New-York tribune., 1921-02-03
National Band
Is Merged With
Philharmonic
Same Board of Directors to
Rum Both Organizations;
National Orchestra MAY
Pass Out of Existence
Too Many Concerts i'm City
Clarence Mackay Explains
Public Cannot Absorb All
Symphony Music Offered

Clarence H. Mackay, president of the
National Symphony Orchestra, an
nounced yesterday that an arrangement
had been perfected whereby that or
ganisation will be joined with the
Philharmonic Society under one board
of directors. The reason given for the
action is that there have been too
many orcastral concerts in New York
during the last few seasons.
In musical circles the announcement
was generally taken to mean that the
National Symphony Orchestra will pass
out Of existence at the close of the
present season. S. E. Mcmillan, man
ager Of that organization, declined to
comment on the arrangement, saying
it had been negotiated entirely by Mr..
Mackay and the directors.
Felix Leifels, secretary of the Phil
harmonic Society, said it was not his
understanding that the arrangement
would affect his organization, but
simply meant that Mr.. Mackay and
some of his associates would become
members OF it's directorate. Henry E..
Cooper. president of the society, issued
statement saying the new board OF
directors of the reconstructed organi-
zation is being arranged by commit
tee. Mr.. Mackay is to become chair
man of the board.
Mackay Explains Plans
Mr.. Mackay, who is also one of the
executive directors of the Metropol.-
tan Opera Company, said:
"The arrangement between the Phil
harmonic Society and interests identi-
fed with the National Symphony
Orchestra marks an important step in
the development of symphonic music
in this country. A careful survey of
this ranch of music in New York has
clearly demonstrated the fact that in
the last few seasons there have been
too many orchestral concerts, with a
consequent failure to secure the re-
suits that should be obtained artisti-
cally and economically.
'.To demonstrate this fact it is only
necessary to point out that in the
present season of 1876 days, the threa
New York orchestras, namely, the Ma
tional, the Philharmonic, and the New
York, have engagements in New York
amounting to 167 performances. In
addition the visiting orchestras of the
Boston and Philadelphia Symphonies
have approximately eighteen engage
ments in New York, which makes q
grand total of 1856, or practically one
concert for every day in the week, in
cluding Sunday. Then we have hac
this season the visit of the La Scala
Orchestra, besides visits from the
Chicago, Cleveland and Detroi'
sive the New York public may be tx
nr,hA so
sponsive to an overwhelming degree
it needs no particular knowledge of tn,
subject TO perceive from the list o-
engagements outlined above that the,
are beyond the capacity of the pub
lie to absorb, and that, therefore, tht
situation calls for some eliminations
Quality and not quantity is demanded
in the present day.
Stransky To Be Conductor
Having reached this conclusion, th
principal interests representing tn
philharmonic Society and the Nationa
Symphony Orchestra have decided t
join forces under one board, with sue
representation from each as will forr
compact, harmonious and efficien
organization, having but one ain
namely, to present the best musi
under the greatest leaders, to al
classes OF the public, so that the sc
ciety will become virtually a publ
Josef Stransky, with the eminer
Dutch leader, Willem Mengelberg, q
guest conductor, and it is planned ths
q certain number of concerts will
under the baton of Artur Bodanzk
The organisation will carry on as til
Philharmonic Society, and it is EN-
nently fitting that this should be s
by reason Of it's traditional positio
and fine record of service in the il
would seem particularly appropriai
as next year marks the eightieth Ell
niversary of the society.
With the controlling interests of til
Metropolitan Opera Company added
the new board of the Philharmon
Society a still greater field will
offered for the development of mus
in New York, and it is fully expectt
that with this cooperation it may
found practicable to arrange a gre
music festival in the spring of eat
year. in addition, the directors ha,
in mind the giving of concerts n
only IN such prominent auditoriums
Carnegie Hall and the Metropolit;
Opera House, but in the leading educ
tional centers Of the city, such
Columbia, the stadium Of the Collie
of the City of New York and in 9th
public centers of the city.
"ln other words, the scope Of Z
greater Philharmonic Society is to
so broad as TO make it real, vii
and integral part of artistic and educ
!. tional New York, so that it will take
n place as a permanent and construct
ia cultural force alongside such instit
M tions as the Metropolitan Opera, t
N Public Library, the Metropolitan M
scum and the Museum of Natul
History"