerve, and devote themselves single-heartedly to giving a composition the highest and best interpretation within their power.  They are artists in spirit as well as in knowledge and technical accomplishment.
The performances of the Vieuxtemps concerto by Master Willie Mollenhauer was especially noteworthy as to the ease and apparent lack of effort with which he reeled off the very difficult passages therein.



London Times
—Although they determinedly tried to avoid encores, the audience would not be denied and their outbursts of appreciation and applause were so spontaneous and genuine and in conclusion no one left their seats until the artists good naturedly responded to their demands with their trio Twilight which was short and sweet to the last note.


Hamburger Nachrichten.
—The Violinists Mollenhauer demonstrated to a large and skeptical audience last evening, that they are artists of exceptional ability.


“World”N.Y.
—The popular success of the Mollenhauer Trio Violinists was unmistakable, and they were repeatedly recalled.


Philadelphia, Inquirer, Phil., Pa.
—The celebrated violinists Mollenhauer, famed as the Three Generations, made their first appearance before a Philadelphia audience last evening at Aeolian Hall before a large and somewhat demonstrative, audience.
Seldom have the music lovers of this city been so warmly appreciative.
Marvelous, unheard of, divine, were many of the expressions that were wafted through the hall as the Mollenhauers slowly but surely brought the vast assembly to them with their almost uncanny performance.



Santiago Republica, Santiago, DeChile.
—The violinists Mollenhauer gave their third and final concert here last evening to an overwhelmed and enthusiastic audience.  The program was a somewhat heavy one, but was rendered by request.  There were numbers by Beethoven, Corelli, Spohr, Tartini, LeClair and Bach, all of which were given with the same deep artistic spirit, and clear, faultless, execution which has won the Mollenhauers the entire public of this city.


Le Matin, Paris, France.
—Seldom has an audience been so unanimous in its praise, and so uniformly pleased as was the one which listened to the first performance here of the famous Violinists Mollenhauers who thrilled and delighted all present with their marvelous interpretations.


La Prensa Buenos Ayres
—The great Violinists Mollenhauers, who somewhat antagonized the people of this city by the bombastic notices of their worth which they distributed broadcast before their appearance, fully proved last evening that they are justly entitled to far greater praise than they heralded themselves with.


Leipziger Tageblatt.
—Eminently musical and endowed with an exquisit sense of musical conception, phrasing and tone production, the Mollenhauers play with a full, clear, never harsh tone and the finest musical instinct.


The Globe “London”
—Speaking of the elder Mollenhauer the Globe comments of him as having great emotional force and remarkable brilliance.




SPECIMEN PROGRAMS

SPECIMEN PROGRAM   NUMBER I.


I
Trio for three Violins

Edw. Mollenhauer




Largo from First Concerto with orchestral Accompaniment





The Three Generations



II
Violin solo (5th Concerto)

Molique




Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



III
Duett (Jota-Navarro)

Sarasate-Mollenhauer




Edward and Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



IV
Gesangscene (Concerto No. 8)

Spohr




Master Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, Jr.



V
Violin solo (Fantasie Bravura)
God Save The King

Paganini




Edward Mollenhauer



VI
Grand Trio

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations





SPECIMEN PROGRAM   NUMBER II.


I.
Duet, (Two Violins) Adagio Religioso


Spohr





Edward Mollenhauer and Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



II.
Violin Solo







(a) Etude No. 16 from the 24 Caprices.

Paganini




(b) Grand Posthumous Imperial Fugue

Bach





Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



III.
Grand Trio Millitaire


Edw. Mollenhauer





Father, Son and Grandson



IV.
Concerto (Andante and Last Movement


Mendelsshon





Master Willie Mollenhauer



V.
Concerto (First movement and Cadanza)


Paganini




Cadanza for this concerto by

Edw. Mollenhauer





Edward Mollenhauer



VI.

(a) El Palpita (Trio Concertant).

Edw Mollenhauer




(b) Pizzicati Impromptu

Edw. Mollenhauer





Father, Son and Grandson






SPECIMEN PROGRAM   NUMBER III.


I.
Trio, Three Violins, Twilight

Edw. Mollenhauer


II.
Concerto No. 1

Sophr




Allegro vivace, Siciliano, Polonaise





Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



III.
Concerto No. 1 for Three Violins

Edw. Mollenhauer




Allegro Maestoso, Largo, Allegro ma non Troppo





The Three Generations



IV.
Violin Solo, Concerto No. 2

Vieuxtemps




Master Willie Mollenhauer



VI.
Violin Solo, Fantasie in A minor

Edw. Mollenhauer




Mr. Edw. Mollenhauer



VIII.
Trio, Three Violins, El Palpita

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations






SPECIMEN PROGRAM   NUMBER IV.


I.
Duett (Two Violins)

Neuman




Syrenen Mahrchen





Edward and Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



II.
Violin Solo (Adagio-Rondo)

F. T. Mollenhauer




Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



III.
Trio Concertant

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations



IV.
Violin Solo (La Folia) Revision and cadenza by Leonard

Correlli




Edw. Mollenhauer



V.
Violin Solo (Romanza in G)

Beethoven




Master Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, Jr.,



VI.
Duett, Concertant

Spohr




Edw. and Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer Jr.



VII.
Grand Trio Concertant

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations






SPECIMEN PROGRAM   NUMBER V.


I.
Trio, Morning (3 Violins

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations



II.
Violin Solo (Rhapsodie Dramatique) No. V.

Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer




Introduction-Recitative-Quasi-Cadenza Adagio-Moderato-Allegro-Presto





Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, Sr.



III.
Duett (Two Violins) Dedicated to the City of Lima Peru

Edw. Mollenhauer




(Piano Accompaniment)





Grandfather and Grandson



IV.
Violin Solo (Airs Hongroise)

H. W. Ernst




Master Willie Mollenhauer



V.
Violin Solo (La Sylphide)

Edw. Mollenhauer




Mr. Edw. Mollenhauer



VI.
Grand Trio Concertant

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations






SPECIMEN PROGRAM   NUMBER VI.


I.
Trio (Three Violins) Reverie

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations



II.
Premier Grand Concerto in F Sharp Minor

Wieniawski




Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer



III.
Duett (Two Violins)

Edw. Mollenhauer




Edw. and Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, Jr.



IV.
Violin Solo (Witches Dance)

Paganini




Master Wm. F. T. Mollenhauer, Jr.



V.
1st Concerto

Vieuxtemps




Edw. Mollenhauer



VI.
Trio Bravura

Edw. Mollenhauer




The Three Generations