New-York tribune., 1921-03-24
Mengel berg Plans
~ Keep Old ids
lii lew rchestr.a
Part Of National To Be Re-
engaged for Philhar-
monic; Hopes Union
Will Extend Rehearsals

Wiltem MenEelbexE, Eu66t conductor
Of the National Symphony Orchestra,
yesterday expressed to members Of the
press his appreciation Of the support
given him by the committee Of the
National Symphony Orchestra during
his stay in New York, and his satisfac-
the archestra.
Mr.. Mengelberg will make his last
appearance of the season tomorrow
night at Carnegie Hall. He will sail
for Holland on Saturday. He will re-
turn to New York next February and
for three months conduct the newly
merged Philharmonic and National
Symphony orchestras. Speaking of his
plans for next season, he said:
"There is no better orchestra in
America to-day than the National Sym
phony. 1t is mistake to say chat
this orchestra is dead, for although it
is impossible at present to state the
names of musicians of both orchestras
who will be retained in the new COM
bination, can say that the greater
part of the National Symphony will be
resngaged..
Wants Orchestra To BE Best
II would not have come back to
America to conduct the Philharmonic
as it stands to-day, because that or
chestra already has conductor, Mr..
Stransky. But it became impossible
for the hackers Of both orchestras to
sustain two huge deficits, The plan
for amalgamation was decided upon,
and when it was submitted to mo /
accepted the engagement on condition
that we do something new and that
the Philharmonic be made the best
orchestra in Amarirn
sNow the new Philharmonic is to be
enlarged. There will be about 100 men,
including twenty first violins, twenty
second violins, twelve 'cellos and
twelve double basses. There will ALSO
be two concert masters, which should
be the rule for every great orchestra.
If on the day when the. one and only
concert master is to play an important
solo part i. in q symphonic work the
work canont be given. With sub
stitute always on hand this difficulty
can be Immediately overcome.
"The enlarged orchestra will also
mean that we shall. not have to go to
the motion picture houses and the
theatres for recruits when extra men
are needed for certain elaborate works.
The men will be in the orchestra all
the time.
!. IL am hoping that the labor union
will at least meet us halfway in an
of time for rehearsals. At present the
rule which allows only two hours for
the rehearsal of music to be played in
theaters and motion picture houses
also applies to the music for symphony
concerts. This is an impossible ar
rangcment. Symphonic music, par
ticularly the music Of modern COM
posers, is much more difficult than that
played by the average theater orches-
ira. There should necessarily be more
time allowed for rehearsal.
SIN Europe there is rehearsal of
three hours and half, at least, for
every concert. In some cases, when
new works are to be played, ten or
twelve hours are devoted to rehearsals.
~ cannot give out any definite in
formation as to works I shall play next
season. Mr.. Stransky, who will con-
/ duct the philharmonic during the first
! half of the season, will be the first to
make up his programs. After see
them will decide upon mine. But
shall certainly give several works by
Mailer. He is a great composer, the
Beethoven Of our time"
Mr.. Mengelberg will conduct his orr
chestra at the Concertgebou, Amster-
dam, from April to May 10. He then
will take his men to Paris for two con-
certs, and to Madrid for the same num-
Der Of appearances, After that he will
go 10 Rome to conduct the Academia
Santa Cecilia orchestra in the Angus
teunl.. After q holiday at his country
homo in the Engadine, he will return
to Amsterdam in the autumn, to re-
sumo charge Of the Concertgebou con-
certs until he departs for America in
February.