The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-11
THEATRICAL NEWS
Theodore Thomas and His Fa-
nous Chicago Orchestra.
His Organization Of 50 Men
EnYied in Europe.
is NEVER SATISFIED.
Always Working to Improve
Playing Of His Mem.
Has an Experience of 30 Years
as Leader.
Is NEVER SATISFIED.

Theodore Thomas. the greatest or
chestra director in America. if not in
the world VIII be in Topeka with his
Chicago orchestra on May II and L.
as one OF the features Of the May Iu-
steal festival 1t would be puerile TO
speak Of this engagement as a coming
treat; it is an opportunity.
Mr. Thomas IS not unconscious OF the
place he occupies in the field OF music.
II would be foolish a1ectation If he
were. Rather he takes his position for
granted and believes that, as it has been
Won honOrably after many years OF pa
Gient struggle. he deserves the niche in
which all great living musicians have
unanimously placed him He does not
say these things, but when he talks
about the standing Of his orchestra,
which is not often. his pride in it and
love for il cause him TO talk exactly as
he thinks about it. And his orchestra
Is himself.
Satisfied with it, No" he said. I
don't suppose I will ever be satisfied
with It, But we play music-reaf music,
and when my men are before an audi
ence they never make a mistake Why
should they2 Ours IS the most thor
oughly trained orchestra in the world
today Praise II ali you want 10, but
leave Theodore Thomas out And re-
member IL is no one man orchestra -
He could not stop at this. Ny men
c-H AlAA machines tL-t are not staining
GtilL Iney are progressing every day
and every week. I viii not have
player about me. no matter how great
his reputation, unless ne advances. To
play correctly, that is something. But
to find the soul in music and play it
that IS everything"
rs the love Of good music Increasing
IN Chicago was asked him.
For answer TO that" he said, you
have only to look at the character OF
our programmes and our audiences. The
growth has been slow. The rush ana
hustle OF Chicago are not conducive to
the progress q the best art. and YET
the seed has been firmly planted here
and is growing. The critics say YOU
cannot mix art and commerclalism.
Not in their meaning. no. But our OF
chestra, strange TO say. IS helping to do
tndE very thing Men of affairs. TaCked
with business worries and with their
nerves all unsettled from their daily
cares are beginning to find out things
about good music. For thousands Of
them II is the one soothing influence
that takes them out of themselves and
their own thoughts and gives them the
mental rest they can get nowhere else.
And they can't ger it, with the mon
eF-organ music CT the kick~up- the-feet
kind One day a board az trade man
came to me in distress. Had been TO
une Of our concerts for the first TINA
and could not understand it. The music
was strange ne said. What he meant
was that it was something different
from the pety-umpty- dumpty kind
tell MIN TO come back again. and
again. and again. I ask him If he
knows the workings Of the board OF
trade the first day he gets on the floor.
Then he understands. That man is now
g missionary for good music among his
fellow members. And they are begin
ming 10 see now great a gift Sod gave
20 the world when music was breathed
into creation"
His friends viii tell you that when
he went to Chicago Is years ago. with 50
men chosen by himself to form the
nucleus Of a permanent orchestra he
cneerfully gave up a large annual in
come to accept one of S. 900 less in or
der that he might have an opportunity
to leave behind him a fitting memorial
when he died If you were TO seek and
talk with him alone you would under
stand in very little while how cheer
fully he could make a sacrifice like this
or much greater one for the sake Of
his passion, Thomas. sitting as he was
the other day in the parlor Of his beau
utul home. with a costly grand piano
at his SIDE and works OF art ali about
him, fitted in well with his surround
ings. But there is something about the
man that makes you feel as YOU watch
him that If these comforts and Injuries
suddenly took wings and vanished he
would lift his eyebrows. exclaim. 'Ach.
here comes another Of those upside
down happenings" and then turn to
his fiddle" and be perfectly happy.
As with his temperament. so with
his methods Of conducting OF all the
great orchestra leaders of the present