Middletown transcript., 1876-07-08
Short Sketch of Theodore Thomas.

Short Sketch Of Theodore Thomas.
Theodore Thomas, whose reputation
as a conductor is recognized not only
throughout this country, but also in
Europe. is entirely a self-made man,
achieving the present high position he
holds, solely by his fne-art instinct,
determined will and untiring energy.
He was born in the Kingdom of Han
over, in the year 1885, and received
his first musical instruction from his
father, who was violinist. He ac-
quired skill upon the violin at very
early age, for he played in public with
eclat when only six years old. Luckily
he was not phenomenon, or we might
here have laid down our pen be was,
on the contrary, very earnest in his
studies, which carried him safely over
that chrysalis state.
The family came to New York in
1845, and for two years he was heard
at various concerts during the season.
For the few years following he travelled,
visiting the most prominent places of
the United States, and gathering up
knowledge and information for future
use. For the next few years he occu-
pied the position of first violin during
the engagements of Sontag, Jenny
Lind, Grisi, Mario, and others, and
finally became conductor of both the
Italian and German operas. He also
formed one of the parties of eminent
artists who successively travelled through
the United States, such as Laborde,
Thalberg, and Piccolomini. During
this period, however, he stole a year
from public duty to pursue the study of
musical science. He also established
his famous Quartette Soirees, in con-
junction with VIM. Mason, j. Mosen-
thai, G.. Matzka, Carl Bergman and
Fr. Bergner. These soirees were main
tanned for thirteen years, purely in the
interest O. art, for profit they made
none, but on the contrary, he had to
devote hours to the study of the pieces,
which could otherwise have been pro.
ftably employed in teaching.
In 1861, Mr.. Thomas abandoned his
position with the opera altogether. The
position was profitable, but its scope
was not in the direction of his feelings.
As an old and prominent member Of the
New York Philharmonic Society, be
had taken to his heart the great SYM
phonic works of the classical authors.
he felt that the field was not fully oc-
cupied that five concerts year were
altogether too few to develop the great
works of the dead and living masters
one or the other must be neglected in
some degree. This conviction led him
to establish his famous Symphony Con,
certs, which be has, all unaided, con-
tinued during the past nine years.
To these concerts we owe the know
ledge Of vast repertoire of fine music,
ancient and modern, which would other.
wise have remained sealed to US. The
variety and rare excellence of his pro-
grammes, have been the subject of ad-
miring comment, both here and in
Europe. To the instrumental selections
he added the charm of choral pieces,
producing rare and beautiful works. by
the aid Of the Mendelssohn Union, o.
which he was the elected conductor. Il
may be well imagined that SO great ar
undertaking was attended with vast ex'
pense, which seemed the heavier, as the
whole burden had to be born by Mr.
Thomas. To reduce the cost, frequent
rehearsals had to be abandoned. Two
rehearsals must suffice. and, to execute
the great works contemplated. Mr.
Thomas must have an orchestra, un
paralleled in promptitude and efficiency
This exigency led to the formation o
the famous Thomas Orchestra, which
| we believe is known all over the civil
| lied world Ills system of rehearsine
is peculiarly his own.
He comes fully prepared into the or
chestra and literally practices with tn
band. enforcing one vital principle, tha
no member of the organization is per
mitted to send substitute. Subordi
| nation in the orchestra, the leading
| principle, is strictly observed, and thu
be is enabled to accomplish fine inter
pretations of great works with but tw'
rehearsals.
1t was easy to keep this fine orchestr
together during the winter months. bu
to hold them intact during the summe
months was not so easy. To do this
constant employment had to be found
and this fact gave rise to Theodor
Thomas celebrated summer night con
certs. Such enterprises, though no
altogether new to New York, were o
rather low social standing, and Mr.
Thomas announcement was met witt
much doubt. The first season was
however, a brilliant success, and it ha
been admitted on all hands that tn
success was due to the prestige of Mr.
Thomas musical and social standing
These concerts have been carried on 70
ten years, latterly in the beautiful Cen
trail Park Garden, and it is not to
much to say that they have become
recognized and popular institution Q
the city. The repertoire produced a
these concerts, over one thousand il
number, has been extraordinary in re
spect to novelty, excellence, and variety
embracing every class Of music, fror
new symphonies and overtures. dow
to the most recent and best polkas an
waItzes. Mr.. Thomas course has bee
straightforward and unswerving; b
has not trifed with his gifts; he ha
never sacrificed the honor Of art t
crafty personal ambition or further per
sonal ends. He has been corscientiou
to the cause. has sought to elevate it
standard; be has looked steadily to th
future believing that the reward wi
come that in the elevation Of taste an
in the spread Of the love of the pure an
beautiful in music, he will be recog
r:l ocJ ,o~opohorod nc a discin1e " h