St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-18
81. Pa,tps Duty as Regards Music Obsor-
cations 6y Deeply fnterested
Outsider,
To the Editor Of the Globe:

To the Editor Of the Globe:
Right after the Thomas festival of last year
prepared the article following, intended to
point out to the musicians of st. Paul and
Minneapolis what seemed to me an unoccu-
pied field of musical interest waiting for Gull
ture, which they were fully able to enter
upon and henceforward adequately to work.
But difference among the professionals
occupied the columns of newspapers and the
attention of the public for weeks over the
tempos indicated by the st. Paul conductor
of part of the festival performances. The
difference was radical one, disagreement
whether the composer of piece of music was
entitled to have his ideal tempo, as well as
his melody and harmony, presented at So
called performance of his music, or whether
each conductor was entitled to judge all for
himself and change more or less Of the con-
ception of the composer at his will.
The discussion, which was simply devel-
opment of the brief phrases ''Janotta was
wrong" and 'sHe was right" finally ended,
but meanwhile that zeal, which had fired me
to write, was cooled, and the sheets
lay where they were thrown, while the dis
putting professionals had the floor.
Recently have learned that regarding
coming concert in st. Paul, and one in Min
neapolis, by the mixed orchestras OF Seibert
and DanZ, which renews my wish to say
what follows, emitting the former introduc-
ton:
An excellent well nigh complete orches-
ira of professional musicians, can be organ
lied in the cities of st. Paul and Minneapo-
lis, capable of rendering in their integrity
most of the orchestral OF either ancient or
modern composing. In numbers it would
be slightly less than the Festival orchestra,
because it would lack some Of Thomas less
used instruments, and it would have one or
two fewer players upon each part Of the
strings. But the Gange Of musical compo-
sition is so wide that there would be plenty
of first class music, for which their numbers
and skill " ould be sufficient. Mr.. Sribert's
orchestra in st. Paul and Mr.. Danz's in Min
neapolis have given for some winters series
OF Sunday concerts of music suited to the
surroundings and musical means of the con-
ductors. But in each there is lacking
proper balance Of parts, and the rehearsals
for concerts to be given under such circum-
stances do not secure the attention to fine
execution which would be necessary to prepare
for higher class of concerts.
United, these orchestras would have almost
a com plete band of wood wind instruments
and strings enough to be heard even against
all the brass. 1t would not be impossible to
secure the sufficient rehearsals to prepare
series of six OF eight concerts for season
from November TO April. 1t would require
the union of the musicians of both. cities TO
form such an orchestra. It would be eX-
pected that the concerts should be given in
both cities. The tone ought to be given to
the concerts bv the character OF the pro-
grammes and the style Of performance, and
not by the costliness Of the tickets and the
thus enforced selectness of the audiences.
The experience of the old
st. Paul Musical society proves that
such a series in st. Paul could be carried
out with complete success. do not doubt
that Min neapolis contains a sufficient popu-
lation who enjoy instrumental music to
make success sure there also
The truth is, the Thomas Festival concerts
arenot satisfactory, under recent manage
ment, in the orchestral portions. The pres
ence Of SO many indifferent persons In the
audience, who are drawn by curiosity of
some sort, prevents the hearing with moder-
ate enjoyment by large number of the rest
The ''plant' is too large and expensive.
The large expenses require large audiences
and high prices. Music alone will not draw
sufficiently, and 1t is the finest Of the music
that suffers most. A home orchestra ought
to be formed to play to audiences seeking
enjoyment from music rather than curiosity
to see celebrated singer. l.. p. j.