History of The Schubert Club |
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The Schubert Club was launched on an autumn afternoon late in the year 1882. Marion Ramsey Furness, daughter of Governor Alexander Ramsey, along with some music-loving friends, formed a club they called "The Ladies Musicale" thus creating Minnesota's earliest recital-presenting organization. While the first meetings were social gatherings for women who busied themselves with fancy work--with Club members often providing musical counterpoint--concerts, lectures, and study groups were soon organized. Before long the name was changed to honor Franz Schubert (who had lived some fifty years before) and the goal to establish a high standard of musical excellence in Saint Paul became their mission. In those early years solo recitals were the immediate major interest for this musical organization, and in 1893 by adding the International Artist Series to its programs, the ladies began presenting some of the finest artists of the day, beginning with the renowned German pianist Adele Aus der Ohe who played at Ford Music Hall (Fifth and St. Peter Streets) that same year. Before the turn of the century such celebrated artists as Josef Hofmann and Xaver Scharwenka had played recitals in Saint Paul in this Series.
Today, during its 125th anniversary year, The Schubert Club has secured a prominent place in the history of musical organizations. It is one of the oldest arts organizations in the country, predated by, among the few, the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. During its many recital-presenting years, The Schubert Club has brought virtually all of the world's great recitals to the Saint Paul stage--Jascha Heifetz, Myra Hess, Artur Rubinstein, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Cecilia Bartoli, and Bryn Terfel, to name only a few. Several have become special favorites. Vladimir Horowitz, Robert Casadesus, Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma and Beverly Sills have each appeared under its sponsoship four times or more.
Every year an effort is made to present a very accomplished by lesser known emerging artist among the recitals of the established stars. This policy of what respected Saint Paul music critic John Harvey called "venturesome conservatism" led to the debuts in Saint Paul of Louise Homer in 1902, Vladimir Horowitz in 1928, Isaac Stern in 1943, Leontyne Price in 1961, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in 1955, and Mstislav Rostropovich in 1963.
The Schubert Club today is flourishing. Because of the continuing devotion of music lovers, concert-goers, friends and foundations, this venerable organization remains strong and competitive, a source of renewal and pride for the Twin Cities classical music community. As we push deeper into the twenty-first century, The Schubert Club reaffirms its mission of promoting recital music and maintaining the highest standard of musical excellence. |
