The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-15
BEETHOVEN CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
Grand Musical Ceremonies to Take Place I'm
1S70-Nagnitude OF the UndertaiHins-Thc
Philharmonic Society and the Park.


1S70-EEnsntude OF the Undertai6ing--Thc
P.,iliarni onic Society and the Park.
Not long since Bos on created a tremendous ex-
cltemeut musical circles by her Gilmore and her
Junee--an excitement which proved veritable
nine days wonder and In its results considerably
diminished the pride OF the Hubbites, as 1t proved
grand lizzie. New York city is to have her turn and
is TO hold monster concert which Will surpass any
thing OF the kind known in the annals of music.
The occasion Of this concert is the centennial
anniversary OF the birth oil Beethoven which VIII
take place in the spring Of 1870 under the auspices
OF the Philharmonic Society OF this CITY, Unlike its
sister society OF Brooklyn, which Is composed or q
few gentlemen who engage the orchestra, the Phil
harmonic, the oldest orchestral society OF New
York, Is composed OF musicians, who must undergo
q thorough musical examination in their several
lines and be proficient therein before being adj
mitted TO membership, and, as q consequence,
s the first society and the largest OF Its KIND on
this continent or In Europe. For more than quar-
ter OF century 1t has almost given away its music
to the city. In proof OF this the records OF the
society show that at the end OF many seasons no
money was left in the treasury, ana there was none
to put in. After fifteen years the average receipts
of each member at the end OF each season was but
a fraction over thirty-one dollars-a small recon-
pense for the labor bestowed In furnishing the citi
zens with classical music. In such q condition OF
affairs ii was found that the society would go to
pieces and after earnest solicitations Dr. Doronus
was called In 10 take charge as piesidenf, which
he did after securing the following conditions,
namely, that the orchestra Should De CONSIDERABLY
enlarged, the best talent engaged, larger building
secured for rehearsas and concerts and liberal
and extensive advertising adopted all Oh when, III
addition 10 the strenuous eHorts OF TIE pFestuen,
have brought the society to Its presen nigh stand
ard
most prominent and wealthy citizens OF the metro
pos was held at the residence OF DR.. Doremus, for
| the purpose OF celebrating the centennial anni-
| yersary OF the birth Of beethoven by appropriate
| musical ohscrvances. Various discussions were
| held on the subject among whicG were the vast
resources OF TINS city to mold monster musical fes-
tival. No city IN the world. IL was confidently and
knowingly asserted, can gather from ITS own elements
so many orchestral musicians New orE as fully
l2oO performers can be secured Not only is
the fact patent In Itself, but another advantage
would he secured-lhe facility OF rehear5als
must be frequent, as the magnitude OF TIE under
taking VIII require. Tie Boston nZzlc was adduced
to the want OF sufficient rehearsas az most OF the
musicians and Others engaged were gathered from
other cities sylereas all the clements necessary
the successful undertaking being part OF New
York, there could be no plea Tor want OF sufficient
rehearsal IL was also Determined TO secure all the
church societies In the city, winch, with the chill
chorus ever assembled at one time; addition to
PaIepa hosa, ole Bull and other distinguished talent
OF THIS continent, no expense would be spared to
secure the greatest talent from Europe Tor The solo
parts, thus adding an international aspect to the
affair.
TO carry out this design properly. 1t was deter.
mined that the Philharmonic Society would unite
with prominent clLlZeQS TO confer Win tie Park
Commissioners for place in the Park for the
erection OF suitable building, wherein mold the
concerts the society To be responsible for the
and the acoustic properties OF the building and the
citizens TO furnish the means necessary secure
the desired end. l6 was ascertained that the Park
Commissioners would not lie opposed To giving the
ground and hence the locaGlon could De made sure
Of; the society only hoped that the Commissioners
would take charge or erecting the building since
then there would be certainty OF the duty being
faithfully performed, ana from the well known char
acter Of the citizens having the matter IN charge no
of the undertaking. The following gentle
men were appointed committee TO take
charge of the matter for the present.
Jonn r. Brady, Clarence A. Seward Il. ogden Dore.
mus, Andrew IL. Green, Frank T.. Howe, Henry G.
Stebbins, Edward Cooper John A. Stewart, John
Bryan, S. n. Pike Horace Frye, Henry Ciews, Alex.
+. Stewart, Townsend Cox, z. b. Ctiitelden, Moses
H. Grinnell, Joseph III. Choate, T. d. Morgan, Charles
Y, Dodge, Jas. ii. Mclean, q. (. Loosely, Norris X.
Kessup.
The nrst performance, where choruses win be
sung Is ANNOUNCED to take place Oil Monday, May
3d. 1870 nom three to five O'Clock III the afternoon,
and viii be continued every afternoon TT the same
time for over week In addition 10 the orchestral
performances Which will take place In the evenings.
The proceeds from the concert Will 20 towards the
erection OF suitable music hail, when has been the
dream of the Philharmonic for years past; and, IL
the public tender that recognition Of the society
which their efforts for the past twenty-elght years
have deserved, new era Will dawn upon the mus-
cal world IN 1870, and New York VII have its APP
propriae hall, IN keeping with the grandeur OF the
enterprise which VIII have erected II.