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LIC1052017

Greater Astoria Historial Society 35-20 Broadway, 4th Floor | L.I.C., NY 11106 718.278.0700 | www.astorialic.org Gallery Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 2-5 PM Saturdays 12-5 PM Exhibits ~ Lectures ~ Documentaries ~ Books Walking Tours ~ Historical Research Unique & Creative Content For more information visit us on the web at www.astorialic.org This image adapted from an invitation to the Long Island City Athletics 33rd Annual Masque Ball, 1909. 32 may 2017 i LIC COURIER i www.qns.com Legends “Teach My Children Music.” - Professor Ferdinand Quentin Dulcken Why is music so important to us? Its purpose remains a mystery to science. It neither sustains the body nor propagates our species, yet it is innate within us, something every culture shares. It is so human to hum a tune, to tap to the beat. And for a very fortunate few, whom dedicate their lives to this art, we recall the words of Beethoven, “they force their way into it - for its secrets - to gain knowledge that can raise one to the divine.” Over the course of two centuries the Dulcken family, first as makers of music instruments, then as performers on the stage, and finally as teachers and managers of concert artists, brought music into the modern world. Starting with the courtly elite, then through the emerging Middle Class, they spread the beauty of instrument performance to a widening circle of patrons and pupils. They broke gender barriers as the first women to headline concerts with leading orchestras of their time. Their teaching methods, spanning the range from keyboard to string instruments, are taught to this day. And it is the good fortune that a son, Ferdinand Dulcken, was invited by another legend, William Steinway, to carry the Muse of Music to our city at a time - the mid-nineteenth century - when we were poised at the verge of greatness. There was magic in this partnership between Steinway, a leading New York civic leader (who was also responsible running the piano company) and Professor Dulcken, who managed Steinway Hall (and its stable of both Steinway artists and others including the New York Philharmonic.)During that feverish era, at the closing decades of the nineteenth century, Steinway Hall was the nation’s stage helping forge our city as the world capital of the arts and ideas. It was also a time when these two men both called Astoria home. We have the testimony of Astorians who knew them personally. J. S. Kelsey’s History of Long Island City (1896), an authoritative history of our community, was published by the Long Island Star, our newspaper of record. The book has extensive biographical sketches of both men. As to Professor Dulcken it states: “No citizen of Long Island City has achieved more success in music. Professor Dulcken has the respect of those who know him as well as the general public. His ability as musical director, accompanist, pianist and composer is universally recognized. He has earned a national reputation as the musical director for the greatest concert artists of our day, both here and abroad. From his headquarters in Steinway Hall, he has given instruction to those who are now famous in the musical world. Professor Dulcken has gained many triumphs in large festivals and critical recitals.” Dulcken was an entrepreneur, promoter and artist manager who produced concerts, tours and other events in music. As a professor of music, Dulcken not only taught students at the time, but built the foundation for music’s future. Conservatories in New York as the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College and a score of others still use material and teaching principles established by Dulcken and his family. Perhaps the most touching testimony to this man are entries in the diaries of his friend, William Steinway. These legendary books have scores of references painting a personal portrait of Ferdinand Dulcken. Here is a notation for a meeting with Steinway management discussing corporate strategy; there they are at the Steinway Mansion sipping wine and playing cards with a circle of friends well into the night. The two even performed duets, Dulcken at the keyboards with William singing, at impromptu gatherings and public events. But perhaps the most telling of William’s respect for the Professor was this entry: “I have decided that Professor Dulcken will teach music to my children.” One cannot find a better reference in music than that!


LIC1052017
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