The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-22

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC IN PHILADELPHIA.
THE Theodore Thomas concerts, recently given in
our city, reopened the question: 'Why has not PHI
ladelphia an orchestra capable OF really thorough
and effective rendering OF great musical compost
tions?" From critics, both public and private ANA
teur and professional have come answers which have
gained only too much credence. "Our musicians, y
they say, are unable to agree; they lack conscien
tiousness in rehearsal and in the playing OF their
several parts; they sacrifice nothing to the cause,
but demand always the last dollar of their charge
the evenings services in word, they are wholly
untitled for the work required OF members OF first
class orchestra" . ... -.. d,
That such criticism is both unfair and untrue 1t
will be easy to show; that it conduces in no degree
to the improvement OF orchestral music among US,
is self-evident. Its result must ever be merely to
prejudice the public against any effort which does not
achieve In its outset what Thomas and his fellows
have accomplished only after long practice. We
grant, OF course the great inferiority OF Orches
tras but deny that the alleged causes OF that infe
rority are the true ones, or that our musicians,
except, perhaps, to some small amount are charge
able with it, There is in Philadelphia talent enough
and readiness enough to do all that can be done
anywhere in our country. The secret OF the failure
among us has been overlooked. Before we accept
their wholesale condemnation, let leok candidly
at the facts.
No one will deny, we suppose, that superiority in
any sphere is attained only by and faithful
eifort the effort required from the members Of an
orchestra being digent practice alone and together
But care and effort especially In the practice OF an
art, require time-"and time is money" Hence the
fundamental condition to the OF orchestra
is ample support 1t is simply absurd to suppose that
any number OF men can remain together long
enough to get the necessary practice unless in the
meantime they are able to live. Make up com
Portable subscription list, and we shall have
chestra in good time.
TO support this view are the following facts THE
income OF the Germana Orchestra during one OF
its most successful seasons, small that, when
all expenses were paid each man received but fUe
dollars for the whole winters playing. In view OF
this, everybody will grant that of its audiences
failed to get as good music as they paid for. The
Philharmonic Society last winter paid to each active
member eight dollars for four symphony concerts a
sum insufficient 10 hare paid substitute in OF
sickness Yet this society is about to risk second
winter OF concerts, rather than suffer their project
to fail These quarresome, selfish, ignorant musi-
clans are actually for the sake of the good cause
which they heartily despse, about to attend four
| concerts and from twelve to sixteen rehearsals,
with but little promise OF making one dollar thereby
| Degenerate age! Men with wives and little ones to
support, the risk OF expulsion from their thea
rcal or other regular engagements IN order to play
asymphOny that half their audience cannot under
| stand!
Suppose the Philharmonics should decline to con-
| tnue their cOncerts-can we blame them? A mu-
| sical director at a theatre will give them steady
| employment for ten months in the year at from $50
to $40 week. 1t cannot be said that they ought "a
decline this offer because the theatres will not allow
them to be absent to play at their society concerts
| to devote themselves to 'high art"
Philadelphia can never expect frst-class orcnes
ira until there is made for its support lrstclass
subscription list. Our musicians are not eXacting
manager OF the Philharmonic Sociely informs us
that five dollars assured ts each player for each con
cert would be considered ample, the rehearsali
being given willingly without pay list amounting
TO $4,000 S25O0 would insure this result and give III
a series OF symphony concerts, OF which the FIRST
last years series was only prophecy.