New-York tribune., 1919-04-13
REFLECTIONS ON THE CONCERT SEASON OF 191819

entire series Of concerts. That marked
low water, though there were fourteen
years in which the remuneration, if
such it can be called, fuctuated be-
tween $25 and $50. High water was
recorded in the sixty third season
(1904'05), when the dividend was
$325.16 for each member, but bv that
time the concerts had been increased
in number from ten concerts Count
ing the afternoon affairs, which were
euphemistically called public rehears-
als), to sixteen. 1t happened not in
frequently that the dividend paid to
the member scarcely reimbursed him
for the cost to which he had been nut
in providing a substitute for the con-
certs in which illness or other causes
prevented him from taking part The
artistic zeal of the members was SO
great in those long agone days, how
ever, that the personal call had to be
imperative, indeed, to keep a member
from doing his duty by the society.
We recall how one of the foremost
u
fashionable church as we'll as vioinist
in the orchestra. told with smile
how in one season not only was his
dividend devoured by the assessments
made against him. for absences from
rehearsals and a single concert, but
proud privilege of being a Phlhar-
monician. Is there such a spirit among
the members Of the Union of Musicians
today? If so it has escaped our OBJ
sorvaton.
But we are to deal in these conclud-
ing reflections on the concert season
of 1918'10 with what is past not with
what may come. The record Of mis-
cellaneous concerts does not differ in
an appreciable degree from that of
wcll-hllcd date book are that there
was a slight falling off in the number
Of vocal and instrumental rcctals. Re
citals, it is we'll to bear in mind, arc
In one phase affairs at which few
artists, firmly and justly established
in the esteem and admiration Of the
public, present themselves with we'll
worn programmes, in sedatc and conven-
tional manner, and are we'll. some times
overgenerously, rewarded by the people
who love music and are accustomed to
pay for their enjoyment. OF such re-
ctals there have been, perhaps, fewer
this season than in any season since
the war began. Another type of re-
or protested artists, for the purpose of
making record of having sung or
played in New York, and securing pub
licity which will be helpful in other
parts Of the country How large
part recitals OF this kind play in the
activities of a metropolitan season can
be guessed at from the contemplation
of few pertinent facts to be ex-
tracted by a comparison of records.
Over 100 different singers were heard
in recitals and concerts of mixed
character in New York last season.
This year the number was considerably
less, if our record, which is admittedly
incomplete, is even approximately cor
rect. Of last years company, not
more than one-third were heard again
this season, and in this number are in
cluded all the popular singers who
make New York their home, sing at the
opera and make this city the point of
divergence for country wide activities.
About the same number Of pianists
were heard this year as last, but again
two-thirds of the names which figured
on the list of 1918 are absent from
the list of the now dying season. There
was less change in the roster of vio-
linsts, for the reason, probably, that
the large influx from abroad of Young
men of musical talent had discour
aging effect upon less gifted aspirants.
The lists are appended. If they only
crafty curiosity now, they may serve
useful purpose hereafter