New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-01
A NEGLECTED ART.

has revived interest in project of which we
heard much some time ago touching the puiio-
ing of new music hall for Theodore ihOnas'
Since nobody purposes after all TO construct
superfIuous opera house, why should not en-
thusiasm such as was wasted upon the SCHEME
of Mr.. Strakosch be directed toward the reail-
cation of a work which we really need Such
is the question put to us by number OF VOL
unteer correspondents one and all conciuue'
81 ct us build q hall for Theodore Thomas.
This lively appreciation OF the import
once of Theodore Thomas to the prosperity
If mnsicol art i'm America is no doubt salts
factory. and would be still more so if it were
followed by any practical result. Bnt the
place of music among the arts which contrib
ute to the greatness and glory OF hatiol Is
not vet understood in our community. Inc
New York capitalist cOmprchendS something oi
the practical value of all the other arts; out
not of this. He recognizes the uses OF PANT
ing and sculpture; he begins to appreciate
architecture; he has well-stockcd private
gallery; he gives literally to academies ana
museums The muniiiccnce OF our private GU
liens has built three superb libraries for the
free use of the public, has laid the founda-
films of an art museum which will become one
of tbc great collections of the world. and is
gradually decorating our public places win
statuary. But nothing on large scale mas
ever been done here for mnsic. Cities OF the
Old World whose people are lar INFERIOR 10
Ours i'm wealth. culture, and enterprise ana
who have not the American habit OF CIV
inp. POSSESS valuable foundations in AID OF this
art. Baltimore has fund left by George
,rb; oh baI
orchestral concert, every Winter. Cincinnati Is
HOW building splendid music hail. a gift to the
public, partly from private gentleman, partly
from the city. New-Iork has done nothing
and will do nothing. A musician VINO Is an
honor to his country and his time accomplshes
a work here which gives America nagnlh
cent reputation all over the world, and we do
not even reward him with modest sup
mort He creates for us an orchestra that ranks
among the very greatest in existence, and we
will let it be broken up and dispersed rather
than be at the trouble of building it room to
play in.
II seems to us high time for the patrons of
art in this city to look the situation square III
the face. Thomas has been haId at work Tor
about fifteen years bringing his orchestra up
70 its present superb condition. Nobody WHO
has not watched him closely has any IDEA OF
the struggles discoura gements, personal suiter-
in.s and pecunary losses through which he
has pursued his object. Nobody who has not
studied his conduct can realize how high he
has held himself above mercenary cOnsldera-
tiops. how faithful he has been to the true
artists ideal. We believe the public does APP
preciate what he has done for popular culture
Everybody is ready to admit that he mas
placed music here on a new footing, ana mas
not only taught us in New-Iork to understand
and to love what is noblest III the art, but has
spread musical refinement ana intelligence all
over the United States. OF this, we are
clad to feel, our people are not insen-
sble, and probably if they knew how to
express their appreciation they would
he glad to do it. We have reached point
now where the labors of the conductor must Toe
supplemented by tho help of the public. The
music of Il grand orchestra does not come Tree
to all the world, like sunshine and the south
wind. 1t must be paid for; paid every day,
whether 1t plays or is silent. Until lately
Thomas was able to support his band by the
proits of the Summer Garden Concerts. But
various causes have combined to make the
Central Park Garden impracticable any longer;
the people have deserted it and will not be
tempted to return. Some better place must be
found, or the orchestra must leave New-lolk
for more hosptable city, or the experiment
which fifteen years of hard work have brought
so near success must be abandoned, and
America lose its only real orchestra.
We have no doubt that a proper music hail,
in a central situation, arranged for promenade,
concerts Summer and Winter, on the plan
of the entertainments which we f0und
so pleasant up town, would enable Thomas to
give performance every night from year
end to years end, and would be a profitable
investment for its prOprlctors. Even III these
hard times it is not unlikely that the necessary
capital could be found if the right man would
undertake to look for it. In the mean while
it may not be amiss to ask the lovers of art
whether they have not some present anu press
ing duty to discharge toward the musician who
has done 80 much for thcmi The Symphony
| Concerts in this city will of course be crowded
till the very end, but does anybody suppose
that six concerts year will support grand
orchestral We are not in the secret OF Mr.
| ThOmas's business affairs; we do not know III
what wny the patrons OF art can most cilcc-
tiycly coOperate in his work; we have no
scheme to propose We only wish to put this
case in its proper light and invite suggestions
----
PETTY BUSINESS
Secretary Morrill, is SO fair-minded and can
Al. f,,1 sum hn hnSt al. IL