New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-07
THE NEXT PHILHARMONIC CONDUCTOR.

At a special meeting of the Philharmonic Society
held yesterday forenoon steps were taken looking
10 the engagement of Mr.. Safonon as permanent
conductor OF the society for three years
as the case may be It has already been reported
IN this journal that conference had between
MI Safonof and committee representing the d.
rectors at which the question OF securing the ser
vices OF the Russian conductor discussed.
That the of his departure for Europe
and. though the possibility of an engag cement for
ell OF next seasons concerts mooted. the plan
which seemed TO have most feasibility was that of
another special engagement for a portion of the
concerts and the distribution of the rest among
two other conductors, Mr.. Victor Herbert
being largely mentioned. Meanwhile number OF
women have been actively engaged in soliciting
subscriptions in the hope OF securing Mr.. safonofs
sole services for three II by means OF
subscriptions Of this nature that the plan pursued
for the last three seasons made possible. The
first subscription was generous one, and the plan
met with much popular favor that at the ex
piraton of the first season enough of the special
fund was left to carry the enterprise through a
second season. For the third. however. another
subscription necessary. OF this about 5000
is still on hand. This would be mere drop in the
bucket II Mr.. Safonon. any other one of the
really eminent conductors who have served the
society should be gagged and It will be necessary
TO raise very large sum TO carry out the present
purposes as determined upon yesterday How large
a sum may be guessed at, in view OF the fact that
the sum demanded by Mr.. Safonof is $4,000 a year
Yesterdays meeting there was unanlInlty IN
resolution TO make an attempt to secure the large
fund. and the matter put in the hands OF a
special committee with full power to act for the
society both in securing the and closing the
contract with Mr.. SafonoT for one, two or three
years This committee is composed OF Richard Ar
mold, Felix Leifels. Henry P. Schmitt. August
Seiffert and August Roebelen.
During the last three years the Philharmonic So
ciety has paid its conductors S coo year of the
receipts from the concerts. considerable advance
on the payments Of previous years Previously the
societys practice has been assign twelve shares
it's conductor and let him take his chances along
with the performing members to their value.
the value depending upon the receipts from the
concerts. which have been divided pro rata ever
since the society organized sixty-four years
ago. For the last fifteen years the society has en-
joyed extraordinary prosperity and the conduc-
tors generally received from 5000 to So,
year for their services which used TO be looked
upon as more than ample compensation The labors
OF the Philharmonic conductor summed up in
the preparation and conducting Of eight subscrip-
ton concerts and public rehearsals a year. with
occasionally a extra concert 10 celebrate some
particular event. An extra concert and public re-
hearsal has been the rule of late and in all proba
bility will remain the rule for time to come
1t would, therefore. If interested persons
willing to estimate the value OF Mr.. Safonoffs
service at s1,0oo for each public appearance.