New-York tribune., 1912-01-27
PHILHARMONIC PROGRAMMES
Mr.. Stransky Denies Any Neglect OF
French Composers.

| To the Editor OF Tho Tribune.
Sir: Permit me 10 submit few lines In
reply 20 David A. Model. whose letter ap-
pearcd I'm The Tribune yesterday.
| by an odd coincidence on the very day
when Mr.. Model speaks Of my alleged
neglect OF French composers the Carnegie
| Hall house programme Of last evening (an-
| nouncing the programme OF the following
| concerts) shows that on February ! and =
tho last half OF the programme will con-
slst only of French music, including works
| OF Saint -Saens, Gounod and BerlloI. Later
programmes will present works Of Bizet
Chabrier and Cesar Franck. as also the
symphony Harold in Italy" by Berlloz.
necsl hardly emphasize that nothing IS
further from my purpose than 10 slight tho
French masters. But Mr. Model. whose
good intentions / do not doubt does not
seem to realize the difficulties that attend
the preparation OF programmes OF artistic
STYLE for concerts which offer not only or
chcstral music but must also provide for
the participation OF solOists. II involves
| choosing selections appropriate TO 30 with
solo numbers. and I'm no sense arbitrarily
seeking names that have not yet appeared
on the programmes. 1t means especially
the avoidance Of orchestral works played
last season.
From the reproach that | neglect ad
mircd masterpieces ! should certainly be
spared An unpreiudiccd glance at the
programmes OF the season will show tire
| Injustice OF such criticism, for many works
Of masters. ancient and modern. appear.
That a hearing was given TO the SYM
phonlcs OF BruCkner and Weingartner Is,
I'm my opinion. no cause for condemnation.
America has the same right as Europe 10
hear works which stimulate the mind. an1
public so musical as that of the New
York philharmonic Society must be inter-
osted I'm hearing new works and in forming
an opinion about them. II would, I'm fact,
be easier fcr the orchestra and its conductor
to follow paths already travelled but In
this regard have much too high respect
for New York and it's musical spiri;.
love the classics and also the modern mas
tcrs of all nations, and | repeat that moth
ing Is further from my intention than 10 be
onesided. But the impossibllty OF present
Ing the hundreds OF favorte works In one
season must be clear TO all who are un-
preiudced. AS n matter of simple arith-
uetic, for example, in the ten first Thurs
day evening concerts thus far given Che
Friday afternoon programmes are the same
as those OF THU sday). each concert last
ing on an average scarcely two hours. there
were in all about twenty hours OF music.
OF these twenty about eight hours ap-
proximateiy were used by sol0ists and In
termissions. Hence. for purely orchestral
music only twelve hours remained. Now.
let any ono look over these programmes
and sec the masterpieces OF the classical
and modern period that were offered In
these twelve hours and he will find that
there has been no lack In conscientious de-
sire on my part to suit all good tastes.
/ beg that you will grant place 'or this
letter in your esteemed journal, and I
would emphasize that this is my last word
on the subject | desire no controversy.
and shall not allow myself to be drawn
into any further discussion.
JOSEF STRANSKY.
No,y Work. Ian G 1912