New-York tribune., 1903-03-02
MUSICAL COMMENT.
Reflections ON the Philharmonic Society
-Bounties, Subsidies, EndozUments.

ing to accept gift Of s25o0O FOR four years
| on condition that Il change its fundamental law
90 az to permit its Reorganization basis look
ing to permanency OF employment. the extension
OF its activity and the Improvement OF its per-
fornnances IL likely to cause deal OF Ill a1vsed
comment from both the friends and enemies
of the institution. The question which un.-
sented itself 20 the society when Mr. Dam
| rosch projected the plan IN his desire to
make the Philharmonic Society to be in New
| York what the Boston Symphony Orchestra Is
in Boston and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in
Chicago, was not a small one. The success OF his
| plan might have given New-YoTk really pernna-
nent organization OF the highest class. on the
basis OF the bounty system proposed. but by arou5-
| ing a public spirit which would eventually have
called into existence the large endowment fund
absolutely necessary to the permanent maintenance
OF the IDEAL concert institution toward which ths
| lonEings OF NeW-York's best music lovers d.
| rscted Its failure would have left the society in
| Iured IN prestige and obliged either 70 go oe
sxistence or return to old methods with Its amai-
| ton blunted and its machinery impaired II the
| first case the great good done 70 the cause OF
| music would have recompensed the society for
| trifing change In identity and Administrative
methods which would necessarily have follower
the permanent endowment OF the body. In the
| ond the catastrophe which has seemed imminent
ever since the death Of Mr. Seidl would have come,
but at least have been postponed for space.
Fs,t tha men have spoken and. deplorabIe as
their decision seems there is yet something herolc
about their determination TO preserve the integrity
OF the organization that has stood for the highest
in orchestral music in the United States for over
sixty years At least, there Is view which those
disposed toward kindly Judgment may take (aud
which is the only just view toward many of ths
leading spirits Of the o-gan'zation). which makes
the action seem heroic. From its inception the
Philharmonic Society has been democratic, or
rather, a communistic body. When 1t was
formed the thought that professional musicians
should band themselves together. and. mutually
aFkVa
give concerts OF high class music TO the public
was new and strange to the world Through
vicissitudes OF all kinds the men have been
true to their trust Small and sordid motives have
had their influence times in the conduct Of the
society," selfish interests have occasionally pre-
vailed over the larger interests Of art but the
whole the men have been honestly proud Of the
record made by the society and have rejoiced right
eously in the prestige which membership Drought
them Naturally a spirit of conservatism has been
deyoIved and fostered. New members have been
admitted, but slowly and chiefly in the r.Fien0
places. OF the men who playing in the orches-
ira this season only few more than one-haf are
members. The others are musicians hired by ths
society. For twenty years conductors havs
Iabored to effect changes and have found them
selves obliged to wait until the reformatory meas
ures which they aimed at had been accomplished
by time During all this time the society has been
prospering Is it strange that these men should NOT
take the view of the present situation and future
outlook that others take whose interest in the
society is 4 sentimental merely, who want ths
orchestral art finely represented and would like the
Philharmonic Society to be that representative for
old sakes sake? 1t is not strange; but neither IS
It wise. 1t is very much to be feared that
by the time the society realizes that
1t may be necessary some day to adjust itseIf to
new conditions Qor it Is ever true that tine Old
order changeth, yielding place to the new'). the
sentirnentalists will have cast of their allegiance
or transferred 1t to another organization Ins
signs OF the times too plain TO be ignored Inc
Boston Orchestra has conquered the place once
held by the Philharmonic Society. II unwtse con-
ssrvatIsm, begotten OF pride stands in the way OF
progress and allies itself with seIfshness TO rob
the orchestra OF Its effectiveness factor in art
culture~what shall the attitude profit the society
as a whole or it's individual members? It was nos
fair to expect that all the unselfsh sentiment IN
the case should be felt and exercised by the puoic
What the conditions proposed BY the subscribers
to the fund (Which, for want OF a better word, We
have called bounty fund.- were has not been ser
forth in full. Mr.. Damrosch says they Old not or
necessity contemplate his election for the period
for which the subscription was pledged LnAt
would have been indeed. an unVise provision me
conductor OF the Philharmonic should not buy MS
position, either by such means or BY s1oservlency
10 the appointing power. Much Of the cr1dclsm
Of the society has been based upon the theory taI
proper discipline is not possible when the ADMIN
strator OF that discipline owes his continuance II
power to the votes of the disciplined The matter
has been grieyously misunderstood and misrepre-
sented, for. with all its democracy, the Phi-aar-
unonic Society is ruled with rod Of iron oy tnA
officers appointed to enforce its rules But II the
members felt that there was such a contingency
in the gift, implied, though not expressed. tney
ought not to be blamed for feeling aP-
prehensive Of possible happenings after tne
expiration Of four years There was M
guarantee of permanency IN the SuoScripuoH'
The period would have been probationary one
at the best and its happiest outcome reorganlza-
ton on the basis OF an ample endowment On
viously the promoters Of the provisional enterprise
axpected to be met on the part of the sOc-ety with
a willingness to make the experiment for the SakS
Of the greater things which might follow But II
must again be emphasized that voluntary annual
gifts cannot assure the permanency OF so expensive
an institution as orchestra wholly devoted 70
the giving Of high class concerts Chicago mas
furnished the most convincing demonstration II
was a fine ebution Of public spirit which called
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra into existence
and robbed the Philharmonic Society OF Theodora
Thomas, who was at once its most Iastingly pop
ular conductor and the most tntolerant OF us "
herent defects The Chicago orchestra is now end
ing its twelfth season. and its directors have sent OUT
the proclamation that unless fund Of S75ACH Is
raised the orchestra will be disbanded when ths
season comes to end. The reason? Up TO the
end Of last season It has cost its guarantors the
sum Of $S1 O0o-that Is to say. average OF S5''
year. The supporters Of the organization Were
generous public spirited men dehciency or
$50 SS1 did not frlghten them nor give check 10 tGf
declined: but at the end Of that period there was
indication that there was any nkeEnooG ;,,,t INA
a perpetual bounty Of from $22e0 70 No-Gv No- q
{Seir interest and If was necessary 10 enlist moro
and more men The task OF doing this seemed 20
project of'rasing $4,000 by gifts was devised me
money to be expended in building haII WIIcS IS
It is fondly hoped will suffice TO maintain me TN Re
chestra- 1t Is not likely tnst @ 6ns go ~ rhs