America's First Concerts Music of the Federal Era Our ongoing American concert tradition likely began as the result of the musical efforts of Johann Christian Goittlieb Graupner, in Boston, in the first decades of the nineteenth century. Born in Saxony in 1767, he moved to London to perform with Haydn's orchestra until venturing on to the burgeoning United States. After a year performing with the Charleston (SC) City Theatre Orchestra he relocated to Boston. There he worked to establish a concert ensemble that, in 1819, became officially known as the Philo-Harmonic Society. From his arrival in Boston until his death there in 1836, Graupner had a profound effect on this country's musical infancy. He was a fine oboist, an educator (founded the Musical Academy), an impresario (founded the Conservatorio Theatre), publisher, composer, music director (founded the Philo-Harmonic Society), and philanthropist (helped organize the Handel and Haydn Society). In 1810 Graupner's Summer Promenade and Concert performances became regular fortnightly features at Boston's opulent Exchange Coffee House. Along with internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano D'Anna Fortunato, the quintet performs music heard at Graupner's federal era concerts. Works include favorite operatic arias of Mozart and Rossini, symphonic movements of Haydn, chamber music of Ludwig Spohr, and songs of New England composer Oliver Shaw. back to top |