Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-27
Pittsburg's Prospects for a Perma-
nent Symphony Orchestra Are
by No Means Bad.
QUALITIES OF THE ORGANIZER.
A Mistake Often Made in Regard to the De-
STABILITY Of Classical Produo-
tions.
LOCAL COMPOSERS IN THE CHURCH.
A Budget Of General News That VIII Interest All
Lovers Of the Art Divine

tablishing permanent symphony orchestra
in Pittsburg, the personal qualifications of
the man who is to organize and direct the
entertainment form q vital element
1t is not surprising that the
question has been public raised whether
Mr.. Homer Moore possesses the necessary
qualifications for the work in hand This,
especially in view of the fact, frankly stated
in the original announcement in this de-
partment, that Mr.. Moore's actual expert
ence as an orchestral leader has been rather
limited.
five now possessed a symphony orchestra
firmly established upon a basis of public ap-
probation and of ample financial backing,
and were seeking a conductor for it, we
could doubtless find men more certain to fill
the requirements Of that position than the
gentleman named. But that is not our case
We are trying to make a beginning Is best
We NAV, without assured patronage and
with no such financial backing as the orches-
rras Of Boston, Chicago and New York are
started with We have TO cut our coat &C.
cording to our cloth.
In the conductors qualifications, as well
as in all other parts of the plan, Pittsburg's
present situation has to be taken into ac-
count. The present programmes of the 48
Boston symphony concerts and public re-
hearsals would not be appropriate here at
first; much more would conductor like
Mr.. Nikisch be white elephant on our
hands at the inception of the plan proposed.
The Experience of Boston.
Indeed, when Mr.. Higginson started the
Boston orchestra, though he gave pecuniary
support not dreamed of here, he did not
seek famous European conductor He en-
gagged Mr.. Georg Henschel, an eminent
baritone singer, . man of brains and energy,
g clever composer, but who had no repute
whatever as a conductor. The parallel be-
tween Henschel and Moore in these points
Is indeed q striking one.
Mr. Moore has stood at the conductors
stand often enough to be convinced that
such work is within his capabilities. His
ambition is turned in that direction
strongly enough to cause him to sway aside
from his very successful past career
as singer, lecturer and teacher in order to
put into execution this orchestral plan
which be himself conceived He thereby
cuts down his income by one-half for the
present, and stakes his artistic reputation
(Which is his most valuable asset) upon his
ability TO succeed in the new field. Should
be fail no no would lose anything like as
much as he would.
If testimony against ones interest is
worth as much at the bar OF public opinion
as in courts of law, Mr.. MoOre's own will
ingness to undertake this enterprise is very
strong prima tacie proof that he can really
do the work.
That is, even the work of conducting the
orchestra. There is much other work to be
done for which Mr. Moore's qualifications
are undoubted. He organized the plan him
self (mark that)! and is therefore likely to
carry out all its details with peculiar intel
lgence, and TO throw into it his entire per-
Eonality as one does only into an enterprise
Of ones very own.
Already Gone to Work.
He is ready to undertake personally-in
fact has already begun-the difficult task of
interesting the moneyed men, without
whose liberal support nothing further
can be done. And he is ready for
all the other work incident to
getting such an enterprise afoot under con-
ditiOns as to players, ETC., not by any means
the best. No one else has arisen, nor could
an orchestral conductor of established re-
pure as such be induced, to undertake thus
the very inception and organizing of the
enterprise. Yet this very work is the first
indispensable element under our conditions
Alr. Moore's original scheme for the pro-
grammes peculiarly answers our present
needs-much better indeed, than would
the programmes of Mr. Nikish or Mr..
Thomas. And in those programmes he pro-
poses 10 do more than other conductors
could or would. He will give brief popu-
lar talks about the composer, the work to
be given, its Interpretation, etc, and his
proven abilities as a writer and lecturer
will unquestiOnably make these talks feat
IRE Of the utmost value in both the
Ertractiveness and the usefulness of the
concerts. Mr.. Moore will also sing in as
many concerts as may be desirable; the
value Of that feature may be ascertained
from anyone who Qike the writer) wit
messed the profound impression produced
by his singing Of Gounod's Green Hill" at
Belleheld Presbyterian Church some weeks
ago.
Peculiarly Fitted for the Task.
In all these things, the ones peculiarly
adapted to Pittsburg's present needs and
the ones that must necessarily come at the
very beginning of the plan, Mr.. Moore's
abilities are unquestioned, and, in their
combination, truly remarkable He has be-
yOnd peradventure the qualifications requi-
site TO getting this superb project fairly on
its feet if anyone can do it. And even
Il it should eventually appear, contrary to
all reasonable expectation, that he had not
enough ability as an orchestral conductor,
there can be no doubt whatever that he
would be the first to find some excuse for
severing a connection that would then be
more disastrous to his own reputation than |
to any other interest concerned.
In sober verify, it is Mr. Moore's remark |
able range Of qualifications for the peculiar |
work We need right now, that makes this |
project seem practicable enough to warrant |
such extended consideration. 1t leaves as
the only prpSent OupStiOn, WILL our /
moneyed men see what a rare opportunity |
Is here and, seeing, act accordingly?
~
The Performer at Fault.
Classical music-real classical music, no |
half-and-half affair-was the subject which (
was being discussed by a number of gentle
men in the corridor of the Southern last |
night. The point was whether, if Gilmore
devoted one night exclusively to the compo-
sluIOns OF the great masters, he would at
tract great crowd. Il viii give you an ex-
rarigucn Of nv ov-ro tba Rev Mr. Rut- ]