Night At The Philharmonic - 1877 Poem by Robert Charles Howard
Night At The Philharmonic - 1877
Snowfall gently covered Belleville
With a blanket of softest down –
Iridescent in the gaslight coronas.
The coachman pulled up reins at City Park Hall,
Took the ladies white - gloved hands
And eased them down the carriage steps.
Some ladies patted the horses
In thanksgiving for the lift.
Top hatted men offered arms to their wives,
And escorted them gingerly up the snowy stairs
Into the buzzing lobby.
Trays of wine glasses circled the room -
Their cargo diminishing at every stop.
Each cluster of raconteurs spoke of celebration
For the Philharmonic turned a decade old that week.
Programs in hand, people found their seats
While the musicians on stage
Practiced random mixtures of
Excerpts that would come to order soon.
Then by the light of gas chandeliers,
Julius Liese raised his arms and brought
Haydn’s symphonic London to Illinois -
A citizen orchestra led by the local lumber czar.
After the final echoes melted into applause
And coats were lifted over shoulders,
It was time to return to the waiting carriages -
The snow still swirling in the gaslight's glow.
The clopping of hooves on cobblestone
Drifted into the passengers’ ears
And co-mingled with the sounds of
Strings, drums and wind blown music
Still singing in their memories
And irradiating their souls,
January, 2007
Inspired by an article by Carolyn Chapman and written in celebration of the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra's 140th consecutive season.
What a wonderful scene you conjure up here, Robert. Like watching a movie. I love that time period - full of classic imagery and sound. Beautifully written. Linda
''...Julius Liese raised his arms and brought Haydn’s symphonic London to Illinois - '' It is hard to comprehend the power of those arms - the magic of the baton, but I too, left with the symphony resonating in my soul... Rgds, Ivan
Robert, you've managed to brilliantly capture the elegance of that period in time. A remarkable and historic write... well done! ! Brian
Stunningly atmospheric depiction, with rhythm to boot. Wonderful work. t x
Ah - days of gaslight chandeliers - - - this takes us not only to a good musical evening but dresses us in long gowns and puts us in grand company too..... just lovely.... thank you for the eloquent writing dear Robert. - - - - from Fay.
So artistically expressed! I got the feeling that I was present there! - Raj Nandy
Excellent. This has a feel of Poe at his best (don't ask for an explanation, I havn't got one that stands up) . The mood is caught so well but you take it beyound simple commentary of an event and give it a feel of a birth: something that we can all relate to, wether that is a natural bith or a creation. Thias sings out celebration.
History, music, and romance combine to produce a poem of pure enchantment. Absolutely beautiful, Robert. As always, Sandra
The poem itself is something to celebrate... Robert, you are wonderfully skilled at setting a scene for all the senses. I feel transported! Thank you so much. Esther : ]
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/25/2024 7:51:10 PM # 1.0.0.1119
What a perfect description of all this scene...and I just know there were carolers there as well, bowing and smiling! I can see the ladies in gowns and the men in tophats, smell the candlewax, and hear the music...which, I am sure, you shall bring to Belleville again soon! Beautifully written.