The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-08
T seems superfiuous to write that
the musical world has suffered a
great loss in Theodore Thomas

III great loss in Theodore Thomas
death. st. Paul. fortunately, has
been close enough to Chicago to receive
an occasional visit from the famous
orchestra, and it probably appreciates
as thoroughly as any other city the po-
atent influence of its leader in the de-
velopmept of music in the country.
Much has already been written and
much will be written in the future con-
cerning this influence, but its impor-
taiice has not been exaggerated, and
it is doubtful if it could be exagger-
ated. Orchestra hall, in Chicago, was
dedicated by Theodore Thomas and his
orchestra Wednesday evening, Dec. IA.
The occasion was a great personal tri-
umph for the conductor, for the new
home of the orchestra meant a personal
appreciation of him. A musical writer
referred to the event as The culmina-
ton of the Chicago orchestral S achieve
ments," but it was also the elimination
of Mr.. Thomas individual achieve
ments for Chicago. 1t is said that even
the scrubwomen and the janitors of
Chicago contributed to the erection of
the building. He died in less than a
month after it's dedication, but he had
already begun his series of winter con-
certs in 1t, the first of these being a
commemoration programme in honor
of the birth of Beethoven. For some
time before his death Mr.. Thomas had
been furnishing Information about his
life to a collaboration, and he was also
writing some personal recollections. In
an Interview accorded New York
paper early this fall he admitted that
he was tremendously interested in this
literary effort of his. Now that he is
dead, the completion of the work will
doubtless be hastened. If it is at all
worthy of the man, 1t will be an ex-
ceedingly valuable contribution not
only to musical literature, but to Amer
lean history as well, for it should be a
record of a vital part of this country's
latter day development. Mr. Thomas,
{. it will be recalled, was to have been
one of The out of town orchestra lead
ers selected to take turns in conducting
the concerts of the Philharmonic Or
chestra in New York city this winter.
Weingartner is coming over for two of
these. concerts, and it has been limited
that Weingartner is not averse to set
ting in this country. If Weingartner
should prove to be Thomas successor
but many musicians have pooh-poohed
the rumor that Weingartner was will
ing to leave Munich, and it is rather
early to discuss a successor to Theo-
dores Thomas, conductor of the Thomas
orchestra. A successor 10 Thomas. the
musician, in his relation to American
music, will probably not be found in
this generation.
81. 1t is rather tantalizing that the
Melba Concert company should appear
In Minneapolis the very night that
Bispham and Shotwell-P Piper appear
here, that is, Monday evening. Jan.
To- Melba and her company appear at
the Lyceum, in Minneapolis, and ar
rangements have been made here for
a special car service for those ST. Paul
people who desire to go over. In spite.
OF this attraction in the other city,
S : however the second concert in the
4 M. G. A series is sure to attract a
large and brilliant audience, for Bis
pham is a great favorite in ST. Paul.
and even if he came alone the compli-
Y ment of large gathering would as.
suredly be paid him. The fact that
Madame Shotwell-Piper is associated
with him adds greatly to the value of
the offering the association makes.
-
1t Is rumored that "Parsifal," Iris
tan and Isolde" and one of the lighter
operas are to be the offerings of the
Conried Grand Opera company to Min
neapolis this spring. It is also ru-
mored that the best single seats for
Z slthey a5ileS sacred music drama will cost Sc.
But IN return for this outlay of money
1t is promised that New York scenery
will be brought to Minneapolis, and
that all the accessories-and there are
many, many accessories-wi be pre-