New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-14

II Is becoming evident that New York
Is to have an abundance Of music
this summer, more music than II mas
possessed for several years in the past
This fact is due TO the establishment
OF an orchestra which il TO give popu-
lar concerts in Madison Square Garden
70 an extent not before made possiole'
and 20 the efforts Of Park Commission
or Cabot Ward 20 introduce choral mu-
sic in the parks. The permanent estao-
lshment of an orchestra for the pre-
senting Of good music during the hot
months has long been a dream OF the
musical uplifters as well ss the real
wish OF many music lovers who are
marooned in the city throughout the hot
months. There have been several spo-
radio attempts TO give such concerts.
and last summer eight were presented
by the Russian symphony Orchestra in
the Garden, with considerable success.
Yet there has been no organized effort
10 provide our public with any perma-
nent summer orchestra, and certainly
no effort to make the surroundings OF
these concerts attractive. IL is toward
the contamination of these things that
a committee, on which are included
/ Otto II. Kahn, Mrs. willard Straight
and Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt, has been
/ formed. Though il is not yet definitely
/ decided that New York during the COM
/ ing summer is TO have a series OF pop
ular-priced concerts, this looks at the
present moment as exceedingly prob
able. Neither the orchestra nor the
leader has as yet been chosen. but Mad
ison Square Garden will be the scene
Of the concerts. Az TO the leader, II
/ is understood that Artur Bodanzky,
| Giorgio Polacco and Arnold Volpe have
all been considered. The plan Of these
concerts originated largely in the brain
Of Miss Martha Maynard, and Miss
Maynard has this TO say Of her project:
"Our idea is 70 present Now York
with the best music in attractive sur
roundings and for popular prices. The
great New York public, and that great
public goes, alas! neither TO the sea-
shore or the mountains, is hungry for
music. The success of the few hastily
prepared concerts | arranged with the
aid Of The Globe last summer at Mad
ison Square Garden proved conclusively
20 me that permanent summer or
chestra would be welcomed. These con-
certs were we'll attended, an average o,
four thousand a performance, and the
audiences we're drawn from all classes,
from East Siders to wealthy music
lovers. We lost no money and we
gained much experience.
ave learned, odd as it may seem,
that the summer audiences did not care
for light music. The nights we pre-
sented full symphonies were our most
crowded nights, and the night devoted
70 American music disaster. No; our
summer public yearns for the best and
highest In musical art, for the things
given during the winter by the Phil
harmonic and the New York Sympho-
MES, but at lower prices. We intend
to redecorate Madison Square Garden,
making II real garden, with ferns,
palms, and shady walks. Then we In
tend 20 provide an excellent system Of
refreshments, probably served during
the intermission. We found the noise
made by the walters during the per-
Torrance of music spoils its effect, and
80 it Is probable that we will not serve
any refreshments while the concerts are
on. Moreover. the concerts will be
strictly prohibition.
AS 10 the orchestra itself, we have
made no definite plans, but it will be
fine one, led by leader Of note. Many
names have been suggested, but none
has as yet been decided on. With the
support OF Mr.. Kahn and the others
feel confident that New York will at
last possess a summer orchestra which
will mean much TO both the social and
artistic life Of the city"
So much for the scheme Of a summer
orchestra, 10 the success Of which go
the prayers OF all who have to listen
TO the school Of Irving Berlin II they
would have their music in July or
August New York's summer official
music Is under the control Of the Com
missioner Of Parks, and, much TO the
disgust of the present incumbent OF
that position, Mr.. Cabot Ward, the
Board OF Estimate a yesr ago cut the
music appropriation In half Yet Com
missioner Ward, by doing away with
political bandmasters. has been en-
abled to give better music and nearly
as much of il as was given when the
appropriation wss double what il is
at present. Commissioner Ward, in dis
cussing hixeeforms, made no bones
about their unpopularity with many OF
the politicians.
In the old days the city's money was