The Saint Paul globe., 1896-11-29

in times past It is characteristic with
Americans when they do take hold Of
a thing with the determination Of max
Ing something out Of it they invaria-
bly, succeed, and this is most strik-
ingly illustrated in the splendid sussess
Of the Boston Symphony orchestra.
Some fifteen years or more ago a
wealthy banker in the city of Boston
conceived the idea of taking hold of a
then existing orchestra and making it,
what it should be, thoroughly first
class orchestra. His money, influence
and rare good taste and Judgment
combined enabled him to gather to-
gether company of musicians whom
he kept regardless of the fact that it
was an expensive luxury, for, like
many other things, there was a time
when the Boston Symphony orchestra
was, practically speaking, a white ele-
phant, but their devotion to art. their.
splendid music and a generous appre-
citation of their efforts by the people of
New England in time brought them to
such plane of success that, from q
financial standpoint, the Boston Sym
phony orchestra is a valuable piece of
property. But far above it's financial
standpoint Is its superior excellence as
a musical body. For it is now regard
ed as one of the three great orchestras
of the world, and it is very doubtful
whether with these three it is not in
the first place. When the orchestra
was first established the idea of ro-
tation in musical directors was inaug-
urated. AS a result some of the great
been identified with the orchestra and
have brought 1t to the splendid success
which 1t now enjoys. Prominent
among these leaders have been George
Henschel, the great London leader, and
Arthur Nikisch, who has recently be-
come the director Of the famous Gwen
dlehaus orchestra at Leipsic, which is
justly regarded as the most excellent
orchestra of Europe. Later the or
chestra has had, and is now under,
the artistic direction Of Emil Pauer,
who is rightly regarded as one Of the
great leaders Of the decade 1t is.
therefore, not strange with such
brilllancy of leadership that the or
chestra should have come to the splen-
did artistic recognition which it has
received throughout the world Very
much of the success of the orchestra
is likewise due to the efficient man
agement which it has enjoyed in the
personal direction of C. A Ellis, who
will be pleasantly remembered by the
citizens Of st. Paul as affording them
the opportunity of hearing Madam
Melba and her company here last sea-
son. Mr.. Ellis is a man of keen judg-
ment and of fine business ability, and,
ness side Of artistic matters, as he
has for many years past he brings to
the orchestra and to whatever attrac-
tion he may interest himself, wide
and varied experience.
In handling the orchestra Mr. Ellis
also has the assistance of two men
who are doing valuable service for ar
tistic interests in this country, VIM. f.
Apthorp and Frederick r. Comme. The
work Of Mr. ApthOrp is purely liter
ary one and consists of the descriptive
| comment of the programme. Few men
| In this country are better qualified for
| this task than Mr.. Apthorp, for aside
| from being a thorough musician him.
| self, he is rightly regarded as one OF
| the ableSt critics and writer's upon
| musical matters and in a literary way
he has done vast amount toward the
cultivation of the very high artistic
taste in music which is now happily
Characteristic Of much Of New Eng
land. MI. Apthorp in his programme
each time takes occasion to contribute
under the topic of ''Entre Acte,' a
most interesting essay upon some