Ureli Corelli Hill an Louis Spohr in Kassel

New York March 30 1844

To Mr Louis Spohr

Dear friend.

I have an opportunity to write by M^r Scharfenberg who is returning to Europe on business and returns next September to New York – I suppose your daughter Madame Zahn has written all that is interesting of musical matters in N. York – She no doubt has mentioned the influx of violinists from Europe which have visited us the past year – Artot, Vieutemps + Bull have been all the rage
Bull by means of extraordinary puffing in the newspapers¹ has made the most money – at the 5 concerts he gave here on his first visit here he cleared $ 10.000 – he has done well in the south also – all of them woo him in Mexico Havanna + the south during the winter they return here in a few weeks – Bull played your 8^th concerto, but did it very poor justice – You know what Bull is better than I can tell you – Vieutemps is esteemed by artist here very highly as a violinist – We had a symphony of you performed on the 16^th in + at the Philharmonic Society NY.² – it is the one you wrote for the Philharmonic London – if you should feel so disposed we should like to have a dedication from your gifted pen in this new world. –
Your Grand Symphony for double orchestra descriptive of the three periods of life is to be played at M^r Timm's concert on the 9^th of April³ – If you have any thing new of your own that would be interesting⁴ that has not reached us here Mr Scharfenberg will be happy to take charge of them. – I read with pleasure accounts in the English papers flattering accounts of your visit to England⁵ in /42. Please remember me affectionately to Mr Hauptmann, and to all enquiring friends – with best respects to your family I remain your affectionate

& grateful pupil
U C Hill
59 Franklin St.