New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-22
THEODORE THOMAS RETIRES.
HIS ORCHESTRA DISBANDED AND SCAT
TERED
WEARY OF THE STRUGGLE WITH PUBLIC INDIF-
rERENcE-To CONDUCT ONLY AT
LONG INTERVALS

fERENCE-Tp CONDUCH ONL1 Al
LONG INTERVALS.
The apprehension recently expressed in The Trib-
kne that Theodore Thomas would abandon the
kymphonic and popular concerts which have so long
been n notable feature in the musical life OF New
York has been realized He has expressed I'M
willingness TO continne the undertaking of maintain
ns a permanent orchestra and the amusement
soon to open will know nothing Of Mr. Thomass con
certs In Il he will figure only conductor of the
Philharmonic Societies OF New York and Brooklyn and
possibly few other independent entertainments for
which his services may be engaged. Outside Of his
connection with the Philharmonic Society as member
he will have personal interest in any musical
enterprises in this city. and II open serious doubt
whether he win continue the concerts which he has
given for years in Philadelphia New-Haven and other
cities near New-York The series in Orange may 30
given with orchestra called together temporarily
for that purpose, but even this is uncertain Mr..
Thomas is OF lofty ideals. lie has labored for
twenty years to place his concerts on
the Hottest atainable plane of excellence.
and Is profoundly convinced that permanent
eaniration under his sole artistic direction alone
yield results satisfactory to himself Not wishing TO
lower the standard which he himself set being
willing to subject his future work injurious COM
.parfson with his past achievements he prefers to
abandon the concerts outside of New-York rather
than 10 60 with band organized for these few
occasions This is the substance OF his explana
ton concerning the concerts IN other cities than New
York Home support alone mahe a permanent
orchestra possible, and this support denied him
last season, all readers of The Tribune have been
told. II 1t were only question Of money, he says.
he might It, problem is not solved simply
by offer of funds to dcfray possible loss In
the local concerts continued He would have to
draw for such funds guarantees his friends and
this he Is unwilling 10 do long he does not
see prospect of success This prospect is OBJ
structed amongst other things by the absence of a
hall suitable for his entertainments and agreeable
to the public lie therefore deems 1t The course of
wise self preservation to the struggle In which
he has long been engaged and devote himself the
Philharmonic Society and such other engagements
offer livelihood for himself For must make
living" he adds:
This declaration settles the question that has
been agtating musical circles since the
clusion Of Mr.. Thomas's last engagement in
Chicago, when he took leave of his musicians and
told them that they were at liberty seek engage
ments elsewhere for the winter season. as, though
undecided 10 his plans, he could not promise
them such steady employment as he had given them
for years. From Chicago he went straight 10 his
country seat at Fairhaven, Mass, whence no inkng
of bis intentions reached the public On Wednesday
he came to New York with his mind made up As
has been described. Meanwhile Max Bendix, the
principal Of his vollns, has accepted engage
ment in Cincinnati for three years.
MIR schreuers first Clarinet 1T is said had contracted to
5on the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Mr Bouf the
with the Musicians Protective Union, had gone a
Western concert tour with Liberaus band No doubt
music lovers Will greatly miss the Thomas Concerts,
and bis absence from local concert rooms will be
teenly felt. In them Mr.. Thomas has been familiar
1gme for fully thirty-fve years. He came here as a
child of four years in 1882 and introduced himself
. prodigy the violin. After short trip in the
South he returned 10 NewYork in 1851, and played in
and opera ochc,ras during the engagements Of
Jenny Lind sOntag Grisi and Mario. Under signor
Arditl, conductor OF the Lagrange Opera Company be
became principal OF the volins and he filed the posi-
hons of concertmcser and conductor Of arOu German
and Italian troupes until 1861. In 1S55, with William
Mason, Joseph Mosenthal G. Mazka and Carl Berg
mann, be Instituted the famous sets Of chamber con
certs, which continued every winter for fourteen
years, +. Bergner taking the place of Carl Bergman
in 1851 In the of 166263 he was elected con
ductor Of the Brooklyn Philharmonic Society, and
that position he has filed with few intervals, up 10
He has also been conductor of the philharmonic
Society of NewYork almost ever since Mr. Bergmann'S
death He gave of his symphony concerts in the
season of 1564-65 and continued them with varying
fortunes up 1869, when they were suspended for
two years In 1872 he resumed them and continued
them the great good of the musical art until 1878
when he called to Cincinnati, director of the
College Of Music just established His stay in Gin
cinnau sixteen months long, during portion OF
which time he continued to act conductor of the
Philharmonic Society. coming each month to New
York 10 conduct the rehearsals and concert Mean
while he travelled all the United States spreading
. knowledge of henclass orchestral music, and
on one Of his visits Cincinnati IN 1872,
called into life the great biennial festivals which have
been given regularly ever since under bis direction
Mr.. Thomas intimate acquaintance with music,
musicians and their needs led him early loGO to
fnaugurate a system which would relieve the mem
beers of his band from the necessity Of playing in
THEATRES balls, parties and the Ike where the style
of performance, the character 81 the music ana ule
disregard OF The proper proportion among the Msiri
nents IS calculated 10 work injury ~ artistic ucg
uent and taste. He engaged the best musicians
obtainable paid them liberal salaries and Kept them IN
Perfect discipline. To enable him 70 bear the great
sXpense involved IN such an undertaking
be began the summer night concerts IN
Z $50 Terrace Garden, which he con
tnued for many years az the Central Park ana me
Madison Square Gardens and the Metropolitan Han, and
which evolved into the POpular Concerts three
caS ago. The programmes al these concerts Gov
cred the whole field Of Instrumental music a. u haa
before been covered I'm ths country and though
them all there went educational purpose which has
done great deal open the minds and hearts Oh inc
american public TO music Of tie higher forms and
types. The classics were not cIammed down me
Threats Of the people but by careful selection from
The lighter pages taste and capacity for the better
" as created; ard these then stimulated untl
there music that did not find intelligent ana
husiastic appreciation. In his offerings o. noVeles
Mr.. Thomas far in advance Of concert conuuc
nor home abroad and many of The compositions
Rubinstein. Raft, Brahms TschakOwsky, MasseneN,
Cohmark and Dvorak were sent 10 him IN manu- /
script form and worthily introduced 10 the American
people HIS connection with the American and Ma /
ronal Opera Companies is so recent memory mat IL
aflxrl oil