The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-13
The Philharmonic Society and Its Influence
Music.

! Music.
OF all the musical entertainments of the sea-
son the concerts and rehearsals of the Phil
harmonic Society are regarded by those who
love true music and are anxious for its inte-
rests in this city as the pioneers in the progress
of the divine art For twenty EIGHT years this
admirable musical organization, Of which
Messrs Harvey b. Dodworth and U. c. Hill
were among the first founders has steadily
adhered to the high standard of art which It's
name designates, and at length, after many
vcissitudes, it has gained the support and en-
couragement of the metropolitan public. This
support and encouragement were withheld for
long time, not on account of lack Of taste
on the part of the public, but because Of the
most woful Encouragement of the affairs Of
the society. The Board Of Directors has been,
as general thing, the most narrow minded,
clannlsh and obstinate set of people that ever
was known in the management of great public
body, and year after year the society drifted
on, patronized by very small proportion of
our musical public and hopelessly founder
ing in the mire Of financial despond. The
election of Professor r. Ogden Doremus
as President produced quite a revolution in
the society. His keen business intelligence
saw that the orchestra should be increased to
| one hundred performers, and that the repre-
sentative opera house of the metropolis should
be the place for these grand concerts. His
| suggestions were carried out and the society
never enjoyed such prosperity as under his
| Dott ,a1,o LA
attended by the elite of the city, and the
treasurer looked radiant over the largely
increased receipts. Still, he only commenced
the revolution, and much remained to be done.
| For instance, an organization like the Phil
harmonic Society should not limit itself to
only six concerts during the year. Nearly
three months have elapsed since the regular
fall season of amusements opened, and until
Friday last the public were left in blissful
ignorance of the very existence of the Phil
harmonic Society. Again, there were nume-
rous complaints about the sale and
distribution of seats, and disgraceful scramble
at the opening of the doors Of the Academy
at each concert and rehearsal. This, we
believe, has been remedied this season. But
the most serious mistake is in the arrangement
of the programmes and the selection of solo
artists. In the former case the unaccountable
penchant of few members for the insane
rawlings of the apostles of the Emusic of the
future" Liszt and Wagner, inflicted species
of martyrdom on the patrons of the society by
compelling them to listen to stuff which would
be more appropriate in Bedlam than in the
concert room. When Theodore Thomas gave
his symphony soirees here his programmes
always presented variety and novelty, although
even he occasionally fell into the mistake Of
producing such nonsense. But there was rare
enterprise displayed by him in giving the
soirees an air of interest by constant novelties.
The Philharmonic Society announce three
orchestral works as the programme for their
first concert. Two of these works have been
played dozens of times at the Sunday concerts
at Steinway Hall and by nearly every
band in the city. We do not for moment
wish to speak against the intrinsic merit
Of these selections, for they are unsurpassed
in their line But we assert that they form toe
meagre bill for the first concert of the Phil
harmonic Society. Many Of their most enthu-
siastic patrons have expressed the same to u.s.
In the selection Of solo artists, although some
Of the best singers and instrumentalists in the
city have appeared at their concerts still the
pernicous principle offavoritsm has often ex-
Guided great talent and admitted mediocre
ability, and in one or two instances the result
was painful to musical ear The society has
great mission to fulfil and every means a
its command to accomplish its work, and We
trust that its affairs will be conducted in the
broad, liberal spirit that is expected Of it. If
f like the Bourbons, they refuse to learn from
, experience, all the exertions of Professor
, Doremus in behalf Of the society will have
{ been in vain.
THE STATEMENT that General De Paladines
has one hundred and twentv Thousand mar