New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-21
TILE PRACTICAL SIDE.

THE PRACTICAL SIDE
A lady ineBrooklyn. whose letter we print
this morning, proposes a woman's movement
for the erection of a new concert hall for the
Thomas orchestra She believes that gratitude
to Theodore Thomas ought to prompt liberal
contribution for such an enterprise, and that 1t
will be great shame If our rch community
fails to show its appreciation Of the labors OF
the distinguished conductor by doing some
ching for him. We agree with our CORE
spondcnt respecting the need Of such building
as she speaks OLA large music hall suitable LOT
both Summer and Winter use-and we believe
that il would be not only a good thing for the
public, but a profitable investment for the
owners. The strong feeling, however, with
which various people are urging New YORK 10
u do something for Thomas is perhaps not al
together iudicous. The trustees of the Cincln-
natl College Of Music, finding themselves Mt
odds with their director in regard to the proper
aims and management Of the institution, as
sured the world tlat he was m impractical"
musician. Some Of the newspapers here, which
ough! 20 know better. echo the complaint OF the
Cincinnati gentlemen and say that Thomas Is
splendid conductor of course. but then he Is
aunpractical.' Now if we are so holly re-
quired to "do something for him, It will per
haps seem to most people that this charge Is
well-fouuded and tlat he is only slnttess
visionary after all. Suppose we vary the adj
vice, and consider the advantage of doing
something for ourselves.
The characteristic talent of ThomGs-apart
from his special musical gilt--is tie very plac-
ticaliy which is sometimes denied lin. His
caiccr is a remarkable Illustration OF what can
be accomplished by uniting the qualities of an
artist and a man OF business. Others before
him undoubtedly perceived that the only way
TO perfect tie orchestra was 20 kcepit In con
slant practice under tie same baton; and that
the only way to establish taste for classical
music WAS to make It the daily entertainment,
of the masses, instead Of the occasional TelaXa-
ton of the r1ch and cultivated. But nobody
had the pluck and pIacicaliy 10 accomplish
these two results until he undertook the organ
ization of a permanent orchestra and conilnu-
ous nightly performances. II Is an old Story
now; but I, was n bold project when he began,
nj the age OF twenty-siS TO carry ouf this ambi-
6ous double design Several years were spent
in preparatory enterprises before he was able
wears prcvious TO his removal TO Cincinnati hc
kept band under daily pay, at Il cost for sala-
,ies alone which would have made most must
clans stare with fright. WHAT he succeeded III
accomplishing with Tins organization We need
not now repeat. It is hardly too much TO sly
that he reyolulionzcd the condi Ion OF music IN
America. carried an enthusiasm for art all over
the continent, aIOus Il the spirit out Of which
grew the Cincinnati Festivals and the Cincin-
natl College, and wrought many CHANGES of
which we shall see The fruit by-and by. If we
do not recognize il now. All this he was able
to do because he was practical. Officers of the
Cincinnati College who were most Intimately
associated with HIM IN the management of The
Festivals were enthusiastic in their commcnda-
ton Of his clear head for business and eminent
common sense. We should like to see an I'M
practical musician keep an orchestra on sal
airy for nine years.
We speak of these things because they have
a direct bearing upon the future of music in
this city. 1t Is not at all likely that Thomas
has come here with any idea of being taken care
Of or with the expectation Of receiving any
patronage except what he may earn. He began
his orchestral concerts nearly twenty years ago
without assistance. and be l. probably ready 10
resume them In the expectation that they will
nav for themselves The symphony concerts in
New York always did pay handsomely; the
great difficulty lay, first. in finding rcmunerative
audiences outside Of the metropolis while the
orchestra was travelling, and, secondly, in Oh
tanning suitable accommodations for the sum
mcr. There seems TO be no opening at rrescn.
for garden entertainments, and we do not be-
lieye that Thomas ought to give symphonies
etc. any longer for communities which are not
large enough to pay for hem. But there i. I'M
douhtedly an opportunity 81 this city for the
establi hment of a regular series Of ten or
twelve subscription concerts every Winter with
out cripplng any organization now in the field.
There Is probably chance In Boston for "A
smaller number of entertainments and with a
subscription in three or four other cities the
time of Tue orchestra for six months in The year
would be we'll filed Whenever q proper
building is provided the summer concerts may
be added Meanwhile the band ought to un-
deltake no more work than the public is ready
to pay for. Thomas's theory of management
has always been to support art on business
principles and there is no other plan on which
it can be soundly nouIished i'll country like
ours.
EDUCA1IONAL LITERATURE.
a