The New York herald., 1921-02-03
philharmonic to Absorb
National Symphony. For
mer TO Retain Name.
WILL GET OPERAS AID
Stransky and Mengelberg
to Be Conductors Bo-
danzky Also Enlisted.
MACKAY HEADS PROJECT
Concentration Decided Upon
Because City Has Too
Many Concerts.
MACKAY HEADS PROJECT

Announcement was made yesterda.'
that the National Symphony Orchestra,
the youngest symphonic organization
in New York. is to be merged with
the Philharmonic Society. oldest OF
American orchestral societies. into a
combined orchestra that will be con-
tinued under the name of the Phil
l1armoni, Society and give concerts in
Intimate association with the Metro
politan Opera Company. The consoh-
dated will not become effective until
after the close of the present musical
season.
The merger was made known by
Clarence ri. Mackay. who is president
Of the National Symphony Orchestra
and a director of the Metropolitan. II
was regarded in musical circles as one
of the most important steps ever
taken in the development Of orchestral
music in this city.
Mr.. Maclsay will be chairman of the
board Of directors OF the COMBINED or
canizations Henry r, Cooper, presi-
dent of the Philharmonic Society OF New
York, will be president of the new Phil
harmonic. The other officers of the new
organization will be Otto II. Kahn, pres
ident of the board Of directors OF the
Metropolitan Opera Company. who Will
be vice. president Arthur Curuss
lanes. also ice-president. Charles
Triller. treasurer: Alvin W. krech Of :
board of the metropolitan. honorary se'.-
retary. and Felix F, Lefels. executive
secretary
ol Aim of the Projectors.
II IL the aim OF the projectors. in ac-
tive cooperation with the Metropolitan
Opera Company. to organize civic
movement broadly and adequately sup
ported by creating musical centre that
in IT'S scope will make the new Philhar-
mouic Society a permanent cultural
force beside such institutions as the
metropolitan Museum of Art, the Public
Library and the Museum OF Natural
History
IN telling CT the arrangement between
the Philharmonic Society and the inter-
ests identified with the National SYM
phony Orchestra Mr. MaclSay said that
one of the influences that brought about
the merger was that in the last rev
seasons there have been too many or
chcstral concerts. with consequent failure
70 secure results that Should be obtained
attigtically and economically
ITO demonstrate this fact" said Mr.,
Mackay, 1T is only necessary to point
out that in the present season OF l9'
days the three New York orchestras.
namely. the National. the Philharmonic
and the New York, have engagements
~ New York amounting TO l6t perform
snces In addition the visiting orches-
tras OF the Boston and Phiiadelphla
svlnphonies have approximately eigh-
teen ensagements in New York, which
makes grand total Of 1856, or prae-
tticaliy one concert for every day in the
week. Including Sunday. Then we have
ihsd this season the visit Of the La Scala
Orchestra. besides visits from the Chi
cago. Cleveland and Detroit orchestras.
"a ys.No matter how responsive the New
Yorls public may be to symphonic music
land .hey are responsive to an over
wheiming degree-it needs no particular
knowledge OF the subject 10 perceive
from the list OF engagements outlined
above that they are beyond the capacity
OF the public to absorb. and that there
fore the situation calls for some elinil-
Z nations Quality anI not quantity is
denauded in the present day.
To BE Public Institutiou.
"Having reached this conclusion. the
prlncipal interests representing the Phil
harmonic Society and the National Sym
uhony Orchestra have decided TO join
forces under one board. with such rep
from each as will form a
compact harmonious and efficient or
xanization. having but one aim. namely.
70 present the best music under the
greatest leaders to all classes " the
public. so that the society will become
Virtually a public institution. Tile con-
doctors will be Josef Stranslty with The
eminent Dutch leader. Wiilem AIengct-
berg as guest conductor. and u -
planned that a certain nunner OF con-
certs will be under the baton OF .Nrtur
BocanzlSy
\ with the controlling interests ot lie
Metropolitan Opera ComranS added 60
Tho new board Of tho Philharmonic so
ciety a still greater field will be offered
for the development OF music "a sew
York and It is fully expected that with
this cooperation Il may be found prac-
ticable to arrange a great music festi-
val in the spring OF each year. In sddi-
ton the directors have in mind the CIV
Ing OF concerts not ouly in such pron-
nent suditoriums as Carnegie Hall and
the Metropolitan Opera House. out in
the leading educational centres of the
rits. such as Columbia. the stadium OF
the College OF City of New York and in
other public centres OF the city.
I'm other words. the scope Of tho
greater Philharmonic Society is to bs
20 broad as TO make II a real. vital and
integral part of artistic and educational
New York"
Statement Tor PhiIharm onic.
In behalf of the Philharmonic Society
Mr. Cooner, IT'S president. said
"Mr Mackay has described most al.
nirab,s tho present orchestral situation
IN New York. The number OF orchestral
and the excessive number OF concerts
often overlanping cech other have mads
Tor ? dissi~-tIoA of energy and n need.
less expenditure of mo1ey reuuii, q e
meet the combined dencits The elimne.
ton OF one orchestra and the concnr.
.tion Of interests IN tha philharmoai,
present an ideal solution Of the present
problem.
VIC VIII be very happy TO welcome OF
our reconstructed board - public
spirited citizens as Clarence IT. A1aclay
Otto VI. Kahn and Alvin w Krech. f.atei
other important individuals will he added
We are certain that the new arrange
r1ent will make the Philharmonic Socieis
the leading musical organiza ton nc
only OF America but OF The world"