Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-05
sournaI sIrS GOllrisr.
Monday. Feb. 5. 1883.
Chamber Music.

The Growth and Appreciation of Music
 i'm this Country.
 Anyone interested in the progress of art on
 this side of the Atlantic must note with feel
 ings of pride and pleasure the rapid strides
 of progress which music as an art has made
 in the United States during the last half cen-
 tury. About thirty-fiye years ago Gunel
 came to this country from Germany with 8
 not very numerous orchestra in order toplay
 and introduce his own compositions, consist
 ing chiefly of waltzes poIkas and marches,
 and also to exhibit to the public the beauties
 of orchestral music.
 Our people at that time were not sufficient
 ly advanced in music to appreciate his efforts
 and therefore his undertaking was 8 failure.
 After short time this orchestra, which in- cluded among it's members such distin- guished musicians as Carl Bergman, Carl Zenahu and Mir. Ely, disbanded and mostly all it's members settled in New York, Boston
 and Philadelphia They We're not discour- aged by their first failure to introduce or chestral music, but they slowly and steadily worked and labored and to them is due in great measure the credit of the steady prog I ress of music as an art in this country. In Boston the first excellent orchestra was started' This organization, called ''The Germania Orchestra, " in it's various concerts performed overtures, potpourris, solos for different instruments, and also music of I more popular style This orchestra was | small in numbers, but every member was an excellent musician and their performances created perfect furore wherever they ap- peared. Although everyone was delighted ! and astonished to hear such fine band, Pe- ! cuniarily the concerts of the Germanla or | chestra were not 8 success. 1n 1ace tne members had to perform missionary WorK | for their beloved art.
 ! The Philharmonic society of New York, | which now is in a most fourishing condition, was organized afterwards, and after that the t once celebrated Julien's orchestra arrived on ! these shores.
 ! Orchestras were then organized for all the leading theaters in the larger cities, and the ! work of improvement progressed steaally, and reached the pinnacle of perfection when | Theodore Thomas organized his matchless orchestra. People were now taught to ap- preciats first class music and could listen to an almost perfect performance of BeethoV- en symphony.
 MT. Theodore Thomas did not rest con tented to exhibit his orchestra in the city of New York, but, like an ambitious general ready for fresh conquests, he travelled with his orchestra all over the United States, giv- ing performances even in small towns, and thus became the public educator of the Amer ican people.
 At the time the Germania orchestra was started in Boston string quartette was also formed by its members for the purpose Of giving chamber concerts. Afterwards the Eisfeld qnartette was organized m New York, and later on Theodore Thomas organ ized his celebrated quartette. Even if it was l; k1G hon nr0h6SEPQa were first organized to listen to symphony, concert, it wes still more so to procure listen CTS at chamber concert where only the purest classical compositions of the old mas ters were performed It was slow work and for many years such concerts were financially loss to the parties interested and dlo not pay for the hall and printing.
 Here in New Haven the first chamber con- cert was given Feb. IT, 1862, by Messrs R. K. Wehner, Dr. W. D. Anderson, c. w. Chap
 man and M. Steinert. The programme, of
 which we have preserved copy, contained the following pieces: Polonaise op. 61 by Schubert for four hands. Song, Thou Every where, with violoncello obligato, sung by MT. H. W. Bryan. Violin Solo by DsBeriot, by Mir. Wehner. Trio op No. for piano, violin and cello, by Beethoven, and Quartette, op, 26, by Fesca performed by Dr. Anderson and Messrs Wehner, Chapman and Steiuert. This con- cert was listened to by 8 good and select ! audience, and, encouraged thereby, MT. Stei- l nert has for years given series of chamber concerts. Last year three chamber concerts ! were given by that gentleman at the Athene um. He was assisted by Messrs. E. Balck, Albert Mallon and William Steinert, all of which concerts drew large and appreciative audiences.
 This year Mir. w. E. Chandler has under taken to give the music loving people of New Haven a series of chamber concerts at the Atheneum. The first concert of the series has been already given and proved to be rare mu- sical treat to the numerous listeners. The second concert will be given February 14th, and as this series of concerts is based upon subscription, we may safely expect large and critical audience to listen to 8 correct interpretation of the music of the great mu- sical composers. Chamber concerts are now enjoyed so much in this country, as well as in Europe, that they have become one of the
 necessities of every large city. They are frequented by the most refined and musical ly educated people, in fact by such persons
 as are craving for the highest perfection in
 this heavenly art. and who thereby still more
 enrich their minds with the music of the
 true musician.