New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-13
THE PASSING or THOMAS.

There is ore aspect of the case in which the
friends of high-cass music can contemplate
the suspension of the orchestral and choral
concerts at the Worlds Columbian Exposition
with eQuanimity. Strictly speaking, these con-
certs were mere entertainments designed to
make money for the management. Had they
succeeded in doing this the phenomenon would
have deserved the admiration of the world.
The Americans would have proved themselves
TO be the most devoted music-lovers on earth
if they had furnished MIR. Thomas an audience
daily commensurate in number with the char
acter of his concert. 1t was foolish to expect
such a result. but the folly would have been
pardonablc and even amiablc had 1t not de-
fcated plan that was commended by pro-
priety. feasibility, patriotic pride and artistic
ntclligcncc.
At none of the past international eXhlb-
tons have the musical features been what they
ought to have been. Several times, as in Paris
schemes in every respect notable and worthy
have been suggested by muSicS represent
ativcs but have either suffered shlpwrcck. or
been abandoned because of their impractical
bility. The distinctive character of the Co
lumbar Exposition invited an ideal effort.
ne IUTIDu III american hlN''i' - '''"'N''''
with the history of modern artistic music. Had
the Commissioners at Chicago resolved TO give
a series of official concerts designed to eXem-
plify the development of the art within tnat
period in the chief countries of Europe when
have contributed to Americas greatness, the
efficient cooperation of those countries might
have been secured 4 little diplomacy would
have brought il about that Germany, France
Italy Russia and Great Britain would each
have commissioned its best man to stand Tor
its achievements in thi, department of prog
ress. Americas contribution would have been
easily secured. The musicians from abroad
would have come as accredited commissioners.
and would have been received and honored rs
such. The concerts would not have been
many. Vet they might have been made to
illustrate the development of music by all
school, and in all its forms They would have
been dgniicd valuable for instruction, unique
in their attracryenesS ard compared with the
ran adopted and now abandoned inexpensive.
1t seems likely that Mr.. Thomas originally
had some such scheme in mind NJ any rate.
be sent messenger - Europe with invita-
tons from the Commissioners + the great men
in music. The mission seems T. have been
carried out on a strictly business basis and
WAS a failure The composers refused to be
hired ~ the Commissioners. Then Mr.. Thomas
ulanncd "A IN lnSt"r series of monster entertain
mcnt.. running on from day 10 day with such
>pc,ial features ~ he would have secured for
his REGULAR winter s. mphony concerts. The
scheme was wonderfully iattcrng tribute 10
the capacity of the people of the | nitcd states
for musical cno, mcnt but il did not tit INTO
the economy of the FAIR. II was a costly cX-
pormcnt and had to be abandoned. We be-
lcve that the Commissioners missed great
opportunity. We believe that music at the
Columbian Exposition might have been put on
a level with the ideal purpose cNcmphiicd in
the buildings and thci, arrangements. IL
might have been made an incident Ia which
future historian, of culture would have turned
with surprise and admiration. Mr. ThomaSs
aims were lofty. and in a high sense, I'M
selfish but his conception of the role which
music ought to play at a Worlds Fair was
faulty, There i no SAY ing what the full con
sequence of his retirement from the musical
dictatorship of the FAN will he. The interests
Of the Chicago symphony society arc closely
and ntricatcly bound up with those of the
local directory of the Fair For the sake of
music and culture in the United States how
ever. il is 10 be hoped that Mr.. ThOma>'S
magnificent activity will not come To an end
because of the failure of his exhibition scheme.
That were a gricvous pity.