New-York tribune., 1911-03-26

the second year OF term OF TWO years ror
which he Had been engaged. but had
scarcely begun his labors before " was
stated that under no circumstances would
he return for a third year-the period Tor
v6ich the guarantee fund had been pro-
yided Rumors of a proceeding. moro or
less revolutionary. began 10 III the ar
Tic oret shane that these rumors took was
that the society was 10 be AnleflcaniAeo
-vhatever that may have meant-and that
Mr. Henry Hadley was 10 be the conductor
I'm the season isl1-12. Then came accosht'.
all we'll authenticated, or the opei'i"s Vi
negotiations with various conductors al
home and abroad-Nr. WeinSartner' MI
Gerickc Or. Muck. Mr.. Victor Herbert hr'
Franz Kneisel In nearly every case the
negotiations fell through because II was
known that the guarantee fund was not
likely TO last more than one season
and that musicians Of emnence were not
disposed to undertake so large task with
so small a prospect of its successful con-
tInuance The artistic side OF the case was
plainly set forth in letter which MI
Kneisel sent TO the committee representing
the society and the subscribers 10 the guar
antee fund. He argued the absolute neces-
sty of a new fund large enough TO insure
the existence Of the society in perpetuity.
SO that gagements might be made on
less hazardous system than that now pre-
vailing. that an esprit du corps might be
created among the players. that musicians
and conductor might become familiar with
each other and devoted 10 a common ideal.
ard pointed to two methods which might
be adopted-that Of an endowment by
single generous minded citizen, like Major
Higsinson, IN Boston. or large aggrega-
tioh Of music lovers, like the contributors
to the fund which has placed the Theodore
Thomas Orchestra on a solid footing In
Chicago But as soon as the fact became
known that Mr. knesel had been asked
to consider proposition to become con
ductor Of the society the written PROPOSE.
tion Of the committee was publicly repudi-
ated. Efforts were nov directed 70 per-
susde Ar Mailer TO reconsider his deter
mination not 10 return for another season,
and it ves widely known that he had done
so when the difficulties growing out OF his
illness and . question of administrative
authority. mentioned in this Journal some
Ten days ago, led him to give an ultimatun
which has not yet been accepted. Mean
while, though no dates have been set and
no ccnductcr appointed invitations have
heen issued 10 the public 70 subscribe for
neat year ; series OF concerts.
Since Februarv q all The rAhearsals and
concerts Of the society have been directed
by Nr Theodore spiering who vas
| brought here by Mr. Mailer 10 he the
| concert master Of the orchestra. 4 re
port printed in an afternoon newspaper
few days ago indicates that there Is dis
agreement between Mr. Spiering and the
management concerning remuneration for
his work as conductor. That seems hardly
credible, but It appears that Mr.. Snierng,
who has certainly made an excellent roc
ord as conductor. Las also been consid-N
cred a. Mr. Mahler's possible successor
~ any rate. II is interesting 20 read what
Mr.. Glen pilaTd Gum had 10 say on the
| subject d week 2 20 to-day i'm The lri3-
! une' newspaper of Chicago. Here it IS;
Theodore Srierinc. formerly valued fac
tor In Chi"ago'- musical lifs. whose -oleo-
tion As concert master OF the rcOrca1iZed
Philharmonic Orchestra Of New YORK nm
der Gustav Mailer last season W3t the
source OF much qualification % his many
friends and admirers IN this city. has
gained ldurelS dS conductor durnC Mr..
Mabler'a recent illness and consequent alb
Sencc from his post 50 deep was the i'm
preston made by Mr.. Spiering that ms
name has been suggested ~ Mr.. M8hler's
successor. together with tina of Franz
! knesel and Frederick stock Kneisel and
stock have both declined the honor, and
| Spierng's chances would seem 10 be eN-
! cellenf
! Spierings gifts as conductor sre not
unknown 10 Chicago. lie irst attracted
| notice during the Savage season Of Ens-
/ lish opera Al the Studebaker Theatre. when
I ! MA tf 90
, al moments notice. and acquitted HIM
! self with credit Later he orEsuized an
orchestra Of his own and secured share
of the spring festival business The New
York critics spoke Of his recent perform
ancns with the philharmonic Orchestra
with tho lveiest respect ascribing 10 hin
( the virtues of authority and interpre taiiVe
originality ana initiative
The success which has followed tho meth
od- of Major Iigginson had fine nlustr3-
/ iion again in the last concert for the .ed-
! son of that organization in Carnegie Han
YESTERDAY. So far a could be seen tncic
was not u vacant box OF chair in tne hous'.
vet there was nothing 20 appeal - curious
/ interest iu the programme. There Was IN"
prelude 80 Die Meistersinger' which the
Philharmonic Societv had already played
three times this season and which has ap-
/ peared on other programmes, as well as
! in its proper place at the opera. Also tno
| "Siegfried Idyl." twice PLAYED by the Phil
/ harmonic Society. and Beethoyen's g minor
symphony. played for the fifth time since
| this years concerts began Mr.. AlwNn
/ Schroeder had been announced 10 play the
! Variations on Rocco Theme hy Ischai-
. kowsky but he wg- indispcsed and Mr.
Witel,. the solo performer. stepped into Oh"
! breach ana PLAYED. very eXcellen'ly indeed,
the violin concerto in u by Paganni. And
! tho audience accepted - tho music glad
! Iv II used TO he custom among the
recorders Of musical affairs to speculate
how much It cost Major Hisgnson 10 MAIN
tain his orchestra single handed. All that
speculation has stopped. Win hundred
men on his payroll and giving, a. he VIII
do This season. al least is concerts, he
| will md the TWO sides OF has ledger bal
ancinc each other when he winds up his
J accounts for the year. Here we have
/ tribute to the genius Of the Boston ihu-
sicians and their conductor. but more a
shining example Of what Alr. Hisginson's
ipvariable policy OF leaving artistic Things
in the hands # his artists accomPlshes.
I 4 special concert viii be given by the
! PHILADELPHIA Orchestra next Wednesday IN
honor OF the National Federation OF Musi-
cal clubs. AT which the symphonic suite
bv George " Chadwick and the air with
orchestra. "Cropusctle" by lloratio Park
er. which took two Of the prizes given by
! the National Federation this year, VIII be
performed under the direction Of the COM
! nosers H. T.. *.