New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-01
THE ORATORIO SOCIETY
Shall It Be Reorganized and Give
Fewer Concerts?

The following letter relates to an I'M
pending crisis in the affairs OF the Oratorio
Society. which concluded its thirty eighth
season with Performance" OF Mendels-
sohn's Elijah" last Wednesday evening.
At the rehearsal Immediately preceding the
concert the conductor. Mr.. Frank Dam
rosch, made a speech at the request OF
some Of the officials. in which he more
than intimated that he thought a change
In the attitude OF the society toward the
musical life OF to-day was necessary. His
reasons were asked for by The Tribune.
and are given in the accompanying letter
They will no doubt be actively discussed
between now and the annual meeting. to
be held in fortnight or SO. at which the
members OF the society will determine
whether they are to continue on the present
basis or adopt the suggestion of their con-
ductor.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: At your request. hes 10 submit the
following statement relative to my views
on The future OF oratorio music in New
York. AT recent meeting of the Oratorio
Society / discussed certain unfavOra bic
conditions under which the society was
working and stated that / would not be
able to continue as conductor unless some
has been patent to all who interest them
selves in choral music In the larger forms
such as oratorio,. masses and th" !arget
cantatas that a very small part OF the pub
lie knows or cares about II. There are a
number OF reasons which account FOR TINS:
such music IL serious in text, style and
musical treatment and the majority o. peo-
pie look TO music for entertainment rather
than for uplitt: then. the glttering attrac-
tions of the opera appeal to most people
more than does a form OF musical art
which does not appeal to the eye ana when
offers no sensational impressions ana, 1ur-
thermore. because OF its lack of sensa-
tional attraction. the general public knows
little or nothing about oratorlo, is AFRAID
that such music Is too deep Tor ITS COM
prehension. and therefore stays away.
whereas | ain convinced that there are
many thousands among our fiVe mlllIon
citizens WHO. If they came TO hear, would
be carried away with enthusiasm by me
great choral works OF Bach. Handei, Men
delssohn. Brahms. Elgar. etc.
II would he wrong. in my opinion. 10
argue that because the public does not at
this time appreciate the beauty OF TINS az a.,
form such works should Lot be given. On
the contrary. it should be kept alive ny
those and for those who understand am
love it, and this has been the beautiful
last thIrty-e eight years. But there are dit-
ferences Of opinion as 10 the best way OF
accomplishing it. One view Is that tne
Orat,rio Society should appear ,n nu al " in
order that thereby interest may be stinu-
lated This means the preparation OF four
to FIVE large choral works under great
stress OF time, endurance and extraordinary
effort and the consequent danger of I'M
mature presentation. The other view IS
that TIE society should prepare only one
great choral work beside The Messiah
each season: that by dint OF careful re-
hearsal during four months 1t should give
this work in such perfection that II would
be the great artistic event OF the musical
seasOn, and that therefore all true art low
ers would come 70 hear 1t. lii this way
IL is my opinion-the cause OF ordtor!o. OF
choral music, would be best served Ana
even II the public still remained apathet,c,
vet would the mission OF the society ne
fulfilled. for that mission IS not merely u
give good performances of oratorios. but TO
present them in the most perfect form IN
every respect. =
This would require much unsensh de-
votion on the part OF the singers, a quailty
which has always been the finest trait OF
the members OF the OratoriO Society. anu
IL would also mean large expenditures for
first class soloists ard -or sufficient or
chestra richardson's OF the largest items
OF expense. But If the directors OF the
opera are willing TO meet deficit OF
500. 600 in one season. ii should surely he
worth while TO spend $4,000 To slO,Opo III
behalf Of music which Is in It's way as I'M
portant and In many ways moro noble, IN
spirinR and uplifting. Respectfully,
FRANK DA IROSCfi.