New-York tribune., 1905-01-05

brother-in-law. The two daughters, Mrs D. N.
B. Sturgis and Mrs G.. H. Carter, residents OF
NewYorl5 We're not here.
1t was week ago Saturday that Mr. Thomas
first felt the ailment which eliminated in his
death. Apparently the trouble was only a slight
touch of the grip. Last Thursday however.
pneumonia developed. Saturday his condition
was grave. Sunday he improved and on Mon
day the physicians felt hopeful of a recovery.
Last evening, while Mr.. Thomas was sanguine
as usual. there suddenly occurred change for
the worse. Without note of warning a severe
chill seized the patient. Although there was a
slight rally, he was never again conscious
Through the night his breathing gradually grew
fainter. and death peaceful that the
watchers did not know the exact moment it
came.
Burial services probably will be held next Fri
day in st. James's Episcopal Church. No def
mite arrangements for the funeral have yet been
made. The body will be placed in a vault, either
here or in New-York City.
A long and active life like that which 1t was
Theodore Thomass privilege to enjoy is not to
be told by enumeration the details Of all the
labor which filled It. His significance was bound
ed only by the limits of the country but his most
valuable labors done in three centres-New-
York, Cincinnati and Chicago-and to those labors
this notice shall be chiefly devoted The early
part of his life be passed in quick review, and
also those later labors which though valuable TO
the of music, yet ephemeral His nonu-
mental labors done in behalf of the Philhar-
monte Society of New-york the biennial May
festivals in Cincinnati and the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra.
He was born IN Essens, small town in Ost Fries
land, Germany. October H. 1885. and to
New-York with his father as a lad. When twelve
old he played solo in public at the old Astor
Place Opera House. He worked for living at
thing he could get do like other musicians play
ing in concert ana opera orchestras during the
American tours Of Jenny Lind. Sontag and Grisi and
Mario. Under the late Luigi Arditi ne became
certmeister and in this capacity, and occasionally
as conductor, he a member of various German
and italian troupes until 1861. In 1855. with William
Mason, Joseph Mosenthal. G. Matzka and Carl
Bergmann he instituted chamber concerts, which
cor tinued the work begun by Eisfeld. one OF his
predecessors as conductor of the PnI4Marmonic
Society. The quartet gave concerts of chamber
music every winter for fourteen years. The Phil
harmonic Society of Brooklyn, offspring of the
New York institution. appointed him conductor Of
its concerts in 1862 and he continued as its con-
ductor until 1891. He began his own symphony con-
certs which gave him national reputation, in
1854 and continuedsthem till 1863. Then they were
suspended till 1871. when they were revived again.
With his symphony ION the road" he endured many
strange vicissitudes.
How little was known about the character, con
stitution and mission of a symphony orchestra a
generation ago outside of the principal cities OF
the countries is illustrated by an anecdote which
Jacob Gosche. who was Mr.. Thomass business man
ager in the early days OF his artistic itnerancy'
used to tell Mr.. Thomas desiring to provide more
employment for it than New-York City offered, Mr..
Goscba was sent TO spy the land and arrange
concerts in some of the neighborng cities of New
England
such an enterprise was novel. and in Of the
first places visited the manager called upon the
editor of the local newspaper 10 enlist his interest
and help laying particular stress upon the large
number of men in the band. the high class of
music which would be performed and the skill
of the conductor. This DONE he asked the editor
whether or not he deemed il advisable TO make
an essav in his city Well" said editor forty
men is a pretty big troupe. and l guess TN go
If you've got good end men,. And this IN unlVer-
sity town, where now there Is professor OF
music who enjoys a more than national reputation
fer his compositions. and who conducts series OF
s1,n,nhonv concerts given by local orchestra
larger than the band which the editor guessed
would prove an attraction because of its numbers
nroyided there were good end men,.
His travels with the orchestra took him TO C1n-
cinnati in 1872 A German Sangerfest had LETT the
,t,, in ,,ossesson of a mlonstrous wooden building,
and Mr. Thomas's friends took advantage OK that
fact and his tremendous energy to arrange a mon
ster festiyal-a meeting OF all the Western choral
societies The experiment was successful-so sue
eesful indeed that the festivals became institu-
ttons of biennial occurrence and gave rise to the
nagnfNeent Springer Hall and the College Of Music.
with which Mr.. Thomas had a brief association
| disastrous connection with AN xtravaSantly man
| oDera in the vernacuIar in America, in 1856 and
1881 sums up all that il is necessary to say about
| his temporary undertakings.
Before the end OF the thirty-fourth season or the
! philharmonic Society Carl BergmanR. from whom
| more than any one else Mr.. Thomas had acquired
the technique OF orchestral conducting broke down
In health. George Matzka, the leader OF the Vlohns
! took his place. The breakdown OF Bergman
ushered In a period of difficulties for the society.
Mr. Thomas had begun serious rivalry Wlth MS
! symphony concerts and some OF the Ieaolng men
| of the Philharmonic Society Joined his forces and
incidentally were compelled by the terms or the
society TO withdraw from its membership. FOR the
| thirty fourth season DR.. Leopold Damroseh was
elected conductor The next year compromise
was erfected between the rival organizations the
/ recalcitrant members were reinstated ana MI.
Thomas was elected conductor. After one season
! .. ,yas IN the fall OF 1s7S-Mr Thomas removed to
! cincinnati to become director of the college OF
/ N.s,e which had grown out OF the ehthuaiasin
cveaIea bv the festivals established under MS IN
! sr,ratio, and guidance in 1873 And Mr.. Adoiph
Ne,eraorf became conductor Of the historic local
| orgsnization Beth experiments proved 10 De DIS
! opnointrueuts For one season MI dhomas'
Iivine In Cincinnati 4 journeyed every month 10
/ New-York to prepare and conduct the Fnii-
| barroonio concerts. Then came rupture