New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-10
MUSICAL COMMENT.
MR. VAN DER STRICKEN IN CINCINNATI.
THE ORCHESTRA AND COLLEGE
OF MUsIc-A CHILDRENs
FESTIVAL.

Ever since the biennial music FESTIVALS were
established In Cincinnati by Theodore Thomas
The Tribune has deemed the musical activities Of
that city worthy OF attention. This means that
the musical history OF Cincinnati has been watched
by the editors OF this Journal for nearly twenty.
five years. for the first festival was held in 1873
Nineteen years ago, when the Music Hall was built
and provided with its great and the College
OF Music was founded. 1t did not seem likely that
any city outside New-York and Boston would
ever be looked upon rival TO what was then
still proudly called the Queen City " the West
Her citizens are loath to believe that the old 81.
premacy has departed In any degree, and have IRE.
auentIy taken The Tribune's record OF decay in the
artistic value OF the festivals in high dudgeon
Nothog On be conceived more grievous to
steal Cincnnatian than to be told that provincial
festivals are given not only In England but
within few hours ride Of Cincinnati every year
which outshine the local affairs In the one factor
contributed by the city-the chorus. lie Will not
believe II because he has never heard OF the other
festivals and is ignorant Of the tremendous I'M
petus given to musical culture by the festivals
which he has enjoyed There may be an amiabls
element In this trait OF character but the trait IL
self is responsible for the decay, which liberal
observer and honest chronicIer IL pound 70
record Recently some changes I'm the faculty Of
the College Of Music decided upon. The
local reporter for the Associated Press thought
the matter Of large Importance, and sent the news
throughout the country. Then IL developed that
the teachers who were to leave the service of the
college were true representatives, Of the Cincinnati
spirit They are convinced that their presence
gave the institution all the prestige which Il en-
toys and that they will only have 70 open rooms
for private instruction 10 carry their classes with
them out Of the college walls. Yet the fact Is that
while the college IL known all over the country the
teachers are of local reputation only This Is not said
in their disparagement: what Is true OF the College
OF Music OF Cincinnati is also true Of the majority
of the music schools in all countries. The reputAe
tions Of musical pedagogues is not widespread.
But IL was not to tell Of decay, but OF growth.
that these notes based a study OF affairs made
last week on the ground. were begun. Within the
last few years there has been revival Of some
thing like the oldtime spirit Of enterprise and pride
which gave the city much celebrity. The mani
festaton has not been so imposing as that Of
twenty years ago. but it has been just as sincere.
and mayhap will result In something more endur.
ing and valuable than the festivals. For three
years Cincinnati has had its own orchestral con-
certs The movement which has had this outcome
is old but until It taken in hand by the forces
that have thus far carried It 70 success It was
little else than pious and earnest wish on the
part of the real musc-lovers OF the city. Prior 70
the establishment OF the College OF Music. the or.
chestral concerts sporadic affairs, three or
four in season. given by the local musicians,
supplemented by two which Mr.. Thomas
enthusiasm had been fired by the success OF the
first two festivals and the Music Hall was IN
process Of building, Mr. Thomas found sufficient
encoura cement TO give a series Of summer-night
concerts at one Of the hilltop resorts such a. he
used to give in the Central Park and Madison
Square gardens Through these concerts the desire
for a permanent orchestra newly aroused. and
plan was foot which was sh!pwrecked, a. 80
many beautiful plans have been. on the rock OF local
iealousies When Mr.. Thomas came TO be director
Of the College of Music he organized an orchestra
and gave series OF concerts, but with his depart.
ure matters reverted TO something ike the old
state of affairs though the College OF Music tried
to maintain the meetings. under the direction OF
one and another OF the college professors. The re-
suits were not satisfactory. however, and the en-
terprise languished until II was taken up by the
Ladies' Musical Club three years ago. Where tho
men had so often failed the women triumphed.
They secured the cooperation OF number OF
publicspiri citizens and raised subscripNon
fund which seemed to justify the establishment
of an orchestra on a Quasi-permanent basis
long hunt for conductor followed II proved vain'
and the first series OF concerts was given under
the direction Of three different conductors-Mr.
seidI, Mr. schradieck and Mr.. Van der S,ucken.
The last had been offered engagement. but did
not accept. The next year he was sought out
again. and this time he gave consent. and a con-
tract was signed for a term of six years In the
last two seasons he has given twenty afternoon
and twenty evening concerts. and has built up an
orchestra Of which the knowing speak with en-
thusiasm. The work has been accompanied with
difficulties Of all kinds, some Of which are not yet
overcome for Mr.. Van der Stucken became IN
volved with the trades-union which the musicians
maintain not only by bringing musicians from
abroad. but also by taking them to Cincinnati from
New-York One result TO division in
the local union: another. that Mr. Van der Stucken
has been summoned to answer charges before the
Musical Mutual Protective Union OF NewYork
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra consists CT
from ifty-seven 10 sixty players. or these nfteen
are saared men. and the remainder play at tho
twenty per at union rates, II being
understood that the concerts OF the organization
have precedence over all other engagements The
management is in the hands OF a Board or d.
rectors composed Of women back OF whom are
number of wealthy and public-spirted men, VINO
signed the guarantees which made the orchestra
possible. The women have secured annual contr.
buttons ranging from $3.50 per annum down TO a
small sum. and these subscriptions. supplemented
with the money received for the sale OF tickets
form the fund which is devoted TO the maintenance
of the orchestra. The sales last year amounted 10
$4,000 The expenses in the first under Mr..
Van der Suckers dictatorship were $500: last
season they were $4,000. the band being increased
when the concert-room changed from tho
opera house to the Music Hall. In order that this
change might be effected OF the friends OF the
enterprise. MIR. Frederick II. Aims guaranteed an
additional sale of 1900 tickets. On this guarantee
he has been assessed this year but he is undis-
mayed and undaunted. like his associates OF whom
the leading spirit is Mr.. Jacob Schmidapp.
When It became apparent that the sales and sub
scriptions were not likely to cover the expenses OF
the organization next year. Mrs Nicholas Long
worth offered new subscription OF 800 year for
four years. provided nine others would do the same'
seven had come forward up to last Friday Thus
the orchestra has been successful both art.stcaly
and financially the loss Mr.. Thomass enterprise
In Chicago being larger each year than the entire
cost of maintaining the Cincinnati Orchestra. The
character Of MI. Van der Stucken's programmes
may be read In the following list OF symphonies
symphonic poems suites and overtures played In