The Portland daily press., 1893-12-20
SILENCE IN PLACE OF SYMPHONY.
Dramatic Strike of Damrosch's Musicians
Which Broke Up the Orchestra.

New York, Decemer 19-The Symphony
Orchestra which Walter Damrosch has
worked SO hard for the last three years
to establish is thing of the past. Yes
terday formal written notices swere sent
to each7of the members of the oragniza-
ton informing them that the contracts
made with them were at an end, and
that they were released from their en-
gagements. These engagements were for
a series of one hundred concerts covering
period of twenty five weeks. This is
the result of the war waged by the
Musicians Union against Anton Hegner,
the Danish 'celloist, who came to this
country to play in the orchestra. The
members Of the orchestra say that had
they played with Mr.. Hegner against the
decision of the union, they would have
been liable TO expulsion, and once out
side the union would have had little
chance OF getting employment. The
trouble eliminated at the concert of
Sunday night. A respectable audience
was in the hall at the hour the concert
was billed to begin. When Mr.. Damrosch
entered he was leading. by the hand a
slenderly built young fellow. blonde as
the TYPICAL Dane, and with a half
frightened air. He was carrying cello
in his disengaged hand. 1t was Mr..
Hegner. He was evidently unwilling to
proceed, but Mr.. Damrosch was firm, and
led him as far as the first violocello
desk. There Mr.. Hegner remained stand
ing until the young conductor motioned
him to take his seat.
Mr.. Damrosch tapped on his desk,
raised his baton and brou ght it down to
bring out the first note of the overture.
But. not sound followed. The musicians
sat motionless, looking at their desks
There was an instant's silence-a silence
that could be felt Every one was ask
ing what was coming next. After look
ing at his musicians for a second Mr..
Damrosch made gesture as though to
changed his mind, and addressing the
men in German, he advised them to con-
slider well their action. No one stirred.
A concert was evidently out of the
question, and Mr.. Damrosch felt that
the fight was for the moment lost. So,
turning to the audience, he said in
very trem bling voice Ladies and gentle
men-l am sorry to announce to you that
there will be no concert this evening,
as my orchestra refuses to play with my
imported 'cellist, Mr.. Anton Hegner. 1t
is very painful thing to me to witness
the destruction OF fabric which I have
been at such pains to rear. l can only
say bnaI Sucn OF you as apply at the
box office tomorrow can have your money
refunded"
Some one i'll the audience called out
Three cheers for Damrosch." And then
such tempest of hurrahs swept through
the hall as can never have been heard
there before. A tiger" was called for,
and was given with will. Then the
lights began to be turned out, and, still
cheering, the audience slowly drifted
out.
Some musicians say that Mr.. Hegner
was not Indispensable, but that the con-
and Mr.. Damrosch was not sorry for an
excuse to abandoned them. Hegner is
not member of the union and cannot
be admitted until he has. been six months
in this country. The union rules forbid
members playing in company with non
union men.