Twenty-five Years
of the
Philadelphia Orchestra

1900-1925

By
Frances Anne Wister

PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
THE WOMEN’S COMMITTEES FOR
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Copyright 1925
Frances Anne Wister

Edward Stern & Company. Inc.
PRINTERS AND ENGRAVERS
PHILADELPHIA

TO
ALEXANDER VAN RENSSELAER, Esq.

DEVOTED TO
THE CAUSE OF MUSIC IN THIS CITY
AND
FIRST AND ONLY
PRESIDENT
OF
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
ASSOCIATION

FOREWORD

This story of the Philadelphia Orchestra has been written during the past few months, for the friends and supporters of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association.

My endeavor has been to give the account in a simple form and to use the Appendix for the statistics which should be recorded at a Twenty-fifth Anniversary.

Frances Anne Wister

October, 1925

Acknowledgments

With much appreciation of their assistance I desire to thank:

The Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association
and
The Women’s Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra, who have
made it possible to publish this book.

Mr. Arthur Judson, Mr. Louis A. Mattson,
Miss Ruth O’Neill, Miss E. M. Russell
of the Philadelphia Orchestra Office.

Dr. Edward I. Keffer.

Frances Anne Wister

October, 1925

Twenty-five Years
of the
Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1925

Contents

Part I
CHAPTER I |  |  3
| A Road One Hundred and Fifty Years Long |
Music in Philadelphia before 1900.
CHAPTER II |  | 16
| The Last Turn of the Road |

The finding of Fritz Scheel at Woodside Park. The
Philadelphia Symphony Society. The Philippine
Concerts. First Concert 1900. Sketch of Scheel. The
formation of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association.

CHAPTER III |  | 31
| Early Years |

Financial difficulties. Incorporation 1903. The Beethoven
Cycle. The Richard Strauss Concerts. Popular Concerts.

CHAPTER IV |  | 47
| The Women’s Committees |

The Women’s Committees in Harrisburg, Allentown,
Lancaster and Trenton. The Women’s Committee and
the First Ten Thousand. The Germantown and Chestnut
Hill Women’s Committee. The West Philadelphia
Women’s Committee. The Media, Chester and West
Chester Women’s Committee. Committees in Delaware
(Wilmington), Baltimore, Washington and Atlantic County.

CHAPTER V |  | 62
| The Guarantors and the Guarantee Fund |
CHAPTER VI |  | 71
| The Death of Fritz Scheel |

Illness and Death of Fritz Scheel. The Memorial Tablet
to Scheel. The Musical Record.

Part II
CHAPTER I |  | 89
| The Next Step |

Engagement of Carl Pohlig as Conductor. Sketch of Pohlig.
The Musical Record.

Part III
CHAPTER I |  | 99
| The Coming of Leopold Stokowski |

The engagement of Leopold Stokowski 1912. First programme.
The Mahler Symphony. The Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus.

CHAPTER II |  | 113
| The Seven Year Endowment Fund |

Dissatisfaction with the Guarantee Fund. The proposition
of the “Unknown Donor,” 1916.

CHAPTER III |  | 116
| The Orchestra During the World War |

Presentation of Flags by Women’s Committees. Concert at
Camp Dix. Red Cross Benefit Concert. The Liberty Loans.

CHAPTER IV |  | 122
| The Twentieth Anniversary Million Dollar Endowment Fund Campaign |
CHAPTER V |  | 139
| Twenty Years of Progress |

Twentieth Anniversary 1920. Presentation of Silver
Tankard to the President.

CHAPTER VI |  | 143
| Musical Neighbors |

The co-operation of musical associations with the orchestra.
Philanthropic undertakings.

CHAPTER VII |  | 148
| The Support of the Public Press |
CHAPTER VIII |  | 150
| The Listeners |
CHAPTER IX |  | 155
| The Twenty-fifth Anniversary |
A General Survey.
CHAPTER X |  | 163
| The Point of The Story |
IN MEMORIAM |  | 170
Appendix
APPENDIX A |  | 178
| Charter of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association |
APPENDIX B |  | 180
| Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra 1900-1901 |
APPENDIX C |  | 181
| Officers and Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association 1900-1925 |
APPENDIX D |  | 191
| The Guarantors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association 1900-1901 |
APPENDIX E |  | 193
| Summary of Concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra Seasons 1900-1901 to 1924-1925 Inclusive |
APPENDIX F |  | 201

Conductors
Personnel of the Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1925
Personnel of the Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus
1920-1921
Managers
Office Staff

APPENDIX G |  | 216

Assistant Conductors. Guest Conductors
Organizations That Have Appeared with the Philadelphia
Orchestra. Soloists Who Have Appeared with
the Philadelphia Orchestra

APPENDIX H |  | 228
| Some of the Principal Players in the Various Sections of the Philadelphia Orchestra |
APPENDIX I |  | 232
| Partial List of “First Performances” in America |
APPENDIX J |  | 234
| Programmes of Six Concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra 1900-1901 |
APPENDIX K |  | 237
| The Women’s Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra |
APPENDIX L |  | 242
| Announcement of Children’s Concerts |
APPENDIX M |  | 244
| Philadelphia Permanent Orchestra Prospectus March 3, 1899 |
APPENDIX N |  | 250
| Literature of Early Days |

Illustrations

Alexander Van Rensselaer, Esq. | Opposite  | 16
Fritz Scheel | Opposite  | 31
Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon | Opposite  | 48
Scheel Memorial Tablet | Opposite  | 85
Carl Pohlig | Opposite  | 90
Leopold Stokowski | Opposite  | 100
Philadelphia Orchestra and Mahler Chorus | Opposite  | 105
Endowment Fund Memorial Tablet | Opposite  | 126
Endowment Fund Memorial Tablet | Opposite  | 128

PART I

Twenty-five Years
of the Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1925

Chapter I

A Road One Hundred and Fifty Years Long
“Time Was unlocks the riddle of Time Is”

“By Particular Desire[1]

“On Tuesday next, the 25th inst., at the Assembly Room
in Lodge Alley will be performed a Concert of Music,
under the direction of Mr. John Palma; to begin exactly
at six o’clock.

“Tickets to be had at the London Coffee House, at one
Dollar each; and no person to be admitted without a ticket.”

Such in January, 1757, was the announcement of the first public concert in Philadelphia of which there is record. So began the approaches to the Philadelphia Orchestra, like the approaches to a great bridge which begin hundreds of feet away from the span.

There had been music in private and other entertainments previous to this public concert and in spite of the disapproval of the Society of Friends and of a number of religious sects music found its first refuge in the church. As early as 1701 Justus Falckner, a German Lutheran, wrote as follows:

“I will here take occasion to mention that many others besides myself who know the ways of the land, maintain that music would contribute much toward a good Christian service. It would not only attract and civilize the wild Indians, but it would do much good in spreading the Gospel truths among the sects and others by attracting them. Instrumental music is especially serviceable here. Thus a well-sounding organ would perhaps prove of great profit, to say nothing of the fact that the Indians would come running from far and near to listen to such unknown melody, and upon that account might become willing to accept our language and teaching, and remain with people who had such agreeable things; for they are said to come ever so far to listen to one who plays even a reed-pipe (rohrpfeiffe): such an extraordinary love have they for any melodious and ringing sound. Now as the melancholy, saturnine, stingy Quaker spirit has abolished (relegiert) all such music, it would indeed be a novelty here, and tend to attract many of the young people away from the Quakers and sects to attend services where such music was found, even against the wishes of their parents. This would afford a good opportunity to show them the truth and their error.”[2]

When Falckner was ordained in Gloria Dei Church in 1703, the Hermits of the Wissahickon played on the viol, hautboy, trumpets and kettledrums (Pauken) and the service was opened with a voluntary on the little organ, all of which he doubtless arranged and enjoyed. Gradually a number of other churches followed suit and installed organs.

In regard to secular music in private houses, letters testify to its existence early in the 18th century; and Whitefield on his arrival was an ally to its opponents. One of his followers printed this information for the public in 1740, although the statement was later denied:

“Since Mr. Whitefield’s Preaching here, the Dancing School, Assembly and Concert Room have been shut up, as inconsistent with the Doctrine of the Gospel: and though the Gentlemen concern’d caus’d the Door to be broke open again, we are inform’d that no Company came to the last Assembly night.”[3]

But music was craved by some of the inhabitants or a sensation would not have been made by the Musical Clock:

“The Unparallelled Musical Clock, made by that great Master of Machinery, David Lockwood. It excels all others in the Beauty of its Structure and plays the choicest Airs from the most celebrated Operas with the greatest Nicety and Exactness. It performs with beautiful graces, ingeniously and variously intermixed, the French Horn, Pieces, perform’d upon the Organ, German and Common Flute, Flageolet, etc., Sonata’s, Concerto’s, Marches, Minuetts, Jiggs and Scots Airs, composed by Corelli, Alberoni, Mr. Händel and other great and eminent Masters of Musick.”

It was not until Mr. Palma’s concert however, that there seems to have been any music for which the public could buy tickets. This pioneer effort was followed by others. The “Subscription Concerts of Musick” became fashionable in 1764; and later the fortnightly “City Concerts” under John Bentley at the City Tavern. The Amateur and Professional Concerts were a popular series. Groups of men fostered music as the years passed. Francis Hopkinson and his friends both professional and amateur assembled regularly to play “Concerti Grossi.” This group of about twelve musicians probably formed Philadelphia’s first Orchestra.

The first real musical impetus came undoubtedly from Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and later member of Congress. He was besides, a teacher, organist, poet, harpsichordist, essayist, improver of the harpsichord and the first American composer. Among his works are the song, “My Days have been so wondrous free,” the earliest American secular composition extant; and “Seven Songs” dedicated to Washington. John Adams described him as:—“One of your pretty, little curious, ingenious men. His head is not bigger than a large apple. I have not met with anything in natural history more amusing and entertaining than his personal appearance, yet he is genteel and well bred, and is very social.”[4]

Other composers were not lacking as is seen by the announcement of John Gualdo, in 1769, of a concert in which five out of thirteen numbers were composed by him. This is the first recorded composers’ concert in this country and his name appeared with those of the famous composers of Europe of the day, as Philadelphia was never far behind.

Benjamin Franklin interested himself in the art and constructed an improved Armonica or Musical Glasses. Thus two important public men of the time gave music their sanction and assisted its cause.

As the city grew the people began to feel the need of instruction in music. From early times Philadelphia had its share of music teachers, the first one to publicly advertise, being a woman. Among them were a number of excellent Englishmen who presented at concerts the works of the great masters of Europe; and there were a few Germans. One of these was an accomplished person if the following announcement which appeared in 1755, be true:

“The subscriber proposes to open a school on Monday next, in the house where the late Mr. Quin formerly dwelt, for the instruction of Gentlemen and Ladies, in the following accomplishments:

“First, The French, Italian and German languages, in a method concise and easy.

“Secondly, To play on the violin after the Italian manner, with a peculiar method of bowing and shifting in solos or concertos.

“Thirdly, Drawing and miniature painting with colours, flowers, insects, etc.... Likewise to draw patterns for embroidery, or any kind of needle work....

“He has a variety of music, composed by the most eminent masters, for the violino solo, concembalo et violoncello, to be disposed of on easy terms.

“John Matthias Kramer”

Another German was H. B. Victor, who described himself as follows:

“Mr. Victor, Musician to her late Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, and Organist at St. George’s in London, lately arrived here, takes this method of acquainting the Musical Gentry in general that he gives instructions on the Harpsichord, or Forte Piano, Violin, German Flute, etc., especially in the thorough Bass both in theory and practice, for that his pupils may soon come to a fundamental knowledge of that fine science.

“N. B. Mr. Victor intended to give a concert, and to perform on his new musical instruments, but is obliged to postpone it for want of able hands; the one he calls Tromba doppia con Tympana, on which he plays the first and second trumpet and a pair of annexed kettledrums with the feet all at once; the other is called cymbaline de amour, which resembles the musical glasses played by harpsichord keys, never subject to come out of tune, both of his own invention. He is to be met with at his house in Callowhill street near Water street.”[5]

The many quaint advertisements of those times give an idea of the musical activities of the people. Amateurs often assisted professionals.

Joseph Cézar, pupil of Viotti, in 1792, announced that: “Many amateurs of the first eminence being so kind as to honor him with their patronage, will perform,” etc. Again we hear of “a young lady who has never before appeared in public and therefore craves protection from all manner of insult.” Often the professional was “assisted by a gentleman.” Infant prodigies, who were always under ten, were numerous and they had invariably appeared before the crowned heads of Europe.

Organ dealers, spinet, harpsichord and piano makers, as well as dealers in musical merchandise began to appear. Michael Hillegas, first Treasurer of the United States and first music dealer in Philadelphia, dealt in organs as early as 1753. His stock of music embraced all the popular and standard compositions of the day, and included those of Tartini, Tessorini, Pepush, Corelli, Händel, Vivaldi, Burney, Stamitz, Barbella, and Scarlatti. Besides sheet music, many other articles were to be had at his shop as we see from this advertisement:

“To be sold by Michael Hillegas, at his House in Second street, opposite Samuel Morris, Esq., an extraordinary good and neat Harpsichord with four stops; a good Violin-cello, an Assortment of English and Italian Violins, as well as common ones, as double lined, of which some extraordinary; a parcel of good German Flutes, imported here from Italy. Also imported in the last ships from London, a large Assortment of Musick, of the best Masters, viz: Solos, Overtures, Concertos, Sonatas, and Duets, for Violins, German Flutes, Hautboys, French Horns, Violoncellos, and Guitars, Voluntaries, Lessons for Organs and Harpsichords, ruled paper of various Sorts for Musick, and Musick Books, Tutors or Books of Instructions to learn to play on the Violin, German Flute, Hautboy, or Common Flute, without a Master, Song Books, Cantatas, Songs on Sheets, and a Choice Parcel of Violin Strings, etc.” (Penna. Gazette, 1759.)

John Behrent has the honor of being the first piano forte maker in this city. In 1775 his advertisement in the Pennsylvania Packet informed the public that:

“John Behrent, Joiner and Instrument-Maker living in Third street continued in Campington, directly opposite Coate’s Burying-ground, Has just finished for Sale, an extraordinary fine instrument, by the name of Piano Forte, of Mahogany, in the manner of an harpsichord, with hammers, and several changes: He intends to dispose of it on very reasonable terms: and being a master of such sort of work, and a new beginner in this country, he requests all lovers of music to favour him with their custom, and they shall not only be honestly served, but their favours gratefully acknowledged, by their humble servant, John Behrent.”[6]

Familiar professional names in the early days were James Bremner, teacher of Hopkinson, John Gualdo, Stephen Forrage, George d’Eissenburg, Philip Roth, Philip Phile, John Bentley, Henri Capron, A. Juhan, Andrew Adgate, and Victor Pelissier, nearly all of whom were teachers as well as performers and were strong influences in the musical life of Philadelphia and in the training of the young who were early taught to crave the best musically.

The American Revolution caused concerts and other entertainments to be almost entirely abandoned, with the exception of the Mischianza and other affairs in which the British were the leading spirits. Little occurred during this period to advance musical art.

With the country again at peace and with the dawn of a new century, interest in music revived and early in 1820 eighty-five men organized the Musical Fund Society, so far Philadelphia’s greatest musical achievement. The officers and directors chosen on January 29th, 1820, were:

Dr. William P. De Wees, President

Dr. Robert Patterson, Vice-president

Daniel Lammot, Treasurer

John K. Kane, Secretary

Managers of the Fund: James W. Barker, Thomas Artley, Francis G. Smith, Edward Hudson, Benjamin Carr, William Strickland, Henry P. Barrekens, William Hawkins, Charles A. Poulson, Benjamin Say, George Schetky and Andrew Farrouihl.

The Charter states “That the essential objects of the said corporation shall be the relief of decayed musicians and their families and the cultivation of skill and diffusion of taste in music.” Four years later Musical Fund Hall was built at Eighth and Locust streets. For over thirty years this building was the centre of all music in Philadelphia, except opera. The Society maintained an orchestra and a chorus, and conducted an Academy of Music, which was the first school in Philadelphia permitted by Charter to confer Academic degrees in music. The orchestra of the Musical Fund Society was composed of its members, professional and amateur, and there were strict regulations as to rehearsals. They were players of no mean attainments for their time, and it is to be regretted that the influx of dazzling foreign performers was permitted to quench the ardor of the audiences and finally their own. The quality of the music performed was of a high order and compared favorably with that of Europe and of other American cities of that period. The “Creation” was chosen for the first concert, but the music could not be procured in Baltimore, New York or Boston, or even in Europe, so the plan was abandoned. When it was first produced trombone players were engaged to come from Bethlehem, as there were none in this town. Indeed, the instrument itself was unknown and aroused much curiosity. Later at these concerts (1845), Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 was given in full. It was announced as “The Entire Grand Symphony of Beethoven,” and between the movements were vocal numbers serious and comic. During the next season the Second Symphony was given in the same way, and two years later came the “Eroica,” the Overture to Oberon, and the Midsummer Night’s Dream.

When the period of the great visiting virtuosi, Jenny Lind, Henriette Sontag, Vieuxtemps, Wilhelmj, Ole Bull, Sivori, Malibran, Lagrange, Alboni, Hensler, Gottschalk and others arrived, the excitement over their first appearances caused a decrease in interest in home talent and achievements, and the activities of the Musical Fund Society were maintained with less and less enthusiasm, until finally the Academy and then the orchestra were abandoned. Another reason for this decline was the growing popularity of opera, to the detriment of personal musical effort by Philadelphians.

During the early years of the nineteenth century, as in the preceding one, Philadelphia was the abiding place of a number of excellent and hard working musicians. These carried on the labors of their predecessors by teaching the young, leading choirs and guiding the musical opinion of the city. Little recognition has been given these men, who included among their number, Alexander Reinagle, George Shetky, Benjamin Carr, Benjamin Cross, Raynor Taylor, Thomas Loud, Charles P. Hupfeldt, and later Charles Jarvis and his son, Charles J. Jarvis.

In our own time among the many musicians who have fostered music here by their own example and by training others, four should be particularly mentioned:

Dr. Hugh A. Clarke, for fifty years Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania, whose sway has been felt through the many students who have studied under him; Wm. W. Gilchrist, his pupil; Michael H. Cross, and Richard Zeckwer. These men wielded so potent an influence over music students and music lovers, that Philadelphians owe them a heavy debt. They received the musical laying on of hands and transmitted the traditions that have existed here for two hundred years.

The important undertaking of the middle of the century was the building of the American Academy of Music.

With the growth of population and the increasing number of visiting opera companies, a demand arose for an opera house of adequate size and equipment. In 1852 the project was launched and a Charter obtained, but the amount of money needed, $400,000, was difficult to procure, and it was not until January 26th, 1857, that the Academy was opened with a grand ball. This eclipsed in size and brilliance any assemblage hitherto seen in Philadelphia, and was followed on February 25th, by the first performance of opera in the new house. “Il Trovatore” was presented with Gazzaniga, Aldini, Brignoli and Amodio, and this marked the beginning of the splendid career of the Academy of Music. Gradually other musical events were transferred to the Academy, which became, and still remains, the musical centre of the city.

Now the days of modern orchestral development are at hand. The first visiting orchestra of note was the Steiermärkisches Orchestra, of twenty musicians, under the leadership of Henri Riha, which came from Germany in 1838.

Ten years later the Germania Musical Society, from Berlin, appeared under the leadership of Carl Lenshow. Pecuniary losses caused it to disband and the members scattered. Later the Society was reorganized under Carl Bergmann. It had the honor of appearing at Sontag’s concert, in 1852.

The Germania Orchestra, instituted in 1856 and incorporated in 1860, succeeded this Society and for over forty years was an important part of Philadelphia’s musical life. Carl Sentz, the drummer of the Steiermärkisches Orchestra, became the first leader. Its concerts were given on Friday afternoons at Musical Fund Hall, at the price of two concerts for twenty-five cents, and packages of eight tickets for a dollar, which price was later raised to twenty-five cents per concert. Sentz was succeeded by Charles M. Schmitz, the cellist, who in turn was followed by William Stoll, Jr. Unlike the custom of today the Germania was governed by a conductor and officers chosen by its members. The performances were not confined to classical concerts, but it played engagements for private dances, balls, festivals, oratorios, fairs, commencements, and other miscellaneous entertainments. Besides the performances at Musical Fund Hall, concerts were given on Thursday afternoons at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, from 1879 until 1895, inclusive. It was then customary to play one movement of a symphony each week for four weeks and at the fifth concert to play the whole. Charles M. Schmitz, who so long gave Philadelphians the satisfaction of hearing symphonic music which was their own, was the son of Adolph Schmitz, of Düsseldorf, player of the French horn. He taught woodwind and brass instruments in the Academy of the Musical Fund Society, and had the distinction of being the first musician brought to America for the purpose of teaching.

The Germania Orchestra finally disbanded and orchestral ventures were undertaken at Musical Fund Hall, Witherspoon Hall and the Academy of Music. Mr. Henry Gordon Thunder and Mr. Wm. Stoll, Jr., were active in these efforts, but lack of money hampered the results. Tickets were sold at five for one dollar and twenty for four dollars. The programmes included one or two movements of a symphony or concerto and miscellaneous selections now no longer played.

An interesting enterprise in the musical world was the Philadelphia May Festival, in 1883, of which Mr. S. Decatur Smith was President, Mr. F. T. Sully Darley, Vice-president, and Mr. George Burnham, Jr. and Mr. Hartman Kuhn among the directors. Wm. W. Gilchrist and Charles M. Schmitz were the musical directors. Aside from the advantages derived from this series of concerts, it is worthy of record that Mr. Darley was the first Vice-president of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association and Mr. Burnham and Mr. Kuhn were charter members, while Mr. Smith was one of the original guarantors.

The Philadelphia Symphony Society 1893-1900.

The need of more orchestral concerts was evidently felt, for in 1893 the Philadelphia Symphony Society was organized by amateurs and incorporated for the purpose of “the cultivation of the higher order of Orchestral Work and the fostering of all matters tending to promote the cause of music.”

The Society was fortunate in procuring as its first leader, Dr. Wm. Wallace Gilchrist, founder of the Mendelssohn Club in 1875, and its conductor for forty years. Members paid no fees or dues and the three concerts given each year in the Academy of Music were supported by the Associate membership. The two upper galleries were reserved for music students in the public schools and conservatories, and about fifteen hundred such tickets were distributed for each performance. The Society possessed a musical Library and a Reading Room. Rehearsals were open to accredited music students, much to the benefit of those who were studying orchestration. It also fostered chamber music by bringing the Kneisel Quartette to Philadelphia during sixteen seasons.

After the resignation of Dr. Gilchrist, Fritz Scheel became the conductor. The list of works performed under both leaders was of the highest standard and would do credit to any professional orchestra. The place of this amateur orchestra in the symphonic succession is a noble one and one of immense influence in this community. The incentive that it gave to young players was worth all the expense and effort involved. Scheel had hesitated when asked to become leader of an amateur organization for fear of endangering his reputation. Therefore, when the Philippine Concerts were arranged, a separate committee was formed having no connection with the Philadelphia Symphony Society.

In 1900 the Society disbanded and sold to the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra its library, a set of kettledrums and its music desks, and issued the following circular to its members:

“The Society, always active in promoting the musical interests of Philadelphia, gave its earnest and hearty assistance to the organizing of the Philadelphia Orchestra, which, now established on a firm basis and fortunate in its splendid personnel of professional musicians, is in a position to continue orchestral work in Philadelphia and carry it to a point beyond the possibilities of amateurs. For this new orchestra, which aims to do and can do so much for music in Philadelphia, the Society asks from its associate members the same generous support that heretofore has been given to our amateur organization.”

Thus ended the only connection that ever existed between the Philadelphia Symphony Society and the Philadelphia Orchestra, which was that Fritz Scheel led this amateur orchestra for one season before the formation of the Philadelphia Orchestra, composed entirely of professional Philadelphia musicians.

Besides the impetus given to music in Philadelphia by the Musical Fund Society, the Germania Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Symphony Society, another group of musicians has been important in this community since 1893. The Manuscript Music Society founded by Dr. Gilchrist for the encouragement of native composers, continues to have a far-reaching effect on our musical life and is of fundamental value.

Years passed and the fact became more and more accentuated in the minds of musicians that Philadelphia, a city of 1,500,000 people, was dependent on visiting orchestras for the performance of great orchestral works. But while they were despairing of ever seeing in this city an orchestra akin to the modern ones in Europe and in other American cities, a seed was germinating. Philadelphia had had a taste of what a modern orchestra was, as far back as 1876, when Theodore Thomas played at the Centennial Exhibition, under the auspices of a Women’s Committee, headed by Mrs. E. D. Gillespie. The concerts were given up for lack of support, but a sip of ambrosia can never be forgotten. It is to Mr. Thomas and to Mrs. Gillespie, pioneers in the modern orchestral world, that we owe the Philadelphia Orchestra today. Mrs. Gillespie made another effort in 1881, on her return from a sojourn in Germany, for she realized that there were no musical advantages for students in Philadelphia to compare with those in Germany or in Boston, where Mr. Higginson had lately founded the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She invited Theodore Thomas to come to Philadelphia, give a series of symphony concerts, and share the profits. A few musicians supported this enterprise, but for the majority the programmes were severe and boring, and when after four seasons the profits were found to be $28.00, the attempt to establish a large modern orchestra in this city was abandoned. Thomas was lost to Philadelphia because the time was not ripe. This be said to our regret, not to our shame. As Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson remarked many years afterwards, one cannot feed meat to babes. Even twenty years later the majority of Philadelphia citizens felt that the season was being forced, when after a number of unsuccessful attempts the Philadelphia Orchestra was founded.

However, memories of Theodore Thomas, father of American orchestras, lingered in the minds of a few music lovers, and their longing was increased by regular visits from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which gave five and later ten concerts each season. Many people can bear witness to the joy that they felt when Gericke and Nickisch brought that orchestra here. Soon the jealousy of Philadelphia was aroused at hearing that Theodore Thomas was to settle in Chicago. The West had seized the pioneer leader whom we might have had. Philadelphia’s eyes also turned to New York City, where Dr. Leopold Damrosch and his son, Walter, and Anton Seidl led orchestras; and where the Philharmonic Society had long had an honorable career. Still Philadelphia made no move. Then, in January, 1899, it occurred to a group of women to raise a fund of $100,000 and bring to Philadelphia as a nucleus the New York Symphony Society under Mr. Walter Damrosch; fill it out with the best available musicians and call it the Philadelphia Orchestra. A circular to this effect was issued with the result that a storm of protest arose headed by another group of women, during which much newspaper publicity was given to the subject of an orchestra for this city. Finally the matter was adjusted and a committee of women issued a prospectus for a Philadelphia Orchestra of which the principal points are quoted:[7]

Prospectus of Philadelphia Permanent Orchestra

“In order to establish an orchestra such as would be a distinct credit to the city, it is necessary to have a paid-up fund of not less than $250,000.

“1. Subscribers shall not be bound by their subscriptions unless the sum of $200,000 shall have been subscribed.

“2. The fund shall be used only for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a Permanent Philadelphia Orchestra, and it shall be applied for that purpose by the following Trustees:

C. William Bergner | Chas. C. Harrison
John H. Converse | C. Hartman Kuhn
Samuel A. Crozer | Simon A. Stern
Geo. W. Childs Drexel   | James F. Sullivan
Thos. B. Wanamaker

  The Trustees shall invest $200,000 of the fund, using only the interest thereof and the additional $50,000 shall be used for current expenses of the first few years, when the expenses will be heavier and the deficit greater.

“3. The orchestra shall be composed, first, of the best musicians resident in Philadelphia; then, of the best musicians obtainable either in this country or abroad.

“4. The Board of Trustees, when it considers that the completion of the fund is assured, shall select the leader upon the careful and unbiased consideration of the merits and records of all candidates submitted to it.”

Subscriptions towards this immense sum of money—$250,000[8]—did not come in fast, and finally the proposition was abandoned under the prospect of a Philadelphia Orchestra formed on a very different and much more modest plan. There are two ways of embarking on an enterprise, one is to procure the funds in advance on faith; the other is to start the undertaking on faith and hope for the best to pay the bills. The first plan failed, the second succeeded; and after twenty years of effort, an orchestra was financially established in Philadelphia.

Chapter II
The Last Turn of the Road

The last turn of the road was a long one. It led from Germany to New York, to the World’s Fair in Chicago, to San Francisco, back to New York and to Woodside Park, Philadelphia. The turn was made by Fritz Scheel.

The beginning of the Philadelphia Orchestra was the moment in July, 1899, when Mrs. Innes, wife of Bandmaster Frederic N. Innes, showed some programmes to Dr. Edward I. Keffer and asked whether he had heard Fritz Scheel and his orchestra at Woodside Park. At that moment the man for whom Philadelphia had been waiting was found; and when the place and the man come together the hour has come. Was it chance or was it fate that caused that question to be asked? Who shall determine?

Dr. Keffer speedily went to Woodside Park[9] and was so pleased with what he heard that he recommended his friends to go to hear Scheel’s masterly leading and fine concerts, besides mailing several hundred programmes to the musicians of his acquaintance. He found to his surprise that in one week a Wagner Night, a Beethoven Night and a Symphony Night were included. Many of the listeners were convinced that Scheel was the man to organize an orchestra in Philadelphia. He was competent to do it, he had no permanent position and he saw the opportunity. Mr. John Fasshauer, an active member in Mr. Thunder’s orchestra, succeeded in arranging a meeting of professional musicians, who consented to enter into a liberal agreement as to salaries and services. Still a guarantee fund seemed to be a necessity. The plan proposed was to continue the Friday afternoon concerts, long a feature here, under Fritz Scheel at the Academy of Music. A conference was held at the University Club with Mr. John H. Converse, Mr. George Burnham, Jr., and Mr. Thomas a’Becket. The question of a fund was discussed and Mr. Converse, a trustee of the proposed Permanent Orchestra, suggested that the Women’s Committee for that orchestra should co-operate. This plan did not succeed, however, and the idea of a Friday afternoon series was abandoned.

© The Phillips Studio

ALEXANDER VAN RENSSELAER, ESQ.

Finally, after much effort, terms were agreed to by which Mr. Scheel consented to remain in Philadelphia. He was to conduct three different enterprises during the winter:

1. The Philadelphia Symphony Society, a well-established amateur orchestra organization (with weekly rehearsals and three public performances).

2. The Opera Class (an amateur chorus meeting weekly at Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt’s house).

3. A week’s series of Popular Concerts during October at the National Export Exposition at the Commercial Museum in West Philadelphia.

He was to receive $1000 from each of these associations. He accepted with the provision that at the end of the season he should be given the opportunity to conduct two concerts with an orchestra of professional musicians.

The winter passed and in the early spring Scheel asked to have this part of the contract fulfilled. Like the ogre in the fairy tale, who always claims the beautiful princess, it must have seemed to the men, who had no idea how they were going to keep that promise. Scheel had given this as his only reason for staying, for he wanted a chance to show what he could do with professionals. However, having given their word, a committee was formed consisting of Mr. John H. Ingham, Mr. Oliver Boyce Judson, Dr. Edward I. Keffer, Mr. Edward G. McCollin and Mr. Oscar A. Knipe. Scheel selected his players by visiting the theatres and making notes each evening about the various musicians in the orchestras. At this point his task was easy compared to that of the Executive Committee who were responsible for the financial side of the concerts. Various benefits were contemplated and finally a decision was arrived at through the presence in Philadelphia of Lillie Langtry, who was acting for the benefit of the families of soldiers fallen in the Boer War. Why should not this undertaking be a patriotic one likewise? Why not assist the families of soldiers and sailors fallen and disabled in the Philippines? No sooner said than done. Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt had a son in the army, and was speedily interested in a plan to raise money for the families of our own men in the service. She embraced the idea with enthusiasm, formed a committee of prominent women and carried the concerts through brilliantly and efficiently. The Executive Committee managed the musical end, and Mrs. Cassatt’s Committee of Women advertised the concerts, procured the support of musical and social organizations, secured the patronesses, and filled the house. The tickets were sold at auction with much profit.

The concerts were advertised as follows:

“Our Soldiers and Sailors.
Academy of Music
Thursday, March 29th and April 5th, 3.30 P. M.

Two Orchestral Concerts under the direction of
Mr. Fritz Scheel will be given for the Relief of the
Families of the Nation’s Heroes killed in the Philippines.

Soloist for the first concert:
M. Vladimir DePachmann

Programme

Weber | Overture “Euryanthe”
Goldmark | Symphony, “A Rustic Wedding”
Chopin | Concerto in F minor
Schumann | “Abendlied”
Bizet | Scherzo, Suite Roma
Liszt | Rhapsodie Ongroise, No. 2

Soloist for second concert:
M. Edouard de Reszke

Contributions to the Cause may be sent to
Mrs. F. A. Packard, Treasurer,
No. 110 S. Eighteenth Street.“

“Our Soldiers and Sailors
On April 5th, at 3.30 P. M.

Second Concert by an Orchestra of
Eighty Philadelphia Musicians

Under the Direction of Mr. Fritz Scheel

For the Relief of the Families of men killed in the Philippines.
Mr. Edouard de Reszke, the famous Basso, will sing.”

Programme

Beethoven | Symphony “Eroica”
Meyerbeer |  Aria, “O Jours Heureux” (from L’Étoile du Nord)
Wagner | Vorspiel, “Lohengrin”
Hofmann | “Im Sonnenschein”
Verdi | Aria, “Infelice” (Ernani)
Liszt | First Hungarian Rhapsody

“The Philippine Concerts[10]
March 29, 1900-April 5
Under the Patronage of
800 Philadelphia Men and Women

“Philadelphians generally do not know that The Philadelphia Orchestra first appeared in this City of Brotherly Love in disguise, a patriotic one, but none-the-less, a disguise. Had it tried to stalk boldly through the city gates, it would have been riddled by the guns of a critical public which disagreed at every point when a permanent orchestra was discussed.

“The fact was not made public that these concerts for the benefit of the families of American soldiers and sailors fallen in the Philippines were a preliminary experiment, but on November 16, 1900, as a result of their success, the first concert of The Philadelphia Orchestra took place.

“The Committee of Women which launched the concerts, hardly realized that through their efforts a new era in Philadelphia music was being inaugurated. The Executive Committee of men behind the project had such an end in view, but they preferred to remain unknown.

“The concerts were devoted to a popular benefit. They were also the means of carrying out with Fritz Scheel, leader of the amateur Philadelphia Symphony Society, a contract that he should have a public appearance with an orchestra of professional musicians.

“The concerts were brilliantly successful and realized a net profit of $10,252.73. The musicians played at less than Union rates for thirty-six rehearsals and two performances, and Mr. Scheel gave his services.

“The attitude of the public during these years is revealed in the fact that it seemed natural for a group of women to sponsor concerts for war heroes; but in 1904 it seemed an unheard of innovation that women should organize to further the interests of a permanent orchestra.

“Many people who prize The Philadelphia Orchestra as the greatest treasure we possess, remember only too well the days when Philadelphia was dependent on visiting orchestras. Young people today have the good fortune to live in a town where an orchestra of the highest artistic standards under a leader of world-wide reputation is now firmly established. Music lovers and citizens generally, are grateful to the men and women of courage, who gave Fritz Scheel his first opportunity in Philadelphia.”

“Committee of Women

Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt, Chairman; Miss Harriet Buchanan, Secretary; Mrs. Frederick A. Packard, Treasurer; Mrs. C. William Bergner, Mrs. Henry C. Boyer, Mrs. Edward Coles, Mrs. Joseph G. Darlington, Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten, Mrs. Barclay H. Warburton, Mrs. Charles S. Whelen, Mrs. J. B. Sands, wife of Captain Sands, of the Naval Home; and Miss Meade, daughter of the late General George Gordon Meade.

“Executive Committee

Mr. John H. Ingham, of the Melody Club

Mr. Oliver Boyce Judson, of the Operatic Society

Mr. Edward I. Keffer, of the Philadelphia Symphony Society

Mr. Edward G. McCollin, of the Orpheus Club

Mr. Oscar A. Knipe

The Philadelphia Times, March 30, 1900:

“When Johnny comes marching home again from the Philippines he will find that the girl he left behind him has had a place in the hearts of Philadelphia matrons at least. That interest was evidenced in the first of the two widely heralded concerts in the soldiers’ and sailors’ aid, which took place at the Academy yesterday afternoon. Society turned out bravely and filled the whole of the auditorium and the balcony, but there, unfortunately, it stopped, and the upper part of the house, though the labors of the ladies interested have been unflagging and strenuous, had plenty of room.

“Pacing up and down the corridors were privates from the Arsenal and tars from the Navy Yard. In braided dress uniforms of brilliant blue, shining helmets and buttons that glistened like molten gold, the soldiers stalked to and fro, their belted waists giving pointers to the masculine followers of the latest fad, and their shoulders putting to shame the well cottoned ones of the ‘swells’ standing near. The tars in their flapping breeches and spreading collars, were a picturesque element among so many landsmen, and they, too, sold programmes, and made good salesmen. On the stage guns were stacked at the sides and colors dipped from the stacks.”

It is well to reiterate here that the Philadelphia Orchestra is not and never was a continuation of the amateur Philadelphia Symphony Society. Only one member of that organization played at the Philippine Concerts.

These concerts were so successful and so warmly received, that steps were taken to organize a committee to continue concerts by Philadelphia musicians. Later in the spring of 1900, a meeting was called in the Orpheus Club Rooms by Dr. Richard J. Dunglison, President of the Musical Fund Society. Officers of various musical organizations, representatives of the press and prominent men in civic affairs were present. A plan for organization was discussed and the necessity for a Guarantee Fund was emphasized. The same committee of gentlemen was appointed, with the addition of Mr. John C. Sims, as Treasurer. Within four weeks of the second Philippine concert, the first circular announcing the plan for forming a Philadelphia Orchestra was mailed by this Committee:

“A Plan to Develop the Orchestral
Resources of Philadelphia

“The plan briefly outlined herein is addressed to all those people who are interested in good music and have at heart a desire to propagate musical culture in Philadelphia.

“Much interest has been aroused by the successful result attained in the symphony concerts recently given for the benefit of the sufferers through the Philippine War. It is thought that these concerts proved the availability or many of our resident players, and that the experiment might well be followed by a series of concerts during the season of 1900-1901, conducted upon the same general plan.

“The project of a permanent Philadelphia Orchestra is at present not sufficiently advanced to permit of the hope that such a body can be organized in time to be heard next season; therefore, the series of concerts herein proposed will not conflict with, but will further that movement, because it will provide the resident players with a season’s training in symphonic work and thus enable them better to fill positions in the permanent orchestra when it shall need their services.

“The proposed plan embraces a series of about six evening and possibly two afternoon concerts, to be given in the Academy of Music, at customary concert prices. It has been ascertained that each concert with its rehearsals will cost about $2000, an expense that will be covered by a sale of two-thirds of the house.

“Hitherto it has been impracticable, when concerts have been given by local orchestral players, to arrange for a sufficient number of rehearsals. As a rule it has been impossible to obtain more than a single rehearsal. The present scheme contemplates at least five or six rehearsals for each concert.

“Mr. Scheel’s reputation abroad, where he was a colleague of von Bülow, Brahms, Joachim, Sarasate, D’Albert and Wilhelmj, and conductor of orchestras in Schwerin, Chemnitz and Hamburg, was a guarantee of what was to have been expected of him here. The professional musicians of Philadelphia are virtually unanimous in expressing hearty admiration for his rare ability as a leader; they acknowledge that his work among them this winter has been a real stimulus to the advancement of their art, and they therefore desire to secure the advantage of his services next season.

“In order to insure the financial success of the proposed concerts, it has been deemed advisable to raise a guarantors’ fund of at least $10,000. No payment of money is asked for at the present time; but all who are willing to become guarantors are requested to send in their names and addresses to the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. John H. Ingham, 505 Chestnut Street, stating the amount of their subscription, which, however, shall not be binding until the total sum of at least $10,000 shall be reached.

“As the Committee wishes particularly to obtain a large number of subscribers to the fund, it will be glad to accept contributions of any amount not less than five dollars.

“Committee:

Henry Whelen, Jr.

John C. Sims

Edward G. McCollin

Oscar A. Knipe

Dr. Edward I. Keffer

Oliver Boyce Judson

April 30, 1900 John H. Ingham”

A Guarantee Fund of $15,000 was raised from one hundred and twenty people[11], a difficult task in those days, for an untried plan; and six evening concerts were given during the winter of 1900-1901.

The Committee invited four thousand women to be patronesses, and issued many circulars. It was the personal work, however, that accomplished the result in 1900, and that has continued to accomplish results during twenty-five years. Guarantors and patronesses were accorded the privilege of securing seats, for which there was no demand, in advance.

PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA[12]
Mr. Fritz Scheel, Conductor

First Concert
Friday, November 16th, 1900, at 8.15 P. M.

Programme
Carl Goldmark | Overture “In Spring,” | Op. 36
Ludwig von Beethoven | Symphony No. 5, C minor, | Op. 67
| I. | Allegro con brio | 2-4 |
II. | Andante con moto | 3-8 |
III. | Allegro | 3-4 |
IV. | Allegro | 4-4 |
Peter Ilitsch Tschaikowsky | Concerto for Pianoforte | No. 1,
| B flat minor, | Op. 23
| I. | Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso | 3-4 |
II. | Andantino simplice | 6-8 |
III. | Allegro con fuoco | 3-4 |
Karl Maria von Weber | “Invitation to the Dance,” | Op. 65
| Orchestration by Felix Weingartner
Richard Wagner | Entry of the Gods in “Walhalla,”
| from “Das Rheingold.”

Soloist
Mr. Ossip Gabrilowitsch

This concert was herald as a musical and social event and the newspapers were highly commendatory and friendly in tone.

“Orchestra Concerts Open Auspiciously
“Philadelphia Getting in Line With Boston, Chicago
and New York in having Home Organization.
“Ossip Gabrilowitsch,

“The Russian pianist made his Philadelphia début last night.

“The series of concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra opened under notably happy auspices in the Academy of Music last evening. The musical and social interests engaged constituted the occasion an exceptional one.

“From the results evinced in the performance of the programme under Mr. Scheel’s direction it must be regarded as well as marking a distinct period in the musical advancement of the city. Not the least interesting evidences of general sympathy with the movement to place Philadelphia in line with Boston, Chicago, and other cities in the possession of an established orchestra was the fact that Mr. William Stoll, Jr., and Mr. Henry Gordon Thunder, both identified with the endeavor to advance this branch of work in the past, figure in the present movement, the one as a violinist in the organization, the other as a guarantor.

“The Philadelphia Orchestra, as it exists, is, with slight exception, what its name purports, engaging practically all the best orchestral performers in the city. A portion of this material was under disadvantage, both as to individual training and the fact that a few men, fulfilling the demands of an orchestra in a theatre, are mainly required to play as loud as possible, with corresponding absence of any approach to phrasing.

“Considering these facts and in view of the works accomplished in last evening’s programme, the results must be regarded as little short of notable, not only as to the outcome of a training by a man of exceptional thoroughness in this direction, but in the aspect of an enthusiastic response on the part of the performers. It is only in case of entire sympathy, between those engaged that an outcome corresponding with that demonstrated in the first programme can be attained.”

“The Orchestra at the Academy
“Philadelphia’s New Organization Under Herr Scheel
Makes Its Début
“Gabrilowitsch the Soloist

“The Young Russian Heard in Tschaikowsky’s Concerto in B. Flat Minor. A Brilliant Audience Greets Orchestra and Enjoys an Interesting Program.

“With unequal forces at his command in the orchestral choirs, Herr Fritz Scheel, by the sheer effect of personality, was able to carry artistic conviction home to the brilliant audience at the Academy of Music last evening, when the Philadelphia Orchestra made its first appeal. By wise choice of program, by the happy selection of a soloist and by the spirit which pervaded the interpretation of the numbers read, the leader made a deep impression and the orchestra, when at its best achieved a decided success. It has in it the promise of a new era musically, and its work of last evening is an earnest of better things to come. Certain readjustments are inevitable. The strings show up finely. There is high finish and excellent tonal quality in all they do. They are, indeed, the backbone of the orchestra. The brasses, on the whole, met the demands of the leader and music, but the horns need as keen a concern for time as for tone, and while these choirs in no wise seriously interfered with an adequate realization of the beauty of the work so interpreted, the same cannot be said for the woodwind which was not up to the standard in several particulars, though the bassoons were notably efficient and in fine trim.

“Herr Scheel’s Good Work

“All this was, however, to be expected. Every one present who is in and of the new movement, which started off with such flying colors, knew the limitations and accepted them in the right spirit. With this said and understood one can speak enthusiastically of the really amazing results obtained by Herr Scheel in so short a time. There were moments when the orchestra played with a brilliancy and dash and with a finish that was completely satisfying. Herr Scheel’s dynamic range is extensive, his palette of color is rich and his contrasts are striking and yet fully in the spirit of the work. The orchestra was particularly effective in the Goldmark overture, in the “Entry of the gods into Walhalla” and in the Weber music. Weingartner, instead of paraphrasing the famous “Invitation to the Dance” rondo for the ballet, as Berlioz did, has written what is really a brilliant open-air concert version which taxes the full orchestra, and which Herr Scheel carried out in splendid spirit, giving a chance for all the choirs to do their best, the harp coming in for some crisp work that was very brilliantly done. All these three highly colored numbers were set off against the more trying classical demands of the Fifth Symphony. It the reading it received revealed the individual weaknesses of the orchestra as now made up, it was at least a revelation of the great advance the band has made. There was decision and emphasis and grace in phrasing and a keen discrimination in the shading. If Herr Scheel had his view of the traditional tempi the final effect was to reveal the work in its noble proportions and to make every one feel the true import of this great masterpiece.

“Audience Enthusiastic

“The enthusiasm of the audience was most unrestrained and generous. It was marked at the close of the symphony and fairly overwhelmed Gabrilowitsch, and this, with the splendid turnout from top to bottom, was a tribute to the committee and the guarantors who made the concert possible.”

The first venture having been successfully concluded, business matters were attended to by issuing the first call of the Philadelphia Orchestra to the guarantors, combined with which was the announcement of the formation of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, on May 17th, 1901, with the following officers and directors:

President
Alexander van Rensselaer
Vice-president
F. T. Sully Darley
Secretary
John H. Ingham
Treasurer
Henry Whelen, Jr.
Board of Directors
A. J. Cassatt | C. Hartman Kuhn
John H. Converse | Edward G. McCollin
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Thomas McKean, Jr.
F. T. Sully Darley | Clement B. Newbold
William L. Elkins | James W. Paul, Jr.
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Mrs. F. H. Rosengarten
Clement A. Griscom | Edgar Scott
Mrs. A. C. Harrison | Simon A. Stern
John H. Ingham | Miss Anne Thompson
Oliver B. Judson | Henry Whelen, Jr.
Edward I. Keffer | A. Van Rensselaer
Oscar A. Knipe | P. A. B. Widener
Executive Committee
John H. Ingham | Edward G. McCollin
Oliver B. Judson | A. Van Rensselaer
Edward I. Keffer | Henry Whelen, Jr.
Oscar A. Knipe |

Who was the conductor of this new orchestra, who until eighteen months before was unknown in Philadelphia?

Fritz Scheel was born in Lübeck, Germany, in 1852. His father and grandfather were orchestral conductors and his mother was a highly talented singer, from whom he inherited his remarkable memory and fine ear.

Fritz was the oldest of a large family and worked for his own and his family’s support from an early age. He received his education from the city, in return for playing in orchestras and at concerts and operas. As a boy he often had to fill sudden vacancies, and he was also able to play the horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba. He was the principal teacher of his four brothers, all musicians. As his father was a practical musician, Scheel had had from his childhood an intimate experience with the details of orchestral instruments. As a boy he conducted an orchestra of his own formation, giving subscription concerts in nearby towns which were well attended. At fifteen he appeared as a violin soloist.

Scheel’s first appearance as a conductor was when he was the youthful trumpeter in the town band of Chemnitz. Like other municipal bands of Germany, this one furnished the music for all occasions and happened to be playing for the circus. The leader was taken ill, and one of the men was selected as a substitute. When the ring master heard of it, he said, “No, let that boy conduct. It is he who watches the horses’ feet, when they dance, and it is he who sets the time for the music.” Scheel became the leader of the band, and later on was employed by the town as instructor of all the band and orchestral instruments. This experience gave him an expert knowledge of technique, which proved valuable later.

In an interview given during the first season here, Scheel described conducting his first opera, shortly after receiving a life appointment as first violin in the Court Orchestra at Schwerin.

“Do I recall the first performance that I conducted?” said Mr. Scheel. “Yes, and it was an opera. Meyerbeer’s ‘Robert Le Diable.’ I was exactly nineteen and a half years old, and a lost orchestra score led to it. I was the concertmaster then in the Chemnitz Orchestra, which in summer played for the opera performances in Bremerhafen at the Court Theatre. The opera of ‘Robert Le Diable’ was announced, and when the morning of the first rehearsal came it was discovered that the entire second act of the conductor’s score had been lost. Herr Pohl, the conductor, a young man of thirty-three, refused to go on with the opera. It was too late to think of getting another score in time for the rehearsals necessary for the performance. The only way out of it seemed to be the withdrawal of the opera. Some of the singers, who had noticed the cue for their phrases that I had given them on the violin, asked whether I would not conduct. ‘If the conductor invites me I will,’ I said. When this was repeated to the conductor he promptly gave the invitation, and it was a pressing one, for they wished to give the opera and keep faith with the public. That entire second act I had to conduct from the first violin part, memory supplying the rest. The performance went without a break. That settled my career. Three days later I conducted Gounod’s ‘Faust,’ and immediately afterward ‘L’Africaine,’ of Meyerbeer, Herr Pohl himself supplying the harp part on a piano. In the years that followed many were the performances that I conducted, including the entire ‘Niebelungen Ring’ of Wagner. But I never hear a fragment of Meyerbeer’s ‘Robert Le Diable’ without smiling to myself at the recollection of the time when I conducted the second act from the first violin part.”

After nine years at Schwerin, Scheel went to Chemnitz as Kappelmeister, winning the appointment over thirty-five competitors, as successor to Hans Sitt. There he also played weekly solos and conducted for the most famous virtuosi, such as Hans von Bülow, Sarasate, Wilhelmj and Joachim. He once prepared the orchestra for a Beethoven Concert under Von Bülow’s direction in an hour and a half, the programme being the Leonore Overture No. 3, the Eroica Symphony and a Concerto. The Chemnitz Orchestra was often called to different cities in Saxony, such as Dresden, Leipzig, etc., to play before crowded houses. Scheel was also elected leader of the Sitt Chor Gesangverein, a Chorus of 400 mixed voices. With this Chorus and the excellent City Orchestra he obtained marvelous results, and produced among other great works, Bach’s “Mattheus Passion” and “Trauer Ode”; Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and his Missa Solemnis; Schumann’s “Faust Scenes,” Liszt’s “Christus” and Händel’s “Samson.” The Choral works of Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Gade were also performed, as well as many small choruses. In 1885 a Music Festival lasting three days was given to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of Bach’s birth, and he kept in the vanguard of musical events in Germany.

During this period, Scheel spent four summers in conducting opera at a Russian watering place. Four different operas were given each week, and the repertoire included: “Tannhäuser,” “Lohengrin,” “The Flying Dutchman,” “Rienzi,” “Euryanthe,” “Der Freischütz,” “Faust,” the standard Italian operas of Verdi, Rossini, etc., for which he also trained the chorus.

After nine years at Chemnitz, Scheel was called by von Bülow to Hamburg to drill the orchestra for concerts which he and the pianist alternated in conducting. He was a devoted admirer of von Bülow and the great pianist showed his appreciation in many ways. Years later, after von Bülow had retired, he offered to play at a concert given in honor of Scheel. “I do it once more,” he said, “as gratitude for a true colleague and friend.” He played the piano Concerto in E flat major, by Beethoven, and the Hungarian Fantasie, dedicated to him by his father-in-law, Franz Liszt. This was one year before his death and was his last public appearance as a pianist. Scheel also knew well Brahms, Tschaikowsky and Rubinstein.

In 1892 Dr. Ziegfeld engaged Scheel to go to Chicago the next year and give historical concerts at the World’s Fair. The enterprise failed. He then took an orchestra to the Mid-winter Fair in San Francisco, under the name of the “Vienna Prater Orchestra,” in the winter of 1893. Later he gave daily concerts, and, during two seasons, cycles of Afternoon Symphony Concerts. For a season he was engaged by Oscar Hammerstein and then he became the first leader of the San Francisco Orchestra. He introduced the great classical and modern works to the people of that city, who still speak admiringly of him and remember his success. After five years in San Francisco, Scheel came to Philadelphia, and was discovered at Woodside Park, conducting his “New York Orchestra.” The newspaper criticisms were most flattering.

The following pen picture of Mr. Scheel has been given by a man who played under his leadership and saw him under many conditions.

“A tall man, robust, large-framed, something more than spare, a little less than stout; a back and broad shoulders in strikingly good proportion, and a head poised upon them in easy dignity. The large hands are full of character, delicately formed, refined, noticeably plastic and adaptable.

“A dark-brown military moustache and a prominent nose stand out clearly under a typical, high, German forehead and coiffure.

“In his brown eyes an infinite variety of expressions are lurking. From humorous twinkles that are irresistible, to flashes of fire and scorn that never miss the mark, they assume new and rapidly fleeting phases with every phase of music or speech.”

Many stories are told of Fritz Scheel’s early efforts with amateurs and with a group of musicians, strange to him, for in those days the requirements for orchestral players were not the present ones, and there were many obstacles to overcome. His ear was absolutely correct, and he often told the players when tuning was needed. He was on occasion obliged to use mechanical strategies to insure the proper intonation. A close friend of his tells the following anecdotes:

“At the first rehearsal for the Philippine concerts, one of the numbers contained a difficult trumpet part, which seemed impossible for the first trumpet player, to play. Scheel postponed the rehearsal of this number until the next day, to allow him time to practice, but next day he could do no better. So the part was given to the second trumpet very much to the humiliation of the first player. But though very stern, Scheel was also very sympathetic with his musicians, and he realized what the feelings of the man must be. He therefore addressed the orchestra, in his usual formal way, and called for the attention of the players. Then turning to the first trumpet player, he remarked: ‘I have been listening to your playing for the last two days, and I feel sure it is not your fault that you could not play that one part in the composition. I notice that whenever you play a note in which the middle valve of your instrument is used, you have no difficulty in playing the part which you were unable to do before.’ This incident was told by the player, who took his trumpet to his instrument-maker and had one-sixteenth of an inch taken off the middle valve; with the result that he could play parts that he never could play before. He then remarked, ‘It matters not what happens between Scheel and me; I will always take off my hat to him, and say ‘Master’.’

“On another occasion the tympanum was not in tune. Scheel stopped the orchestra and asked the tympanist to tune his instrument. When the man started to turn the keys, Scheel said, ‘No, it is not on that side; it is on the right-hand side of the drum,’ showing that he, at the distance of a great many feet, could tell that the false vibrations were coming from the right side of the drum.

“At one of the rehearsals the harp player had trouble with her part. Scheel said, ‘Skip that one chord and you will only have to change your pedals twice in place of five times.’

“He also had the peculiar faculty of being able to get the effect of instruments that were not in the orchestra by the combination of other instruments that would give the same tone. The writer remembers very distinctly Scheel’s using the French horn and the ’cello together to play the third bassoon part.”

This brief account of the first leader of the Philadelphia Orchestra explains why the Executive Committee pinned its faith to Fritz Scheel.

As the beginnings of the orchestra are recorded, how delightful it is to music lovers to know that the Musical Fund Society, itself a bold pioneer eighty years before, sponsored this most daring enterprise of our musical history. Dr. Dunglison, its president, presiding in the Orpheus Rooms on a spring afternoon in 1900, gave the blessing of the first Philadelphia Orchestra to the present Philadelphia Orchestra. Like Brünnhilde, herself shorn of godly powers, sending forth her hero to do great deeds, so the Musical Fund Society, no longer composed of active musicians, sent forth the young orchestra to conquer the musical world. No magic rings, or swords, or helmets were given to aid it in surmounting difficulties. The only magic formulas known to all the people interested were hard work and an invincible spirit.

© Allen Drew Cook

FRITZ SCHEEL

Chapter III
Early Years

With the first steps safely passed and the Philadelphia Orchestra organized, the period of financial difficulty began. In 1901-1902 fourteen pairs of concerts in the regular series, and a total of fifty-two concerts for the season were given. The deficit jumped from $14,000 to $72,000. Everything was quadrupled except the audience. That remained almost stationary. Twenty years after Theodore Thomas’s time Philadelphia was still not ready to attend symphony concerts or support an orchestra at any general sacrifice to its own purse. The general attitude was that such a project must be supported by a few persons who had time and money to spend. Indifference was widespread.

Scheel early saw the need of traveling to make the orchestra known, especially in New York and Boston, as he realized that the saying about the prophet held good for orchestras as well as for persons. He was faced with the fact that the Association could not see its way to send the orchestra to large cities. Appearances out-of-town were undertaken as early as 1901-02, in cities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During the next season New York, Baltimore and Washington were visited.

He well knew, however, that his work with soloists would bring the orchestra fame, and much effort was expended in preparing accompaniments. A case in point was the time that Ysaye was the soloist and was playing a Bach Concerto. At the end the violinist stood like a statue until the orchestra had finished. When Scheel went off the stage, Ysaye kissed him on both cheeks and said that the accompaniment was the finest he had ever had. Shortly after this a member of the Boston Orchestra told one of our violinists that Ysaye had been booked to play the Bach Concerto with his orchestra; but after starting it he stopped the rehearsal and said: “Not after the Philadelphia Orchestra will I play the Bach Concerto,” and another concerto was substituted.

With artistic ambitions ever growing, it was discovered that some of the needed instruments were not to be found in the city and in addition to this a number of players would not accept the terms of the contract. The situation became acute, so in the summer of 1901, and again in 1902, the conductor was commissioned to seek musicians in Europe.

When it became evident that the Philadelphia Orchestra was going to be permanent, application was made in 1902 for a Charter[13] for the Association, which was granted on January 5th, 1903, to the following persons, only nine of whom are now living:

George Burnham, Jr. | Edward G. McCollin
A. J. Cassatt | Thomas McKean
John H. Converse | Clement B. Newbold
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | James W. Paul, Jr.
William L. Elkins | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Mary K. Gibson | Richard Rossmässler
Clement A. Griscom | Edgar Scott
Mrs. Alfred C. Harrison | Simon A. Stern
John H. Ingham | Anne Thomson
Oliver B. Judson | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Edward I. Keffer | Henry Whelen, Jr.
C. Hartman Kuhn | P. A. B. Widener

From the beginning Scheel inaugurated the polity continued ever since, of putting the orchestra in the lead artistically. “First,” performances began almost immediately. Three years after the formation of the orchestra he gave the first complete Beethoven Cycle ever presented in Philadelphia. Five successive concerts were devoted to this, ending with the Ninth Symphony, in which the Mendelssohn Club participated. This event was preceded by a series of five Young People’s Educational Concerts with lectures, by William J. Henderson, William F. Apthorp, Louis C. Elson, Hugh A. Clarke and Henry E. Krehbiel, whose subject was “Beethoven.” Other lectures were given on the same subject on the days of the concerts.

Programmes of the Beethoven Cycle
First Concert, Friday, March 20th, 1903
1. | Overture | “Egmont,” E major, Opus 84
2. | Symphony No. 8 | F major, Opus 93
3. | Symphony No. 3 | E flat major (Eroica), Opus 55
Second Concert, Saturday, March 21st, 1903
1. | Overture | “Coriolanus,” C minor, Opus 62
2. | Symphony No. 1 | C major, Opus 21
3. | Symphony No. 6 | F major (Pastorale), Opus 68
Preceding lecture by Hugh A. Clarke, Mus. Doc., at 3 o’clock,
Saturday afternoon, at the Broad Street Conservatory,
1329 South Broad Street, Gilbert R. Combs, Director
Third Concert, Tuesday, March 24th, 1903
1. | Overture | “Fidelio,” C major, Opus 72
2. | Symphony No. 2 | D major, Opus 36
3. | Symphony No. 5 | C minor, Opus 67
Preceding lecture by Philip H. Goepp, at 3 o’clock,
Tuesday afternoon, at the Assembly Hall of the
Sternberg School of Music, 10 South 18th Street
Fourth Concert, Wednesday, March 25th, 1903
1. | Overture | “Leonore” No. 2, C major, Opus 72
2. | Symphony No. 4 | B flat major, Opus 60
3. | Symphony No. 7 | A major, Opus 92
Preceding lecture by Hugh A. Clarke, Mus. Doc., at 3 o’clock,
Wednesday afternoon, at the Broad Street Conservatory.
Fifth Concert, Thursday, March 26th, 1903
1. | Overture | “Leonore” No. 3, C major, Opus 72
2. | Concerto for Piano and Orchestra | E flat, Opus 73
Constantin von Sternberg
3. | Symphony No. 9 | D minor, Opus 125
Preceding lecture by Philip H. Goepp, at 3 o’clock,
Thursday afternoon, at the Sternberg School of Music

Musical Courier, New York, March 25th, 1903:

“The cycle was to crown the third season of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s successful existence, and for many months, the leader, the orchestra, the manager and the committees have been busy in the endeavor to make these five concerts matchless in performance and memorable in historical significance.

“The cycle was projected as an art undertaking pure and simple. Profit was a secondary consideration. Flamboyant advertisement was eschewed. There were announcements dignified and to the point. The prices were put within the reach of the student and the poor lover of music. Society was asked to patronize at the box office, but not on the programme. It is thus apparent that never in the musical life of America has there been conceived a project more ideal, more artistic and more utilitarian than this Beethoven Cycle in the City of Brotherly Love. Fritz Scheel is not overshadowed even by the great Joseph Joachim, who together with three famous fellow musicians, proposes next summer to play all of Beethoven’s string quartets at a musical festival in Germany.”

“Beethoven’s ‘Coriolanus’ overture was played by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra this season. The Filharmonic Fathers should have been provided with free transportation to Philadelphia in order to learn how one conductor can mar and another make the same composition. This Philadelphia Coriolanus was a hero indeed, who walked with erect head and proud chest. There was no rheumatism in his knees and there was no crick in his back. When his mother pleaded she spoke in accents human and loving. Her voice was softly attuned. It sang a song that Coriolanus did well to heed. Scheel’s graphic characterization made the Philharmonic performance appear in the memory like almost a travesty.”

Musical Courier, April 1, 1903:

“At the end, when the composer abandons absolute music and turns to song, Philadelphia’s own distinguished choral body, the Mendelssohn Club, came to the support of the musicians, and the beautiful ‘Hymn of Joy’ was brilliantly sung. As a quartet for the solo part, Mrs. Marie Kunkel-Zimmerman, Mrs. Osborne, Nicholas Douty and Mr. Schurig did brilliant work. Altogether the playing of this Ninth Symphony formed a fitting climax to this memorable week devoted to the great master’s own musical history.”

“After the performance of the overture, Scheel was presented with a floral wreath, lyre and harp, and John H. Converse on behalf of the Directors of the orchestra, bestowed upon him a bronze bust of Beethoven, in well chosen words of compliment and congratulations.”

Scheel’s one thought was the artistic development of the orchestra. The story is told of a time when new members of the Board found that the concerts were being given at a tremendous loss. They at once criticised the quality of the music, and said, “The programme must be changed; you are giving too high-class music for the people, and they won’t stand it.” The Executive Committee therefore decided that Mr. Scheel should put waltzes on his symphony programmes; and a meeting was arranged with him. This was in the early days when his English was less fluent than later, and his understanding of the language less keen. It took him some minutes to find out the real purpose of the Committee. Then he expressed himself in a very formal way—somewhat in this wise: “Gentlemen, I am the head of the department of music of this association. I am elected by you. You represent the business end of this association; I stand for art. I cannot allow any one to interfere with my programme. If my programme and my management of the musical side of the association does not meet with your approval, you may get another conductor; but as long as I am conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, waltzes will not be played on a symphony programme.” He spoke so emphatically that there was no recourse and the subject of waltzes at the regular series was dropped.

After this decision, however, Mr. Scheel suggested giving popular concerts. The committee immediately accepted this offer, and plans were made for five. At the last minute, when the sale at the box office was found to be exceedingly small, it was considered necessary to call upon outside organizations to make the concerts a financial success, so they were given for the benefit of various charitable organizations, such as the University Hospital, Hahnemann Hospital, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and others.

The first Popular Benefit Concert for the Men’s Medical Ward of the University Hospital was put in charge of the “Benevolent Aid Society” of that ward. This committee, with Mrs. William W. Arnett, as Chairman, and Mrs. S. Naudain Duer, as Vice-chairman, at ten days’ notice secured one thousand patronesses and sold out the house, David Bispham having been secured as soloist, and a popular programme having been announced. This was the first time people representing a so-called “Opera Audience” had heard the Orchestra. In 1905 this same Committee secured the orchestra and gave an afternoon of Music in the Horticultural Hall. Tea was served at tables, and two programmes, with an intermission, were given. In each of these events about one thousand dollars each was cleared by the orchestra and the Men’s Ward. While these efforts were not entirely consistent with the dignity of a great orchestra, the financial situation in which the management found itself made such overtures for money making and advertising advantageous.

The Press, November 12th, 1902:

“PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

“First Popular Concert a Great Success—Bispham the Soloist

“The first popular concert of the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music last evening was a great success, not only from the financial point of view—the proceeds being for the benefit of the University Hospital—but from the artistic, the soloist, Mr. David Bispham, coming in for a special word by reason of his familiar finesse as an interpreter of aria and song.”

Programme
Carl Goldmark | Overture “In Spring”
Wagner | Pilgrim’s Chorus from “Tannhäuser”
(a) Wagner | “Evening Star” from “Tannhäuser”
(b) Verdi | Page Song from “Falstaff”
Johann Strauss | “Danube Maiden’s Waltz”
Brahms | Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 and 2
Beethoven | Overture “Leonore” No. 3, Op. 72
(a) Schumann | “The Two Grenadiers”
(b) Schubert | “Hark, Hark, the Lark”
Grieg | “Ase’s Death,” “Anitra’s Dance”
(For String Orchestra)
(a) Gounod | “Oh That We Two Were Maying”
(b) H. H. Weizler | “Killiekrankie”
(c) Damrosch | “Danny Dever”
Liszt | “Hungarian Rhapsody” No. 2
Mr. David Bispham, Soloist

In the early days rehearsals were held in the banquet room of Musical Fund Hall, and in the room of the Commercial Museum, through the courtesy of those organizations. Later Odd Fellows Hall was rented, but since 1912 the rehearsals have been held at the Academy of Music, by a special arrangement with the management, which has always co-operated to the fullest extent with the Association.

The Strauss Concerts

During the fourth season of the orchestra’s existence, the Executive Committee took the bold step of engaging Richard Strauss to appear with it in Philadelphia. Later, two appearances in Boston with the Philadelphia Orchestra were added, as it was learned that no guest conductor was permitted to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Strauss’s first American concert was in New York, where the practice of sending substitutes to rehearsals was common. In the middle of “Don Juan” the orchestra broke down and they had to stop and begin again. Therefore, when Dr. Strauss reached Philadelphia, he was prepared for another such occurrence. He arrived for rehearsal in a perturbed state of mind, and proceeded brusquely to the conductor’s stand. Mr. Scheel, however, had spared no pains in preparation for the great event. The rehearsal was held at Odd Fellows Temple, in a small room, where the reverberations in the fortissimo passages were tremendous. After simply bowing to Mr. Scheel, Dr. Strauss began to lead. He had played but a few measures before he discovered an orchestra thoroughly proficient and well-rehearsed in his numbers. After playing a few bars he dropped his arms and allowed the orchestra to play on. There was an entire change in his manner. He turned to Scheel, and, throwing both arms in the air, exclaimed, “Famos!” Every few moments he cried, “Wunderschön!” “Ausgezeichnet!” After making one or two corrections in the parts, he stopped the rehearsal and became highly enthusiastic over the playing of the orchestra.

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Fritz Scheel, Conductor
Increased to 100 Performers for these Occasions
Dr. Richard Strauss
Conducting his own Compositions, and
Frau Strauss-de Ahna
Dramatic Soprano, accompanied by Dr. Strauss
Programmes
Friday Afternoon, March 4, 1904
1. Franz Liszt | A Faust Symphony in Three Pictures
| (after Goethe)
  I. Faust (Allegro) |
 II. Gretchen (Andante) |
III. Mephistopheles (Scherzo, Finale) |
2. Richard Strauss |
Songs with Orchestra: |
a. “Das Rosenband” |
b. “Liebes-Hymnus” |
c. “Morgen” |
d. “Cäcilie” |
Frau Strauss-de Ahna
Conducted by the Composer
3. Richard Strauss | “Tod und Verklärung,” Tone Poem, Op. 24
Conducted by the Composer
Saturday Evening, March 5th, 1904
1. Johannes Brahms | Symphony No. 2, D. major, Op. 73
  I. Allegro non troppo |
 II. Adagio non troppo |
III. Allegro grazioso (Quasi Andantino) |
IV. Allegro con spirito |
2. Richard Strauss |
Songs with Orchestra: |
Three Mother-Songs |
a. “Meinem Kinde” |
b. “Muttertändelei” |
c. “Wiegenlied” |
Frau Strauss-de Ahna
Conducted by the Composer
3. Richard Strauss | “Till Eulenspiegel and his Merry Pranks,”
| Op. 28
Conducted by the Composer

Great preparations were made for this event and much money was spent, for Strauss not only received a large fee, but much had to be used for advertising.

Philadelphia Inquirer, March 5th, 1904:

“Richard Strauss At The Academy

“First Appearance of the Famous Composer made
Yesterday Afternoon. He Conducts a Fine Performance
of his Own

“Death and Transfiguration,” and His Wife Sings
Four Songs

“There was a very large audience at the Academy of Music yesterday afternoon, when the Philadelphia Orchestra gave its last Friday afternoon performance for the current season. The occasion was made notable by the first appearance in this city of the famous composer, Richard Strauss, who had arranged to guide the orchestra through the mazes of the tone poem entitled, “Death and Transfiguration,” one of his best and most characteristic works; and it was rendered additionally interesting and important by the Philadelphia début of Mme. Strauss-de Ahna, who has the reputation of being an exceptionally skillful and sympathetic interpreter of her distinguished husband’s songs.”

“After his wife had finished her group of songs, and the enthusiastic and long continued applause which her work had elicited had died away, Mr. Richard Strauss returned to the platform to conduct his own “Tod und Verklaerung.” He is a singularly modest and unobtrusive looking man, with an appearance more suggestive of a school teacher than of a musician, and with nothing about him to betray any large estimate of his own consequence, but there can be no question as to his ability as a conductor. That had already been indicated in the manner he played the accompaniments to his wife’s singing, but it was conclusively demonstrated by the way in which he conducted the orchestral feature of the programme. In its lucidity and balance, in its delicate sense of proportion; in its wide and pregnant variations of light and shade; in the splendor of its climaxes and the salient force with which each detail was projected and each nuance given its proper value, his performance of “Death and Transfiguration” has certainly never been equalled in this city. It was a very great achievement and the audience rightly recognized it as such.”

Philadelphia Ledger, March 5th, 1904:

“Strauss Concert a Great Success
“Warm Greeting for the Composer and His Wife

“Strauss has a very precise beat, ordinarily quiet and undemonstrative and making very little use of his left hand; but when he wants a big climax for the brasses—and he is not afraid of noise—he conducts with his whole person. The orchestra knew the music perfectly and was absolutely responsive to every nuance.”

City and State, March 10th, 1904:

“The highest point, not only of the winter, but in a certain sense of all previous musical seasons was reached last week.

“To have the most eminent musician—we use the word advisedly in the strictest sense—interpret his compositions with our own orchestra in two concerts, certainly marks Philadelphia as one of the self-dependent musical centers of the world. But it was much more significant to hear the unstinted praise which Mr. Strauss bestowed on the orchestra after the concerts. On Friday, after the exalting performance of “Death and Transfiguration,” the composer seemed to forget his audience in the heartiness of his acknowledgments to the orchestra. Indeed, we see no impropriety whatever in publishing the fact that Mr. Strauss was immeasurably better pleased with the work of our orchestra than with that of the New York orchestra, which he conducted last Thursday evening. On Tuesday he declared himself entirely contented with the single rehearsal for the Friday concert. It seems almost a pity that we Philadelphians cannot discover for ourselves this excellence of our own enterprise—that we must have the most distinguished musician of the day come from Berlin to tell us that we have a splendid orchestra, and, it may be added, splendid conductor. At any rate, the fact ought not only to be taken to heart by all of us, but we ought not to hesitate to boast bravely of this advantage of ours over New York.”

These concerts were repeated in Boston on March 7th and 8th, where they had been well advertised and both houses sold out. But when the programmes were announced there was a cry of protest from the critics and musicians of that city. “Why should Boston have to listen to Fritz Scheel conduct a symphony on each programme?” The Executive Committee replied firmly that Boston had refused to have Dr. Strauss lead the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and now the Philadelphia Orchestra Association was giving Boston an opportunity to hear Dr. Strauss conduct as guest conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The programme was not changed, but Philadelphia had to explain the stand she had taken even after the orchestra had reached Boston.

Then a real contretemps occurred, trying enough to shake the strongest nerves. In those days, either moving orchestras was more difficult, or the Philadelphia Orchestra was still too inexperienced a traveler to do so efficiently. When the hour for rehearsal in Symphony Hall arrived, there was no music and there were no instruments. They had been lost en route. The explanation arrived at after much telegraphing was that these valuable possessions had been placed in a car too high to pass under the bridges on the regular route, so it had been re-routed and would probably not arrive until evening. This was a predicament for a young orchestra, none too easy in its mind at the prospect of playing in the city of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; and now deprived of rehearsal in a hall new to the conductor, as well as to every player. The day passed, evening came, the audience assembled, and still no instruments. Twenty minutes after the concert hour, heavy teams were heard outside. The day was saved, the instruments were hurriedly put in place, the men went on, and the symphony, Brahms’ No. 2, began. The Philadelphians present say that the orchestra never played so well, and at the end of the symphony Scheel was recalled six times. Mr. Elson, a most friendly critic, who had given a dinner for our conductor the night before, rushed behind, saying, “Scheel, you have conquered Boston.” At a reception given for the two conductors after the concert, Mr. Philip Hale said of Scheel: “He has the right arm of Thomas and the left arm of Nikisch.”

Boston Herald, March 8th, 1904 (Philip Hale):

“The performance of the orchestra under Mr. Scheel was admirable.... Here is a conductor to be respected for many qualities, for his mastery of mechanism and for his genuine and poetic feeling.... There is no doubt that Mr. Scheel is an accomplished drill master. His patience and intelligence in rehearsal were shown by the fine performance of the supple orchestra under his direction.”

Boston Evening Transcript:

“Mr. Scheel is unquestionably a conductor of parts, whom one would gladly know better.... The wonderful beauties in the scoring of Liszt’s symphony were all made the most of, and under the hands of Mr. Scheel the dull passages became less hopeless than usual. Of the dramatic points Mr. Scheel took full advantage and with the advent of the Gretchen theme in the third movement he made an electrifying effect.”

Boston Daily Advertiser (Louis C. Elson):

“Musical Boston was waked up last night! Those who braved the elements were rewarded by a concert which for novelty, for excitement and for educational value has seldom been equaled even in our symphonic city.

“The Philadelphia Orchestra proved itself to be the best that has visited Boston since Theodore Thomas brought his band here.

“Its conductor, Fritz Scheel, is an orchestral genius. He evidently knows his Brahms thoroughly, and by the time he had finished the first movement of the D major symphony, he was clasped to the Bostonian heart. To win a triumph in Brahms in a city where all our conductors are Brahms scholars (and our auditors too, for the matter of that), means very much. Mr. Scheel was recalled with enthusiasm.... The Philadelphia Orchestra has proved itself one of the important orchestras of the United States.”

A delightful anecdote is told about this visit to Boston. After the success of the evening concert, Dr. Strauss, full of enthusiasm, told Mr. Scheel that he must play the Domestica Symphony at its first performance in New York, and they arranged to play it together on the piano from the orchestral score in Symphony Hall the next morning. Scheel took the score home with him and the next morning the first playing of the Domestica in America began, Dr. Strauss taking the treble and Scheel the bass. In Strauss’s excitement he knocked the music off the rack just as the fugue started in the bassoons, but Scheel continued to play. Strauss turned to watch him, but still he played. The music was replaced and they finished the symphony. Dr. Strauss then discovered that Scheel had spread the score on a trunk and studied it all night, only closing the book at daylight.

Shortly after this Dr. Keffer received the following letter:

“Esteemed Doctor Keffer:

“You wish from me a leaf for your Album. I could not give same a more beautiful contents than to give again expression of my greatest pleasure over the splendid performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra, with which I was so fortunate to obtain such extraordinary successes in Philadelphia and in Boston.

“But the greatest merit of this success belongs to your excellent Kapellmeister Fritz Scheel, who had trained his young and music-loving orchestra so eminently, and who had prepared so well for my concerts, that I was able to give the performance, satisfying my strongest wishes, of my difficult works, after only one repetition. Therefore, to Mr. Scheel, my special thanks and felicitation to which I join my heartiest wishes for further flourishing and prospering of the Philadelphia Orchestra under his energetic guidance.

“With especial esteem and best greetings also from my Wife,

“Yours sincerely devoted, 
“(Signed) Dr. Richard Strauss

“New York, the 28th of March, 1904.”

The next event out of the ordinary in which the orchestra took part was the Special Concert conducted by Felix Weingartner, about a year later.

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Fritz Scheel, Conductor

Special Concert, February 16th, 1905
Felix Weingartner, Guest Conductor

Liszt | Symphonic Poem “Triumph and Death of Tasso”
Weingartner | Symphony No. 2, E flat major
Glück | Overture “Iphigenia”
Mozart | Overture “Zauberflöte”
Weber | Overture “Oberon”

He was well received by the audience and by the critics, one of whom wrote thus:

Public Ledger, February 17th, 1905:

“WEINGARTNER CONCERT”

German Court Conductor’s First Appearance Here
Directs Philadelphia Orchestra in His Own
“Second Symphony” and Other Works

“One of the incidental advantages of a permanent concert orchestra is the opportunity afforded from time to time to invite distinguished musicians to conduct performances of their own compositions, or of other works for which they may have a particular penchant. We had an interesting example of this last season in the concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra at which Richard Strauss directed that expert band of executants in his own interpretation of some of his tone poems. Last evening in the Academy of Music, Felix Weingartner—less widely known as a composer than as a chief orchestral authority in Germany at the present day—similarly conducted the orchestra in a performance of his latest symphony, with an accompanying programme of his own choice, representing classic, romantic and modern music.

“In the remarkable organization of accomplished and enthusiastic musicians which has grown up within a few seasons under Fritz Scheel’s masterful direction, the leader of the Berlin Court Orchestra found a perfect instrument of expression ready to his hand. It is not, of course so large an orchestra as that to which he is accustomed, but there could be no doubt that it played the music exactly as the conductor wished it played. While last evening’s concert was thus in one sense a glorification of the Philadelphia Orchestra and its distinguished leader, the interest of the occasion was centered entirely in the guest and what he might have personally to express.

“Herr Weingartner is a tall, slim man, erect and precise, but with a winning personality that puts him at once in harmony both with the orchestra and his audience. His manner in conducting is usually quiet and firm, but he employs a great variety of detailed gesture that is expressive and obtains its results. He plays everything with a strongly marked accent, with more care for clarity and precision than for suavity, and makes very strong and abrupt contrasts with tremendous climaxes and with sharp periods. There is not a great deal of attention to grace of phrasing or delicacy of nuance, but evidently the strong effects he gets are what he thinks important.”

“Weingartner owes much to Liszt and the Weimar days and it is natural that he should give a fine performance of the “Tasso” with which the concert opened. This symphonic poem is one of so great dignity and beauty as to deserve more frequent hearing. The illness of Saal, the first ’cellist, left a note lacking in the beauty of the performance, though the intrinsic worth of the music made it a pleasure to hear.”

“After the concert a reception was given to the guest conductor at the home of Mrs. Spencer Ervin.”

During this season Mr. Scheel presented his first programme of House Music at a reception held in his honor, and the next winter he gave six such concerts at the residence of Mrs. Spencer Ervin, as a compliment to the Women’s Committee. These concerts much resembled the concerts given by Francis Hopkinson and his friends in the early days of Philadelphia, but were a complete and delightful novelty in 1905.

The most important evening of this kind was the concert given by Mr. Scheel and Philadelphia Orchestra musicians for Mrs. Roosevelt and her guests.

Programme

House-Music Concert
The White House, Washington, D. C.
Monday Evening, January 29th, 1906

Volkmann | Serenade No. 3, D minor, Opus 67. Violoncello Solo:
| Alfred Saal
Beethoven | Rondino for two Oboes, two Clarinets, two Horns
| and two Bassoons
Mozart | From the Quintet, Opus 108. For Clarinet and String
| Quartet
Svendsen | From the Octet, Opus 3, for four Violins, two Violas
| and two Violoncellos
Strauss | Serenade (E flat major) Opus 7, for two Flutes, two
| Oboes, two Clarinets, four Horns, two Bassoons,
| and Contra-Bass or Bass Tuba

“Director Scheel and Thirty-Two Members of
Philadelphia Orchestra Delight Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt
and Guests at White House
Charm President by Their Music

“Thirty-two members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Director Fritz Scheel, made a big impression on administrative, diplomatic and social Washington last Monday evening, when they gave one of their house-music concerts in the White House, and if you ask anyone of those thirty-three men what they think of President Roosevelt you will hear enough compliments to fill several bulky volumes.

“They had a delightful time, did these Quaker City symphony players, and so favorably were they received, that it is probable that they will be heard in the White House several times before the big orchestra disbands for the summer and the members scurry away to all parts of the earth.

“The full orchestra was not taken to the White House. Instead Director Scheel took his baby orchestra, consisting of six first violins, four violas, four cellos, two double basses, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, one bass clarinet, three bassoons and the horn quartet, and in that party there was but one American. Most of the players were Germans. The horn players were Frenchmen.

“President and Mrs. Roosevelt gave a small dinner party and afterwards a musicale. The dinner guests numbered about twenty, while over four hundred came for the musicale, including many of the most prominent men and women in Washington. It was a gay scene with all the army and naval officers, and the members of the various Diplomatic Corps in their gaudy full evening dress. The only Philadelphians there were Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon and Miss Frances A. Wister.

“The orchestra men drove to the White House at 9.30 P. M. and at 10.15 they entered the East Room, where all the guests were assembled. President Roosevelt and Mrs. Roosevelt sat in the front row and listened with the gravest attention.

“Then Mr. Scheel played his rat-a-tat-tat baton solo on his stand, and the thirty-two men broke into harmony as easily and gracefully as a flock of sea gulls lights upon the ocean.

“The concert was to last one hour—no more and no less—and during that hour the audience was treated to Volkmann, Mozart, Svendsen, Beethoven and Strauss in solos, quintets, octets, sextets and altogethers. Alfred Saal was the soloist—he with the long blonde hair and the marvelous cello. He played as only Saal can play and his serenade in D minor by Volkmann was one of the most delightful numbers of the evening.

“Immediately after the closing number, President Roosevelt expressed the wish to meet the musicians, and so one by one the men marched up and shook hands with the greatest American of the day. Each man received some kind word from the President, especially Director Scheel, and to the latter he expressed his deepest thanks and congratulations for having furnished such a delightful concert.”

“The next afternoon the full orchestra played a concert in Columbia Theatre before an audience that crowded the house and again won decided success. Just before the concert, Director Scheel received a huge box of roses and carnations from President and Mrs. Roosevelt.”

All was not smooth sailing during the early years or for years to come. Scheel had enemies, so did the orchestra. Many people were not pleased when plans other than their own succeeded, and there was unpleasant comment from time to time. This was gradually overcome by the sincere attitude and the industry of the conductor and the improvement in the playing of the orchestra. The Beethoven Cycle, the Strauss concerts and the appearance of Weingartner were helps to popularity, not a sudden popularity, but one achieved by real worth. Scheel was fast making a place for himself in the musical life of the city, and in 1905 he was engaged as leader of the Orpheus Club and of the Eurydice Chorus to succeed Dr. Frank Damrosch. This put added burdens onto him, but it was not understood then that the strain of leading an orchestra is enough for one man.

Recognition also came from outside of Philadelphia. Scheel had the compliment paid him of being invited to lead two concerts in New York in place of Theodore Thomas, who had recently died, which concerts were to mark the semi-centennial of Thomas’s connection with the Philharmonic Orchestra. Unfortunately, conflicting dates made acceptance impossible. He was even spoken of as a possible successor to Thomas by Mr. Louis Elson, of Boston, who said:

“There is a most thorough and progressive musician, who is perfectly fitted for the Chicago position—Mr. Fritz Scheel of Philadelphia. This conductor, although he has been in America but a short time, has already won his spurs and proved his right to the highest orchestral position. He is not too conservative, an essential point with an orchestral conductor of the present.”

In the meantime the concerts in Philadelphia were constantly improving, and the number had increased from six single concerts to eighteen pairs in six years. Out-of-town concerts in nearby places had been attempted with varying financial results. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and various Sub-committees worked hard to advance the interests of the orchestra.

The standard of excellence was kept at a high point. Fritz Scheel, ever ambitious for this venture in America, and possessing a keen artistic sense, produced programmes of excellence, which equalled and sometimes surpassed those of older American orchestras.

Chapter IV
The Women’s Committees for the
Philadelphia Orchestra

To the Philadelphia Orchestra Association belongs the distinction of first having promulgated the idea of procuring assistance from Women’s Committees.

These were formed to promote out-of-town concerts in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Allentown and Trenton. In 1902-03, during the second season of concerts in those cities, it became evident that help was needed to increase interest in the concerts and procure a larger audience. Miss Mary Sergeant, sister of Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon, of Philadelphia, undertook this work in Harrisburg; Miss Hall became the Chairman in Trenton; Mrs. A. J. Steinman, in Lancaster; and Mrs. Robert E. Wright, in Allentown. These committees worked hard to make the Philadelphia Orchestra concerts successful.

No help of this kind seems to have been thought of for Philadelphia until the financial situation became so acute in 1904, as to endanger the life of the orchestra.

The Women’s Committee for the
Philadelphia Orchestra and the
First Ten Thousand

Each year had become more difficult financially and while the orchestra was learning many tunes the Board of Directors could remember but one. They constantly repeated the same question: “Where shall we get the money?” with variations. The Academy was not sold out; if it had been it would not have paid expenses. Nobody wanted to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra. The general attitude was that there were too many concerts, that even the Boston Symphony Orchestra gave only five in a series, and that only a few extreme musical enthusiasts went to the two Boston series, a total of ten. The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors spent hours discussing means of procuring more guarantors to meet the increasing deficit. Every improvement in players or special soloists meant money.

The Guarantee Fund for a three-year term expired in the spring of 1904, and there would be an extra deficit of $16,000. The Association was facing a crisis. No contracts could be made without some financial background.

Just at this moment an idea occurred to Mrs. Edward G. McCollin, wife of a member of the Executive Committee. After approaching several friends on this subject and failing to interest them, Mrs. McCollin one day spoke to Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon, who persuaded Mrs. C. Stuart Patterson to call a meeting. The result was that a number of women met at Mrs. Dixon’s house, 709 Pine Street, to discuss plans to assist the orchestra, on March 11th, 1904. Mrs. Dixon was elected president and on March 13th, a Women’s Committee of twenty was formally organized. The officers and directors were:[14]

Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon, President
Mrs. Spencer Ervin, First Vice-president
Mrs. Thomas S. Harrison, Second Vice-president
Mrs. E. G. McCollin, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. E. Coleman Lewis, Recording Secretary
Mrs. Alfred Reginald Allen, Treasurer
Directors
Mrs. S. Naudain Duer | Mrs. George A. Huhn
Mrs. Theodore N. Ely | Mrs. Edward I. Keffer
Mrs. Samuel S. Fels | Mrs. W. L. McLean
Mrs. Simon B. Fleisher | Mrs. John B. Miles
Mrs. J. M. Gazzam | Mrs. N. DuBois Miller
Miss Beulah Hacker | Mrs. Morris Pfaelzer
Mrs. Walter Horstmann | Mrs. George D. Widener
Miss Frances A. Wister

Later the following Honorary Vice-presidents accepted:

Mrs. Wm. W. Arnett, Mrs. George F. Baer, Mrs. Alexander W. Biddle, Mrs. John Cadwalader, Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt, Mrs. Charles B. Coxe, Miss Mary K. Gibson, Mrs. Austin S. Heckscher, Mrs. Charles Edward Ingersoll, Mrs. Thomas McKean, Jr., Mrs. C. Stuart Patterson, Mrs. Frank Rosengarten, Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson, Miss Anne Thomson, Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Henry Whelen, Jr.

MRS. ALEXANDER J. DALLAS DIXON

The original of this letter is preserved in the archives of the Committee:

“Mrs. McCollin
“Dear Madam:

“I wish to say on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra that our Committee is in hearty sympathy with the effort to form a Women’s Committee, and fully appreciates the kindness of the ladies who propose to form such a Committee in coming to the assistance of the Association, at a rather critical time. We fully endorse any measures you see fit to take in carrying out your plans.

Yours very truly, 
John H. Ingham, Secretary
333 South 16th Street

“March 13, 1904.”

Committees on Guarantors, Boxes and General Subscriptions were formed and their labors began.

The first work which the women undertook at the request of the Executive Committee was to secure $10,000, in new guarantees within the first month of its existence; the Executive Committee feeling that the best indication of a desire to continue the orchestra would be shown by an increase in the Guarantee Fund.

The Committee at once went to the musical critics of the various Philadelphia newspapers and secured their hearty co-operation in the work of rousing the public to an appreciation of the musical and civic importance of the orchestra. Within the allotted time the Committee had not only secured more than $10,000 in new guarantees, but had received new orders for $5,000 worth of seats and boxes for the next season. The Association thereupon decided to continue the orchestra for one more year, hoping that public interest would continue to increase.

The Guarantee Committee appointed by Mrs. Dixon to raise this sum was composed of Mrs. Spencer Ervin, now Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall, Chairman; Mrs. Morris Pfaelzer, Mrs. Edward I. Keffer, Mrs. George D. Widener and Miss Frances A. Wister, Secretary. A careful plan was made for this attack upon the public purse and all the members of the Committee threw themselves into the task of raising this large sum for a little known and unpopular cause.

Lists of prospective guarantors were compiled and each woman was assigned her quota of people to approach. The time was short, the pace was quick and the excitement was great. To at least one member it was a first experience at raising a large amount, but the novelty quickly wore off in the face of the continuous needs of the Association.

The Committee on Seats and Boxes became active at once, and Mrs. McCollin as Chairman of the Press Committee attended most ably to the publicity. Numberless articles appeared describing the Committee and its activities, and the help of the papers was very valuable.

Another way of making the orchestra and the Committee known was the parlor meetings. These were held in various places, with speakers of influence in the community. The first of these took place at the residence of Mrs. Thomas S. Harrison. Addresses were made by Dr. Alfred C. Lambdin, Mr. Constantin von Sternberg, Miss Esther Kelly and Miss Wister. No money was asked for at these meetings which were held in all sections of Philadelphia and vicinity during many seasons. The fact that Philadelphia had an orchestra was the point emphasized, as there was general ignorance of its existence. Then its importance to the musical life of the city and its needs were mentioned. Perhaps the most useful work next to procuring guarantors was the formation of the Auxiliary. These women were elected and asked to become season seat holders. The reports of the sale of boxes and season seats show thousands of dollars secured in new orders during the first years and frequent comment is made upon the improved appearance of the house through the filling of the boxes. The Friday house has been sold out for a number of years, but the Saturday house was a more difficult problem and only recently has been filled by season subscribers.

The list of activities was never-ending, and included visits to music schools, circulars, appeals, the co-operation of libraries, orchestra clubs, special rates for students, parlor meetings, of which Mrs. Keffer became Chairman in 1905, letters to friends in other cities where the orchestra was to appear and many more. The results were good. Between 1904-05 and 1907-08, the total sales of new orders for seats and boxes amounted to $29,670.00, and new guarantees amounted to $37,500.

The Germantown and Chestnut Hill
Women’s Committee

The activity of the Women’s Committee during its first year of existence and the great need of the Association brought about the formation of a second Committee in Germantown and Chestnut Hill, on March 28th, 1905, under the leadership of Mrs. Francis Howard Williams, a woman prominent in every good cause.

Mrs. Francis Howard Williams, President[15]

Miss Anna Hazen Howell, Recording Secretary

Mrs. Henry W. Raymond, Corresponding Secretary

Mrs. Augustus Stoughton, Treasurer

Miss Frances A. Wister, Secretary

for the Guarantee Fund

No sooner were these women organized than they threw themselves enthusiastically into work in their section and have since co-operated with the Women’s Committee in every undertaking. They raised $26,825 for the Million Dollar Endowment Fund.

Mrs. Williams declined to be a candidate for the presidency in 1916 and was succeeded by the Countess of Santa Eulalia, who still holds that office. The Committee has recently celebrated its Twentieth Anniversary.

The West Philadelphia
Women’s Committee

Shortly afterwards, on April 6th, 1905, the spirit moved the women of West Philadelphia to form a third Committee. Mrs. C. Lincoln Furbush, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Burnham, staunch supporters of the orchestra, organized it at her mother’s house, and became its first president and the youngest of Women’s Committee presidents.

The officers were:

Mrs. C. Lincoln Furbush, President[16]

Miss Margaretta Hinchman, Vice-president

Miss Helen Fergusson, Corresponding Secretary

Miss Edith Schoff, Recording Secretary

Miss Grace Atlee, Treasurer

After one year of service Mrs. Furbush, Miss Schoff and Miss Atlee resigned, and Mrs. Monroe Smith, now Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly, Mrs. Charles L. Mitchell and Mrs. Samuel S. Fels succeeded them and still hold those offices.

This active Committee has constantly been inaugurating new plans. In 1915, to commemorate its Tenth Anniversary, it presented to the Association the stage setting completed in 1918, which was used until the new plans of Mr. Stokowski made a complete change of size and shape necessary.

Entertainments of many kinds have been given and the Twentieth Anniversary was celebrated in May, 1925.

The Media, Chester and West Chester Women’s
Committee, Since 1923, The Delaware County
Women’s Committee

At the Annual Meeting of the Women’s Committees and their Auxiliaries in April, 1911, Mrs. J. Claude Bedford, an active amateur musician, then living in Media, proposed that a Women’s Committee should be formed in Delaware County. She had become convinced that work of value could be done there and with the help of Mrs. Arnett, she formed a Committee with members from nine towns within twenty-five miles of Philadelphia, including West Chester, Glen Mills, Media, Wallingford, Swarthmore, Primos, Lansdowne, Darby and Chester.

The task was a hard one. Many residents of the district were unable, on account of the distance and of poor train service, to attend the concerts. Yet there was enthusiasm and much hard work in Delaware County. After several years, Mrs. Bedford was obliged to relinquish her position, and Mrs. Matthew H. Cryer, of Lansdowne, succeeded to the office of President, which she still retains. The work of this Committee has been extraordinary and beset with obstacles. No enterprise has ever been entered into by the other Committees, in which the Delaware County Committee has not done its share and more, including bringing in its quota of $20,000 for the Million Dollar Endowment Fund. The Tenth Anniversary was celebrated in May, 1911, by a reception given at the house of Mrs. Cryer.

These four Committees are actively engaged in working for the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia, but they have been instrumental in helping the out-of-town concerts by persuading women in other places to foster concerts given there. The first of these was formed in Wilmington, Delaware.

Women’s Committees in Other Places
Delaware Committee
Wilmington
Formed June 29th, 1905
Officers

Mrs. Lewis C. Vandegrift, President; Mrs. Joseph Swift, Vice-president; Mrs. William Betts, Secretary; Miss Annie T. Flinn, Treasurer.

Concerts were given in Wilmington as early as the season of 1902-03, but they were not thriving as they should. The Women’s Committee therefore sent a mission to Wilmington, where Mrs. Joseph Swift, a composer and an amateur musician of prominence, called a meeting at her house. Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. McCollin and Miss Wister were the emissaries and the visit resulted in the formation of the Delaware Committee, with the above officers and twenty-three Directors.

For fifteen years this Committee continued its active work under the successive leadership of Mrs. Lewis C. Vandegrift, Mrs. Swift, and Mrs. Robert B. Bird. It was active in selling seats, procuring the Guarantee Fund for the Wilmington Concerts, without which the orchestra could not appear, in arousing interest by giving receptions for our leaders and in other ways. It was of immense help to have an organized group of people furthering the interests of the orchestra in Wilmington. The Committee continued its labors until the concerts had to be given up on account of the press of engagements. This Committee was affiliated with the Philadelphia Women’s Committee, and always sent a representative to the Annual Meetings.

The Baltimore Committee
Formed May, 1906

Baltimore and Washington were considered fruitful fields and Philadelphia’s by right of propinquity. The Boston Symphony Orchestra had established a large clientele in these cities, but it had years of reputation, and of artistic achievement, with which to attract audiences. Not so with a new and little known orchestra. Mrs. Dixon, Miss Wister and Mrs. Thomas S. Kirkbride, Jr., paid a visit there in December, 1905, on the occasion of an afternoon concert at the Arundell Club, at which two members of the orchestra, with Mrs. Kirkbride at the piano, played trios. In the following spring, Miss Mary B. Shearer organized a Committee and became the Chairman[17].

The Washington Committee

In Washington, Miss Aileen Bell, after a meeting at which Mrs. Dixon spoke, organized a group of women to assist in popularizing the orchestra, and also secured many patronesses.[18]

Washington, the abode of representatives of foreign countries and with a fluctuating population, was an easier field than Baltimore. Neither of these Committees has been active lately, because the necessity is past, but their help was much appreciated then.

The Atlantic County Committee

This Committee, which was affiliated with the Women’s Committee, was formed in Atlantic City, after a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1912, and was active until 1915.

A Committee of five women was appointed, with Mrs. Joseph H. Ireland as President, to take charge of a permanent series of concerts in Atlantic City. During the three years of its existence, they sold the tickets, carried on educational work in the schools, arranged for special students’ tickets, distributed programmes in advance as a basis for study, managed the publicity and indulged in other forms of activity.

The Women’s Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra have been an important part of the work at home and abroad. There have been twelve:

1902: | Women’s Committees in Harrisburg, Lancaster,
| Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Trenton, New Jersey.
1904: | The Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra.
1905: | The Germantown and Chestnut Hill Women’s Committee,
| the West Philadelphia Women’s Committee, the
| Delaware Committee.
1906: | The Baltimore Committee, the Washington Committee.
1911: | The Media, Chester and West Chester Women’s Committee
| (now Delaware County Committee).
1912: | The Atlantic County Committee.

The Twentieth Anniversary of
the Women’s Committee

The Women’s Committee, pioneer of the four in Philadelphia, celebrated its Twentieth Anniversary in March, 1924. The event was marked by a series of entertainments, beginning with a luncheon given by the Officers and Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association on March 11th. After a number of speeches an anonymous gift of one thousand Dollars to the Pension Fund from a member of the Committee, in honor of the occasion, was presented to the President of the Association. By vote of the Board of Directors this has been placed in a separate fund bearing the donor’s name and the Women’s Committee has the privilege of designating a special use for the income each year.

The next event was the reception given by the Women’s Committee, in the Foyer of the Academy of Music, on March 14th, in which the members of the Auxiliary joined, and at which the guests of honor were the Officers and Directors of the Association, Mr. Leopold Stokowski and the members of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The Treasurer’s Report at the Twentieth Annual Meeting in 1924, showed that since 1904, for dues and subscriptions to special entertainments and gifts by the Committee, $11,432.00 had passed through her hands. While for special funds such as the Scheel Memorial Bas-relief, the Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus and the Opera Supper Dances, an additional amount of $25,335.00 was received and expended, making a grand total in twenty years of $36,759.00. This does not include any money for the Guarantee or Endowment Funds, or money for tickets sold by the Committee. Two interesting items are those of $6,456.00 for the Fritz Scheel Memorial raised by the three committees; and of $7770 raised for the Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus in 1921-22.

“The time has come to talk of many things” when an account of the work of the women is to be given; for the things they have done have been as diverse as the “ships and shoes and sealing wax and cabbages and kings” which so puzzled “Alice in Wonderland.”

They have ranged from guarantors, ticket selling and parlor meetings, to balls, dances and selling post cards. Not to mention the two Endowment Funds and the silhouettes, the contribution toward the Chorus in 1921, and the receptions for the various conductors and soloists during twenty-one years. While thousands of dollars have passed through the Women’s Committees for the maintenance of the orchestra, apart from the tickets they have sold, the women had no fund to fall back on until 1921, when the Women’s Committees Fund was established, to which the proceeds of the Opera Supper Dances are added each year.

In speaking of the Endowment Funds it should be recorded that the first gift ever made for such a fund came to the Women’s Committee in 1906, from Mr. Theodore N. Ely.

“Resolution Adopted December, 1906

“Resolved: That this Committee send to Mr. Theodore N. Ely, their most sincere and appreciative thanks for his most generous contribution towards the cause for which this Committee exists.

“And further resolved, that the Committee appoint a Sub-committee of four, to urge upon the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the desirability and great appropriateness of starting the Permanent Endowment Fund for the perpetuation of the Philadelphia Orchestra, with this generous contribution in memory of one of the first members of the Board of Managers of the Women’s Committee, Mrs. Theodore N. Ely.

“And further resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to Mr. Ely, and to the Executive Committee of the Orchestra.

“In pursuance of this, our President has appointed the following ladies a Committee to confer with the Executive Committee of the Orchestra concerning this matter, Mrs. Yarnall, Mrs. Widener, Miss Wister and Mrs. McCollin.”

The Auxiliaries

With the exception of raising money for the various funds the most important feature of the four Women’s Committees is their Auxiliaries, now numbering 1985 women, attending the three Philadelphia series. It was through these that the Friday audience was built up, for Auxiliary members must have season seats. There are no dues and no other duties; but some of the best work done for the Endowment Fund and for the Anniversary Ball, was done by Auxiliary members, who for years have had a deep regard for the orchestra. All women season ticket holders are eligible.

The Women’s Committees have given many entertainments, beginning with a reception in honor of Fritz Scheel on March 6th, 1905, followed by House Music under Mr. Scheel’s direction.

Others have been given in the following order:

Mr. Carl Pohlig, 1908;

Mme. Pohlig and her daughter Mme. Maillard, 1909.

Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Stokowski, 1912.

Luncheon to celebrate Tenth Anniversary of the Women’s Committee, March 6th, 1914.

Reception to Mr. Stokowski and soloists and members of the Mahler Chorus, March 4th, 1916.

Supper for Mr. Stokowski and assisting artists, March 4th, 1916, at which many out-of-town guests were present.

Receptions at the houses of Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt, the Countess of Santa Eulalia, Mrs. Weatherly and Mrs. Cryer, in the interest of the Seven Year Endowment Fund, October, 1916.

Reception to Mlle. Guiomar Novaes, 1917.

Receptions for Mme. Olga Samaroff, M. Alphonse Catherine, M. Sergei Rachmaninoff, 1919.

Luncheon to celebrate Fifteenth Anniversary of the Women’s Committee, April 14th, 1919.

Reception at house of Mrs. Matthew H. Cryer, Lansdowne, to celebrate Tenth Anniversary of the Media, Chester and West Chester Women’s Committee, 1921.

Musicale and reception at the house of Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly, to celebrate Tenth Anniversary of the West Philadelphia Women’s Committee, May, 1915.

Luncheon for Mr. Frederick A. Stock, guest conductor, January 19th, 1924.

Reception to celebrate Twentieth Anniversary of the Women’s Committee, March 14th, 1924.

Reception to Mr. Igor Strawinsky, January 30th, 1925.

Luncheon to celebrate Twentieth Anniversary of Germantown and Chestnut Hill Women’s Committee, March 31st, 1925.

Reception to celebrate Twentieth Anniversary of West Philadelphia Women’s Committee, May 13th, 1925.

Among the artists whom the Women’s Committees have entertained, the most popular one is Mme. Olga Samaroff. She is beloved by all the members, and admired, not only because she is a great artist, but on account of her unusual and delightful personality. The women will never forget what she did for the orchestra during her years of residence in Philadelphia.

The Anniversary Ball for the
Benefit of the Chorus

No mention of the entertainments of the Committees would be complete without an account of this. It was held January 24th, 1921, to mark the Sixty-fourth Anniversary of the opening ball of the Academy of Music, on January 26th, 1857. It should be called a study in co-operation, for besides the four Women’s Committees, almost the whole city joined to make it a beautiful affair and a success. The feature of the evening was the quadrille in the costume of the period to which a number of persons contributed sets, as well as the following organizations.

The Co-operating Societies were:

Matinee Musical Club, Mendelssohn Club, Musical Art Club, Musical Fund Society, Philadelphia Music Club, Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, Philadelphia Choral Society, Treble Clef, Fortnightly Club, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Sketch Club, School of Industrial Art, School of Design for Women, Plastic Club, T Square Club.

Old trunks were overhauled and old papers assiduously read to get the local color of the time, so that when row after row of the dancers began to march down from the dais at the back of the stage and take their places on the floor there was a scene of beauty which brought forth rounds of applause. Mr. Charles S. Morgan, Jr., impersonated Mr. Hlasko, Master of Ceremonies, and took charge of the quadrille which he had trained.

A Loan Exhibition of much interest was held in the Foyer for which many treasures were unearthed, including “Miss Ethel Newcome,” of London, the doll dating from the Sanitary Fair. Various business firms assisted by contributing materials and allowing the Committees to use their windows for publicity of a unique kind, such as dolls and jewelry of the period. Twenty years before such a joint undertaking would not have been possible, and it was a mark of the general good will felt for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The Opera Supper Dances

A word should be said about these Dances, the Sixth Series of which has just begun. They are held in the Foyer of the Academy, after performances of the Metropolitan Opera Company. The subscription and supper are moderate in price and the affairs are much patronized. The object is to raise money yearly and have a fund that can be used when necessity arises.

When the war came a loss of interest might have been expected, but it was the reverse. Not only the weekly respite at the concerts proved a boon, but the activities of the Committees were a relief from the anxiety and rush of war work.

The Women’s Committee has had good friends in the Board of Directors. When they had no means of support, Mr. Richard Y. Cook for many years contributed towards their expenses. Without his assistance they would have been in a serious situation.

Mr. Wm. Jay Turner, the Vice-president, was an important person at the Anniversary Ball which he led with Miss Frances A. Wister, president of the Committee.

Mr. Edward W. Bok spurred the women on to victory for the Fund with a kind but firm hand. Mr. Andrew Wheeler is always friendly and interested, and so the story might go on naming every director.

First and last is Mr. Van Rensselaer, who has never lost an opportunity to assist the women’s enterprises and who is regarded as the patron saint of the Women’s Committees. Mrs. Van Rensselaer’s interest has been a great help.

The members of the Committee deserve individual mention, but space is lacking. In the early days Mrs. McCollin and Mrs. Keffer were untiring. Mrs. Yarnall and Mrs. Allen have held office for twenty-one years. Mrs. Henry is an adept at managing entertainments. Mrs. Cassatt was a most valuable officer, possessing courage and judgment and her loss is constantly felt.[19] Mrs. Arnett’s direction of the work for the Auxiliary, passed on from Mrs. McCollin, has been a quiet labor with little public notice. The Recording Secretaries, Mrs. Ashton and Mrs. Wood, have been efficient in keeping the minutes.

The woman who bore most of the burden of the pioneers was Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon, whose recent death has left a gap in their ranks. Although she gave up the presidency some years ago, her influence was always noticeable and her fulfillment of the task was appreciated. A special meeting was held on October 8th, 1925, to pass resolutions for Mrs. Dixon.[20] At the concert of October 16th, these were inserted in the programme and the audience stood while the Chopin Funeral March was played, in memory of the first president of the Women’s Committee.

The four Committees and their Auxiliaries have an Annual Meeting each April, and the President of the Women’s Committee presents a general report to the Association in May. The names of some of the reports are indicative of the work, for instance: “A Calm Sea and a Prosperous Voyage,” “The Adventures of the Women’s Committees, or How We Financed the Chorus,” “Twenty Years at Hard Labor, a Motion Picture, with a Prologue and an Epilogue and Continuous Music by the Philadelphia Orchestra.” Their work has been strenuous, but the women have had many thrills and good times in the doing of it. There are pleasures in the chase only known to those who hunt, even when the quarry is an Endowment Fund.

Women are needed in every household to attend to the personal side of life, the entertainment of guests, the timely gifts, the flowers and many other things. They have even been known to help to support the establishment when the struggle seemed too hard for the men. This has been much the position occupied by the Women’s Committees during the last twenty-one years. Their entertainments have made many artists welcome to this city. Their gifts have come at just the right time: the share in the loving cup to Mr. Van Rensselaer; the silver plates to Mr. Stokowski on the completion of his tenth year as conductor; the silver vase to Dr. Rich after eighteen years of service; the porringer to little Sonia Marie Noël Stokowski, engraved with a verse from Wordsworth, all give a human touch to the Association. And when the men were spent in the battle, the women worked to support the establishment.

The Women’s Committees rejoice in the work they have done for the Philadelphia Orchestra, and in blazing the trail for women elsewhere. When the first was formed twenty-one years ago it was a pioneer and a unique organization, unknown anywhere in connection with a permanent orchestra. Many persons looked on it with, at least, a question. Now the questions are of a different nature, and come from other cities where orchestras are being formed.

The value of women’s efforts in fostering music, and in making orchestras popular, seems to be recognized. Women’s work for art in America is rapidly expanding; the torch has been borne by the Women’s Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Chapter V
The Guarantors and the Guarantee Fund

There are a few satisfactory ways of financing an orchestra, but there are a number of unsatisfactory ways, and maintaining or trying to maintain a Guarantee Fund is one of them. The devotion of the guarantors of the Philadelphia Orchestra through sixteen years of financial embarrassment is a part of the story of which Philadelphia may be proud. A group of one hundred and twenty men and women[21] constituted the first guarantors in 1900-1901.

At the close of the season this notice was issued:

“The Philadelphia Orchestra
“Fritz Scheel, Conductor
“Call for the First Guarantee Fund
“Philadelphia, June 15th, 1901

“Dear Sir:

“The accounts of the Treasurer of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, for the season just closed, shows a total expenditure for all purposes of $27,729.33, and total receipts from all sources of $14,429.85, leaving a deficit of $13,299.48, to be met by the Guarantee Fund.

“A copy of the report of the Auditors is hereto appended.

“The Guarantors are to be congratulated upon the success of this experimental season—made possible only by their generous support. The musical success of the concerts has surpassed the most sanguine anticipation, but the most important and far-reaching result of the undertaking has been the formation of the recently organized Philadelphia Orchestra Association, with its well-assured plans for weekly concerts and public rehearsals during the winter seasons of the next three years.

“The total Guarantee Fund amounts to $15,720.00, upon which a call of 84.61 per cent is necessary to meet the above deficit. Will you, therefore, please mail to Mr. John H. Ingham, Assistant Treasurer, No. 505 Chestnut Street, your check drawn to his order, for $—— being 84.61 per cent of your subscription of $——

“Very truly yours, 
“John H. Ingham
Oliver B. Judson
Edward I. Keffer
Oscar A. Knipe
Edward G. McCollin
Henry Whelen, Jr.
“Executive Committee”

“REPORT OF THE AUDITORS

“Philadelphia, 12th June, 1901.

“The undersigned, being two of the Guarantors for the first series of Concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and having been requested to act as Auditors, have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and the vouchers for disbursements.

“We find same in order and correct, and are satisfied that the business management of the Orchestra has been efficient, and that the expenditures were proper and necessary.

“The accounts show receipts from sales of tickets and incidentals amounting to $14,429.85, and payments as per receipted vouchers amounting to $27,729.33, leaving a deficit of $13,299.48.

“John H. Converse
“C. Hartman Kuhn
“Auditors”

When the business of this season was settled, a new fund had to be procured; forty-three Philadelphians were found who were willing to risk a three-year pledge for an untried experiment, and a number more for shorter terms.

When this three-year guarantee expired the Association was facing a crisis and was on the point of disbanding the orchestra. Then the newly formed Women’s Committee was appealed to with the information that an addition of ten thousand dollars to the Guarantee Fund, secured within two weeks, was the only hope of saving the orchestra. An account of this first effort by the women has been given in a previous chapter. They succeeded in securing a number of new guarantors for one, two and three-year terms, and completed the amount within the required time.

The story of the next sixteen years is one of constant begging on the part of everybody connected with this institution. Many methods were used to explain the financial condition. The Minutes, the programme book, and the numerous letters issued bear witness to this fact. Many were the meetings called “to consider the financial status of the Association.”

“Dear Sir or Madam:

“At the end of the second season the Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra find that the deficit will practically be the same as at the end of the first year, viz: $68,000 or $70,000. The expense of managing the organization has been reduced as much as possible, and if the organization is to be maintained on the same standard of excellence, the management feel that a large guarantee fund is necessary.

“It is proposed to increase the guarantee fund from $40,000 to $100,000, and by so doing we would not have to call on the entire guarantee fund, possibly 50 per cent of such fund would be necessary. The prices of admission for boxes and seats in the various parts of the house are as low as it is possible to make them, so that the concerts are within easy reach of students of music.

“The Orchestra during the past year has completed a season of 20 weeks, having given 71 concerts in all, 43 in Philadelphia and 28 outside of the City. In addition to these performances the orchestra or a large number of them have appeared at concerts of the Orpheus Club, the Choral Society, the Temple Chorus and the Maennerchor under their several conductors.”

“The management have done their utmost to make the orchestra a success, being aided in their efforts by the excellent conductorship of Herr Scheel. Private individuals and those interested in music have generously contributed, but it is to the public that we now look. By an increased season sale the receipts will be greatly increased, and consequently there will be more money to defray the expenses.

“If you have not as yet become a guarantor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, will you not aid us by doing so and communicate with Mr. John Ingham, Secretary, 505 Chestnut Street, who will furnish you blanks for that purpose. The guarantee fund covers a period of three years only.

“If the orchestra is to be continued, and it would be a disgrace to Philadelphia to allow a fine organization of its kind to slip away from us, two things are necessary: a larger guarantee fund and the support of the public by an increased season sale. The outlook for the latter, we are glad to say, is most encouraging for next season.”

“Of course, it must be understood, that unless a sufficient guarantee fund be raised, they would not feel justified in continuing the Orchestra indefinitely.”

“Hoping you will, if you have not already done so, aid us in furthering and maintaining this orchestra, we remain

Yours truly,
“George Burnham, Jr. | A. J. Cassatt
John H. Converse | Eckley B. Coxe, Jr.
Wm. L. Elkins | Miss Mary K. Gibson
John H. Ingham | Oliver B. Judson
Edward I. Keffer | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward G. McCollin | Thomas McKean
Clement B. Newbold | James W. Paul, Jr.
Mrs. F. H. Rosengarten | Richard Rossmaessler
Edgar Scott | Simon A. Stern
Miss Anne Thomson | A. Van Rensselaer
Henry Whelen, Jr. | P. A. B. Widener
Clement A. Griscom”

1903

“To the People of Philadelphia:

“The management of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, at the end of the third season of concerts, feel that they may now claim that they have fulfilled their original promise to supply the community with an orchestra of the first class. There are but three other orchestras of this rank in the country, those of Boston, Chicago and Pittsburg.

“A great orchestra is as much a civic institution as a great library or art museum. It is the backbone of the whole musical organism. No large city can afford to be without one.”

“The artistic success of the past season is unquestioned, the work of the orchestra under Mr. Scheel, a leader admittedly second to none in the country, received flattering comment wherever it has been heard, both at home and in other cities, New York especially envying us the possession of an orchestra of the first rank.”

“The deficit is practically the same as that of the preceding season, viz: sixty-eight to seventy thousand dollars. While this is a large sum, it compares favorably with the deficits of the three other large orchestras of the country during their initial seasons, and is not a cause for discouragement.”

“An orchestra of the first class, however, can never be entirely self-supporting, and must be dependent upon the guarantees or contributions of those who take pride in their city and look upon its work as necessary to the education of the community.”

“Up to the present time the amount of the deficit over and above the guarantee fund has been paid by a few (three or four) generous and public-spirited members of the Association. It is not fair, however, that the burden of such an undertaking should be borne by a few when the whole community is benefited, and the Directors appeal to the public generally to aid in this work.

“In a city of the size, wealth and culture of Philadelphia, it does not seem unreasonable to hope that a sufficient number of people can be found to assist in retaining the orchestra and increasing its usefulness. One hundred additional subscriptions of a Thousand or Five Hundred Dollars each, per annum, for three years, would go very far toward enabling the management to establish the orchestra on a permanent paying basis, but without such support from the public, the Directors do not feel that they would be justified in continuing the orchestra indefinitely.”

“As it is impossible to ascertain and approach personally all who are interested in the cause, those who wish to subscribe to the guarantee fund are requested to write to the Secretary, Mr. John H. Ingham, 505 Chestnut Street, for blanks. The intention is to raise a fund for three years.

“On the success of this appeal will depend the future of the orchestra.”

(Signed as before.)

“Philadelphia Orchestra Association

“Philadelphia, April 15, 1905.

“To the Guarantors of the
Philadelphia Orchestra Association:

“In closing the Fifth Season of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Executive Committee think it is proper to report the result of the season to the Guarantors and to the members of the Association.”

“The total cost this season, including salaries |  |
of musicians and conductor, office expenses,
rental of Academy of Music, etc.,
amounted to | $99,746.28
“The total receipts from all sources were | 45,877.57
Showing a Deficit of | 53,868.71
“The Guarantee Fund is | 48,627.50
Leaving a Deficit of | $ 5,241.21[22]

which we have every reason to believe will be provided for in the near future.

“The loss in season 1903-04 amounted to $58,530.23, so that we can show a distinct gain this year of $4661.52. The gain, however, was really much greater, inasmuch as our fixed charges were increased nearly $5000 due to increase in salary of conductor, increased rent of Academy of Music and increased charges for advertising, etc.”

“Owing to the unflagging energy and enthusiasm of our Women’s Committee, not only has our Guarantee Fund been substantially increased, but the season’s sale of boxes and seats, etc., was larger than for any previous year.”

“All this is very gratifying, but the fact remains that an efficiently maintained orchestra will always cost in the neighborhood of $100,000, with the possibilities of only $60,000 maximum receipts secured from full houses at every performance.”

“There is no question whatever that the Orchestra is gaining in prestige and popularity among the people of this city, and it is the earnest hope of the Committee that the work should spread and that the Orchestra should be put on a permanent basis.

“It has been decided to re-engage Mr. Scheel, and contracts have been authorized with the members of the Orchestra, so that as far as possible the present personnel may be retained.

“It is the hope of the Committee that you will continue to favor the organization with your support as before, and that you will renew your subscription to the Guarantee Fund.

“By Order of the Executive Committee 
“(Signed) A. Van Rensselaer, President”

Programme Book

“The Philadelphia Orchestra Association
Owes Much of its Success to the Devoted
Labors of the Following
Women’s Committees
Any Member of Which Will be Glad to Receive
Your Subscription of Twenty-Five
Dollars, or More, to the
Guarantee Fund
of the
Philadelphia Orchestra

“What the Philadelphia Orchestra Is Doing
for Philadelphia”

“The breadth of a city’s culture is measured by its point of view toward the arts that interpret life. Music is one of them—with Painting and Literature. It is the function of The Philadelphia Orchestra to carry forward the musical tradition that has been Philadelphia’s for five generations—

“And more, to keep its musical consciousness alive and virile, by presenting the noblest works of the composers of today—composers who are expressing life in the terms of the present day.”

“It has warm friends, enthusiastic audiences, the appreciation of musicians. Its influence is far more than local.

“But more than this—it needs financial support.

“It is not a private enterprise for private gain, but a public organization for public service.

“In the nature of things such an institution cannot be self-supporting. Its box office receipts are fixed by the customary scale of prices—while its expenses are the creatures of time and circumstance.

“The resulting deficit is made up each season by The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, whose members guarantee sums ranging from $25 to $5000 each, annually, for this purpose.

“The Association is thus the instrument through which any one may help to perform this public service. It needs more members—of whom you are invited to be one.

“THE INFLUENCE OF YOUR NAME
AND YOUR MONEY ARE NEEDED.”

Programme Book

“A Call to Patriotism

“The Call to Civic Pride is in the Air. ‘Learn to know Philadelphia and work for her,’ is heard on every hand, and our people are urged to form and join ‘Patriotic Societies,’ all of which is good, and well worth-while.

“But Do You Know that for several years a zealous Patriotic Society—one that evinces the truest Patriotism, the Patriotism of the Pocket-book and Bank Account—has been quietly at work doing all it could in its own way for the good name of Philadelphia and for the enjoyment and welfare of her citizens?

“The Members of this Society have demonstrated the soundness of their Patriotism, the reality of their Civic Pride, and their zeal for the people’s good, without boasting and without complaint, by contributing from their private means, in the past nine years, approximately $468,000 to maintain and operate The Philadelphia Orchestra, an institution of which every good Philadelphian has reason to be proud.

“The Membership of this Society of liberal and public-spirited citizens known as The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, numbered 43 in the season of 1901-02. Last season there were 263 members.”

“Will You Not Show Your Patriotism, your Civic Pride, your desire ‘to know and work for Philadelphia,’ by joining the honorable roll of this Association? A subscription of Twenty-five Dollars, or more, toward the Guarantee Fund, will make you a member.

“YOUR NAME AND MONEY ARE NEEDED!
“THEY ARE NEEDED NOW!

“Write today to the Manager for a Subscription Blank.”

One of the difficulties was the attitude of business men who felt that after a few years the orchestra should be making a return on the investment, or at least be self-supporting. Their opinion was that an institution which was a constant expense did not deserve the support of the community. Fortunately for music, the people of Philadelphia now understand that an orchestra never can be anything but a public charge.

Beginning with 1904 the number of guarantors ranged from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and sixty per season. The Guarantee Fund ranged from forty-five to fifty thousand dollars. During some seasons there was that most intolerable of all things, an extra deficit: during a few, a certain per cent of the fund only was called upon.

The discouraging part of the Guarantee Fund method of financing an orchestra lay in the fact that the work was never-ending. A certain number of guarantees expired each season and the guarantors had to be persuaded by all the arts of man and woman to renew their pledges. The fact that their money was to be immediately spent, militated, in the minds of many people, against the Fund. It is so much pleasanter to think of one’s gift safely ensconced in a permanent fund yielding an income year after year for a favorite cause.

The Women’s Committees worked hard for the Fund. Besides procuring new guarantees each year for twelve years, amounting to thousands of dollars, they obtained renewals of old guarantees or made good the loss by new ones. In 1905, they defrayed the extra deficit of $5300.00; no doubt taxing everybody’s generosity and patience to the utmost.

Much of the financial burden in the first years was borne by a few men and women, who time after time put their hands deep into their pockets. Among these may be named Mr. Alexander Van Rensselaer, the president; Mr. Thomas McKean, Jr., for some years vice-president; Miss Anne Thomson and Miss Mary K. Gibson, directors. The treasurer, Mr. Henry Whelen, Jr., was always optimistic and advanced money constantly. What the result would have been if Mr. Whelen had not done this is problematical. His untimely death in 1907 robbed the orchestra of a devoted friend.

Mr. Whelen was succeeded as treasurer by Mr. Arthur E. Newbold, of Drexel and Company, who arranged loans and advanced money and took endless trouble for the Association. The same can be said of Mr. Robert K. Cassatt, the present treasurer, who attends to many details of business.

From 1905-06 until 1910-11, Mr. Horace Churchman was the Controller of the finances, which he administered with ability and much to the satisfaction of the Board.

A glance at the figures is all that is needed to learn the story of those years so discouraging from a business point of view.

Résumé of the Guarantee Fund,
1900-01-1915-16

Season |   Concerts   | Total | Number of  Guarantors  | Amount   Collected |  | Extra Deficit
1900-01 |   6 |  | $15,720 | 120 | $13,299 | (84%) |  $40,000
1901-02 | 14 | pairs | 32,000 |   43 | 32,000 |  | 30,000
1902-03 | 14 | ” | 38,000 | 113 | 38,000 |  | 16,000
1903-04 | 14 | ” | 42,000 | 137 | 42,000 |  | 5,300
1904-05 | 15 | ” | 48,000 | 259 | 48,000 |  |
1905-06 | 18 | ” | 50,000 | 315 | 47,000 | (95%)
1906-07 | 20 | ” | 46,840 | 281 | 41,900 | (90%)
1907-08 | 22 | ” | 42,285 | 273 | 40,100 | (95%)
1908-09 | 22 | ” | 45,125 | 352 | 42,800 | (95%)
1909-10 | 22 |  | 44,800 | 359 | 44,800 |
1910-11 | 25 |  | 42,400 | 311 | 42,400
1911-12 | 25 |  | 42,100 | 309 | 42,100
1912-13 | 25 |  | 43,200 | 314 | 43,200
1913-14 | 25 |  | 46,000 | 335 | 46,000
1914-15 | 25 |  | 45,300 | 323 | 45,300
1915-16 | 25 |  | 49,100 | 310 | 49,100
Total   | $618,699

During these distressing days Scheel was asked to dine at the Rittenhouse Club to meet some prominent men of affairs, at a time when desperate efforts were being made to procure guarantors. The hour arrived, but no Scheel and it was learned that he had not gone home to dress. His friends started out to find him, and he was discovered teaching the second bassoon player to play a syncopated passage in a Tschaikowsky symphony. The dinner was entirely forgotten in the absorption of the lesson, but he rushed home to dress and arrived only thirty minutes late. The result of the dinner, however, was an addition of several thousand dollars to the Guarantee Fund.

The total number of guarantors who defrayed the annual deficit during sixteen years was about seven hundred and fifty, and to them Philadelphia music lovers are deeply in debt. Many sighs of relief were heard when this unstable way of financing an orchestra was ended by the offer of the “Unknown Donor,” which made possible a more permanent method.

Chapter VI
The Death of Fritz Scheel

But while the Board of Directors was in a continuous state of anxiety about the expenses; and the guarantors were being kept up to the mark; and the three Women’s Committees then in existence were straining every nerve to help; and the orchestra was constantly improving through the untiring efforts of the conductor, all was not well with Fritz Scheel. In looking back over his term of leadership of the Philadelphia Orchestra, his friends realize now that his illness began at least one year, and perhaps more, before the final breakdown came. He became irascible with his players, erratic in conduct, and his good judgment in matters musical seemed to forsake him. During the first months of 1907 his programmes had to be constantly supervised to guard against excessive severity; and on one occasion he had to be restrained from playing five symphonies at one concert.

The first knowledge the public had that he was in a peculiar mental condition was at a concert of the Eurydice Chorus, held in Horticultural Hall on February 6, 1907. He had been much upset by the death of a violinist in the orchestra, who disappeared and was found drowned. During the concert he asked the audience to rise and then played a funeral march in memory of this man. He constantly talked to the audience and to the singers. It was immediately seen that he was not responsible for his actions, and a specialist was consulted. He was taken to Atlantic City for a week, but did not improve.

The news of Scheel’s illness brought forth universal expressions of regret, as witness the following:

March 3, 1907.

“Fritz Scheel”

“Fritz Scheel’s illness is not only a personal tragedy; it is a public calamity. The fine orchestra which he has created for Philadelphia, and into which he has poured to exhaustion his own nervous energy, remains the pliant instrument he made it, ready to the hand of whatever master may be found to carry on his work, if he should not return to it. But the orchestra has been so peculiarly the expression of Scheel’s artistic personality, that his withdrawal at the end of what had been a most prosperous and buoyant season leaves the great constituency built up for it in these seven years with a sense of bereavement and depression.

“Mr. Scheel is a remarkable instance of a concentrated musical temperament, that views all life and thought through its own medium alone. In the years that he has spent in Philadelphia, he has been scarcely known beyond the immediate circle of the orchestra and the musical societies that he has directed.”

“It is not enough to refer to the wide field of modern music that he has made familiar to us, through his lucid presentation of the works of the French, the Russian and other Continental composers, including the most recent Germans, such as Strauss, whose recondite music he read with a clearness and significance that the composer himself failed to convey. Scheel’s peculiar insight is still more expressed in that fact that he has made Brahms a popular composer in Philadelphia, and he has triumphantly shown that the great ‘classics’ are not antiquated, but that real musical thought may speak to modern ears as well through ancient as through modern forms, if felt and interpreted with modern understanding.”

“The orchestra, of course, goes on, and the best present hope is that Scheel may be restored to health before another season. No doubt another conductor will be found if this hope should fail, but he will necessarily be different and there is no one now known in this country whom with an equally broad musical outlook, could be counted upon to make all the work of the orchestra so unfailingly and often surprisingly interesting as Scheel has done. Such artists as he are rare in any time or place, and it is to the honor of Philadelphia that he has received not only from the few, but from the many, some measure of the appreciation that is his due.”

Public Ledger, February 10, 1907

“... Scheel’s collapse, however, came as a shock to everyone connected with the orchestra, and yet they all realized that he could not endure for a much longer time. For three weeks he had been unable to sleep.

“Never a moment of freedom did he allow himself. In Odd Fellows’ Temple each morning he rehearsed one group of players, in the afternoon another group and in the evening the entire orchestra. At his meals he arranged the sugar bowl so that it would keep the score of some symphony or other in an upright position where he could study while eating.

“In Harrisburg, only three weeks ago, Scheel had the grip, and when the business manager, Charles Augustus Davis, went to see him, he found the leader lying in bed with water bags over his heart and a score in front of his eyes. All this time Scheel was also attending to his work as leader of the Eurydice and the Orpheus Clubs, rehearsing and leading at concerts.”

“Looks Haggard”

“Mr. Scheel was seen by the Public Ledger correspondent as he returned to his hotel after a swift stroll down the boardwalk with his physician. He looked haggard and spoke in an excited, almost hysterical tone.

“‘Please tell my friends in Philadelphia that I am not a sick man,’ and greeted the newspaperman effusively. ‘All this talk about my mental condition is absurd. I needed a rest, that was all, and the directors very kindly allowed me to come to the seashore. I will be all right in a few days, won’t I, doctor?’

“The concluding sentence was directed to Doctor Goodman in a tone of pitiful appeal. Dr. Goodman nodded good-naturedly, as he does to all the proposals and plans that the sick musician unfolds in his illusions, when he talks about purchasing several beach play-houses for great music festivals.”

After conducting a last concert in Reading, Scheel was taken to a sanitarium where he died of paresis on March 13th, 1907.

One of his last hallucinations was to write letters to prominent musicians in Europe, offering them large sums to come to Philadelphia and teach in a conservatory that he was about to found. During his stay at the sanitarium he organized the nurses and orderlies into a chorus and made them sing part songs, grouped about his bed. This was a unique occurrence in the conduct of sanitariums, and he was soon much beloved by the attendants, whose tears at his funeral bore witness to their feeling for him.

“Fritz Scheel, Fighter,” would have been a good name for the first leader of the Philadelphia Orchestra. His death was generally attributed to overwork, but modern psychologists insist that no man ever came to his death by work. It was the strain of conquering, handicapped by the financial condition of the Association, that killed Scheel—conquering first his musicians, then the musical public, then the opposition to a Philadelphia Orchestra, and last the general apathy, most difficult foe of all to subdue. If he had not been a fighter, the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Philadelphia Orchestra would still be several years ahead.

Philadelphia Inquirer, March 14, 1907:

“Scheel, Martyr to Orchestra He Created, Is Dead.
Conductor Known Throughout This Country
and Europe Succumbs to Pneumonia

“Fritz Scheel, conductor and creator of the Philadelphia Orchestra, who during the seven years which he headed that organization won the affection of local music lovers as no other musician ever gained it, died shortly before one o’clock yesterday afternoon in Dr. Francis X. Dercum’s sanatorium, at 1929 Wallace Street. Double pneumonia was the direct cause of his death.

“There is little doubt that the real cause of the sudden end of the brilliant career of Mr. Scheel was his devotion to the orchestra, of which he was the conductor, for had it not been for the nervous and physical breakdown of a month ago, brought on by overwork, his ordinarily sturdy constitution in all probability would have shaken off the pneumonia which conquered him in his weakened condition.

“During the month before his nervous breakdown, Scheel, encouraged by the artistic and financial success which was attending the season’s performances, redoubled his efforts to make the remaining concerts even outshine in brilliancy and attendance the preceding ones.

“There is no doubt that he would have succeeded, for he had not only imbued both the musicians in the orchestra with his zeal, but had also wrought the music lovers of Philadelphia up to a high pitch of enthusiasm.”

Philadelphia Press, Thursday, March 14, 1907:

“Magic of Scheel’s Baton Stilled
by Leader’s Death”

“Double pneumonia ends life of gifted musician who brought the Philadelphia Orchestra to a high plane of excellence.

“Philadelphia music lovers suffered perhaps the severest loss in the city’s musical history yesterday, when Fritz Scheel, director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, succumbed to double pneumonia.”

“The news was received with sorrow among rich and poor alike, among those who were regular subscribers to the season of symphony concerts, as well as among those, who loving music, waited patiently in line for the doors to the family circle and amphitheatre of the Academy of Music to open, to hear the diverse program which it was Scheel’s wont to perform.

“The maestro had made a brave fight for his life, his vitality, according to his physicians, having been remarkable.”

“Mr. Scheel added to the technical equipment, which is the natural product of German life and training, a poetic temperament and a broad outlook on matters musical, which not only gave great vivacity and variety to his programmes, but which made for such insight in the matter of the meaning of any given composition, as to produce the most illuminating and inspiring results.

“A course of seven seasons under his baton was, therefore, not only pleasurable in the highest sense of the meaning of the word, but instructive and educational to a marked degree, the entertainment however, marked, being as it were, incidental to a greater purpose of not only creating, but of satisfying the desire for the higher things in the most glorious of arts. In this sphere of endeavor Mr. Scheel’s singleness of purpose was well known. His devotion to musical ideals was manifest in everything he did, and his concentration on what he considered his lifework was of so energetic and absorbing a character as to make serious inroads on his health and strength. His death places the musical world peculiarly in his debt, since he arrived in Philadelphia at a critical period in our musical history and met the situation admirably.

“It is natural that those interested in music should feel a personal loss, but there is also a larger loss, in that every city must conserve those influences which keep the fire burning for the finer things of life. Hence, although those who are not of the musical world may not so realize it, they are also the losers through the passing of so striking a personality, for nothing is more certain than that any community does not live for or by bread alone, and it is a hopeful sign when any city is the scene of activities which include men and movements that look beyond mere material comforts.

“It is fortunate that at this juncture Philadelphia has a large group of self-sacrificing citizens who realize this. Mr. Scheel had his reward in life in their support and appreciation, and the best tribute to him, now that he is dead, will be that the good work will go on on the lines laid down by him, so that what he stood for shall not be lost, and the vantage ground attained to be held in all certainty.”

Funeral services for Fritz Scheel were held on March 16th in the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, on Chestnut Street above Twenty-first. The immense gathering was a tribute to the conductor and a proof of his personal, as well as musical, popularity in Philadelphia.

The list of honorary pall-bearers was a long one and included representatives from almost every branch of musical activity in Philadelphia:

Executive Committee of the Orchestra: Mr. Thomas McKean, Mr. Henry Whelen, Jr., Mr. Richard Y. Cook, Mr. John H. Ingham, Mr. Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Dr. Edward I. Keffer, Mr. Edward G. McCollin, Mr. A. J. D. Dixon.

Orchestra Guarantors: Mr. F. T. S. Darley, Mr. S. Decatur Smith, Mr. Richard S. Brock, Mr. John H. Converse.

Business Office: Mr. Chas. A. Davis, Mr. Horace Churchman.

Orchestra Members: Mr. Thaddeus Rich, Mr. Anton Horner, Mr. Jan Koert, Mr. C. Stanley Mackey.

Philadelphia Symphony Society: Mr. Charles A. Braun, Mr. J. H. Michener, Jr., Mr. Joseph M. Mitcheson.

Orpheus Club: Mr. Charles W. Baily, Mr. Arthur L. Church.

Eurydice Club: Mr. Louis F. Benson, Mr. F. H. Rosengarten.

Mendelssohn Club: Dr. W. W. Gilchrist.

Choral Society: Mr. Henry Gordon Thunder.

University of Pennsylvania: Dr. Hugh A. Clarke.

Philadelphia Press: Dr. A. C. Lambdin, Mr. Max Heinrici, Mr. George Rogers, Dr. Martin Darkow.

Philadelphia Musicians: Mr. Philip H. Geopp, Mr. Maurice Leefson, Mr. Richard Zeckwer, Mr. Wassili Leps.

Personal Friends: Dr. Victor Leser, Dr. John H. Musser.

Besides these, the Board of Directors of the Association and the Women’s Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra attended in two large groups.

Although the orchestra had disbanded for the summer enough of the musicians were still in Philadelphia to play the slow movement of the Eroica symphony as the cortège entered the church. The Orpheus Club sang “The Long Day Closes,” by Arthur Sullivan, and “Holy Peace,” by Abt. At the grave the horn quartette of the orchestra played Mozart’s “Ave Verum.” His baton and the score of the Ninth Symphony were buried with him.

Telegrams and messages of sympathy poured into the offices of the Association from musicians in all parts of the country and from foreign artists, sojourning here.

A special meeting of the Board of Directors was held on March 14th, 1907, and this resolution adopted:

“The untimely death of Fritz Scheel has deprived this Association of the services of a Conductor, who, by his genius and devotion to his art, has successfully forwarded our efforts to establish an orchestra that is a credit to Philadelphia and to the contributors whom we represent.

“Artistic both by temperament and inheritance, the devotion to his profession by which this community has profited so much has been indirectly responsible for the untimely ending of his career. Had he been less insistent upon the full performance of every detail involved in a complete and conscientious fulfillment of his duties, the great drain upon his powers that left him without sufficient vitality to withstand the attack of his last illness, might have been avoided.

“If it be for us to write his epitaph, we would place devotion to his art as his most prominent trait of character, and loyalty to his orchestra and to our Association as its closest companion.

“In many respects the Philadelphia Orchestra stands as a monument to his work and memory, for he must long be remembered as its first, and for seven years its only Conductor.”

Scheel’s devotion to Beethoven was well known, and if he had been told to arrange his last concert no doubt he would have chosen a Beethoven programme. Was it more than coincidence that the following programme was his last?

Beethoven Programme

February 7 and 8, 1907
Dr. Otto Neitzel, Pianist

Quartet

Marie Kunkel-Zimmerman, Soprano   | Emily Stuart Kellogg, Contralto
Nicholas Douty, Tenor | Frederic Martin, Bass

The Mendelssohn Club

(Through the courtesy of Dr. W. W. Gilchrist, Director)

Ludwig von Beethoven (1770-1827)

1. Phantasie for Piano, Orchestra and Chorus, Op. 80

AdagioPiano

Finale

Allegro

Allegro molto

Adagio ma non troppo

Marcia assai vivace      Piano and Orchestra

Allegretto ma non troppo

PrestoPiano, Orchestra and Chorus

Prefatory Remarks by Dr. Otto Neitzel

2. Quartet from “Fidelio” (“Mir ist’s so wunderbar”)

For Two Sopranos, Tenor and Bass

3. Symphony No. 9, in D Minor (Choral), Op. 125

Finale on Schiller’s “Ode to Joy”

For Soli, Chorus and Orchestra

Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso

Molto vivace

Adagio molto e cantabile

Allegro assai Quartet and Chorus

Prefatory Remarks by Dr. Otto Neitzel

The predicament of the Board of Directors during Scheel’s illness and after his death can hardly be described. Apart from the feeling of personal loss, the Association was pledged to give a series of concerts in Philadelphia and elsewhere. All the best conductors in America were engaged in mid-season and the best European ones, if available, were to be had only at impossible prices.

The concerts of February 7th and 8th during the first week of his illness were conducted by August Rodemann, the assistant conductor and first flutist; and Dr. Otto Neitzel, who was included in the programme as lecturer, directed the Ninth Symphony. The remaining ones were led in an atmosphere of sadness and apprehension by Leandro Campanari.

The Scheel Memorial Tablet

Immediately after the death of Fritz Scheel the Women’s Committee proposed to raise a fund for a memorial to him to be placed in the lobby of the Academy of Music. A committee was appointed with Mrs. Wm. W. Arnett as Chairman. The circular printed below was sent out, to which there was an immediate and generous response.

FRITZ SCHEEL MEMORIAL FUND

Under the Auspices of
The Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra

“The Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra has decided to erect in the Academy of Music a life-sized bronze bas-relief portrait of the late Fritz Scheel, three-quarters length figure, at a cost of $5000; $2000 of which has already been contributed. This memorial will have great value as a work of art, as it will be executed by Mr. Charles Grafly, of Philadelphia, the eminent American sculptor. It will also be a lasting and visible monument to the first conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, who was beloved by the musical public not only of Philadelphia, but of other neighboring cities. It is right and fitting that so great a man, representing so great an organization, should have an adequate monument in our historic Academy of Music.

“The music-loving public is asked to help erect this monument to Mr. Scheel, and all lovers of Art who have the interest of the great enterprise of their city at heart, will wish to have their part in this Memorial.

“Messrs. Drexel & Co., Fifth and Chestnut Streets, have kindly consented to receive contributions to the ‘Fritz Scheel Memorial Fund,’ as also have Heppe & Son, 1115 Chestnut Street, and Theodore Presser, 1712 Chestnut Street. Contributions may also be sent to the office of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Room 1313, Pennsylvania Building, Fifteenth and Chestnut Streets, or to Mrs. Alfred Reginald Allen, Treasurer, 111 South Twenty-first Street, Philadelphia. Contributions of any amount, large and small, are solicited.

“It is important that all contributions be made by June 1st in order that the bronze may be completed before the termination of the next Orchestra season.”

Mr. Charles Grafly had taken a death mask of Scheel and produced a fine work of art and a most excellent likeness of the man. The setting was designed by Mr. Edgar V. Seeler. The Tablet cost six thousand dollars, and enough money was raised in addition to purchase a lot in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, and to place on Scheel’s grave a suitable tomb-stone and some shrubbery. Perpetual care was arranged for, a great satisfaction to Miss Scheel and to all his friends and admirers. For many years the Women’s Committee has placed a wreath on the memorial tablet on the anniversary of Scheel’s death, thus keeping alive the memory of the man and what he did for music here.

One year after Scheel’s death a memorial meeting was held at the Academy of Music at which time the tablet was unveiled.

Programme of Ceremonies

“FRITZ SCHEEL MEMORIAL

“Academy of Music
Wednesday, March Eleventh
Nineteen Hundred
and Eight
at Three O’clock”

“FRITZ SCHEEL

“A Tribute
“By Florence Earle Coates

“He gave his life to Music—gave—

For love, not hire—himself denying;

His body rests, o’er wearied, in the grave,

But Music lives and gives him life undying.

“In the deep silence, may he hear

Such harmonies as he could wake,

And O, may some faint accents reach his ear

From the great City’s heart that sorrows for his sake!”

“In Memoriam

“By Harrison S. Morris

“Broken in twain the ordered sum of years,

The baton fallen, the chords forever stilled;

Vanished the master, mourned of human tears,

Enduring what to Art his spirit willed.

“The hand that swept the strings

Like unto dust shall be;

The stricken chords vibrate

Eternally.”

“Program

“In Memoriam
“Fritz Scheel
“Born Lübeck, 1852; Died Philadelphia, 1907”

“Richard Wagner—Vorspiel, “Parsifal”
“Address
“Mr. Owen Wister

“Richard Strauss, Tone Poem, Opus 28,
“Tod und Verklärung,
“(Death and Transfiguration).”

“Unveil Memorial to Fritz Scheel”

Great Throng at Academy of Music to Participate in
Honor of First Conductor of Philadelphia Orchestra

“One of the greatest tributes ever paid to a musician in this city was the Fritz Scheel memorial celebration at the Academy of Music yesterday afternoon. It was a tribute to a man who was much beloved for the years of hard work he had done in bringing the Philadelphia Orchestra to its present perfection, as well as a tribute to his own personality, which won for him hosts of very warm admirers here.”

“Great Crowd Gathered”

“The memorial services at the Academy yesterday, modest and impressive as they were, were remarkable for the vast crowd that assembled to honor the master. Long before the doors were opened, hundreds of people had gathered at each of the entrances, which were rapidly increased to thousands and when admission was finally gained, it was only a short time before every bit of available space was taken, with sufficient people on the outside to fill the place twice over.

“That the Academy was filled to capacity was announced at the different entrances by attachés of the Academy, and although hundreds turned away disappointed, an equal number of them remained during the entire hour of the memorial services, and to repay them for their patience, they were finally allowed admission, not to get a chance to hear any of the ceremonies, but to view the handsome tablet.

“The tablet was unveiled while the audience listened to the brief but impressive address of Mr. Owen Wister.”

“Mrs. Roosevelt Sent a Wreath”

“Encircling the tablet was a festooning of laurel sent by the Women’s Committee, and underneath a large wreath of beautiful white roses sent by Mrs. Roosevelt.

“Mr. Wister’s address was a brief but eloquent effort. After a few introductory remarks, he said among other things:

“‘Great poems survive the poets who wrote them; great pictures and statues survive their creators, as symphonies survive the masters who composed them. In all these arts the work of genius lives on, while the brain where it was born goes to dust. Not so is it with another sort of artist, the interpreter. He who interprets—the actor, the singer, the player—be he never so great, be he Garrick, or Mario or Paganini, still must he perish with the generation that heard him, and sometimes he does not even leave a name.

“‘The lot of the orchestral conductor is the same, for he belongs to the class of interpreters, with the Garricks, the Marios, the Paganinis. No matter what magic comes from the baton that he waves, once that baton is laid down, the magic is dead.’

“Reviewed Mr. Scheel’s Work”

“Mr. Wister then went on to sketch briefly the work of Mr. Scheel from the time he came to this country and of his residence in Philadelphia for nine years, beginning with the conducting of the Amateur Symphony Orchestra and including the years he was at the head of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He said:

“‘Arduous were the pioneer steps, but between each one lie many struggles, many examples of generosity, of munificent giving on the part of private citizens; some gave their time and some their purse and some both. Without their persmission (for they would refuse it), let the names of the pioneers be mentioned:

“‘Mrs. A. J. Cassatt and that hardworking committee of four: Messrs. Edward Keffer, Edward McCollin, John Ingham, Oliver Judson. Let us remember next the boundless generosity of Alexander Van Rensselaer and Thomas McKean, who poured their thousands out like a royal gift; nor let us ever forget Miss Anne Thomson and Miss Mary Gibson; to let any of these names go in silence today, would be to fail in due appreciation. And for Henry Whelen, his untiring devotion of time and purse, let a special word of remembrance be said.’

“‘But for the loyal help of all these we might not be here—nor should we, if, in a dark hour, when masculine endurance gave out, feminine energy had not stepped in.’

“Mr. Wister then followed with a eulogy of Mr. Scheel, the ‘artist’ as well as Mr. Scheel the ‘man.’ In conclusion he said:

“‘So did his work end. Many must be sitting here today who well remember those years when Theodore Thomas played to a mere handful of listeners in this house; when tickets were given away by the dozen and the fifty, in order that there might not be a desert of empty seats.

“‘But it was not a barren field that Theodore Thomas sowed the seed in. He made it ready for the Boston Orchestra, and thus at length arrived the man and the hour for a Philadelphia Orchestra. We have grown to understand the great value of such music, not only the pleasure it gives, but its educational and civilizing importance; and, although now and again some benighted voice is raised against systematic musical instruction in our schools, the day of the municipal savage draws to its close!

“‘Older governments assist symphonic art, liberally subsidizing it; but in our Republic it is proper for the citizens to take this upon themselves, and all over the country they are beginning to do so. But Philadelphia’s progress since the days of Theodore Thomas is the most extraordinary of all, and her citizens will see that it goes on.

“‘And so Fritz Scheel passes from this desk into bronze, where the artist has caught his look with admirable and living skill; the very look he had so often when he turned half round the moment before he raised his baton. At this desk now stands his eminent successor, worthy to perfect the work so worthily, so loyally begun. At future concerts when we come in we shall see Fritz Scheel looking down from his bronze, and imagine upon his face a look of serenity and approval.’

“Mr. Wister was heartily congratulated for his address, and the ladies of the committee in charge of the memorial celebration received many favorable comments as to the admirable way in which they had carried out their work, not only in the collecting of the money, but in providing such a fitting tribute to the late conductor.”

Evening Bulletin, March 11, 1908:

“The Memorial Tablet”

“The seats in the parquet circle, with the exception of the boxes, had been reserved for the subscribers to the Fritz Scheel Memorial Fund, and the Guarantors for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

“The balcony and family circle were for the regular ticket holders of both series of concerts, while tickets for the amphitheatre had been distributed to the music students of the various musical conservatories.

“Proscenium Box No. 2 had been reserved for Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon, Miss Margaret Scheel, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Van Rensselaer, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbold, Dr. and Mrs. Edward I. Keffer and Miss F. A. Wister.

“Proscenium Box No. 3 for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McKean, Mr. John H. Ingham, Mr. Clement B. Newbold, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Scott, Mr. E. T. Stotesbury, and Miss Anne Thomson, representing the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association.

“Proscenium Box No. 4 had been allotted to the following ladies representing the Honorary Vice-Presidents of the Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra: Mrs. George F. Baer, Mrs. Alexander W. Biddle, Mrs. John Cadwalader, Mrs. Charles B. Coxe, Miss Mary K. Gibson, Mrs. Clement A. Griscom, Mrs. Austin S. Heckscher, Mrs. C. E. Ingersoll, Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten, Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson, Mrs. Theodore Voorhees and Mrs. L. C. Vandergrift and Mrs. Oscar R. Jackson of Wilmington, Del.

“The parquet circle and balcony boxes were reserved for the officers of the Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra and their guests. The list of Philadelphia guests included the following: Mr. and Mrs. John E. Reyburn, Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Coates, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Grafly, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Zantzinger, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Borie, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar V. Seeler, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison S. Morris, Mr. John Luther Long, Mrs. Owen Wister, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Fine, of Princeton, N. J., Miss Alice Nevin, Lancaster, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Martin, of Harrisburg, Pa.

“The following ladies had charge of the memorial services: Mrs. W. W. Arnett, chairman; Mrs. A. J. Dixon, Mrs. H. E. Yarnall, Mrs. Thomas S. Harrison, Miss Anne Thomson, Miss Nina Lea, Mrs. F. H. Rosengarten, Mrs. George Widener, Mrs. John B. Miles and Mrs. W. L. McLean.

The Future

The Board of Directors immediately began to look for a successor to Fritz Scheel. Various proposals were made, among them one to Franz Kneisel, who was forced to decline by a storm of protest from his New York admirers. At the Annual Meeting held May 14, 1907, this announcement was made:

“Though the association has sustained a great loss in the death of Mr. Scheel, who labored with untiring zeal, achieving successful results in bringing our orchestra to a high plane of musicianship, the public may be assured that his place will be worthily filled. At the present moment, however, the Executive Committee is compelled to face a question of some embarrassment in selecting the successor to the late Mr. Scheel. Fortunately, your committee is in receipt of applications that include many of the representative conductors in the world of music, and, in consequence of this wealth of material from which to select a conductor, the question of arriving at a decision is rendered somewhat puzzling. The public may rest assured, however, that a conclusion may be speedily reached, and a conductor named who will meet with the approval of all.”

The Musical Record
1900-1907

Fritz Scheel’s musical achievements were outstanding, considering that he was organizing a new orchestra under difficulties, both artistic and financial. The list of important works presented by him is of interest, for besides the compositions of European composers, he also brought forward those of American and Philadelphia musicians.

1900-01: | Edward A. MacDowell: Concerto for Piano.
1901-02: | Dvorak: “Heldenlied.”[23]
1902-03: | Beethoven Cycle, including Ninth Symphony with Chorus;
| Mozart, Aria for Contralto piano and orchestra. Martinus’
| Van Gelder[24] Symphony, A major (dedicated to Mr. Scheel).
1903-04: | Beethoven: Ninth Symphony; Jan Sibelius, Swan of Tuonela;[25]
| Frank G. Cauffman,[26] “Salammbo;” Camille W. Zeckwer,[27]
| Concerto for piano and orchestra (composer at the piano).
1904-05: | Vincent d’Indy, Second Symphony, B flat.[28]
1905-06: | Mozart Programme:
| One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the
| Birth of Mozart.
| January 26-27, 1906.
Soloist: | Mme. Charlotte Maconda, Soprano
1. | Symphony, G minor
2. | Recitative and Aria from “The Marriage of Figaro”
3. | A Short Serenade (Eine kleine Nachtmusik) for two
| violins, viola, violoncello and bass
4. | Aria from “The Magic Flute”
5. | Overture to “The Magic Flute”
| Wassili Leps;[29] “Andon” (poem by John Luther Long[30]).
1906-07: | Beethoven: Ninth Symphony.

Scheel possessed a fine music library, which was an asset to an orchestra just starting out in an almost penniless condition. It contained standard orchestral scores of symphonies, overtures, violin and piano solos with orchestra, as well as music suitable for popular concerts, operatic selections, and smaller orchestral works. He was never handicapped on account of the lack of music for besides this the Association was constantly purchasing what was needed. In addition to first performances in America, there were constant novelties at the concerts and the artistic standard was high from the outset. A glance over the programmes shows that while on occasion minor works were presented which are now not generally played, the works of the great masters predominated. In this way the taste of the audience was trained and for this education Philadelphia owes to Fritz Scheel much of its ability to appreciate and enjoy music today.

SCHEEL MEMORIAL TABLET

A Tribute

“The man who really made The Philadelphia Orchestra from a musical standpoint is Fritz Scheel. I never knew him personally, but he must have had very high musical ideals. They are evident in everything he did. Also, he must have had a wonderful faculty for choosing the highest type of artists for the orchestra; he set a standard then which has been difficult to live up to musically. Such artists as Rich, Horner, and Schwar (to mention only a few of the many who are still remaining in The Philadelphia Orchestra from Fritz Scheel’s time) are absolutely in the first rank for their instrument, not only in America but in the whole world. It was Scheel’s vision that laid such a wonderful foundation for this orchestra; that was very difficult, but in most cases I feel that we have at last succeeded; but we never can sufficiently recognize the debt we owe to Fritz Scheel; the good work he did and the influence of his ideals seem to live on forever.

Leopold Stokowski.”

PART II

Chapter I
The Next Step

The Board of Directors was now obliged to find a new conductor for the Philadelphia Orchestra. A survey of America did not bring fruitful results. Orchestral conductors were few in this country in those days, and the Board was determined to engage no man but one competent to carry on the work so well begun. Therefore it was decided to send the business representative of the Association, Charles A. Davis, abroad on this quest. After visiting Steinbach in Cologne and Mottl in Munich, who both recommended Carl Pohlig, Mr. Davis went to Stuttgart, where Pohlig was the director of the Court Orchestra of the King of Würtemberg. After consultation with the officers, an offer was made to him to become the leader of the Philadelphia Orchestra for a term of three years, which was accepted.

Carl Pohlig was born at Teplitz, Bohemia, in 1864. Like Robert Schumann, he was the son of a bookseller. His first musical studies were at the piano. Early in life, while attending the gymnasium at Weimar, the talented boy was cordially received by Franz Liszt, and was permitted to accompany the master on his journeys to Rome, Budapest and other cities, this privilege being shared only by Tausig, von Bülow and Rubinstein. He thus learned many Liszt traditions.

After having toured Germany, Austria, Russia, Scandinavia and Italy, he became Kapellmeister at Graz. Later he was associated with Mahler at the Opera in Hamburg: then at Covent Garden, and Bayreuth, where he trained artists for the Wagner Festival. Pohlig conducted symphony concerts following this operatic experience and appeared in Coburg, Stuttgart, Berlin, Frankfort, Munich and other cities. Finally he was offered the position of First Court Kapellmeister to the King of Würtemberg, whence he came, by permission, to Philadelphia.

The “Neue Musik Zeitung,” one of the best musical journals in Germany, speaks thus of Carl Pohlig as conductor:

“In the symphony concerts he directs with equal fervor the works of Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn, as well as the creations of the later great masters. It goes without saying that Liszt is especially dear to him.”

“Pohlig directs with fire and deep feeling, and with a certain clearness that can only spring from a quiet insight into the innermost content of the music; into the finest fibre of its design.”

The new conductor entered upon his duties in Philadelphia in the autumn of 1907, presenting for his first concert the following programme:

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Carl Pohlig, Conductor

First Afternoon Symphony Concert
Friday Afternoon, October 18th, 1907, at 3.00

First Evening Symphony Concert
Saturday Evening, October 19th, 1907, at 8.15

Programme

1. Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)

1. Overture “Fidelio”

2. Overture “Leonore No. 3”

3. Symphony No. 5, in C minor, Op. 67

I. Allegro con brio

II. Andante con moto

III. Allegro-Allegro, Presto

2. Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

4. Vorspiel, “Meistersinger”

5. “Siegfried Idyll”

6. Overture, “Tannhaeuser”

© Haeseler

CARL POHLIG

Pohlig was warmly received by the audience and acclaimed by the critics as the following will show:

North American, October 19, 1907:

“Society, Fashionable and Cultured, Cheers Pohlig.
Music Lovers Turn Out in Force to Hear This
Season’s Philadelphia Orchestra’s First Concert

“Conductor Carl Pohlig came, waved his baton and conquered at the Academy of Music, yesterday afternoon—the first concert of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s regular season. The new musical director’s local début was a brilliant success and an artistic triumph.”

“The house was crowded. It was apparent almost from the outset that Conductor Pohlig was a master artist and craftsman. He knew his business—‘the first among German conductors,’ as Felix Mottl styled him. The great audience, representing fairly Philadelphia’s highest artistic culture, quickly recognized the new orchestral director’s high and rare quality. By the time the ‘Leonore’ Overture was ended, mystic cords of sympathy between conductor and audience were flung out and firmly fastened. The immortal Fifth Symphony, mightiest of musical creations—was awaited with pleased expectation.”

Interpretation of Wagner

“Mr. Pohlig’s initial programme was too long—two hours of solid music. He does not think so—he broke his watch crystal in an energetic explanation.

“There was some weariness over the Wagner music—Mr. Pohlig has not yet got his band keyed up to the marvelous complexion of the master of Bayreuth. But again it was quite clear that conditions of Wagnerian interpretation were as familiar to him as were the canons of classical music.”

“There was no uncertainty of tempo, and when the tremendous finale of the ‘Tannhaeuser’ prelude was stilled, the people rose in their seats and acclaimed the new conductor in vociferous accents.”

Name and date of newspaper unknown:

“City Takes Commanding Place in Country’s Musical
Growth. Carl Pohlig, New Symphony Conductor,
Thinks America’s Future Place Will be First

“A dozen years ago, a symphony concert in Philadelphia meant the arrival of an out-of-town organization, and the gathering of a sparse audience, dismally scattered through the Academy of Music. The writer remembers when on one occasion, in 1899, the Boston Symphony Orchestra played to a handful of people in our city because of inclement weather. The reports of the inception of orchestras like the Pittsburgh, the Chicago, the New York Philharmonic and others reveal what an uphill struggle was forced upon these musical bodies because of the lack of interest in music in the various large communities.

“So different is the story today, that one is almost puzzled to account for a change, which has led Herr Pohlig, the new Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, to remark: ‘Musically speaking, Germany is the land of the setting sun; America the land of the rising sun.’ His enthusiasm is not the result of the newcomer’s optimism, for Europe has kept track of our musical progress, and is acquainted with the fact that in a few years Philadelphia has been able to inaugurate season upon season of successful concerts given by its own orchestra, that Chicago’s magnificent organization created by Theodore Thomas, is now on a self-supporting basis, and that Pittsburgh, Boston, New York and Minneapolis are musical communities of great importance.”

“Asked about his plans for the concerts to be given this winter, Mr. Pohlig talked unhesitatingly and with enthusiasm. The first question put to him involved the type of music he would arrange for Philadelphia music lovers, and was a query whether this would be of the same nature he would have furnished a German audience. He said promptly: ‘Of course, Philadelphia should get the best and previous programmes show it has been getting it. And, of course, it must get everything. All schools of music should be represented. If anything, a modern conductor must be cosmopolitan.’

“His mode of arranging his programmes will be new to Philadelphia concert-goers, who have been accustomed to a programme with the symphony either at the opening of the concert or at the end. Mr. Pohlig will have the symphony divide the programme into two, where it serves the purpose of balancing the music of the recital. He intends, if the opportunity offers, to combine with local singing organizations for the production of music for chorus and orchestra hitherto unheard in America. His belief in the great spirit of modern music will give Philadelphians the chance of hearing the compositions of European contemporaries....”

Pohlig’s first New York concert on November 5th, 1907, did not meet with approval, which considering the programme presented is not strange, but the comments were of such a nature as to call down the wrath of at least one Philadelphia newspaper which retorted in kind. As New York has since capitulated this can be inserted.

A Philadelphia Newspaper, November 7th, 1907:

“Pohlig in New York. Flings by Musical Critics at the
Philadelphia Orchestra and Its New Conductor

“The views of the musical critics of New York concerning Carl Pohlig upon his first appearance with the Philadelphia Orchestra in that city on Tuesday evening are not altogether flattering. The Sun, as might be expected, leads in its light-hearted attack. Pohlig ‘is employed in the pleasant city of Philadelphia, where he conducts the local orchestra. Its work was so rough as to cause wonder that the organization should have been brought all the way across the State of New Jersey.’

“The Times says that ‘the orchestra is a good assemblage of musicians that clearly brought all of Mr. Pohlig’s intentions to realization. He is a strenuous conductor of advanced view as to the treatment not only of Liszt but also of Beethoven.’

“The Tribune says: ‘It was a rather unfortunate conjunction that of the Philadelphia Orchestra with its new conductor, Carl Pohlig; Richard Buhlig, pianist; and Carl Klein, violinist; at Carnegie Hall yesterday afternoon. Coming alone, and at a more opportune time, each might have won a more dignified hearing and more serious consideration than were possible under the conditions which prevailed yesterday.’

“The New York public is ‘already booked for three-score and ten of the kind of concerts which it gives.’ However, Mr. Pohlig ‘presented himself as a conductor of quite admirable capacities so far at least as a command of the technics of his art is concerned (leaving all questions of interpretation open).’

“The World speaks of the incapacity of the orchestra, who seriously hampered the soloist, by as wicked an accompaniment as was ever heard at a first-class concert.

“‘Provincial was writ large over the whole proceeding, and one felt tempted to inquire: “Why Herr Pohlig; why the Philadelphia Orchestra; why Richard Buhlig?”—at any rate in New York.’

“In Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, however, Herr Pohlig ‘effectually removed previous impressions and stamped himself at once as a thorough musician, a graphic conductor of real distinction, possessing authority, temperament, magnetism, poetic feeling and imagination. One could quarrel with his rather slow tempi and liberties of phrasing, if inclined to be captious, but the interpretation of this great work was so well planned and coherent, that it aroused decided enthusiasm.’”

Editorial

The Same, November 7th, 1907:

“New York Snobbery”

“It is not pleasant to utter harsh judgments against a neighboring city, but New York does much constantly to deserve them at the hands of Philadelphians. The smug self-sufficiency of the three or four millions of people who reside on or in contiguity to Manhattan Island, is comical to witness, and we are again reminded of this attitude by the unjust criticism which the newspapers have launched against the Philadelphia Orchestra upon its first visit to New York under its new conductor. This accomplished musician has had the leadership of excellent organizations in Europe, where this form of art was more or less known and enjoyed while New York was inhabited by the Indians. He came here not without some right to a respectful hearing, and since his arrival has received it in this city from a public, which, we venture to say, is as discriminating as any that can be assembled upon the tongue of land which is bounded by the Hudson River and Long Island Sound. Remarks such as we reprint elsewhere today do not fall under the head of criticism. They are a form of cheap wit, which is supposed to be demanded by the inhabitants of this arrogant and insular community at the expense of the people, the products and the institutions of Philadelphia.

“The slurs of the press at our music, books, art and much besides, do this city no particular harm. We are above any need of the endorsement of the self-centered elements which congregate in New York. The support which it gave to the Union during the war was notably reluctant. Its patriotism was always in doubt. It was the centre of disloyal conspiracy. A spirit of selfish commercialism rules its affairs, and it was only by force made to observe its national duty. Since that time it has been under foreign government, and it is without a doubt the least American of our cities. It has less love for our history as a nation; it is more willing to sell its birthright for a joke or a dollar than any community which has yet been established within American borders, and its swaggering air causes it to be loved by the citizens of other portions of the Union about as much as they love a produce market or a Midway Plaisance.

“It is nothing at all to Philadelphians whether New Yorkers like our orchestra, our books, our poets, our historical personages, our pictures, our homes, or anything else that is ours. They may go on their sneering way amusing themselves from day to day, as they see fit. They will find, if they make the effort to inquire, that most of the mind and the soul, as well as the body of this nation have lain and still lie in lands that they do not dominate. They may say what they will, but their manners might be mended to their own conspicuous advantage. That is all.”

At the expiration of Pohlig’s contract the Association renewed it for three years more.

Pohlig was a fine-looking man of German military style, more popular in America previous to 1914 than it has been since. His platform manner was excellent and his appearance was elegant, and he made a good impression on his audience. He was, however, of a difficult disposition, which made dealings between him and the musicians, and the Board of Directors, trying and difficult. This was the final cause of his resignation, presented on June 10th, 1912.

The Musical Record, 1907-1912

Under the direction of Carl Pohlig, the orchestra continued to develop and improve. He was a competent and well-trained musician, and was on his mettle to do his best in an artistic way to keep up the precedents established by the first conductor. He continued to give unusual performances and to keep abreast of the day by producing modern works, among them his own symphony, “Per Aspera ad Astra” (“A Hero’s Death and Apotheosis”), in which members of the Eurydice Chorus took part.

1907-08: | Carl Pohlig, Symphony, “Per Aspera ad Astra.”
1908-09: | Frank G. Cauffman[31], “Legende”;
| Philip H. Goepp[32]: Academic March.
Feb. 26th-27th, 1909: Mendelssohn Centenary: Midsummer
| Night’s Dream with Ben Greet Players. Chaminade:
| Concertstück, piano and orchestra (composer at the piano).
1909-10: November 26th-27th, 1909: Rachmaninoff, Symphony No. 2,
| E minor, conducted by the composer; Moussorgsky,
| “La Nuit sur le Mont Chauve,” Rachmaninoff, guest
| conductor; Wm. W. Gilchrist[33], Symphony No. 1,
| C major, conducted by the composer.
1910-11: November 11th-12th: Schumann: to commemorate
| the One Hundredth Anniversary of his birth 1810,
| Symphony No. 1, B flat major; Henry Hadley,
| guest conductor, Cantata “The Culprit Fay,” Op. 62,
| after Joseph Rodman Drake, conducted by the
| composer; November 11th and 12th, 1910, St. Saëns,
| Symphony No. 3, in honor of seventy-fifth birthday
| of composer; Louis von Gaertner[34], Tone Poem
| “Macbeth,” Celeste D. Heckscher[35],
| “Dances of the Pyrenees.”
1911-12: October 27th-28th: Liszt Centenary. Henry Hadley,
| Symphony No. 3, B minor.
March 8th-9th: Brahms Symphony No. 3, F major, to
| celebrate seventy-ninth anniversary of his birth,
| March 7th, 1833. Herman Sandby, Prelude to “The
| Woman and the Fiddler” (play by Mrs. Sandby).

PART III

Chapter I
The Coming of Leopold Stokowski

The summer of 1912 brought the Board of Directors, for the second time in five years, face to face with the problem of securing a conductor. Again the place was waiting for the man, but under far different conditions from those in the summer of 1899, when Fritz Scheel was found at Woodside Park. Philadelphia had a good orchestra, a growing audience tended carefully by the four Women’s Committees, and a Guarantee Fund in a more or less satisfactory condition. It was an opportunity. The Board of Directors looked around the field again. They had heard of a young man, Leopold Stokowski, recently conductor of the Cincinnati Orchestra, and heard well of him. Mr. Andrew Wheeler knew him and suggested approaching him. He was then in Europe, so he was cabled to, and accepted the position.

The first concerts under Mr. Stokowski took place on October 11th and 12th, 1912, with the following programme, which inaugurated the third period of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and one which has been a story of constant artistic development, until now this orchestra ranks with the great orchestras of the world.

The Philadelphia Orchestra Association
(Incorporated)
Maintaining
The Philadelphia Orchestra
(Founded 1900)

Leopold Stokowski, Conductor

First Pair of Symphony Concerts
Friday afternoon at 3.00 Saturday Evening at 8.15
October 11th and 12th, 1912

Programme
1. Ludwig van Beethoven | Overture, “Leonore No. 3”
(1770-1827) |
2. Johannes Brahms | Symphony No. 1, in C minor, Op. 68
(1833-1897) |
I. Un poco sostenuto; Allegro (6/8)
II. Andante sostenuto (3/4) 
III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso (2/4)
IV. Adagio-piu andante; Allegro non
troppo, ma con brio (4/4)
3. Michael Ippolitow-Iwanow | “Sketches from the Caucasus”
(1859-    ) |
I. In the Mountain Pass
II. The Mountain Village
III. March of the Sirdar  
(First Time at These Concerts)
4. Richard Wagner | Overture “Tannhäuser”
(1813-1883) |

Public Ledger, October 12th, 1912.

“New Conductor of Philadelphia Orchestra
Tendered Ovation in Academy

“Leopold Stokowski made his début yesterday afternoon at the Academy as conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, in the opening concert of its thirteenth season. Every seat was taken and the extra chairs had been placed within the orchestra rail. There was much enthusiasm, manifesting itself at the beginning in prolonged applause as Stokowski came forward with bowed head, evidently pondering the content of his musical message. Those who went forth to see a hirsute eccentricity were disappointed. They beheld a surprisingly boyish and thoroughly business-like figure, who was sure of himself, yet free from conceit, who dispensed with the score by virtue of an infallible memory, and held his men and his audience from first note to last firmly in his grasp.

“Mr. Stokowski has known the players, and they have known him, for only four days of actual rehearsal, and it was not to be expected that the organization at the outset would manifest the homogeneity to be expected later. Yet in this brief time the new leader has been surprisingly successful in welding the several choirs into a single coherent entity. They played yesterday with a unity of purpose—particularly among the first violins—not usually attained until mid-winter. They brought out the full value of the lights and shadows. The climaxes were duly accentuated, the pianissimos with the utmost delicacy and refinement were contrasted with the full throated polyphony.

“Methods of Conductor

“Mr. Stokowski’s conducting is after the order of Nikisch, whom he frankly admires. He does not tear a passion to tatters. He holds his thunders and the winds of Aeolus in a leash. His gestures are graphic, the arcs and parabolas he describes tell of a kind of geometrical translation going on in his mind, whereby he visualizes the confluent rhythms in outward action. At impassioned moments his movements have the freedom of a violinist’s bow arm; at other instants he brings his fists against his shoulders with vehement concentration, or his uplifted eloquent left hand pleads with some suppressed choir to come forward and assert itself in power. There is, from first to last, no languor or slackened moment; he directs with a fine vigor and intensity that mounts to ecstasy yet does not lose its balance or forget its sane and ordered method.

“Tribute Presented”

“At the close of the symphony a laurel wreath was laid on the dais ere Mr. Stokowski found his way to the footlights in response to the tumultuous applause. The wreath was so large that he stood in it while he called upon his musicians to rise, himself applauding their efforts and modestly disavowing his leonine share of the credit.”

© R. T. Dooner

LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI

It soon became apparent that Philadelphia had something very unusual in Leopold Stokowski. He was young, but rarely gifted, and he dedicated himself to reaching a high artistic goal for the Philadelphia Orchestra. His plans were of a daring character and at times almost took away the breath of the Board of Directors; for instance, when the idea of giving Mahler’s Eighth Symphony was presented and Mr. Stokowski announced that it would cost $14,000. There was much discussion, as the Board was convinced that this performance would be unpopular and not a success from a financial point of view. However, the desire to have the name of the orchestra connected with productions of an unusual nature and to keep ahead of the times musically, won the day, and it was decided in 1915 to produce this gigantic choral work in March 1916.

The story of this production is dramatic from the moment that Leopold Stokowski, after having secured the rights for the first American performance, escaped from Munich in August, 1914, with the score in a handbag, all he had time to pack. Mr. Stokowski was at that time still a British subject, having only taken out his first papers for American citizenship.

Having secured the consent of the Board of Directors to produce this symphony, this announcement was issued.

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Leopold Stokowski, Conductor

First Performances of the Mahler Eighth Symphony
Academy of Music, Philadelphia
Thursday Evening—Friday Afternoon—Saturday Evening
March 2, 3, 4, 1916
Metropolitan Opera House, New York
Sunday Evening, April 9, 1916

With Orchestral and Choral Forces of Over One Thousand
and the Following Soloists:

Florence Hinkle, Soprano | Adelaide Fischer, Soprano
Inez Barbour, Soprano | Margaret Keyes, Contralto
Susanna Dercum, Contralto | Lambert Murphy, Tenor
Reinald Werrenrath, Baritone | Clarence Whitehill, Basso

First Chorus—The Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, 400
Children’s Chorus, 150

Second Chorus—Philadelphia Choral Society, Mendelssohn Club
and the Fortnightly Club, 400

“The Philadelphia Orchestra Association takes pleasure in announcing three performances in Philadelphia of Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony and, under the auspices of the Society of Friends of Music, one performance in New York. The first Philadelphia performance is the first presentation of this work in America, and is given under an exclusive contract with the publishers. Although other famous organizations had approached the Universal-Edition in Vienna, to the Philadelphia Orchestra fell the honor and artistic responsibility of presenting this work for the first time to the American public. The production of the work, requiring three choruses aggregating 950 voices, an orchestra of 110, and 8 soloists, entails a cost for the Philadelphia performances alone of approximately $15,000.”

“The New York performance owes its possibility to the public spirit and generosity of the Society of Friends of Music, and will be given with the complete forces employed in Philadelphia. This single production will cost approximately $12,000.

“Owing to the great magnitude of the work and the great demand which it makes on the musical forces employed, it is extremely doubtful whether it can receive many performances in America. Two years have been spent in preparation in order that the rendition of the work might realize the ideals of the composer. That the value of the work is appreciated is shown by the fact that orders for seats have been received from all over the eastern and middle western sections of this country. The Friday and Saturday performances in Philadelphia are sold out and many mail orders have been received for Thursday night. An early application for seats should be made.

“Prices of Tickets for the First Performance at the
Academy of Music, Thursday Evening, March 2, at 8.15

Parquet and Balcony Box Seats | $3.00
Parquet and Parquet Circle, first two Rows in Balcony | 2.50
Remainder of Balcony and first two Rows in Family Circle | 2.00
Third and Fourth Rows, Family Circle | 1.50
Remainder of Family Circle | 1.00
Amphitheatre, First Two Rows | 1.00
Amphitheatre (Unreserved) | .50

(The Friday Afternoon and Saturday Evening performances being
already sold out, no orders can be taken for these two concerts.)

Arthur Judson, | Louis A. Mattson,
Manager | Asst. Manager”

Work with the two choruses which sang in German and in Latin began in October, 1915. Hitherto the orchestra had had no chorus of its own, but was obliged to depend on the good will of Philadelphia choral organizations to co-operate in producing choral works. Now for the first time the name “Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus” appeared, and, as the first chorus of 400 members, was trained by Mr. Stokowski. The second chorus of 400 voices was rehearsed by Mr. Henry Gordon Thunder.

The requirements were severe as to personnel and rehearsals. The spring was occupied in the selection of voices. When rehearsals began in October, men and women were rehearsed separately until January. After that they had weekly rehearsals together. Singers who were inattentive or who skipped rehearsals were not retained, and towards the end everybody was over-worked and wrought up to a pitch of excitement.

NINETEENTH PROGRAMME

Friday, March 3rd, at 3.00 Saturday, March 4th, at 8.15

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Leopold Stokowski, Conductor

Programme
Symphony No. 8 | Gustav Mahler
| (1860-1911)
| Part I. | Hymn, “Veni, Creator Spiritus”
| Part II. | Final Scene from Part II of Goethe’s “Faust”
(First performance in America)
Assisting Forces:
| Una Poenitentium, Florence Hinkle, Soprano
Magna Peccatrix, Inez Barbour, Soprano
Mater Gloriosa, Adelaide Fischer, Soprano
Mulier Samaritans, Margaret Keyes, Contralto
Maria Aegyptiaca, Susanna Dercum, Contralto
Doctor Marianus, Lambert Murphy, Tenor
Pater Ecstaticus, Reinald Werrenrath
Pater Profundus, Clarence Whitehill, Basso

Augmented Orchestra of 110

First Chorus:
The Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, 400

Second Chorus:
Philadelphia Choral Society, Mendelssohn Club
and The Fortnightly Club, 400

Children’s Chorus of 150
The English version (by Mr. Philip H. Goepp)
of Specht’s Analysis
may be obtained in the lobbies of the Academy

| Mr. Constantin Von Sternberg at the Piano
| Mr. Henry Gordon Thunder at the Organ
| Mr. William Silvano Thunder at the Harmonium
| Mr. Hedda Van den Beemt at the Celesta

While there were varying opinions about the musical value of this symphony, the manner of producing it evoked but one. In order to make the event national in character, prominent musicians from all parts of America were invited to be present at the first performance. Among the many notable persons from other cities were: Mr. and Mrs. Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bauer, Mr. and Mrs. Josef Hofmann, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hutcheson, Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Kunwald, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Randolph, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Schelling, Mr. and Mrs. David Mannes, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Untermeyer, Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Strube, Judge and Mrs. J. Butler Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fred Wolle, Mrs. Werrenrath, Mrs. William M. Bannard, Miss Kitty Cheatham, Dr. A. G. Rolfe, Oscar G. Sonneck, Albert Spalding, Kurt Schindler and Theodore Spiering.

© Bell & Fischer

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
AND MAHLER CHORUS

Public Ledger, March 3rd, 1916:

“MAHLER’S WORK AND STOKOWSKI
SCORE TRIUMPH

Thousands at Academy of Music Aroused to High Pitch of
Enthusiasm. Noted Musicians Give Praise to Production
Prominent Persons from all over Country
Attend Rendition Here

“Every one of the thousands in the great building was standing, whistling, cheering and applauding, when Leopold Stokowski, his collar wilted, and his right arm weary, but smiling his boyish smile, finally turned to the audience in the Academy of Music last night.

“He had scored, so famous musicians agreed, the greatest triumph of his career, the greatest triumph the Philadelphia Orchestra has known in its sixteen years of life and he had done it on a stupendous scale with the American première of Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. He carried along with him to triumph an orchestra numbering 110 pieces and a chorus of 958 singers, to say nothing of the city’s music lovers and scores of musical pilgrims from other cities.

“For every one who is any one in musical America was here for the Mahler American première last night or will be here when the tremendous work is repeated this afternoon and tomorrow night. The boxes were filled with famous musicians and musical authorities. One and all stood, applauding Mr. Stokowski and the symphony, while the orchestra members blared a ‘touché’ in honor of their leader.

“The scenes at the Academy set nerves tingling. Two weeks before the performance every seat had been sold. Fifteen minutes before Mr. Stokowski swung his baton upon his augmented orchestra and upon the great chorus, banked 24 tiers high, horns blew a fanfare in the foyer of the Academy of Music, following an ancient custom at Bayreuth. The curtain rose and the audience gasped.

“The 958 singers filled the great stage from footlights to roof and the orchestra was upon an apron that has been built out into the house.

“The first twelve rows of singers were women, dressed in white. Above them were twelve rows of men, with a gardenia-like spot of girls, members of the children’s chorus, pinned, it seemed in their midst.”

“Alexander Van Rensselaer presented a wreath for the orchestra. It was inscribed ‘To Leopold Stokowski in commemoration of the first performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony in America, March 2nd, 1916.’

Mr. Van Rensselaer’s Remarks

“In presenting the wreath, Mr. Van Rensselaer said:

“‘The directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association feel that the presentation of this Eighth Symphony of Mahler this evening, for the first time in America, marks an epoch in the musical history of Philadelphia to which no other event is comparable.

“‘This occasion is memorable not only because the Mahler Symphony is such an extremely difficult work, but because we have here in Philadelphia been able to follow out the precise instructions of the composer in welding into one vast instrument these great choral and orchestral forces which are here assembled. These two choruses of 400 trained voices each, together with the large chorus of boys and girls selected from the best choirs of this city, the eight soloists of metropolitan reputation, and the augmented orchestra of 120 instruments, all have been trained into one vast harmonious instrument by you.

“‘We of Philadelphia are indebted for the production of this great work to you, our brilliant and talented conductor. It was you who first conceived the idea more than two years ago of producing this work; it was you who made the arrangements with the publishers and guaranteed to them that we would produce it in the manner indicated by the composer and obtained from them the rights for the first performance in this country; it was you who chose and trained Chorus No. 1 and intrusted Chorus No. 2 to the able direction of Henry Gordon Thunder, to whom our thanks are also due; it was you who arranged with the best choirmasters of Philadelphia to train this large body of boys and girls in their respective parts and it was you who brought together these large agencies and trained them in the final ensemble of this great work.

“‘We feel that not only the musical public of Philadelphia, but the entire city, owe you a debt of gratitude that never can be repaid. And as a testimonial from the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and as an expression from them of their thanks to you for the successful completion of this grand work, I have pleasure in presenting the victor’s crown of laurel, made in perpetual bronze.’

Reply of Mr. Stokowski

“Mr. Stokowski lifted the wreath, and when the applause died down, turning to Mr. Van Rensselaer, said:

“‘It is impossible for me to put into words my emotions tonight. This stupendous and noble work was written six years ago. For six years I have been meditating the possibility of its performance and hoping, some day, to have the opportunity of giving it, although I knew the requisite forces would be extremely difficult to obtain.

“‘Through a generosity for which I can never sufficiently express my gratitude, Mr. Van Rensselaer and the directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association made the great undertaking possible at last. The dream still would have remained unfulfilled, however, had it not been for the hard work and willingness of the orchestra; of all these dear people in the chorus, who have worked for more than a year, training for this night; of all the soloists, and of Henry Gordon Thunder, who has supported and helped me with most wonderful generosity. To the committee that tried thousands of voices, choosing this magnificent chorus, we are particularly indebted.

“‘My final and greatest debt, a debt so great that I feel I never can express it, is to you, the public, for your warmth and understanding at the first hearing of this great work. It is a great inspiration.’

Offers of $100 to Obtain Seats

“Popular interest in the Mahler Symphony’s American première was evidenced by offers of $100 a seat, reported from several of the large hotels, just before the Academy doors were thrown open, and by more than 1000 persons, lucky holders of general admission tickets who stood in Locust Street, or sat on newspapers spread on the Academy steps, for hours before the performance was scheduled to start. At least 100 persons were waiting at 3.30 o’clock in the afternoon, braving the drizzle, for a chance at a good seat.

“From 7 until 8 o’clock there was a steady stream of automobiles stopping at the Academy doors. All society and all musical Philadelphia streamed into the building. The stage door was besieged by the nearly 1000 chorus members, who were marshaled without a hitch or the raising of a voice into their places. Necessary readjustments on and off the stage, seating arrangements, provisions for the wardrobing of the great chorus and the engaging of understudies for each of the eight soloists cost, it was said, close to $4000. This sum, of course, did not include the great expense entailed in training the voices during the last twelve months.

“Mr. Stokowski was given two great demonstrations; the first during the intermission, the second at the conclusion of the performance. Both lasted for more than five minutes. The noise was so great that the Academy doormen said it could be heard across Broad Street in the foyer of the Walton.

Miss Florence Hinkle Applauded

“Mr. Stokowski bowed until it seemed his back would break. Then he led forward Henry Gordon Thunder, William Silvano Thunder, Constantin von Sternberg and Hedda van den Beemt. The audience wanted more. They wanted the soloists, so forward came the eight of them, and as they went back Florence Hinkle, who was being wildly applauded by the great chorus, kissed her fingertips to them. Above the crescendo of applause could be heard members of the chorus, crying, ‘Hinkle!’

“One of the most interested persons present was Mrs. J. F. D. Lanier, president of the Society of Friends of Music, the New York woman chiefly responsible for the invasion of New York with the Mahler Symphony on April 9. She sat in the same box with the pianist, Harold Bauer.

“In a nearby box was the pianist, Ernest Schelling. Aline van Barentzen, the pianist, also was on hand. Ernest Hutcheson, Harold Randolph, Joseph Hofmann, Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Director Bodansky, of the Metropolitan Opera and of the Cincinnati Symphony, are expected to be present at today’s performance. Other prominent guests were entertained last night and will be entertained today by the Women’s Committee of the orchestra.

“It was announced last night that all seats for the extra performance of the Mahler Symphony on April 4th have been sold.”

After the third performance the Women’s Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra gave a reception to Leopold Stokowski, and the soloists, in the foyer of the Academy. This was followed by a supper at the Bellevue-Stratford in their honor and for a few distinguished guests.

The news of this production spread over America and Europe, and in Philadelphia created more excitement than had arisen in a generation. The demand for seats was so great, that it became necessary to announce extra performances in this city, and four more were given, making a total here of nine, including two public rehearsals. After the last, orders for seats, amounting to over $10,000 in Philadelphia alone, had to be refused. The dress rehearsal on Wednesday was open to the families of the performers and some others at a special price. A dress rehearsal was later given for public school children. The first performance was on a Thursday night, and then followed two in the regular season series. By the time four audiences had heard the symphony, all who had not heard it were seized with an overpowering desire to witness this extraordinary event.

The New York Performance

Such a journey was never before undertaken in musical circles here or abroad. Twelve hundred people left Philadelphia by private trains, totalling seventeen cars, about noon on Sunday, April 9th, reached New York in time to have a rehearsal and dine and dress at a hotel and at 8.15 appeared before a packed audience which included all the musicians then in America.

It was an inspiring occasion and one long to be remembered. That evening New York unreservedly acclaimed the Philadelphia Orchestra. Scenes of enthusiasm followed the first half, after a tremendous burst of applause when the curtain rose. But at the end the audience let itself go in a way never seen in Philadelphia.

There were many musicians in the house, including Ignace Paderewski, the members of the Flonzaley Quartet, Mme. Alma Glück and Efrem Zimbalist, Pablo Fasals, Henry Hadley, Mr. and Mrs. Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Rubin Goldmark, Dr. Frank Damrosch, Victor Harris, Harold Bauer, George W. Chadwick, Mischa Elman, Emma Eames, Leopold Godowsky, Rudolph Ganz, Arthur Foote, David Bispham, Percy Grainger, Arthur Hinton, Alfred Hertz, Franz Kneisel, Daniel Gregory Mason, Ernest Schelling, Walter K. Spalding (Department of Music, Harvard University), Josef Stransky, Arthur Whiting, Marcella Sembrich, Antonio Scotti, Cornelius Rübner (Columbia University), Fritz Kreisler, Mme. Schumann-Heink, and others.

New York Sun, April 10th, 1916:

“EIGHTH SYMPHONY BY MAHLER HEARD

“Society of Friends of Music Gives Concert at
the Metropolitan. Sent by Philadelphia

“The Society of the Friends of Music, which has performed a valuable function in the artistic musical life of this metropolis by bringing to the notice of a circle of trained listeners compositions not to be heard at public entertainments, emerged from its privacy to give an ambitious concert last evening in the Metropolitan Opera House. The novelty chosen was Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, which recently had its first hearing in this country in Philadelphia.

“When the huge symphonic and choral creation of Mr. Mahler was produced in Philadelphia, it was praised with emotion and thanksgiving, the interpretation was considered with reverence and rapture, and the concert had to be—or at any rate was—repeated several times. Upon the heels of this excitement, the whole show came to New York.

“The entire cast, chorus, orchestra and conductor were brought across New Jersey. The Philadelphia Orchestra, numbering for this occasion 110 players; the Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, a Children’s Chorus, the Philadelphia Choral Society, the Mendelssohn Club and the Fortnightly Club, constituted the choral forces. The presiding genius of all was Leopold Stokowski, the gifted and accomplished young conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

“Not a Box Office Symphony

“Mahler’s Eighth Symphony quite properly belongs to the class of compositions sought by the Society of the Friends of Music. It does not court the attention of musical directors, who must consider the wishes of the general public or the demands of the box office. New Yorkers may regret that a local orchestra and local choruses were not chosen for the presentation of the work; but only by preparing for more than one performance could the projectors of this production have hoped to complete their undertaking without losses too heavy to confront. Mahler was not troubling himself with practical considerations when he wrote the composition. He had a purpose, which he carried out in the seclusion of his study. And if Hector Berlioz might write a requiem mass fit only for festival occasions, why not Mahler an Eighth Symphony?”

“After the New York performance, W. J. Henderson said: “If Philadelphia believes that Mr. Stokowski is essential to her musical development, let her decline to permit him to conduct great concerts in New York. This is a piece of perfectly disinterested advice.

“The Sun’s musical chronicler would be delighted to see Mr. Stokowski a New York conductor. He has personality, force, authority, temperament, scholarship and imagination. His conducting of the Mahler Symphony was masterly. He would be a valuable factor in the musical life of New York.”

Although the Philadelphia Orchestra is a serious working organization, it has its moments of relaxation and pleasure. Such a one was the reception and dinner given by Mr. Van Rensselaer to the members of the Mahler Chorus on March 16th, 1916, at which the following programme was presented:

HORTICULTURAL HALL

Broad Street, Philadelphia

Programme of
Mr. Alexander Van Rensselaer’s
Buffet Dinner

Thursday Evening, March 16th, at Seven o’Clock
Given to the Members of the Mahler Choruses and
the Philadelphia Orchestra
(dismembered)

Philadelphia Orchestra
Soloists

Horsecar Schwer!!! that’s all
Ham Byndler!! Solo-Killest

Programme
Symphony “Ein Musikalischer Spass” | Mozart
| 1787, German
| Allegro |
Minuetto Maestoso
Adagio cantabile
Presto
(Ten Minutes Intermission at this Concert Only)
Concerto Brosso (1916) | Composer unknown
Probably an American, Philadelphian Preferred
(First time at these concerts)
| Adagio |
Andante Soustenuto
Large-o
Tone Poem “Tausend Künstler” | Schreiner
(Augmented Orchestra) | 1850-1916, Bavarian
Conductor | Sig ad Lib. Riddeus Thatch, Actor-conductor

“Note—Owing to the exceptional acoustic properties of the Hall, the Audience is requested to refrain from hilarity as the slightest murmur might be disconcerting to the performers. It is earnestly requested by the ‘Damagement’ and the ‘Board of Erectors’ that all vegetable offerings and tokens be of a firm nature.

“The personality of the orchestra will be found on the next page among the Programme notes composed by Professor Yepp.

Yes, my dear! The Piano is a Steamway

“The next ‘Mahler-ia’ concert will take place next week at 2 o’clock. Owing to the Philadelphia Blue-laws a very limited number of tickets will be available. The Knaben-chor will be heard to great advantage at this concert.

“Andrew Wheel-her, Secretary”

SPECIAL MAHLERATE PROFUNNYGRAM

Horticultural Hall
March 16, 1916

Programme Notes
“Ein Musikalischer Spass” | Mozart
| Born 1756, died 1791.

“This symphony pictures Mozart in his most happy mood. Where he got his inspiration from I do not know. What a pity he cannot be with us tonight; he would surely have an inspiration. But who knows what kind!

“The symphony, or, rather, first movement, opens with ‘Some Chords.’ However, they are in the key of ‘C’, so we are pretty safe. These opening chords are for the ‘Full’ orchestra and are very effective, provided they are ’Full Enough.

“The second movement is a minuet. You will notice that there is three in a bar, but six in the orchestra, so you see we are at least mathematically even, which ought to insure a fine rhythm—SOMETIMES (?). There is much fervor in this movement and some wrong notes in the horns, but why worry; they are printed in the score, and are consequently correct.

“Tausend Künstler”  | Schreiner
| Bavarian

(First time in America)

“This work really requires ‘more men,’ but Herr Schwer thinks he can handle it alone. The principal theme is of a martial and military nature. Mr. Schwer only had one rival, and that man died long ago. You will not have much difficulty in following Mr. Schwer, for in this work the performer is very much in evidence at all times. He is very familiar with all of the instruments required for this composition. He has ‘hit them’ very often and possesses an unusual amount of originalitye. ‘To See it is to Appreciate It.’ Mr. Schwer will depict thunder claps, echoes, bombardments, combats, cavalry charges, charge accounts, railroad wrecks, and many other scenic effects while performing this work.”

Personnel of Orchestra
“Mozart Symphony |
| J. K. Witzemann, Schroon Lake, N. Y.
F. W. Cook, Hampton Beach, N. H.
Emil Hahl, Willow Grove, Pa.
Louis Boehse, Profile House, N. H.
Anton Horner, Stone Harbor, N. J.
Joseph Horner, Tent City, Cal.
“Conductors—(negotiations pending).”

This occasion was much enjoyed by about 1200 guests, to whom an evening of musical fun was somewhat of a novelty.

After the production of the Mahler Symphony the Philadelphia Orchestra became the most talked of orchestra in America. Its reputation was made. This success, however, did not bring about any abatement in the conductor’s zeal, or make him relinquish his aims for the perfection of the orchestra.

On the part of the Board of Directors the result was a determination to put the orchestra on a firm financial basis. This desire was so great on the part of one of them, who wished to remain unknown, that he planned a course of action which involved a large expenditure on his part, but which with the co-operation of 1200 Philadelphians made it possible to roll up in seven years a fund of approximately $800,000.

Chapter II
The Seven Year Endowment Fund, 1916

The question of placing the Philadelphia Orchestra on a firm financial foundation had been under consideration for a long time by the Board of Directors. Each year the Guarantee Fund was becoming more difficult to secure and more of a burden; besides which hand-to-mouth financing is not a very creditable path to travel indefinitely. When these discussions arose, the first question always was “How can we solicit money for a permanent fund and beg for a Guarantee Fund at the same time?” That question always ended against a blank wall. No answer suggested itself until in May, 1916, Mr. Van Rensselaer received a communication from a person who wished to remain unknown, so he later received the title “Unknown Donor.”

The proposition was accepted by the Board and later by the Association, and was issued in a circular of which a copy is printed below.

“Endowment Fund

“To the Friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra:

“A friend of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, who desires to remain unknown, has offered to meet any deficit of the Orchestra for each of five years, beginning with the season of 1916-1917.

“The conditions under which this gift will become available are as follows:

“1. That an Endowment Fund of $100,000 yearly for five years shall be created by the Orchestra Association, so that the total Fund may be $500,000 at the end of this period.

“2. That the contract of the present conductor, Leopold Stokowski, shall be extended to cover this period of five years.

“3. It is earnestly desired that each friend of the Philadelphia Orchestra will pledge a generous amount in order to create this Endowment Fund. Heretofore, all subscriptions to the Philadelphia Orchestra have been spent year by year, to meet the annual deficit. Under this offer the money now contributed will not be so spent, but will be invested to insure the permanency of the Orchestra as an institution of Philadelphia.

“The Orchestra is a civic asset. If it is to fulfill its destiny and place Philadelphia in the front rank among the musical cities of the world, it must be endowed. In order to do this, the Orchestra Association must depend upon the generosity of its friends. We ask that the enclosed blank be signed and returned to us at your earliest opportunity. While it is hoped that all gifts may be for a period of five years, yearly contributions will be gratefully accepted. Payment of subscriptions will be on November 1st and March 1st of each year, beginning with November, 1916.

“Alexander Van Rensselaer
Frances A. Wister 
Edward W. Bok 
Endowment Committee”

The way out was found—at least the beginning of the solution was in sight.

The proposal was widely circulated and everybody connected with the Association began to work to raise the amount, which was to reach $500,000 in five years. This was later extended to seven years and now bears the name of “Seven Year Endowment Fund.” All persons connected with the Association threw themselves enthusiastically into the work of fulfilling the agreement with the Unknown Donor.

A meeting was called of the four Women’s Committees and their Auxiliaries, at the auditorium of the Curtis Building through the courtesy of Mr. Bok; the plans were explained and met with a vigorous response. The women were to raise money in two ways. One was to procure five-year subscriptions of large sums. The other was to secure small subscriptions by the Group Plan. This idea was suggested because the business management could not arrange to take care of sums of less than $25.00. The accumulation of such, therefore, was undertaken by the women, with Mrs. Arnett as Chairman. This piece of work was as trying as any ever entered upon, on account of the detail of keeping small accounts yearly for so long a period.

A group might include any number of persons but the minimum amount for each group could not be less than $25.00 yearly, for five years. The sum of $14,632.00 was raised by seventy-nine Groups, including two Junior Groups; but the most important feature of the plan was that it secured the interest of a number of hundred people who would otherwise have been deprived of the pleasure of assisting this cause. This was of infinite value to the Association. To Group Captains, who kept up their quotas of $25.00 yearly for five years, the orchestra owes much, for members often had to be replaced. The Women’s Committees have long acted on the principal that the active interest of many people was a necessity in building up an orchestra, and never was their belief more justified than at that time.

The work of the women was prosecuted with enthusiasm and the response was remarkable, not only from Philadelphia, but from Pennsylvania towns as far west as Harrisburg and in New Jersey as far south as Atlantic City.

Other ways of raising money were resorted to, such as chains of card parties, inaugurated by Mrs. John B. Thayer, Jr., whose own chain amounted to $2870, and various entertainments and concerts given by young people. These were necessarily gifts for one year and could not be included in the required $100,000.

The amount including large subscriptions and groups collected by the four Women’s Committees was a total for five years of $186,000, this being twenty-five per cent of the Fund.

In November, 1916, it was announced that the amount guaranteed for five years was over $500,000, more than stipulated under the contract with the Unknown Donor. It was then decided to ask the contributors to extend their yearly subscriptions two years longer, and many responded heartily. The name was changed to Seven Year Endowment Fund, and in 1923, the total had reached $788,400. About twelve hundred individuals contributed at this time, and through the groups over five hundred more.

The “Unknown Donor” disclosed himself in 1920, and proved to be Mr. Edward W. Bok. The satisfaction was great of knowing at last the name of this generous friend of music, who had enabled the Philadelphia Orchestra to place itself on a firm foundation.

Chapter III
The Orchestra During the World War

One year after the offer of the Unknown Donor had been accepted by the Board of Directors, the United States was in a state of war. The condition of Europe during the past three years had in a way been disturbing in orchestral circles, because no men could leave Europe and players were scarce. Also, foreign men were called home, leaving vacancies that were difficult to fill. Still, the orchestra had flourished and continued to advance artistically under Mr. Stokowski’s guiding hand.

In April, 1917, however, musical organizations in America were facing a different and a serious situation. In everybody’s mind the questions lingered and would not be put away: “How is the Philadelphia Orchestra going to survive a war?” “Will there be any players, and will there be any money for music?” Philadelphians spoke not these words aloud, but they feared for the existence of the city’s most beloved art organization.

In December, 1917, the four Women’s Committees were desirous of making a patriotic demonstration with the orchestra, and at the suggestion of Mrs. J. Sellers Bancroft, an American flag was presented at each of a pair of concerts.

“PRESENTATION OF FLAG

To the Philadelphia Orchestra Association by the Women’s
Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra
Presentation of Flag

Miss Frances A. Wister, President

The Women’s Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra

The audience is requested to join in singing the National Anthem:
The Star Spangled Banner
(1 verse)

Acceptance of Flag for The Philadelphia Orchestra Association:
Mr. Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
The Philadelphia Orchestra Association

Acceptance of Flag on behalf of the Orchestra:
Mr. Leopold Stokowski, Conductor

The audience is requested to join in singing
‘America’
(2 verses)”

Ledger, December 23rd, 1917:

“Viewed in the light of all that has been written, said and done regarding the relation of the musical art and its interpreters to the war and the conception of the majority as to what constitutes patriotism, the public action of the Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra last week, on December 14th and 15th, when their president, Miss Frances Wister, introduced by Alexander Van Rensselaer, president of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, presented the orchestra with a flag which was accepted by Leopold Stokowski, seemed full of deepest significance. In presenting the flag, Miss Wister made a graceful little speech about the relation of patriotism and art and said, among other things:

“‘In order to express our loyalty to our country’s cause and to the Association which we have fostered so long, and to testify to our belief in the necessity for music as a mighty inspiration, a profound solace during times of stress, we take pleasure in presenting to the Philadelphia Orchestra Association and to the Orchestra a flag.

“‘This is the visible demonstration of the patriotism of this organization and of the Women’s Committees during our period of national peril.’

“Both Mr. Van Rensselaer and Mr. Stokowski spoke words of appreciation of the Women’s Committees’ offering. The former read the resolutions adopted by the Association, and the most popular of musical leaders, Mr. Stokowski, on behalf of the orchestra announced that he and the men meant to give their services in a concert for the benefit of the American Red Cross, which statement naturally was greeted with responsive applause by the huge audience.

“The remarks by which Mr. Stokowski declared the Orchestra’s loyalty to the United States were gracefully made, and his action necessarily was profoundly appreciated by his many friends and admirers whose numbers have already increased accordingly.

“The ceremonies closed with two verses of ‘America’ in which everyone joined heartily. The effect was thrilling. Many eyes were moist and many hearts were moved.

“These are trying times that test men’s souls and it does not take much to force to the surface deep, pent-up emotions that long training had suppressed.”

At a special meeting of the Board of Directors, December 13th, 1917, the following Resolution was unanimously adopted:

“Whereas the Women’s Committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra are presenting to the Philadelphia Orchestra Association and the Philadelphia Orchestra two American flags as an expression of the patriotic spirit animating their organization of two thousand women,

“Be It Resolved by the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association in behalf of the fifteen hundred contributing members of the Association, that these flags be accepted in the spirit with which they are given, with the thanks of the Association, and that the management be instructed to display them on the stage of the Academy at each concert given by the Orchestra.

“Be It Further Resolved by the Board of Directors, that it pledges the loyalty of the Association to the Government and people of the United States in this crisis in the affairs of the nation, and offers its services to be made use of in any way in which the Government of the United States may deem wise.”

The next patriotic demonstration was the concert at Camp Dix, N. J.

Public Ledger, January 3rd, 1918:

“ORCHESTRA PLAYS FOR CAMP DIX MEN

100 Musicians under Leopold Stokowski
Entertain 3000 Soldiers

“The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Leopold Stokowski, aroused more than 3000 khaki-clad men here in the big Y. M. C. A. auditorium to outbursts of enthusiastic applause, when they concluded an entire Tschaikowsky programme, including the Symphony Pathétique, the famous ‘Nutcracker’ Suite, and the stirring overture Solennelle. The concert was made possible through the courtesy of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association.

“The large auditorium was crowded to the doors with the privates in training for the National Army, while the officers occupied a square patch of seats in the center. Alexander Van Rensselaer, President of the Orchestra Association, and Edward Bok and Charles D. Hart, directors, were among the officials who accompanied the orchestra. With the party also was Noah Swayne of the Orpheus Club. The party arrived in Camp on a special train, and the musicians were escorted to the Y. M. C. A. hostess house and served a luncheon by society girls.

“Mr. Van Rensselaer, Mr. Bok, Mr. Stokowski and Mr. Swayne were entertained at the division headquarters mess.

“When Mr. Stokowski took his place at the stage, he was given an ovation, and throughout the four movements of the symphony, the men watched the discipline of the players with an interested eye.

“The contrast of the dark evening suits of the orchestra with the mud-stained puttees and brown uniforms of the thousands of enlisted men formed a novel sight. One officer was overheard saying to another:

“‘How would you like to be captain of those collective artistic temperaments?’

“After the first movement of the symphony was ended in a crash of tympani, the same officer said:

“‘Well, if we can train a million men of the National Army to such precision and such discipline as that, we will have no trouble in beating the Huns.’

“During the intermission, the entire audience did a sort of ‘eyes right’ when a group picture of the concert was taken.”

Besides this concert, men in the service stationed at Philadelphia were given many opportunities to enjoy the orchestra. Beginning in November, 1917, subscribers were requested through a notice in the programme to send tickets that they could not use to the manager, to be placed at the disposal of soldiers and sailors and it was a common sight to see men in uniform at the Saturday evening concerts.

On January 23rd the promised Red Cross Concert was given at the Metropolitan Opera House before a large audience. The affair was most successful financially, the amount turned over being $7045.00.

Liberty Loans

The subject of Liberty Loans was more and more occupying the public mind and soon claimed the attention of musicians.

The first booth during the Third Liberty Loan of May, 1918, was in front of 1427 Chestnut Street, and was presided over by Mr. and Mrs. Stokowski on two Saturday mornings. A quartet of trombones from the orchestra offered their services at the booth and attracted large crowds. The result of these two mornings was $114,000.

During the next loan, the Fourth, the booth, which was a shell dug-out in front of the Union League, was in charge of the four Women’s Committees. For the first time in their existence the Committees diverted their minds from the orchestra for a brief space to participate in a patriotic act. This loan occurred at the time of the influenza epidemic and the women who served did so at some risk. No member, however, contracted the disease, or was the worse for the experience.

The booth was open for two weeks only, but with the assistance of members of the orchestra, the amount collected was $896,000.

When the Victory Loan was announced for May, 1919, the Women’s Committees were asked to again take charge of a booth for three weeks at the same place. Miss Frances A. Wister acted as Chairman for the second time, and they were assisted by a Committee of Musicians from the orchestra, when their engagements permitted; and a Committee from the Business Management. Seventy-six members of the Women’s Committees served during the Loan, as follows: Women’s Committee 27; Germantown and Chestnut Hill, 13; West Philadelphia, 22; Media, Chester and West Chester, 14. The total number of subscriptions received was 825, amounting to $691,300.

This, added to the total of $896,000 for the Fourth Loan and that of $114,000 at the Third Loan, made a grand total of $1,701,300.

Music at the booth was furnished without expense by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and ten other well-known artists, including Mr. David Bispham. Mr. Albert N. Hoxie gave a patriotic demonstration one day, with a parade and a chorus of one thousand, and the First Regiment Marine Corps Band.

The Tribute Trees

Another patriotic enterprise in which the Board of Directors and the Women’s Committees took part was the planting of tribute trees in honor of men in the service, on Fairmount Parkway, at the invitation of the Civic Club of Philadelphia. Fifty-five trees were planted on the Parkway at Twenty-second Street, and the Board and the Committees were represented at the ceremonies on April 25th, 1919.

The Association did all in its power to assist in war time. Nearly $300,000 of the Endowment Fund was invested in Liberty Loans. On account of railroad congestion traveling was largely eliminated, but this was the only American orchestra permitted to cross the Canadian border, which journey was made for the Toronto Festival.

The audience was not allowed to forget the nation’s situation, as Mr. Stokowski had at the first concert of the season inaugurated the ceremony of playing the Star Spangled Banner, orchestrated by himself, at the beginning of every concert, while the house stood. Later he organized and led a band of nearly two hundred pieces at Franklin Field, when funds were being raised for a special War Chest, and he did the same for the Service Star parade.

Eight of the musicians went into the service.

To mark the signing of the Armistice, special ceremonies were held at the concert of November 15th, 1918. Representatives of the Allied Nations appeared on the stage with their flags while their national anthems were played. The audience stood during the playing of MacDowell’s “Dirge,” from the Indian Suite, which was played in memory of those Americans who had died in the war.

When Philadelphia realized that the orchestra had survived in its full strength and with little curtailment of its schedule, except for out-of-town concerts, and the postponement of two pairs of Philadelphia concerts on account of the epidemic, there was a sigh of gratitude. After such labors to procure an orchestra for Philadelphia, its abandonment would have been a tragedy and a calamity.

Chapter IV
The Twentieth Anniversary
Million Dollar Endowment Fund, 1919

During the war the Seven Year Endowment Fund continued to be paid in showing that Philadelphians were learning to prize what they had. But the Board of Directors was now faced with another problem, the fact that the increased cost of everything in life made it evident that even the Seven Year Fund was going to be insufficient to meet the yearly deficit. Mr. Edward W. Bok then suggested that the Association should conduct a campaign to raise $1,000,000 during the month of October, 1919, in honor of the twentieth season of the Philadelphia Orchestra. This was in January, 1919, and after the Board of Directors had decided to take this bold step, a Campaign Committee was appointed by Mr. Van Rensselaer, of which Mr. Bok was made chairman; in such fashion do one’s sins return to one.

This Committee met at intervals during the winter, and Mr. Bok, fertile in ideas, formulated his plan of action. This was to have a Committee of Fifty Campaign Chairmen, men and women, each of whom should raise $20,000. Luncheons were to be held twice each week during the month at which reports were to be made. Chairmen having less than $2000 were obliged to announce “No report.”

A circular was widely distributed in order to inform the public of the plans of the Association.

“THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN

“The next season of the Philadelphia Orchestra marks the Twentieth Anniversary. To mark this event, the people of Philadelphia will be asked to complete the Endowment Fund begun in 1915, which was interrupted by the war. For nineteen years, a group of Philadelphia men and women have sustained the annual deficit of the Orchestra. This group has maintained the Orchestra until it reached its present unquestioned position as the leading symphony orchestra in the United States. The Association now feels that the Philadelphia public should place the Orchestra, once for all, on a permanent financial basis. This can be done by completing the Endowment Fund.”

“The Endowment Fund as it Stands

“The present Endowment Fund consists of $500,000. In addition to this, there are pledges not yet matured which will bring the amount, within two years, to $800,000. Carefully invested, this total fund will insure the Orchestra a net income of approximately $36,000 a year. This is not sufficient to carry the annual deficit.

“The Orchestra’s Annual Deficit

The cost of the Orchestra per season is |   $304,000
The income per season is | 238,000
Last year’s deficit was, therefore | 66,000
“With increasing costs, the estimated deficit for |
future years will be | $80,000.

“What the Complete Endowment Fund Will Mean

“To the present Endowment Fund, therefore, must be added One Million Dollars. This would mean an estimated income of $81,000, on a total fund of $1,800,000.

“It is this additional

One Million Dollars

that it is now proposed to ask the Philadelphia public to subscribe.

“It should be borne in mind that not a penny of this amount is spent; all is permanently invested, and only the interest therefrom is used to maintain the Orchestra.

“Where the Money Goes

“93 cents out of every dollar of income is spent on the Orchestra; put back into the Orchestra, in other words, in order to increase its efficiency:

Salaries of Orchestra members |   55.61%
Expense of rentals, etc., of concerts at |
Philadelphia and out-of-town | 34.61%
Miscellaneous expenses |
(Orchestra music, insurance, etc.) | 2.78%
Administration expenses | 7.00%

“The Smallness of the Orchestra Deficit

“The annual deficit of the Philadelphia Orchestra of $66,000 is one of the smallest of any of the large symphony orchestras of the United States. These deficits average from $85,000 to $125,000 per year. And yet, with one exception, the Philadelphia Orchestra is the largest symphony orchestra in number of musicians, in the United States, and plays a longer season.

“The Details of the Campaign to Raise
One Million Dollars

“It will begin October 1st, 1919, and continue throughout the month.

“The amount to be raised is One Million Dollars.

“There will be 50 Committees, each Committee to raise a minimum of $20,000.

“These 50 Committees will be under the general chairmanship of Dr. Charles D. Hart.

“The headquarters will be, during October, at the Hotel Ritz-Carlton, Broad and Walnut Streets.

“The territory for the campaign will include the counties of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester and Bucks.

“Pledges will be payable in cash (much preferred) or 50% payable January 1, 1920, and 50% payable May 1st, 1920.

“The Depository for the Fund will be Messrs. Drexel & Company, to whom all checks should be drawn.

“All pledges should be delivered to Dr. Charles D. Hart, or Miss Frances A. Wister, at the Ritz-Carlton Headquarters.

“The Endowment Campaign Committee
Edward W. Bok, Chairman
John F. Braun | Dr. Charles D. Hart | Miss Frances A. Wister
Samuel S. Fels | Effingham B. Morris | Charlton Yarnall
Alexander Van Rensselaer
General Chairman of Committees
Dr. Charles D. Hart”

Mr. Joseph E. Widener provided the Campaign Headquarters in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where an office force was installed and the bi-weekly luncheons held.

Dr. Hart worked hard to procure the fifty Chairmen and fifty-three people consented to serve, but some dropped by the wayside. At the opening campaign luncheon, on September 29th, 1919, there were in actual service only forty-two. As was to be expected, some collected more than their quotas and some less. Women chairmen predominated, there being twenty-eight of these to fourteen men. Their names should be recorded.

Chairmen

Messrs. Edward W. Bok, John F. Braun, Charles D. Hart, Henry McKean Ingersoll, Alexander Van Rensselaer and Andrew Wheeler of the Board of Directors; and from outside, Messrs. Henry G. Brengle, W. W. Fry, J. B. Henkels, Jr., George I. Bodine, G. H. Lang, Maurice Speiser, Herbert J. Tily and Wm. Jay Turner.

Women Chairmen

Mrs. Alfred Reginald Allen, Mrs. Wm. W. Arnett, Mrs. Thomas G. Ashton, Mrs. Charles Carver, Mrs. Herbert L. Clark, Mrs. Matthew H. Cryer, Mrs. Joseph M. Gazzam, Mrs. Charles W. Henry, Mrs. Henry S. Jeanes, Miss Lea, Mrs. Joseph Leidy, Mrs. Wm. S. Newcomet, Mrs. Thomas Robins, Countess of Santa Eulalia, Mrs. Wm. A. Slaughter, Mrs. John B. Thayer, 3rd., Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly, Miss F. A. Wister, Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall and Mrs. Camille Zeckwer, all members of the Women’s Committees.

In addition to these women, able assistance was given by Mrs A. J. Dallas Dixon, Mrs. L. Chandler Williams, and six women who had not up to this time been connected with the Philadelphia Orchestra, except as enthusiastic patrons. These were Mrs. Frederic W. Abbott, in charge of the Matinee Musicale Club Committee, Mrs. Frank T. Griswold, Mrs. Joseph N. Snellenburg, Mrs. John B. Thayer, Mrs. J. William White, and the Motor Messenger Service under Mrs. Thomas L. Elwyn.

The Germantown and Chestnut Hill and the Media, Chester and West Chester Committees acted under their own presidents. The work of this committee under Mrs. Cryer and that of Mrs. Wm. A. Slaughter in West Jersey deserve special mention on account of the distances covered.

Synopsis of the Results:

Twenty members of the four Women’s Committees,   |
as individual chairmen | $396,292.36
Women Chairmen outside of Women’s Committees | 191,832.55
Total for 28 Women Chairmen | $588,124.91

This was 53% of the Fund, but the women Chairmen were two to one against the men.

Besides the collections made by the Committee of Fifty, amounts came in from other sources, such as, members of the Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, the Van Rensselaer Tribute, the two Wister Tributes, the Van Rensselaer-Bok Telegram to business firms, the Telephone Circular, the Main Line Bonds, other Liberty Bonds, contributions received at the office, etc.

A unique feature of the campaign was the memorials and tributes which gave people an opportunity to place the names of family or friends on special tablets to be placed in the Academy of Music. No less than $1000 was accepted for each memorial.

MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES

in
The Philadelphia Orchestra Endowment Fund
1919

Memorials to the Fallen in the World War

Major Alfred Reginald Allen, U. S. A.

The American Heroes in the Great War,

Unknown and Unsung

Lieutenant Mortimer P. Crane, B. A.

Lieutenant William Boulton Dixon, U. S. A.

Ensign George B. Evans, Jr., U. S. N. Air Service

Lieutenant Robert H. Gamble, U. S. A.

Lieutenant William B. Kuehn, U. S. A.

Lieutenant Paul Borda Kurtz, U. S. A.

Ralph Leslie Melville, B. A.

Major Talbot Mercer Papineau, M. C.

Corporal Abram K. Street, U. S. A.

Lieutenant Arthur Richmond Taber, U. S. A.

Members of Strawbridge & Clothier Chorus

Arthur Howell Wilson, U. S. A.

Twelve Philadelphia Boy Scout Heroes

Tributes of Thanksgiving
for the safe return of

Lieutenant William Curtis Bok, U. S. N.
Hamilton Disston Carpenter, U. S. A.
Lieutenant Leonard E. Powell
Lieutenant Sydney Thayer, Jr., U. S. M. C.
Lieutenant George Bowen, U. S. M. C.
John Frederick Sieberling, U. S. A.
Harold Francis Weston, B. A.
Personal Memorials and Appreciations
In Memory of
Josephine L. S. Adams | G. Martin Brill
Blanche Baldwin | Richard Vaux Buckley
Beulah Hecker Bancroft | William Burnham
George Barrie | Lois Buchanan Cassatt
Maude Eckert Benson | William T. Carter
Rudolph Blankenburg | Frederick Taylor Chandler
Joseph B. Bloodgood | Mrs. Anna L. Comegys
Mary Frances Bloodgood | Richard Y. Cook
Sieke Gertrude Bok | Hugh Craig, Jr.
Elizabeth S. Braun | Michael H. Cross
Louis Brégy | Charles Howe Cummings
Arthur Brock | Harry K. Cummings
Charles Hall Brock | Louise Knapp Curtis
Edward Tonkin Dobbins | Richard Rossmässler
Franklin Duane | Edward Collin Rossmässler
George W. Elkins | John C. Schaefer
Adam H. Fetterolf, LL. D. | Fritz Scheel
Simon B. Fleisher | Mrs. Francis Schroeder
Robert H. Foerderer | Mrs. William Simpson, Jr.
Rev. Frederic Gardiner | Henry M. Steel
Dr. W. W. Gilchrist | John M. Steffan
Anne Starr Griscom | John B. Stetson
Harry B. Hall | Dr. Reuel Stewart
John William Hallahan, 3rd | William Stoll, Jr.
George W. Harrah | Roland Leslie Taylor, Jr.
Thomazinha E. Harrah | Archibald Graham Thomson
Maria Ames Harte | Frank Thomson
Sarah Kent How | James Tily
Max Livingston | S. Letitia Tily
Harriet Anne Lucas | Edward K. Tryon, Jr.
Mabel Eleanor McCahan | Alice Douglas Turner
John R. McDowell | Isabel G. Walker
Henry J. Maris | Frederick Weber
Dr. Charles Mohr | J. William White, M. D.
John Paul Morris | Eleanor Mercer Vanderbilt
John Thompson Morris | William F. Vache
Harlan Page | Mary Channing Wister
Riehlé Memorial Fund | William Brewster Wood
Helen Hamilton Robins | Harold Ellis Yarnall
Theodore Roosevelt |
In Appreciation of
Edward W. Bok | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Leopold Stokowski | Frances Anne Wister
Olga Stokowski |

ENDOWMENT FUND
MEMORIAL TABLET

Miss Wister’s name was placed on the tablet by the contribution of two large amounts, one from the Women’s Committee and one from the Auxiliary.

The tablets beautifully designed by Mr. Paul Cret, the noted architect, are placed on each side of the entrance to the inner lobby.

The delightful luncheons held bi-weekly instilled in the workers much enthusiasm and were attended by from 300 to 400 people each time. At these the following well-known public and private individuals and artists appeared, all giving freely of their time and often of their money to help the great cause:

Miss Margaret Anglin, Mr. David Bispham, Mrs. A. J. Cassatt, Mrs. Edward H. Coates, Mr. Cyrus H. K. Curtis, Mr. Walter Damrosch, Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske, Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, Mr. Walter Hampden, Dr. John Grier Hibben, Mr. Josef Hofmann, Miss Estelle Hughes (Winner of Stokowski Medal), Mr. Sascha Jacobinoff, Mr. Otto H. Kahn, Mr. Hans Kindler, Rabbi Krauskopf, Mme. Matzenauer, Miss Violet Oakley, Judge Patterson, Bishop Rhinelander, Dr. Thaddeus Rich, Mme. Samaroff, Mr. Oscar Schwar and a group of men from the orchestra.

The thrill of these occasions will never be forgotten by the campaigners. Only those who participated can have any idea of the enthusiasm and excitement prevailing among the workers who eagerly awaited the reports. After speeches and music of a very delightful nature, the chairmen were called by name and saw their totals written on a large black-board. Many of them went to bed the night before with nothing in their pockets and arrived at headquarters in the morning to find their able assistants had brought in the required two thousand and more. It is marvellous that Mr. Bok could, besides running a campaign, manage such brilliant affairs as these were, twice each week. It was no unusual sight to see four hundred men and women come in exhausted and discouraged, and go forth with renewed vigor to beg money. The spirit of excitement ran through it all, for raising money is as uncertain as gambling in that the pursuer never knows when he accosts a victim what the outcome will be, large, small, or nothing, and many surprises were experienced. The competition was great, for Mr. Bok had offered $1,000 each to the first ten committees to raise their quotas.

The Officers and Directors and the members of the Women’s Committees and their Auxiliaries swarmed at the Ritz. Over it all was the influence of Mr. Van Rensselaer, with a courteous and cheerful word for all the harassed.

Philadelphia Press, September 28th, 1919:

“400 Enlisted for Campaign to Save Philadelphia Orchestra.
Volunteer Workers will Receive Final Instructions
at Ritz-Carlton Luncheon Tomorrow

$1,000,000 Fund the Goal

Failure may Mean Loss to City of Asset
of Incalculable Value

“Musical Philadelphia is watching with a great deal of interest and anxiety, the movement on foot to ‘make the Philadelphia Orchestra safe for Philadelphia’ by raising the endowment of $1,000,000, for otherwise, it has been announced that this organization must be seriously curtailed in its activities.”

ENDOWMENT FUND
MEMORIAL TABLET

“Many cities sustaining an orchestra are greatly aided by the work and philanthropy of one or two men, but in the case of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the burden of making up the yearly deficit is distributed among a number of people.

“The Committee of fifty Chairmen who will meet tomorrow at the ‘get-together luncheon’ are each pledged to turn in for his Committee a sum of $20,000. Each Chairman has a group of co-workers, including prominent social and philanthropic leaders of this city.

Orchestra’s Value to City

“The campaign to save the Orchestra for Philadelphia has set loose a flood tide of arguments as to the value of this organization to the city’s life. To business men the argument that the Philadelphia Orchestra is a great advertisement to the city will make the strongest appeal, while to the great number of people interested in the artistic life of the city the argument that its pre-eminent place in the world of music merits their greatest support will naturally serve to stir them to action.”

“The realization that the possession of an orchestra of high standing is a great commercial as well as a great civic asset to a city, has caused a number of cities to build up an organization similar to the one Philadelphia already possesses.”

Ranks With World’s Best

“By a most consistent plan of development under the direction of Alexander Van Rensselaer, the Philadelphia Orchestra, now in its twentieth year, has earned the reputation of being ‘the first orchestra in America.’ No less a critic than H. T. Parker, of Boston, writing in the Boston Transcript says, ‘there can no longer be any doubt that the Philadelphia Orchestra is today the first of all American orchestras. In fact, it may be said now to rank among the five great orchestral organizations in the world.’ Mr. Ossip Gabrilowitsch, famous no less as a conductor than a pianist, says that ‘it is now a most important factor in the musical life of this country, and has set a standard of excellence which all other symphony orchestras in America, no matter how famous, must bear in mind, if they wish to maintain their places in the front rank.’”

“Under Stokowski the Orchestra has made a rapid step forward. The first performance in America of the Mahler Symphony, using a chorus of over one thousand singers, made the whole country ‘sit up.’”

“One element that the committee in charge of this endowment fund campaign must combat, is the confidence that the $1,000,000 can be easily raised. This is unpsychological. This same notion has frequently spoiled some of the best organized campaigns for endowing other worthy institutions in this city.”

The publicity for the campaign was brilliantly conceived and executed by Mr. Bok.

In the spring “The Orchestra News” began to appear monthly, with the idea of making the story of the organization much more widely known than it had heretofore been. Its pages were “instructive and entertaining” as the expression was in old times. So were the various folders and leaflets sent out during the campaign itself. Persons of importance in the business world helped with the publicity as well as with large contributions.

“THE ORCHESTRA NEWS

“Published Every Once in a While in the Interests of
the Philadelphia Orchestra at the
Pennsylvania Building, Philadelphia

“Why I Came to Philadelphia

“Because—America was fast becoming (and has since completely become) the great music-making country of the world.

“Because—Fritz Scheel (with his instinct for choosing exactly the right artist for each position in the orchestra) had laid the foundation of a wonderful orchestra. Since then many fine artists have been added but the main structure of the personnel remains as Scheel created it.

“Because—I felt in Philadelphia the existence of a warm hearted and genuinely music-loving public which I believed would grow. This it has done amazingly in the last few years.

“It is my ardent hope that this development will continue, and that we may soon welcome among us the great number of music lovers in Philadelphia, who have not yet come to us.

“Leopold Stokowski”

“To The Business Men of Philadelphia

“We are convinced that the Philadelphia Orchestra is entitled to the support of the business men of Philadelphia. The Orchestra is now the leading symphony orchestra in the United States, and has become a distinct civic asset of signal value to Philadelphia. The impression made by the Orchestra in the largest cities in America which it visits and where it plays before 100,000 persons during each season has been proven to be of the most pronounced advertising value to our city. To place this Orchestra on a permanent financial basis such as the Endowment Fund of One Million Dollars now asked will accomplish, is a distinct investment for the business interests of the city. To compel so valuable a municipal asset to be discontinued for lack of this fund cannot be considered.

“We ask, therefore, that the business men of Philadelphia will join us in the support of the Orchestra in this campaign.

“Samuel Rea | “W. W. Atterbury
Effingham B. Morris | E. Pusey Passmore
John Gribbel | John H. Mason
Samuel T. Bodine | James Crosby Brown
Samuel M. Vauclain | Samuel S. Fels
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Ellis A. Gimbel
William A. Law | William P. Gest”

“We Do It In New York
By Otto H. Kahn

“A business man should realize that he makes a definite investment, yielding interest to him and to his city in civic and business advantage, when he supports a worthy art organization in his community.

“In New York we have come more and more to realize the value, the merit and the obligation of such investments.

“The Metropolitan Opera, for instance, and our several symphony concert organizations were started and have always been and are now being supported financially by business men.

“These and similar art enterprises have become not only genuine assets in the lives of the people who support and patronize them, but distinct and profitable business assets to the city.

“Of late, another organization, the Philadelphia Orchestra, has entered into friendly and successful rivalry with the old-established symphonic organizations of New York.

“The public and press of New York are one in acknowledging gladly and cordially that Philadelphia has now in its Orchestra, under its eminent leader, one of the greatest organizations of the kind in the United States, or, indeed, anywhere.

“Its visits to New York are welcomed and looked forward to.

“It has taken an honored place in the musical life of New York.

“In what it has achieved, it has served and proclaimed Philadelphia.

“It carries the message of Philadelphia wherever it appears: a high and fine message of credit and renown to the city which gave it being and supports it.

“The civic value and the business value of the investment which is represented by the Philadelphia Orchestra are definite and great.

“The eminent position and conspicuous reputation which it has attained are assets of great price to its home city.

“The business men of Philadelphia should take pride in coming forward unhesitatingly and generously to the full support of the splendid musical organization which bears the name and enhances the fame of Philadelphia.

“Otto H. Kahn.”

The newspaper publicity was very fine and the programme books were also pressed into service, to further the campaign. Mr. Bok’s and Mr. Stokowski’s clever appeals kept the subject well in the minds of the audiences during that month by the following appeals:

“A Personal Invitation

“Much as we would like to do so, we cannot naturally reach personally every resident of Philadelphia for their contribution to the Million Dollar Endowment Fund to save the Philadelphia Orchestra.

“In case we have not reached you, will you regard this as a personal invitation to help in our efforts to save our beautiful Orchestra by filling in the blank below and mailing it to the address given?

“Please remember that not a penny of your money will be spent: every dollar is carefully invested, and will work year in and year out, for all time, only the interest being used to pay the expenses of the Orchestra. Your subscription, therefore, is a legacy to yourself, your children, the Orchestra and the city.

“The Philadelphia Orchestra Endowment
Campaign Committee.”

Programme, October 17th, 1919:

“A Personal Message From Mr. Stokowski

“We are facing two possibilities today:

“One: Shall we continue the Orchestra as it is?

“The other: Shall we reduce it?

“Let me tell you exactly what these two things mean,

so that we will know exactly what we are leading to.

“Suppose we reduce the orchestra: which we must do if we do not raise this Endowment Fund. That means that your first men in the orchestra, the chiefs of each section, would not remain, because there are orchestras being formed all over the country now, and these orchestras will naturally take away the splendid first men that we have in our Orchestra.

“You would naturally have to replace those men with second-class men. You would have to do this because the relation of supply and demand of orchestral players is tremendously intense. There is far more demand than there is supply of really great players. Having second-class men in those positions—I must speak frankly to you now—you would have a second-class orchestra.

“Now, whoever you have for conductor cannot possibly give you really first-quality results if he has a second-quality orchestra. That is impossible.

“Then you could not allow such an orchestra to go outside of Philadelphia. You could not permit a second-class orchestra bearing the name of the city to travel to the West, to New York, Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and the various places where we play. It would be too much to our shame. We could not do it. So all the tours would have to be cut out.

“In Philadelphia itself we should not be able to give concerts of the first quality, and you would naturally become dissatisfied. And after these second-rate concerts had gone on for one or two seasons, you would say to yourself, this must stop; we must have again an orchestra like what we used to have; we must have a first-class orchestra. You would begin all over again to rebuild your Orchestra once more, and do you realize how long it takes to build or rebuild an orchestra?

“Do you realize that it took me personally all the seven years that I have been in Philadelphia to get three first-class artists for just one section of the Orchestra? And you have ninety-seven men in your Orchestra! That gives you just an idea of the work involved.”

“Will Philadelphia give its Orchestra its needed fund, avoid the calamity I have tried to outline and let the Orchestra go on as it is, and as the generations go on, and we go from this life, we will have the feeling that its influence will go on; that it will accumulate tradition; that it will go on maturing; and that it will become more and more beautiful.

“Leopold Stokowski.”

“P. S. In the above I have tried to tell you what must happen if the Orchestra fails to secure the Endowment Fund for which it asks.

“In the programme for next week’s concerts, I want to tell you what will happen if we do get the Fund; the plan that we have so long had in mind for the Orchestra and Philadelphia.”

“To the Friends of
 The Philadelphia Orchestra

“We have reason to believe that it is in the hearts of a number of the friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra to leave a legacy in their wills to the Orchestra. Appreciative as we are of this beautiful thought on the part of these friends, we hope we may not be misunderstood if we suggest the thought that were such legacies now given to the Endowment Fund when the Orchestra stands at the cross-roads of its career, and when the next fortnight must determine its continuance or its dissolution, the service rendered would be greater than may be possible at any other period in its history. If ever the Orchestra has need of the kindliest thoughts of its friends it is at this time when the prestige of this superb organization may be maintained, its present excellence continued, and its strength conserved: when it is here to support and when the generosity of those who believe in it can save it and make it the permanent institution of Philadelphia that it deserves and should be.”

Programme, October 24th-25th, 1919:

“It is not a campaign-slogan:
it is the truth when we say:

Save the Orchestra

“If the Endowment Fund fails, this will be the last
season that the Orchestra can remain at its present
strength of excellence.
“Is that to be your gift to it on its twentieth
birthday?”

“What Will Happen If We Succeed

By Leopold Stokowski

“In last week’s programme I tried to tell you how we would have to curtail the Philadelphia Orchestra, if we failed to get the Endowment Fund for which we are all striving; how we would have to let our best artists go; how we would, for very shame, stop traveling to other cities because we had a second-class orchestra. All this is absolute.

“Just as absolute, however, is the other side of the picture if Philadelphia will give its Orchestra this fund.

“We would naturally not only continue the Orchestra as it is, but we would go on developing it every season to a higher quality, for in art there is no end, since, as soon as you reach the horizon which you saw a year ago, new horizons appear and new fields of beauty. The end never comes, because you are never satisfied; that is the wonderful thing about art.

“Let us in Philadelphia go forward; not backward! Let us carry this fund through.

“We are not asking for a fund that is raised and spent. Not a penny of the Million Dollars is to be spent; every dollar is to be invested and put away. Twenty, thirty, forty years from now it will still be there, always working, bearing interest. And only this interest is to be spent.

“Is this not a good investment for yourself, your children and your city?

“Upon this twentieth anniversary I plead for this birthday gift to the Orchestra.

“Leopold Stokowski.”

The appeal sent to telephone subscribers ran as follows:

“The Present You Can Make With Two Dollars
For Yourself and Children

“A handful of people, for nineteen years, have paid all the bills of the Philadelphia Orchestra; until now the foremost artists and the leading music critics have proclaimed it to be the greatest orchestra in the United States, and one of the five great orchestras of the world.

“The expense of the orchestra is now too great for a few to continue to pay. This year the orchestra will be twenty years old, and, as a birthday present, it is now asked that the people of Philadelphia, as a whole, will make the orchestra permanent by completing its Endowment Fund, each contributing only two dollars, making it in a true sense the orchestra of the people.

Your Two Dollars Will Never be Spent

“It will be carefully invested, and only the interest used for the Orchestra. Your gift is, therefore, one for all the years to come: a permanent gift to a permanent institution.”

In December two concerts were given for these contributors who numbered several thousand.

When October 31st arrived and the million dollars was neither in hand nor in sight, the campaign was extended for one week. The appeals became more and more urgent.

Programme October 31st, November 1st.

“For Lack of Help the Campaign may Fail!

“Owing to a lack of sufficient workers, the Million Dollars necessary for the proper Endowment of the Philadelphia Orchestra has not been raised.

“Tired, but full of courage, those who are working have decided to extend the campaign for another week.

“Campaigns usually fail because the money cannot be had. Here the money is in sight, but the friends of the Orchestra have not come forth in sufficient numbers to collect the funds.

“Is the campaign to fail for this unusual reason?

“Will you not, man or woman, give a day, two days of this extra week to help us collect the last $250,000 necessary to complete the fund?

“You cannot, at this time, render a greater service to the Orchestra. You can, at this most critical time, do your part to

Save the Orchestra.”

“Will You Not?

“May we ask you, as a final appeal for the Orchestra, to give to it

Just One Liberty Bond

of any denomination, as your contribution to save the Orchestra for yourself and the city at this critical time in its history?

“Whether you have given previously or not, will you not do this one more act?

“The Bond you give will not be sold: it will not be spent. Not a penny of it. It will be put away under a Deed of Trust, and only the interest on it will be used to maintain the Orchestra.

“Could you put a Bond in a better, more permanent place?”

“Face to Face

“We now stand face to face with the question whether our Orchestra is to be preserved as it is or reduced to a second-class orchestra.

“The Million Dollars necessary for its preservation have not been raised.

“The campaign will, accordingly, be extended for one week.

“But the question, after all, is—Will you give? Will you help?

“We need some $250,000 more.

“The workers have done their best. Hundreds of the friends of the Orchestra have not done their part as yet. Less than 5000 have contributed!

“Is the truth clearly realized without the mincing of words: If this remaining sum is not raised, the Orchestra must be reduced; it cannot remain the glorious thing it is today.”

“The Truth Is Simple and Direct

“We must tear down the beautiful Orchestra that has been so patiently and skilfully built up unless the Million Dollar Endowment Fund is raised. Only one week remains in which to do it. Whatever that tells is the answer.”

Finally the goal was won and the event was celebrated by a great dinner at which there was much enthusiasm and rejoicing, when it was announced that $1,100,000 had been contributed.

The twenty-eight women Chairmen expressed their appreciation of Mr. Bok’s leadership in the following letter, which was read:

“Philadelphia Orchestra Association
Committee of Fifty

“Edward Bok, Esq., Chairman,
Twentieth Anniversary Endowment Fund Campaign Committee

“Dear Mr. Bok:

“The Women Chairmen of the Committee of Fifty desire to express their appreciation of your leadership as Chairman of the Twentieth Anniversary Endowment Fund Campaign for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

“The luncheons alone, as arranged and presided over by you, have been the most unique and inspiring series of affairs ever conducted in Philadelphia. But these have been only a part of your labors and a detail in the large plans which you have undertaken and carried out.

“We thank you for your unfailing courtesy toward us and for your words of encouragement at moments when the result of the battle seemed to be in doubt. Your imagination and enthusiasm have led us to victory and it has been a pleasure to co-operate with you in the important work of placing the Philadelphia Orchestra on a permanent foundation.

Yours sincerely,
(Signed)

Helen Warren Allen | Katharine E. Newcomet
Elizabeth H. Arnett | Marie R. Robins
Mary L. H. Ashton | Countess of Santa Eulalia
| per E. V. W.
Maretta Vernon Carver | Irene H. Snellenburg
Elizabeth Conway Clark | Florence Lewis Slaughter
Martha G. Cryer | Marian M. Thayer
Margaretta S. Dixon | Lois C. Thayer
Nellie Andrews Gazzam | Caroline Clark Weatherly
Alice Griswold | Letitia White
Sallie Houston Henry | Louise Chandler Williams
Cora Baird Jeanes | Frances Anne Wister
Nina Lea | Adèle G. Yarnall
Helen C. Leidy | Hortense L. Zeckwer

| Matinee Musical Club,

Clara Barnes Abbott, Chairman

Motor Messenger Service,

Natalie J. Elwyn, Chairman

Victory Dinner, Philadelphia

November 10th, 1919.”

The campaign under the able leadership of Mr. Bok was inspiring and exciting to a degree. He gave time and money, but best of all, he gave ideas, and he proved himself an accomplished beggar and a clever general.

The Association was not unmindful of his masterly achievement. At a meeting of the Board of Directors held November 26th, 1919, this resolution was passed:

“Whereas the Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association recognize that the splendid services of Mr. Edward Bok, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra Endowment Fund, were largely responsible for the triumphant success of the Campaign,

“Be It Resolved that the Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association place on record such belief, and, further, their appreciation of the energy, resourcefulness and self-sacrificing devotion with which he led the Campaign to success, together with a real expression of their regard for him.”

Also this one passed at the Annual Meeting of the Association, May 25th, 1920:

“Mr. Edward W. Bok as Chairman of the Twentieth Anniversary Endowment Fund Campaign Committee was successful, in October, 1919, in procuring from the people of Philadelphia and vicinity, a fund of One Million Dollars for the Philadelphia Orchestra. This fund, when added to the Endowment Fund of 1916, will place the Orchestra on a permanent foundation.

“In no piece of work hitherto undertaken by Mr. Bok has he shown more decided talents of leadership, executive ability and resourcefulness, than in this brilliantly executed campaign. Future generations, only, can measure the value of the establishment of a great orchestra in this city, but certain it is that the raising of this magnificent sum for music is an achievement the like of which Philadelphia has not previously witnessed.

“Therefore be it Resolved:

“That the thanks of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association be hereby expressed to the Chairman of the Endowment Campaign Committee, Edward W. Bok, together with our appreciation of his great service to the Philadelphia Orchestra, to the cause of music, and to the people of Philadelphia.”

Gifts ranged from one penny, given by a blind child, to $100,000. Many men and women of moderate means deprived themselves of necessities in order that the orchestra might live. Others gave time and others again gave both time and money, but never one word of regret has been heard.

The Chairman’s parting shot appeared in the programme book a week later:

November 14th-15th, 1919:

“THANK YOU!

“The Million Dollar Endowment for the Philadelphia Orchestra has been secured with the goal passed by a generous margin. The result ensures not only the permanency of the present Orchestra but the expansion of its influence.

“To each and all who worked and gave and encouraged, we extend, individually and collectively, our heartfelt thanks.

“We asked you to save the Orchestra!

“The Orchestra IS saved!

“Thank you!

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Endowment Campaign Committee

November 14th, 1919.”

Thus the creation of an Endowment Fund was achieved by the most extraordinary campaign ever conducted in Philadelphia, and through the contributions of more than 13,000 people who wished to place a Philadelphia musical institution on a permanent foundation.

Chapter V
Twenty Years of Progress

The Twentieth Anniversary of the Philadelphia Orchestra was celebrated on November 19th and 20th, 1920; and great was the rejoicing that this city possessed an orchestra of such attainment, brought to its present high state by a distinguished conductor, and endowed by a large number of citizens of Philadelphia and vicinity. The long labors of the officers and directors, and of the Women’s Committees, were bringing their recompense. The occasion was celebrated by the playing of the first programme given by Fritz Scheel in 1900; and the presentation of a silver loving cup, bearing the following inscription, to Mr. Van Rensselaer:

“Alexander Van Rensselaer
First President of
The Philadelphia Orchestra Association
on the Occasion of the Twentieth Anniversary Concerts
November 19th and 20th, 1920
With gratitude and deep appreciation of his invaluable services
from
The Board of Directors, the Women’s Committees
The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Business Management”

The Philadelphia Orchestra[36]

“With the concerts of November 19th and 20th, 1910, the Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates its twentieth year; a year auspiciously opened in November, 1919, by completing the Endowment Fund.

“To have sustained an honorable career during twenty years is no mean attainment for a business enterprise, a school or an institution. But for a group of people to support an orchestra for twenty years—years artistically certain, but financially uncertain—is a memorable achievement and a cause for congratulation and rejoicing.

“The first concert of The Philadelphia Orchestra was played on November 16th, 1900, and was one of the series of six evening concerts given during the season of 1900-1901. The names of the founders, Dr. Edward I. Keffer, Mr. Edward G. McCollin, Mr. John H. Ingham, Mr. Oliver Boyce Judson, and Mr. Oscar A. Knipe, who formed the Executive Committee, did not appear on the programme. Neither was it publicly known that this was the Committee which had asked Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt to arrange the so-called Philippine Concerts about six months earlier, which gave Fritz Scheel his first opportunity to conduct in Philadelphia an orchestra composed of professional musicians.

“On the programme for the second series of concerts, consisting of fourteen pairs, during the season of 1901-02, the names of the above gentlemen appear with the additional names of Mr. Alexander Van Rensselaer, President, and Mr. Henry Whelen, Jr., Treasurer.

“The talents of Mr. Scheel, who died after seven years of devotion to the cause, soon placed the new organization among the first in America; and the work thus begun has resulted in an orchestra which has steadily and surely advanced to its present pre-eminent position under the leadership of Leopold Stokowski.”

“The history of the Philadelphia Orchestra cannot be written in this brief space. It is a story of the pioneers who were inspired to found an orchestra; of devotion, faithfulness and financial aid on the part of the Officers and Board of Directors; of continuous work by the four Women’s Committees; of an ‘Unknown Donor,’ who is no longer ‘unknown’; of loyal support from interested citizens, and of a group of artists, whose music speaks for them and for their leader. In short, the orchestra, which now speaks for Philadelphia the world over, is the result of co-operation on the part of all these groups; a co-operation which has made Philadelphia one of the great musical centres of the world.”

Public Ledger, November 20th, 1920:

“Orchestra Gives Birthday Concert

“Programme same as that presented at First Performance
Twenty Years Ago

“Players Warmly Greeted
“Silver Urn for Mr. Van Rensselaer After His Review
of Two Decades

“The Philadelphia Orchestra gave a concert yesterday that was real music, all of it. There was nothing ‘modern’ in the programme, nothing that teased the ear with puzzle-problems or geometric exercises wrought ingeniously. The performance celebrated the Twentieth Anniversary of the first concert and the programme was the same as on that fundamental occasion.”

“After the symphony came the celebratory features. Alexander Van Rensselaer made a graceful address in brief review of the twenty years. The finished product of the present, he held, was the outcome of united effort. The chief credit must go to the indefatigable women’s committees. The munificence of the until recently ‘unknown donor,’ Mr. Bok, assured us five years more of the inspiring leadership of Stokowski, and has established the endowment fund.

“Dr. Stokowski declared that the music spoke for itself and that the orchestra was heartily glad when it gave pleasure to its hearers. Dr. Hart, in behalf of a committee, made an eloquent and feeling speech in deserved tribute to Mr. Van Rensselaer, and presented a silver urn of enormous dimensions, together with a set of resolutions.

“The members of the committee standing with Dr. Hart were Miss Frances Wister, Miss Anne Thomson, Mr. Judson and Dr. Rich, and the actual presentation was made by Miss Thomson. The orchestra blew a fanfare and the audience stood and applauded.”

Public Ledger, November 20th, 1920, Editorial:

“Twenty Years in Music

“In signalizing its twentieth anniversary with a revival of the original programme directed by Fritz Scheel on November 16th, 1900, the Philadelphia Orchestra has enabled its friends to indulge in pleasurable reflections.

“It is difficult, of course, to recall accurately, the artistry of any performance, musical or dramatic, after a lapse of two decades. But a highly sensitized memory is not needed in this instance. Between the most pioneering effort of the orchestra, which ventured upon only six concerts in its first season, and the authority and artistic opulence of the present organization, there is a disparity in which the whole community can take the profoundest pride.

“Not only has the orchestra headed by Mr. Stokowski attained to a position of splendid leadership in the realm of music, but the esthetic standards of Philadelphia have admirably kept pace. Without affectation it may be said that the growth of musical culture in this city during the last score of years has been gratifyingly vigorous, unsurpassed here in any previous period of similar length.”

“Cultural appreciation, it is said, usually follows an era of fervent inspiration. Evidently it is an age of the former in which we are now dwelling, hence the abiding charm and appeal of a twenty-year-old programme. The new honors, well worth an anniversary observance, are for the interpreters.”

To those who had devoted years of effort to the orchestra, this occasion was full of interest. Their thoughts flew back to memories of Fritz Scheel and the early struggles; to the advent of Leopold Stokowski and the advance of the orchestra to its present position; to the changed attitude of the public. A procession of events seemed to march down the years; the inauguration of a Pension Fund; the Mahler Symphony and the Chorus; the Peoples’ Concerts; the University of Pennsylvania Concerts; the effort for Popular and Sunday Concerts. Such recollections made the life of the Philadelphia Orchestra seem full and vigorous.

The twentieth season was especially fine musically. It marked the inauguration of the Special Monday Evening Concerts, three in number, which have gradually been increased to ten.

Other musical features of the year were Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony; the playing in November, 1920, of “The Pilgrim Vision” by John Alden Carpenter, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower: the three performances in March, 1921, of the Brahms Requiem; and the presentation of Mahler’s Second Symphony, both with the Chorus, trained by Mr. Stephen Townsend, of Boston.

It also marked the first appearance, as guest conductor, of the celebrated leader, Willem Mengelberg, of Amsterdam.

The year was one of great satisfaction to all lovers of the Philadelphia Orchestra. An organization founded on faith that it would succeed artistically; and on faith that Philadelphia would eventually cherish it to the extent of placing it on a permanent financial basis, had justified the hopes of the founders in both these particulars. The number of musicians had been augmented from eighty-five in 1900, to ninety-six in 1920, and the audience had so increased that hundreds of people were often turned away.

All persons therefore interested in the progress of music in the city and especially the ones whose efforts had helped to bring about this result rejoiced in the position now occupied by the orchestra.

In addition to delighting music lovers here and elsewhere, the Philadelphia Orchestra was carrying the name of Philadelphia gloriously around the world.

Chapter VI
Musical Neighbors

Occasionally philanthropic citizens express the wish that the Philadelphia Orchestra was not conducted exclusively for a few idle rich. Therefore, it is well to record some of the things that the orchestra has done for the general public in this city.

The policy of the Association from the beginning has been to make the orchestra the centre of Philadelphia’s musical life in an inclusive, not an exclusive sense. Hence it has always been ready to reciprocate any assistance rendered to it by giving its services free of charge on numerous occasions. Often, of course, financial conditions had to be considered first. Among the societies that have co-operated in choral performances, without recompense, and, no doubt, at considerable expense to themselves, are: the Eurydice Chorus, Fortnightly Club, Jungermaennerchor Singing Society, Mendelssohn Club, Philadelphia Choral Society. Outside of Philadelphia the Bach Choir of Baltimore,[37] Schola Cantorum of New York, and Pittsburgh Chorus.

On its part the orchestra has given a number of special performances without remuneration, such as the concert for the Manuscript Music Society in 1913, the concert in collaboration with the Mendelssohn Club in honor of Dr. Wm. Wallace Gilchrist two years later; a performance at Camp Dix and a concert for the benefit of the American Red Cross, 1918; a French War Relief Benefit the next year; the music at the presentation of the Philadelphia Award for four years beginning in 1922, and the concert with the Mendelssohn Club to celebrate its Fiftieth Anniversary in January, 1925. Special concerts were given for the National Federation of Music Clubs in 1911, and for the National Convention of Music Supervisors in 1920.

It must be remembered that such concerts undertaken in addition to the regular engagements for the season have entailed special preparation and have been an added burden to the busy conductor.

From the earliest days an effort was made to give music to the numbers of people who enjoy lighter programmes. Popular concerts at low prices were inaugurated by Mr. Scheel in 1903, at which time the name “Popular” was such a misnomer that they had to be given in the form of benefits on a fifty per cent basis of profit. Such concerts were given at intervals after this for some years, and consecutively from 1909-10 to 1914-15 inclusive. In May, 1916, an effort was made to institute “Pop” Concerts after the manner of the Boston Orchestra, at the close of the regular season. The Academy parquet was floored over and light refreshments were served at tables. The first season of eleven evenings went off brilliantly, under the alternate leadership of Mr. Stokowski, Dr. Rich and Mr. C. Stanley Mackey, and left a small surplus on hand. Prices ranged from fifteen to fifty cents. The second season the number was increased to eighteen, and for reasons not understood the Association was left with a deficit, which caused the venture to be abandoned.

An early enterprise of a philanthropic nature was the “People’s Concerts” planned by the Executive Committee but placed in charge of the Civic Club, with a committee composed of Mrs. Edward I. Keffer, Chairman; Mrs. Spencer Ervin, Mrs. C. Howard Clark, Mrs. Frank Rosengarten and Mrs. Walter Horstmann.

The first programme would have pleased the most fastidious of tastes:

Labor Lyceum Hall
Second and Cambria Streets
Tuesday Evening, December 15th, at 8.15 o’clock

First of the Series of
The People’s Concerts
by the Philadelphia Orchestra
Fritz Scheel, Conductor
Under the Auspices of the Civic Club

Programme
1. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy | Wedding March from
| “Midsummer Night’s Dream”
2. Hector Berlioz | Le Carnaval Romain
3. Joseph Godefroid | Dance of the Sylphs
Solo for Harp, Alfred Kastner
4. Johann Strauss | Blue Danube Waltz
5. Jules Massenet | Scènes Neapolitaines
6. Gioachino Antonio Rossini | Overture “William Tell”
7. Henri Vieuxtemps | Fantaisie Appassionata
Solo for Violin and Orchestra, Hugo Olk
8. Weber-Berlioz | Invitation to the Dance
9. Albert Franz Doppler | “Das Waldvoeglein”
Solo for Flute and Horn Quartette, August H. Rodemann
10. Richard Wagner | Overture “Tannhaeuser”
Admission 10 Cents

In the Annual Report of the Civic Club for 1904 this account is given:

“The first ‘People’s Concert’ was held in Kensington at the Labor Lyceum Hall, Second and Cambria Streets, admission being 10 cents. It was largely through the co-operation of Mr. R. R. P. Bradford, of the Lighthouse Lyceum, his Committee and Miss Esther Kelly, that the concert proved to be such a great success. The hall was crowded and the people most enthusiastic; Mr. Scheel and his orchestra were greatly interested and gave a number of encores.

“The receipts were $236.62 up to January 1st; expenses, $103.02. We hope to have a balance of almost $100 when all returns are made. This balance to be considered a fund for the People’s Concerts. The second concert will be given at Bethany Hall on January 11th, the third at Tuxedo Hall in March.”

There was no doubt about the success of these concerts from the point of view of the enjoyment of the audiences. The hall was crowded almost to the danger point, and the enthusiasm was unrestrained. The Women’s Committees were much interested and kept in touch with Mrs. R. R. Porter Bradford of the Lighthouse, Kensington, who knew the value of such music in a section where the shutting down of textile mills for a winter often made the price of a ticket unavailable. The Committees used their persuasive powers with the Board of Directors to continue these concerts at considerable expense, until a fight between two labor unions made it impossible to rent the hall, the only one in the neighborhood, and the concerts were no longer given. They were the means, however, of procuring a number of guarantors, who were interested in the orchestra from a philanthropic, instead of from a musical point of view.

From the first, special rates were offered to music students through the music schools of Philadelphia, for the attendance of the young was especially desired. Tickets were also distributed free, but the response was not encouraging.

Special prices were offered to boarding schools in and near Philadelphia, but they too were not eager to patronize symphony concerts.

In 1909, through the Women’s Committee, about 43,000 circulars about the orchestra were sent out by the music schools and other schools with their prospectuses, a favor much appreciated.

Special Concerts were given for the students at Weightman Hall, University of Pennsylvania, from 1909-1922. These were conducted under the auspices of a committee composed of representatives of the student body, of the Faculty Tea Club (of which professors’ wives were the members) and of the West Philadelphia Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra. Although the hall was unsuited to orchestral performances, and the stage inadequate in size, these concerts were very popular, and the orchestra was always treated in college style. Press of engagements combined with the unsatisfactory physical conditions there caused the abandonment of these.

Through the generosity of Mr. Cyrus H. K. Curtis two series of eight “Public Ledger Educational Concerts” were given for public school children in 1915-16 and 1916-17.

Public School Concerts have been given at the Academy of Music, with all tickets at fifty cents, during the last two seasons.

Also for many years the orchestra played for the benefit of the Stetson Hospital under a special business arrangement.

Free Sunday Concerts were inaugurated at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1915-16, with a series of three, and continued during the next season.

The Public School Concerts given in 1915-16 and led by Dr. Rich must not be forgotten. They took place at the Normal School, Wm. Penn High School, Philadelphia High School for Girls, Boys’ Central High School, Germantown, West Philadelphia, Frankford and Southern High Schools.

The Young People’s Educational Concerts should be mentioned. Such a series of five concerts was first given by Fritz Scheel in 1902-03, at the Broad Street Theatre, with lectures by Wm. J. Henderson, Wm. F. Apthorp, Louis C. Elson, Hugh A. Clarke and Henry E. Krehbiel. During 1903-04 and 1905-06 they were continued, and after a long intermission came to life again in the Children’s Concerts, instituted in 1921.[38] A special committee was organized in which many associations were represented and the concerts were so successful that a second series is now given in order to meet the demand. There is no more inspiring sight than to watch the Academy filling up with eager-faced children or than to hear their quick response to Mr. Stokowski’s remarks. The first series was devoted to an explanation of the instruments and the programmes are progressing educationally year by year. The principal difficulty so far encountered is to prevent grown-up children from attending.

Compositions on the Children’s Concerts

“I want to tell you the lovely time I had at the concert. I want to thank you for sending the tickets. I adored the beautiful light in the Academy of Music. The conductor’s name was Mr. Stokowski and he was a very nice man. I liked the part when the little boy only seven years old played the violin. He looked like Jackie Coogan. He watched the leader all the time he played. I wonder how long it took him to learn to play the violin so well.

“Mr. Stokowski is a very pleasant man. He conducted very well. He told a story of a little goat boy who played on Sand Pipes. He asked the people to sing Auld Lang Syne.”

“I thought the concert was fine. I think the little boy played a good piece of music when he played his violin. I would like to play a drum, because my brother plays a drum, and I could easily learn. He used to play in a band called the “Ardmore Band.” He was the best drummer they had. People could hear him far away.”

“I enjoyed the concert so much. The orchestra was the largest I have ever seen. It seemed as if there were at least a hundred men on the stage. Mr. Stokowski looked very gay in his medium blue suit. I liked to watch his hands.

“He said anyone could learn to play in an orchestra if he wanted to, because it was up to the person himself.”

This short account demonstrates that the Philadelphia Orchestra is a neighbor of much value to the community in which it dwells.

Chapter VII
The Support of the Public Press

Long before the project of a permanent orchestra for Philadelphia received any degree of public support, the newspapers of this city in a body used their influence in favor of such an institution. Some one has spoken of newspaper life as a “career for patriots,” and surely the editors of the daily papers deserve this title, if any newspaper men do. No stone was left unturned to further the effort for a first-class modern orchestra in this city. Paid-for space announcing performances is one thing. Editorials by the column and general information, besides the work of the music critic for each paper are another. In the orchestra archives are scrapbooks filled with editorials of immense value to the cause. For the newspaper is a marvelous teacher of public taste and a molder of public opinion. What would the task have been for such a small number of people, first five, then eight, then twenty-four, to which were presently added twenty-one women, if such support had not been prompt and constant? The gallant list of newspapers, some of which no longer exist is, the Evening Bulletin, the Evening Ledger, the Evening Telegraph, the Item, The Inquirer, the North American, the Press, the Public Ledger, the Record, the Times. Not only was support given to the orchestra itself, but to the Women’s Committees in every undertaking. For this publicity the Philadelphia Orchestra is in deep debt to the Philadelphia papers.

Of the music critics it can be said that they are human in their likes and dislikes, but have always been really interested and friendly.

One newspaper writer must be mentioned. Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson, as “Peggy Shippen” used her clever pen to further the cause and especially the work of the Women’s Committees; and was an honorary vice-president from the beginning until her death. She was also one of the original guarantors. She was not a music critic, but in her youth she had possessed a fine contralto voice and she was a devoted music-lover.

So many articles and extracts have already been given that only one more will be added in order to prove that Philadelphia newspapers and many others have been warm friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Evening Telegraph, March 18th, 1901, Editorial:

“For a Permanent Orchestra”

“A constituency of nearly 3,000,000 people within sight of William Penn’s statue on the Public Buildings ought to be able to support all the institutions pertaining to a great modern metropolis. The newspapers, the hotels, the theatres, the great stores, the transportation facilities, and the institutions of learning and of science in Philadelphia will compare favorably with those of any other community of 2,000,000 in the world; while the Park attractions, and the galleries and exhibitions of works of art are, in some important respects, far above the standard referred to. One factor of the metropolitan order of civilization has, however, been lacking. Up to a very recent period, Philadelphia has not kept pace with the modern procession in the public recognition of the value of music as a factor of civic life. While several American cities of half the size and quarter of the wealth have each maintained a permanent orchestra of the first class, Philadelphia has not had such an organization of any class. True, the Germania Orchestra made a brave struggle for existence, aided by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and, for a time, gave promise of building up a permanent orchestral structure on a solid basis, but this endeavor was made largely at the cost of the musicians. While the Germanians and others who have devoted time and money to the service of the community deserve and should be given credit and honor for their labors, it yet remains true that to establish a permanent orchestra worthy of the city, the first requirement is a solid financial foundation to build on.

“Such a foundation is the one thing we need to provide at this hour. We can today secure a permanent orchestra of the best type for our city by providing a permanent basis for its support. We are fortunate in having here at this time a musician who is at once a thorough artist and an efficient drill master—a rare combination of qualities that gave to the late Anton Seidl the highest place among orchestral leaders. It is not necessary to institute comparisons between Mr. Fritz Scheel and other conductors, but it is proper to say he has demonstrated the possession of these higher qualities that go to the making of a great leader. He has done wonders with the material at his command in this city, and that, too, under conditions unfavorable enough to discourage any less enthusiastic musician or less energetic worker. In view of what he has already accomplished in the comparatively short time he has been at work here, it is a safe and reasonable presumption that if given a guarantee of control for five years, with means enough available to warrant satisfactory contracts with competent musicians, Mr. Scheel would create for us a permanent orchestra second to none in this country. There is no question as to his ability to undertake this task; the only thing to be determined being whether we are wise enough and farseeing enough to strengthen his hands for its accomplishment.”

Chapter VIII
The Listeners

The largest portion of this story has been devoted to the orchestra itself, and the people who founded it, supported it and endowed it. Now comes the turn of the party of the third part, the audience. An orchestra may be wonderfully trained, superbly led, comfortably supported, and yet miss the main point of existing. For without listeners, even in the days of radio, an orchestra is incomplete.

In 1900 it was difficult to lure listeners into a concert hall, where symphonic or severely classical music was to be played. Philadelphians began by listening to symphonies in bits and in the late nineties it was the custom for the Germania Orchestra to play one movement of a symphony each week for four weeks, and play the entire work in the fifth week. Theodore Thomas did not do this, but he could not get an audience in 1876 or even in 1881.

It is an inspiring sight of a Friday afternoon or Saturday evening to see the crowds bound for the Academy of Music. Equally inspiring, is it to see the audience standing on the steps of the Academy and on the street for two and three hours before admission can be had to the Amphitheatre for fifty cents. True lovers of music these.

One of the methods employed to persuade people to take season seats was the membership in the Auxiliary of the Women’s Committees. Another was the lure of big soloists. Year by year, this musical organization was obliged to attract by advertising the appearances of great artists. But once the audience was procured, it stayed; and today soloists are on the verge of becoming unpopular. Such is the influence of symphonic music.

The right to interrupt the progress of a concert by demands for repeated encores was one which the audience gave up with little grace. In 1913 a paragraph appeared on the programme, stating that:

“The management has decided in no case
to permit more than one encore.”

And again:

“As encores tend to disturb the unity of an
orchestral programme the patrons of the
Philadelphia Orchestra Concerts are respectfully
informed that encore demands cannot be granted.”

The conductor had one or two bad experiences, which occupied some minutes, but finally patience won the day and the audiences realized that this pleasure, if it was a pleasure, was over forever at a symphony concert.

Next came the hat question. It is not a new one, for in 1841 the Musical Fund Society placed this notice in one of its programmes:

“Ladies are particularly requested not to
wear their bonnets in the concert room.”

This makes one realize that Philadelphia women were always devoted to their hats. The war on hats was a merry one and began as early as 1906, at a time when hats were large. It is rumored that the fashion at the moment required pinned on hair, so hats could not be removed. This matter was taken up in the Women’s Committee, thought by some to be like the complaint desk of a department store; a situation of which they are proud, as it shows how the public turns to the women. Much discussion arose and notices began to appear in the programmes:

“For the greater convenience of all concerned, it is earnestly hoped that the women patrons of the Orchestra WILL REMOVE THEIR HATS during the performance. In many cities local ordinances compel, by legal means, the removal of head coverings that obstruct the view in places of amusement.”

“Madame Homer as a Heroine

“Louise Homer, the popular contralto of the Metropolitan Opera Company, who was the soloist at the Symphony Society’s concert in the New Theatre,” writes a New York critic, “proved herself a heroine. SHE TOOK OFF HER HAT! To herself and to every woman in the house, probably, the big creation, or confection, or whatever it is called, which she wore as she came upon the stage was a triumph in the art of millinery. Mere men knew only that it hid her lovely face. If the audience hadn’t been as well bred as it was musical, there would have been a demonstration when she pulled out the pins, removed the hat and placed it at the foot of the conductor’s stand. Instead there was only an audible sigh of delight. Is it too much to hope that Mme. Homer’s sister artists will hasten to follow her example, and that the hosts of her sex who attend concerts and recitals may be moved to accede to the request of the managers: ‘Ladies will please remove their hats’?”

The “hat question” would not down, but in Philadelphia the situation was nothing to what it was in Boston, for the management was obliged to put the following alarming announcement in the Programme Book:

“His Honor, the Mayor, has notified the Management of Symphony Hall that, unless the law relating to the wearing of hats by ladies at public entertainments is obeyed at the Symphony rehearsals and concerts, he may be forced to revoke the license of Symphony Hall!”

“THE HAT AT THE CONCERTS

“An Earnest Request of Our Women Patrons

“A number of complaints have reached the Orchestra Association regarding the practice of women wearing their hats at the Orchestra Concerts, particularly at the Friday afternoon concerts, despite the notice printed each week in this program asking that for the comfort of others the hats shall be removed. This complaint has become so general that it now bids fair to result in a city ordinance, the same as in Boston and in Chicago, enforcing the removal of hats at all occasions of public amusements. This legal enforcement of what should be a matter of polite request ought not to be made necessary and the Orchestra Association earnestly asks of all its woman patrons that they will not permit this very simple matter to reach this acute stage. The Association would exceedingly regret to be compelled to carry out such an ordinance and it is within the power of each of our woman patrons to keep what after all is a matter of simple thoughtfulness within the bounds of politeness and consideration for others.”

Hats today are small, but all the listeners are not yet converted.

The next most disturbing element was, and is, the restlessness of the audience.

There is a mistaken idea that coming late and leaving early is peculiar to the modern era, and this day of haste. Far back in 1882 we know that people left concerts early from this notice in a programme of that year:

“NOTICE

“The patrons of the Germania Orchestra Concerts are respectfully requested to be in their seats, on the evenings of the concerts, by eight o’clock punctually.

“Those persons who are unable to comply with this request, will kindly wait in the lobby until the close of the First Movement of the Symphony, when a pause will be made to enable them to reach their seats.”

Coming late is the habit of the American world at least, even when taking trains. Being locked out does not remedy this habit, it only evokes a few growls.

Again the management took up the subject through the programme:

“Notes of Interest

“The hat question is not the only question that arises from time to time to prevent that serene enjoyment of concerts, which is the ideal estate of things hoped for by Management and concert-goers. Perhaps in the Elysian fields, choirs armed with angelic harps, are listened to without distractions furnished by late-comers and early-goers, or by people whose views on the numbers interpreted are as obstreperous as their hats, or the numberless physical annoyances that make for confusion and noise, that seem to be inevitable in concert auditoriums the country over. And this is apropos of the fact that a subscriber has written in to say that ‘The general confusion during the last number of the concerts on Friday afternoons is most annoying,’ and she continues, ‘I am wondering whether a request cannot be put in the programme to stop this nuisance, as has been done with regard to the wearing of hats. This is what one meets with; almost as soon as the last number begins, hats and coats are put on, veils are arranged, and during the playing of the finale people keep leaving, causing a general feeling of unquiet and unrestfulness. This seems to me very discourteous, and is most annoying to those who really want to enjoy the concert from start to finish. I know that sometimes it is necessary for a subscriber to leave early, but may I suggest that the persons who have to leave before the last number, vacate their seats before the Orchestra starts to play.’

“All this seems reasonable enough, but it is a matter entirely in the hands of the concert-goers, who form their own ‘court of honor’ in these particulars.”

However, Philadelphia audiences have improved in concert manners since the olden time. Then the audiences, although considered ill-behaved, were much like European ones; they did throw things at the singers and did not hesitate to express their opinions of the performance. But the city has advanced, as can be seen by the following notice:

“Pistole Reward—To whoever can discover the person who was so very rude as to throw Eggs from the Gallery upon the Stage, last Monday, by which the Cloathes of some Ladies and Gentlemen were spoiled and the performance in some measure interrupted!”[39]

Now we do not throw things, the performance is only “in some measure interrupted” when we cough and sneeze during concerts and operas and occasionally come in late. Frequent interruptions of a performance by the screams and calls of displeased listeners, to say nothing of constant conversation were the order of the early days of public music. Not worse here than elsewhere, but annoying just the same. Now a whisper is hardly ever audible at concerts, and a hiss is called forth only by a modern composition too terrible to allow to pass unnoticed. A hiss every now and again is not an unhealthy sign. It shows that someone is listening; and there are a few coughs but always behind the conductor’s back.

Early in the life of the orchestra the public began to write letters of complaint to the management and to the newspapers. The management feels that this is a sign of healthy interest and welcomes these comments. It shows how strong the sense of possession of the orchestra is with its patrons.

Encores have vanished like the missiles of the past. Hats and restlessness are going out of fashion. The audiences of the Philadelphia Orchestra are wonderful groups of people, some of whom have held seats continuously since 1900. Their regular attendance has encouraged the Board of Directors and inspired the conductor and the musicians to artistic achievements. The party of the third part is doing its share toward making the concerts a success.

Chapter IX
The Twenty-fifth Anniversary

Anniversaries are times for reminiscences and a general survey of affairs.

The Corporation known as “The Philadelphia Orchestra Association” today consists of four parts:

First, the Association:[40] comprising the subscribers to the Endowment Funds of $25.00 or more, and the yearly subscribers to tickets for the regular series of concerts; and a Board of Directors elected by them (one-third annually), who in turn elect the officers;

Second, the Philadelphia Orchestra;

Third, the four Women’s Committees;

Fourth, the Business Management.

It is hardly necessary to mention the interdependence of this quartette of activities, or to explain how many people have worked to procure an orchestra for Philadelphia.

In 1900-1901 the Philadelphia Orchestra, composed of 85 musicians gave six evening concerts. In 1925-26 this orchestra, composed of 106 musicians, will give performances as per the following schedule:

[41]Academy of Music, Philadelphia
Regular Series, 29 Friday afternoons, 29 Saturday evenings | 58
Special Series, Monday evenings | 10
Children’s Concerts, 2 series | 8
Philadelphia Forum | 3
Philadelphia Award | 1
Out-of-town Concerts: |
New York City | 10
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 3
Pittsburgh, Dayton, Chicago, Cleveland, Toledo, |
  Detroit, Princeton, one each | 7
Total | 105
Record of Performances
Total number of concerts, twenty-five years | 2017
Number postponed | 6
Number cancelled (Ottawa, 1924) | 1

A more perfect fulfillment of obligations would be hard to find.

The regular series of symphony concerts in Philadelphia has been the primary object and main concern of the Association. Other performances have been included when the Philadelphia demand did not consume all the time of the orchestra. Now a third series is being built up, consisting of ten Monday evening concerts, at which the programmes are identical with those of ten of the regular series. More and more this city is absorbing its own orchestra.

During these twenty-five years much traveling has been done. The first journey was to Reading in 1900. The next year concerts in five Pennsylvania cities were added as well as in Trenton and Wilmington. In 1902-03 the first concerts in Baltimore and Washington were attempted and the first New York appearance was made. Growing bolder with advancing years appearances were made in new cities each year, of which the following are the most important: Boston (1903-04); Baltimore and Washington, five each (1906-07); Pittsburgh, one (1911-12), five pairs (1916-17); New York City, five afternoon concerts (1918-19); Toronto, three concerts (1919-20); New York City, ten concerts (1922-23).

The orchestra has traveled as far east as Portland, Maine; as far west as Detroit and Ypsilanti, Michigan; as far south as Richmond, Virginia, and as far north as Toronto, Canada. During the coming season Chicago will be added to this list.

Traveling has been tinged with adventure. In 1908, when returning from Wilmington, the special train carrying the orchestra was wrecked near Chester. Mr. Pohlig and six musicians were injured, when the cars were derailed and rolled down a steep embankment. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries and all the instruments were unhurt.

Ten years later the orchestra reached Kalamazoo, Mich., with difficulty during a severe blizzard, en route for Grand Rapids, where a concert was to be played. The thermometer fell to 27° below zero in a sixty mile gale. The concert was postponed but later given.

The last experience of winter weather was in Canada in 1924, when the Ottawa concert was cancelled after the audience had waited in perfect good humor for three hours, hoping that the train carrying the orchestra could push through the snow.

In the past special trains were almost invariably used. Since railroad transportation has more than doubled, and since the charge for a special train has also been raised, the management wherever possible has availed itself of regular trains, generally running as a second section. Since the party now constitutes upwards of one hundred and twelve people, five twelve-section drawing room cars and one baggage car make up the equipment for night trips. Going to New York, two coaches are attached to an early afternoon train, and a special train home is provided after the performance.

The labors of the officers and directors have been continuous. The Executive Committee, chosen from the Board in the early days; a sub-committee composed of Dr. Keffer and Mr. McCollin; the Committee of Three, consisting of Mr. Norris, Mr. Wheeler, and the late Mr. Charles A. Braun, who with the president, met daily from 1908 until 1920, shouldered most of the responsibility. Under the new By-Laws the Administration Committee composed of Messrs. Edward W. Bok, James Crosby Brown, Samuel S. Fels, Charles D. Hart, Effingham B. Morris, William Jay Turner, Alexander Van Rensselaer, and Andrew Wheeler, perform the arduous task of meeting every week regularly to dispose of the business of the Association.

In the early days Mr. Henry Whelen, Jr., made it possible to carry on the orchestra under financial difficulties, from 1900 until his death, which, coming so soon after the loss of Fritz Scheel, was a double blow. On May 22nd, 1907, this resolution was passed by the Board of Directors:

“The death of Mr. Henry Whelen, Jr., has deprived this Board of a most capable and efficient officer, and its members, of an esteemed and highly valued friend. To an artistic temperament, he added rare qualities of judgment and discretion inherent in a disciplined mind, and coupled with a sense of duty and habit of industry that continually and cheerfully placed his valuable services at the disposal of the community. The positions of member of the Board of Directors, of the Executive Committee, and of Treasurer of this Association, are but a few of the positions in which he stood in an unselfish relation to his native city, in an effort to discharge what he conceived to be his duty in the development of Music and Art in the community in which he lived.

“It is also with an acute sense of personal loss that this minute is ordered in the sincere hope that it may beguile those nearest and dearest to him from something of the grief of so great a bereavement and also serve to perpetuate his memory in a community that has profited so much from his useful and unselfish citizenship.”

Mr. Thomas McKean, for many years Vice-president, was one of the officers who was always ready to assist in a financial crisis. Mr. Richard Y. Cook and Mr. Theodore N. Ely were especially devoted members of the Board, but all the membership should be included in this category.

The social end, besides many others, has been taken care of by Mr. Van Rensselaer, who has constantly given entertainments.

Of the many friends outside of the officers and directors, Mr. Philip H. Goepp has worked as hard as any man. From 1901-1902 until 1920-1921 inclusive he was annotator of the programme and well fitted for the task, as he is a musician, composer, and author of the series on “Symphonies and their Meaning,” authoritative works on this subject. He gave his time and his knowledge to the Association, at first without remuneration, so great was his enthusiasm over the continued development of the orchestra. Many days and nights through the years were devoted to the study of the works performed, and the Association is greatly in his debt.

During the period of his leadership Mr. Stokowski has had various honors bestowed upon him. After the second performance of the Mahler Symphony he was presented with a bronze wreath; on the completion of ten years as conductor in 1922, by the Women’s Committees with a set of twelve silver plates, and with a silver tankard by the Association; the University of Pennsylvania conferred on him the Honorary degree of Doctor of Music in 1920; and in 1922 he was the first recipient of the Philadelphia Award of Ten Thousand Dollars. His appearances in Europe in January 1923, when as guest conductor he led orchestras in France and Italy were greeted with enthusiasm and with press notices of a laudatory nature.

Although it is a rented building, the Academy of Music is the only dwelling place the orchestra has known, and the auditorium with its architectural beauty and perfect acoustics is a marvelous place for orchestral concerts. Having been built in 1857, its traditions link the past with the present and cast a spell over the music.

The present stage setting, which replaces the gift of the West Philadelphia Women’s Committee, is from the design of Mr. Huger Elliott, and was executed as a labor of love by the students of the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art for the Association.

A possession of the Association is the orchestral library that has gradually been accumulated. Beginning with the purchase, for $600.00, of the library of the Philadelphia Symphony Society and augmented in 1911 by Fritz Scheel’s collection, and by the constant addition of new works, it is now suited to the needs of the orchestra and valued as a great asset. It contains twelve hundred works with scores, and orchestral parts for one hundred and ten men, besides four hundred and thirty scores without orchestral parts.

Advantage is often taken of modern musical inventions. For some years much care has been given to the making of Victor Records, which are popular the country over. There is now a list of forty-six, all exceptionally good, and they have brought the orchestra many friends. Radio transmitters are not used at performances. The Board of Directors feels that it is unfair to patrons of the orchestra, who pay for tickets and take the trouble to attend the concerts in person, to broadcast the music throughout the country.

Mr. Stokowski recently secured the rights for the first presentation of the new Hammond Pedal, invented by John Hays Hammond, Jr. The first public performance on the piano with this attachment was at the Philadelphia regular series of concerts, on October 30th and 31st, 1925, when Lester Donahue played the Rachmaninoff Second Concerto. The invention will also be used in Washington, New York City and on the Western tour.

In looking back over the years, details come to mind. Much anxiety used to be felt about Saturday nights, as bad weather meant a poor audience and knocked the box office receipts. Now, the audience is anxious for fear of uncomfortable delays on the steps during a storm, on account of the crowd.

Another detail was the efforts that the women made long ago to brighten up the appearance of the Saturday evening house, by asking their friends in the boxes to wear gay clothes.

The policy of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association has always been to sell tickets at moderate prices. Tickets for the best seats for the first regular series of six concerts sold for $8.00. Students could buy tickets for the amphitheatre for $1.75 for fourteen rehearsals and $2.00 for fourteen concerts. The price of tickets has increased seventy per cent and operating expenses have increased five hundred per cent in twenty-five years, but considering this, the tickets are still moderate. A story is told by Mr. George T. Haley, of the Academy of Music Ticket Office, loyal friend to the orchestra, of how as a young assistant agent he was in charge of the window on the first day of the first sale for the Philadelphia Orchestra. He opened promptly at 8.30 a. m.; the first sale was about ten and the next about four in the afternoon. Now, his principal business in connection with the orchestra is to placate the people who cannot get the seats they want or get any seats at all.

The Business Management of the Association has been since 1915 in the hands of Mr. Arthur Judson, whose ability and that of the Assistant Manager, Mr. Louis A. Mattson, is well known. Mr. Judson manages, likewise, the Philharmonic Orchestra of New York and the Cincinnati Orchestra. Mr. Mattson manages the summer concerts in Fairmount Park, for which a number of Philadelphia Orchestra men are engaged. The ease with which a large amount of business is conducted, and one in which there is much detail, is due to the organizing talents of Mr. Judson and to the devotion and long training of the office staff under him. The Association is fortunate in having a manager of such rare business acumen, whose talents have developed as necessity arose; until it is safe to say that there is no more ably managed musical organization in the country than this. To Mr. Mattson falls the task of distributing the seats, no easy one in 1925, when there are almost none to dispose of. No mention of the business end of this enterprise would be complete without the names of Miss Ruth O’Neill, Miss Elizabeth M. Russell and Miss Margaret E. Pringle, not to forget Mr. Stokowski’s private secretary, Miss McGinty, who eases the thorny business path of an artist.

Speaking of business, the Endowment Funds of the Association were at first in the hands of three trustees but now are in the care of a Corporate Trustee, the Girard Trust Company.

But enough of details! Many forces have combined to make it possible to maintain an orchestra.

Some years ago Peggy Shippen wrote:

“This remarkable performance (Mahler Symphony), which attracted music connoisseurs from many cities, and which will remain a lasting credit to our town, was the result of a combination of forces patiently brought together by the will, power and genius of one man—Leopold Stokowski.

“Such triumphs of art scored in this city do more than all the advertising in the world to place Philadelphia in the lead of the great American centers. The Mayor has spoken of advertising this city; these things do this legitimately by adding to its opportunities. The sooner we realize that it is by honest work and the real thing well done that we can impose respect for our city and State, the better.

“It is in the last decade or so that those interested have realized the necessity for ‘coming together.’ This policy seems to have been adopted since Alexander Van Rensselaer accepted the presidency of the Board of Directors. No one could be selected in this entire city better calculated to bring together the elements indispensable to the success of such an undertaking. Himself a musician, all his life identified with musical interests, he is one of the most widely popular men in this community.

“As the audiences grew and became critical, exacting a higher quality of music, Mr. Van Rensselaer and his board rose to the occasion and met the requirements of growth.

“The Women’s Committee, besides developing the interest in the success of the orchestra, has helped with the Guarantee Fund, which, of course, is the pivot upon which turns the success of the undertaking. Without the backing of money, to pay for the best procurable talent, even the greatest genius is helpless to produce adequately a great work of art.

“It was the combination of Mr. Van Rensselaer’s patient and broad policy, of the women’s inconspicuous but telling work of years upon the musical intelligence of the community, first under Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon’s direction and then under that of Miss Frances Wister, that provided the fertile ground upon which the genius of Mr. Stokowski brought out the almost superhuman result of last week.

“The same success will attend similar methods in other fields. The theory of ‘splendid isolation’ does not apply to our epoch.”

The Philippine Concerts which occurred on March 29th and April 5th, 1900; and which were the forerunners of the Philadelphia Orchestra, were commemorated at the concerts of March 27th and 29th and April 3rd and 4th, 1925, by a notice in the programme and by the playing of certain numbers played at those concerts. They marked the first appearance of Fritz Scheel with an orchestra of professional musicians in Philadelphia.

The Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the first concert on November 16th, 1900, is being celebrated at the concerts of November 13th and 14th, 1925, by simple ceremonies and a repetition of the first programme. It is a long way from the total of seven concerts in 1900, to the one hundred and five concerts arranged for this season. The road has been discouraging and difficult, but the twenty-fifth anniversary is a cause for rejoicing to all lovers of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Little did the small group of men in 1900 dream that the orchestra they founded would twenty-five years later be known throughout America and Europe.

The “Road One Hundred and Fifty Years Long” has been worth traveling to Philadelphians, to reach the present milestone in the symphonic succession, so far the most important achievement in the city’s musical history. If Baedeker were to write a “Guide to Music in America” he would put three stars against the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Chapter X
The Point of the Story

“Time Was unlocks the riddle of Time Is.

That offers choice of glory or of gloom:

The solver makes Time Shall Be surely his.”

The point of the story is the music that the Philadelphia Orchestra makes. It would be a tragedy if after twenty-five years anyone could ask “Why?” A tragedy for the officers and directors, for the Women’s Committees, and for the reader and writer of this book. For the musicians and for Leopold Stokowski it would be more than a tragedy, the object of life would cease to exist.

Beginning in 1912 the musical record becomes more and more interesting. The leader has poured out his talents for Philadelphia and the feast has been lavish. Programme after programme of the works of the great, interpreted by the brain of Leopold Stokowski have enthralled his audiences. Only a few special selections and occasions can be mentioned, but a perusal of the programmes for thirteen years shows that the average of Philadelphia Orchestra concerts is far above the usual average, for he is a master maker of programmes.

1912-13: Gustav Strube, “Puck”; Herman Sandby, Prelude to Act IV “The Vikings of Helgenland”; Edward Elgar, Symphony No. 1; Guiseppe Martucci, Symphony No. 1; Sigismund Noszkowski, “Die Steppen”; Richard Strauss, “Liesbes Scene” from “Feursnot,” “Salome’s Tanz”; Henri Rabaud, Symphony No. 2[42]; Ernest Schelling, “Légende Symphonic.”[43]

1913-14: Hans Erich Pfitzner, “Käthchen von Heilbronn,” overture; Fernandez Arbos, “Guajiras,”[44] violin and orchestra; Florent Schmitt, “Rapsodie Viennoise”[45]; Albert Roussel, Evocation No. 2 “La Ville Rose”[46]; Henry Hadley, Symphony, “North, East, South and West”; Erich Korngold, “Schauspiel” Overture; Otto Mueller, member Philadelphia Orchestra, “Dramatic Overture”; Henry A. Lang[47], Symphony “Fantasies of a Poet”; Beethoven, Ninth Symphony with Chorus.

1914-15: Jan Sibelius, “Finlandia”; Bach, triple concerto, piano, violin and flute; Paderewski, Symphony B minor[48], Special Concerts for the Benefit of the Pension Fund; Mendelssohn, “Lobgesang Symphony” with soloists and sixteen Choral Societies; Wagner Programme. Frederick Stock, Symphony C minor; Feruccio Busoni, Indian Fantasy, piano and orchestra;[49] Sandby, Suite from “The Woman and the Fiddler”; Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, Symphony “Gaelic”; Georges Enesco, “Roumanian Rhapsody.”

1915-16: Gustav Strube, “Variations on an Original Theme”; Camille Zeckwer[50], Symphonic Poem, “Sohrab and Rustum” (conducted by composer); Enrique Granados, Intermezzo and Epilogue from Goyescas; Gustav Mahler, Eighth Symphony for orchestra soli and chorus;[51] Strauss “Alpensymphonie.”[52]

1916-17: Frederick A. Stock: Violin Concerto, D minor; Arne Oldberg “June” (conducted by composer); Gustav Mahler, “Das Lied von der Erde,”[53] symphony for soli voices and orchestra; Max Bruch, Concerto for two pianos written for Rose and Ottilie Sutro (first world performance); Michel Dvorsky, “Chromaticon” piano and orchestra, Josef Hofmann, pianist; Debussy, “The Blessed Damosel” after Rosetti for soprano and Chorus of Women; Schelling, “Impressions,” variations for piano and orchestra, composer at the piano; Liszt, Eine Faust Symphonie, orchestra, tenor and bass soli and chorus; Bach, Matthäus Passion, orchestra, soli, Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, Chorus of Girls from Philadelphia Normal School and Girls’ High School.

1917-18: American Programme, Edgar Stillman Kelley Symphony “New England,” compositions by Philip H. Goepp, Arthur Foote; Skryabin, “Poème de l’Extase”; Beethoven, Three Equali for four Trombones; Bach, Concerto, three pianos and orchestra, Mme. Olga Samaroff, Bauer, Gabrilowitsch; Sinding, Symphony; Ernest Chausson, “Poème” violin and orchestra, Thaddeus Rich, violinist; Bloch Programme, concert conducted by composer; Selim Palmgren concerto “The River,” piano and orchestra.

1918-19: MacDowell “Indian Suite” dirge in memory of fallen Americans; Dvorsky, “The Haunted Castle”; Debussy “Sirènes,” orchestra and women’s voices; Lorenziti, Suite for Viole d’Amour, Henri Casadesus, soloist; Rachmaninoff, Air for a Choir of Solo Violins with orchestra; Programme of four American composers, Frederic S. Converse, H. Clough-Leiter, John Alden Carpenter, Cecil Forsyth; Leo Ornstein, piano soli, composer at the piano; Chadwick, “Tam o’Shanter”; Ernest Bloch, Symphony No. 1; Louis Garnier, “Vision” Poème for Orchestra.

1919-20: Beethoven, Choral Fantasy in C minor, piano, orchestra and chorus, Mme. Samaroff, pianist; Malipiero, “Pause del Silenzio”; Loeffler “A Pagan Poem” for Orchestra, with piano, English horn and three trumpets obligato, Bauer pianist; Charles T. Griffes, four compositions for orchestra; Rachmaninoff, Concerto No. 3, piano and orchestra, composer at the piano; Symphony “The Bells”[54] (after Poe), orchestra solo voices and Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus; Lorenziti, Concerto for Viole d’Amour, double bass and orchestra, Thaddeus Rich and Anton Torello, soloists; Weber, Concertino in F for bassoon and orchestra, Richard Krueger, soloist; André Maquarre, two compositions for orchestra; Mozart Opus 30, arranged as a Concerto for oboe and small orchestra, Marcel Tabuteau, soloist; Beethoven, Ninth Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, marking Ninety-sixth Anniversary of first performance, 1824.

1910-21: Leo Sowerby “Comes Autumn Time”; J. Guy Ropartz, Symphony No. 4; Cyril Scott, concerto piano and orchestra, composer at the piano; John Alden Carpenter “A Pilgrim Vision” to mark Tercentenary of Landing of the Mayflower; Beethoven, Ninth Symphony with Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus; Brahms; double concerto violin and cello, Rich and Penha, soloists; Brahms, “Requiem,” soprano and baritone soli, chorus and orchestra; Gilchrist[55], Symphonic Poem, unveiling of Gilchrist memorial; Mahler, Symphony No. 2, for orchestra, chorus and solo soprano and contralto.

1921-22: Sibelius, Symphony No. 5[56]; Alfredo Casello, “Pages of War” for orchestra; Gregor Fitelberg, Polish Rhapsody[57]; Bloch, Suite for viola and orchestra; Schoenberg, Five Orchestra Pieces; Vincent d’Indy “Poème des Rivages,” d’Indy, guest conductor (first performed on present tour); Bach Passacaglia, orchestrated by Leopold Stokowski (first time); Strawinsky “Sacre du Printemps”[58]; Manuel de Falla, excerpts from “El Amor Brujo”[59]; Otto Mueller, Carnival Overture “Schlaraffiada.”

1922-23: Debussy “La Cour des Lys”; Ravel, “La Valse Choreographic,” Poem for Orchestra; Strawinsky, “Feuerwerk”; Franck Centenary, Symphony D minor. The orchestra was engaged by Dr. Richard Strauss for four New York concerts of his own works exclusively. Dr. Strauss also conducted one in Philadelphia.

1922-1923: Camille Zeckwer, “Jade Butterflies”; Strawinsky, “Trois Poésies de la Lyrique Japonaise”; Enesco, Symphony E flat, Roumanian Rhapsody, Enesco, guest conductor; Brahms, concerto for violin, Enesco, violinist; January 26th and 27th, 1923, compositions by Milhaud, Poulenc, Auric, Satie; Schelling, “A Victory Ball”; Pick-Mangiagali, “Sortilegi,” Symphonic Poem, piano and orchestra; D. G. Mason, Prelude and Fugue, piano and orchestra; Henry Eichheim, Oriental Impressions for Orchestra; Schoenberg, “Kammersymphonie”.

1923-24: Strawinsky, “Chant du Rossignol”[60]; Bach concerto for harpsichord; Händel, concerto for harpsichord, Wanda Landowska, soloist; Strawinsky, “Symphonie d’Instruments à Vent”[61]; Josef Hofmann, compositions for piano and orchestra, East and West, Caliedescope, the Haunted Castle, “Chromaticon” (Dvorsky); Ottorino Respighi, “Sinfonia Drammatica”; Deems Taylor, Suite “Through the Looking Glass”; compositions by Magnard, Jean-Jules-Amable Roger-Ducasse; Hand Krása; Strawinsky, “Renard,” burlesque for Chamber Orchestra, two tenors, two basses; Beethoven, Ninth Symphony with Toronto Choir.

1924-25: Nicholas Medtner, piano concerto, composer at piano; Edgar Varese, “Hyperprisms”; Paul Hindemuth, Nusch-Nuschi Dances; Karl Szymsanowski, violin concerto[62]; Kurt Atterberg, Symphony No. 2; Henry Joslyn, War Dance from Suite, “Native Moments”; Strawinsky programme, Strawinsky guest conductor; Prokokieff, Suite Scythe, “Ala and Lolli”; Arthur Bliss, “Mêlée Fantasque”; Germaine Taillefer, Concerto[63] for piano and orchestra; Isaac Albeniz, “Fête Dieu à Séville”; Edward Burlingame Hill, Arthur Bliss, compositions for two pianos and orchestra.

It must not be supposed from the above that the usual standard works are not performed. The list is given to show the wide musical range to which Philadelphians are treated. No mention has been made of the many Wagner and Tschaikowsky programmes that have been presented. They have occurred every year and are always a delight.

It is a pleasure to mention the principal players in the orchestra, who are not generally known personally by the audience. It is a case of “by their voices you shall know them,” and their voices enthrall the listeners week by week. First comes Dr. Thaddeus Rich, most popular of concertmasters and an assistant conductor of no mean attainments, who is sometimes called to take the conductor’s place at the last minute, where he acquits himself with honors. As we look farther there are: David Dubinsky, first second violin; Samuel Lifschey, first viola; Hanns Pick, violoncello; W. M. Kincaid, flute; Marcel Tabuteau, oboe; Daniel Bonade, clarinet; Anton Horner, horn; Walter Guetter, bassoon; Sol. Cohen, trumpet; Gardell Simons, Paul P. Lotz, C. E. Gerhard, trombones; Philip A. Donatelli, tuba; Anton Torello, bass; Vincent Fanelli, Jr., harp; and last but not least, Oscar Schwar, tympani. These players all possess the requisites, which seem to be ability to play and ability to obey, for the response of their wills to the will of the leader is what makes success in an orchestra. One noticeable feature about the musicians is their youth; this is patent to the eye, and to the ear, from the virility of their performance.

To those who do not see farther than the Academy stage, it would be useless to explain that the conductor’s activities are not confined to stepping briskly onto the platform and leading concerts. People who have given the matter thought must know that he is working all the year round for the Philadelphia Orchestra. The rehearsals are very exacting and the players are wonderfully prepared. Conducting a concert means a physical, mental and emotional strain which is only understood by those who have seen the conductor as he comes off the stage. Leading without a score requires perfect concentration. Painstaking effort and patience on the part of Mr. Stokowski bring their reward in the finish of the performance, but it looks so easy! And therein is shown his skill. Next there is the constant search for new works and the mastering of them before rehearsals can begin. Much time is occupied in hearing and selecting players, for no stone is left unturned to find the best artists for each position. The mail is also a subject of importance, as correspondence is kept up with individuals and publishers and then there are letters of complaint or approval, all to be answered. The conductor is a busy man, whose brain never stops working, planning, devising for the orchestra.

Leopold Stokowski’s musical gifts are of a nature difficult to describe. What thrills come to one at the remembrance of certain moments, the first hearing of the Bach “Passacaglia,” the “Prelude and Liebestod” from Tristan, the symphonies of Brahms, Schubert and Tschaikowsky, Mahler’s Eighth, where the chorus “Alles Vergängliches ist nur ein Gleichniss” soars aloft, Beethoven’s Seventh, and the Ninth with the Mendelssohn Choir of Toronto. But why mention special moments? The audiences have come to expect every concert to be a “special moment.”

Philadelphia is to be congratulated that the orchestra bearing its name is in the hands of Leopold Stokowski, master musician. It is constantly advancing. When one peak on the climb is reached, the clouds roll away and another comes into view. Let no man speak its doom by proclaiming that the summit of Parnassus has been reached by the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The name of Alexander Van Rensselaer, Esq., appears on the first page of this book. It is fitting that it should also appear on the last, for the president’s activities encircle the orchestra. Many records of his deeds appear in the annals of the Association, and many more are engraved in the hearts of his fellow-workers and fellow-townsmen. He is the only person, however, who knows what sacrifices his devotion has entailed. For although a president may appear to enjoy more sunshine than other individuals, he also bears the shock of all the storms. The responsibility of such a post for twenty-five unbroken years is a heavy burden for a man to bear. To say that he has borne it and continued to hold the respect and affection of Philadelphians is the finest tribute that could be paid him.

The story told in this book has been made possible by the president of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association.

In Memoriam

Theodore Thomas
Born October 11, 1835; Died January 4, 1905

“The death of the pioneer of American music, and a veritable Titan of Conductors, Theodore Thomas, brings consternation to the world of music, as this great man stood for all that is pure and noble in his art. An event so calamitous, and peculiarly significant here in Philadelphia, where he was well known and beloved, devolves upon me the sad duty of giving an orchestral expression of our deep grief. While it is true that an all-wise Providence saw fit to remove from the field of action one who had probably reached the apogee of his power and influence, yet keen regret must of necessity be experienced, an emotion best expressed through the medium that the great Thomas made his own—the orchestra. Therefore, I deem it wise to change the programme for the Seventh Concert, selecting such numbers as, in a sense, may be regarded as a mortuary mass. In agreement with this idea, which I am sure my supporters will endorse, I have made the following changes, substituting such numbers that, were the lips now stilled in death able to articulate, they would, I trust, unreservedly approve.

Fritz Scheel 
Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra.”

Philadelphia, January 6, 1905.

Programme
1. Richard Wagner | Siegfried’s Death from “Die Götterdämmerung”
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Symphony, G minor
I. Allegro Molto 4/4 | III. Menuetto: Allegro 3/4
II. Andante 6/8  | IV. Finale: Allegro Assai 4/4
3. Jules de Swert | Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra,
| No. 2, in C minor, Op. 38
Allegro moderato—Espressivo, 4/4
Alfred Saal
4. Richard Strauss | Serenade, Opus 7, Andante, E flat major
For 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 4 Horns,
2 Bassoons, and Contra Bassoon
5. Ludwig von Beethoven | Overture, “Leonore No. 3,” Op. 72

Programme of Ceremonies

Fritz Scheel Memorial

Academy of Music
Wednesday, March Eleventh
Nineteen Hundred and Eight
at Three o’Clock

In Memoriam

Fritz Scheel

Born Lübeck, 1852; Died Philadelphia, 1907

Richard Wagner | Vorspiel “Parsifal”
Address
Mr. Owen Wister
Richard Strauss | Tone Poem “Tod und Verklärung”
Beethoven | Funeral March from Eroica Symphony
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell
January 9-10, 1914 |
Beethoven | Slow Movement from Symphony No. 7, in A major
Theodore N. Ely
November 3-4, 1916 |
Beethoven | Eroica Symphony Marcia Funèbre
Harold Ellis Yarnall
April 7-8, 1917 |
MacDowell | “Dirge” from Indian Suite
Tribute to the memory of our soldiers and sailors who
have fallen in the war
November 15-16, 1918 |
Beethoven | Eroica Symphony Marche Funèbre
Theodore Roosevelt
January 17-18, 1919 |

“Resolution Passed at Meeting of Board of
Directors, November 26th, 1919

“Whereas, the Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association note with deep sorrow the death of Major Henry Lee Higginson,

“And Whereas, they recognize that by his death the cause of good music throughout the country has sustained an irreparable loss,

“And Whereas, they recognize their own deep debt of gratitude to him for his pioneer work in the said cause of music,

“Be It Resolved that they place on record their very real sense of this great loss and their feeling of sympathy in it not only with the members of his family, but with every officer and member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Association.

“It is further ordered that the Secretary of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association transmit a copy of this resolution to Mrs. Higginson and to the officers and members of the Boston Symphony Association.”

“The Dirge from MacDowell’s ‘Indian Suite’
will be played

In Memory

of
The Founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Major Henry Lee Higginson

November 18, 1834—November 14, 1919”

November 28-29, 1919

Schubert | Unfinished Symphony, Andante
George W. Elkins
December 5-6, 1919 |
Wagner | Funeral March from “The Twilight of the Gods”
Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt
January 23-24, 1920 |

Resolution passed by the Women’s Committee,
January 20th, 1920.

Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt

“Mrs. Cassatt was associated with the Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra, as an Honorary Vice-president, at the time of its organization in 1904; in 1909 she was elected to the Board of Managers, and in 1914 became a Vice-president, which position she held until her death on January 9th, 1920. She was Chairman of the Nominating Committee for many years and conducted its affairs with discretion and ability. She was also Chairman of a Committee, which during the winter of 1912 devoted much time and thought to the revision of the By-laws.

“Mrs. Cassatt gave her support to the cause of an orchestra for Philadelphia, however, before the Philadelphia Orchestra was organized as such, and before the Women’s Committee had a reason for existing. In the spring of 1900, she organized a committee of women which carried through the two so-called Philippine Concerts and gave Fritz Scheel his first opportunity to appear in Philadelphia as a conductor of an orchestra composed of professional musicians; as a direct result the Philadelphia Orchestra was organized in the fall of that year.

“In spite of failing health and physical suffering, Mrs. Cassatt’s interest in the welfare of this Committee and the orchestra never flagged; her wise counsel was freely given, and her gracious presence was always an inspiration. She gave to this Committee the benefit of her wide knowledge of people and affairs, and for this we have a deep sense of gratitude.

“Her last public appearance was at the Philadelphia Orchestra Endowment Fund Campaign Luncheon on November 6th, 1919, on which occasion she presented the gift of one thousand dollars to the Endowment Fund from the Women’s Committee as a tribute to its President, Miss Frances A. Wister.

“The influence of her loyalty will remain a rich heritage for the Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

“Therefore, Be It
“Resolved, That we, the members of the Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra, hereby express our affection and respect for Mrs. Cassatt, and our grief and sense of irreparable loss at her death.

“Be It Also Resolved, That we record our appreciation of Mrs. Cassatt’s interest in the affairs of this Committee, of her work for the Philadelphia Orchestra, and of her distinguished qualities of leadership. We are profoundly touched by the fact that Mrs. Cassatt’s last public appearance was in our behalf, and are mindful of the privilege that has been ours in working with her for the cause of music in Philadelphia.

“Be It Also Resolved, That this resolution together with the preamble be spread upon the minutes and that copies be sent to Mrs. Cassatt’s family as an expression of our deep sympathy in their loss.

Committee on Resolutions

(Signed) Frances Anne Wister, Chairman
Adèle G. Yarnall 
Mrs. Simon B. Fleisher 
Sallie Houston Henry 
Elizabeth H. Arnett”  

January 20th, 1920.

Wagner | “Götterdämmerung” Funeral March
Charles A. Braun
October 27-28, 1922. |
Beethoven | Symphony No. 7, Slow Movement
Edward G. McCollin
November 30, December 1, 1923. |
Wagner | Funeral March from Götterdämmerung
Woodrow Wilson
February 8-9, 1924. |
Chopin | Funeral March
Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon
October 16-17, 1925. |

Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon
“Died September 20, 1925

“Resolution Passed by the Philadelphia
Orchestra Association

“The officers and members of the Administration Committee of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association have learned with deep sorrow of the death of Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon, who had been a member of the Board of Directors of the Orchestra Association since its very beginning, as well as first President of the Women’s Committee for The Philadelphia Orchestra. Her charming personality, sweet disposition and wise judgment combined to make her endeared and respected by all her associates.

“In her death we have lost a true and devoted friend of music and a lady with whom it was a pleasure to be associated.

“The Women’s Committee for the
Philadelphia Orchestra

“Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon

“Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon, the first President of this committee, who died on September 20, 1925, was for several reasons especially dear to our members.

“Captains of ships who take the helm for voyages over uncharted seas, or leaders of expeditions across unknown continents who bring such undertakings to successful ends, receive the honor of their comrades. How much more should we treasure the memory of a pioneer leader, whose enterprise was so skillfully planned that the work for a noble purpose has been able to continue during twenty-one years.

“Long before Mrs. Dixon entered upon the difficult position of President of this committee, however, she was a force in the musical life of the city. As an amateur pianist and singer, and as a member of the Eurydice Chorus and of the Melody Club, she was a well-known and important figure among the devotees of this enchanting art.

“Mrs. Dixon taught the committee many lessons, although some of us were unaware of this fact at the time, and probably she was herself. Behind a delightful simplicity of manner there lay courage, patience, ability, firmness of purpose in an unpopular cause and a shining soul. Therefore, personally and officially, Mrs. Dixon was the greatest ornament that the committee has possessed and the most beloved officer. It is especially distressing to us to lose her from our midst at a time when all friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra are rejoicing in the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the first concert, which is to be celebrated in November. So devoted a member of the Board of Directors of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association will be much missed on that occasion.

“It may be well said, ‘Her ways were ways of pleasantness and her paths were paths of peace,’ for, led by her, the Women’s Committee for The Philadelphia Orchestra has wended its steps along the same road. Our gratitude will endure while the committee continues to exist.

“A committee composed of the officers has been appointed to present a resolution for action at this special meeting of the Women’s Committee for The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Resolution

“Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon

“First President of the Women’s Committee for
The Philadelphia Orchestra—1904-1912

“Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon was the first President of the Women’s Committee for The Philadelphia Orchestra, which was organized at her house on March 11, 1904. Until 1912 she continued as its presiding officer and during these years she held the esteem and affection of the members of the committee and administered its affairs with wisdom, justice and a broad vision.

“Therefore, be it Resolved:
“That we, the officers and members of the Women’s Committee, desire to record our deep sense of loss in the death of a beloved former President and late Honorary Vice-President, and to express our appreciation of her fearless initiative, her unfailing good judgment, her gentle but firm character, her wise leadership.

“Be it also Resolved: “That this resolution be spread upon the minutes and that a copy be sent to her husband.

Committee
“Frances Anne Wister, | President
Adèle G. Yarnall, | Vice-president
Sallie Houston Henry, | Vice-president
Helen Warren Allen, | Treasurer
Elizabeth H. Arnett, | Corresponding Secretary
Margaret S. Wood, | Recording Secretary”

October 8, 1925.

APPENDIX

Appendix A

Charter
of
The Philadelphia Orchestra Association

(Adopted November 1, 1902)

The subscribers hereto, all of whom are citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, have associated themselves together for the purpose herein below set forth and being desirous of becoming incorporated agreeably to the provisions of the Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, entitled, “An Act to provide for the incorporation and regulation of certain corporations,” approved the twenty-ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, and the supplements thereto, do hereby declare, set forth and certify that the following are the purposes, objects, articles and conditions of their said Association for and upon which they desire to be incorporated.

Article 1.—The name of the corporation shall be The Philadelphia Orchestra Association.

Article 2.—Its object is to encourage the performance of first-class orchestral music in the City of Philadelphia and for that purpose to establish and maintain The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Article 3.—The place in which the business of the said corporation is to be transacted is the City of Philadelphia.

Article 4.—The said corporation is to exist perpetually.

Article 5.—The said corporation shall have no capital stock.

Article 6.—The number of Directors of the said corporation shall be twenty-four, and the names and residences of those who are chosen for the first year are as follows:

Name | Residence
George Burnham, Jr. | Philadelphia, Pa.
A. J. Cassatt | Philadelphia, Pa.
John H. Converse | Philadelphia, Pa.
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Philadelphia, Pa.
William L. Elkins | Elkins, Pa.
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Philadelphia, Pa.
Clement A. Griscom | Philadelphia, Pa.
Mrs. Alfred C. Harrison | Philadelphia, Pa.
John H. Ingham | Philadelphia, Pa.
Oliver B. Judson | Philadelphia, Pa.
Edward I. Keffer | Philadelphia, Pa.
C. Hartman Kuhn | Philadelphia, Pa.
Edward G. McCollin | Philadelphia, Pa.
Thomas McKean | Philadelphia, Pa.
Clement B. Newbold | Philadelphia, Pa.
James W. Paul, Jr. | Philadelphia, Pa.
Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten   | Philadelphia, Pa.
Richard Rossmässler | Philadelphia, Pa.
Edgar Scott | Philadelphia, Pa.
Simon A. Stern | Philadelphia, Pa.
Miss Anne Thomson | Merion, Pa.
Alexander van Rensselaer | Philadelphia, Pa.
Henry Whelen, Jr. | Philadelphia, Pa.
P. A. B. Widener | Ashbourne, Pa.

Witness the hands and seals of the subscribers this first day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and two (1902):

A. Van Rensselaer (L.S.)

A. J. Cassatt (L.S.)

Geo. F. Baer (L.S.)

Henry Whelen, Jr. (L.S.)

John H. Converse (L.S.)

C. Hartman Kuhn (L.S.)

Geo. Burnham, Jr. (L.S.)

Edwd. G. McCollin (L.S.)

Clement B. Newbold (L.S.)

Jas. W. Paul, Jr. (L.S.)

John H. Ingham (L.S.)

E. I. Keffer (L.S.)

State of Pennsylvania

City and County of Philadelphia

Before me, the Recorder of Deeds for the County of Philadelphia, on this twenty-first day of November A. D. 1902, personally appeared Henry Whelen, Jr., John H. Ingham and Edward I. Keffer, three of the subscribers to the foregoing certificate of incorporation and duly acknowledged the same to be their act and deed, and desired that the same might be recorded as such,

Witness my hand and official seal the day and year aforesaid.

Jos. K. Flescher, Deputy Recorder of Deeds (L.S.)

Decree

In the Court of Common Pleas No. 4, of the County of Philadelphia of December Term 1902, N. 845.

And now this fifth day of January, A. D. 1903, the within Charter and Certificate of Incorporation having been presented to me, a Law Judge of said County, accompanied by due proof of publication of the notice of this application as required by the Act of Assembly and rule of this Court in such case made and provided, I certify that I have examined and perused the said writing, and have found the same to be in proper form and within the purposes named in the first class specified in Section Second of the Act of General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, entitled “An Act to provide for the Incorporation and Regulation of Certain Corporations,” approved April 29th, 1874, and the supplements thereto, and the same appearing to be lawful and not injurious to the community, I do hereby on motion of Edward G. McCollin and John G. Johnson, Esquires, on behalf of the petitioners, order and direct that the said Charter of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, aforesaid be and is the same hereby approved, and that upon the recording of the same and of this order, the subscribers thereto and their associates shall be a corporation by the name of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, for the purposes and upon the terms therein stated.

Robert N. Willson, Judge.

Filed in the office of the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas No. 4 as of December Term 1902 No. 845, on the Fourth day of December A. D. 1902.

C. B. Roberts, Deputy Prothonotary.

Recorded in the office for recording Deeds etc. in and for the County of Philadelphia in Charter Book No. 28, page 53 etc.

Witness my hand and seal of office this seventh day of January A. D. 1903.

Wm. S. Vare, Recorder of Deeds (L.S.).

Appendix B

Executive Committee of The Philadelphia Orchestra
elected at the Orpheus Club Rooms,
May, 1900

Henry Whelen, Jr.

John C. Sims

Edward G. McCollin

Oscar A. Knipe

Edward I. Keffer

Oliver Boyce Judson

John H. Ingham, Secretary.

Appendix C

Officers and Directors of The Philadelphia
Orchestra Association
1900-1925

1901-1902
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
F. T. Sully Darley, Vice-president
John H. Ingham, Secretary
Henry Whelen, Jr., Treasurer

DIRECTORS
A. J. Cassatt | C. Hartman Kuhn
John H. Converse | Edward G. McCollin
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Thomas McKean, Jr.
F. T. Sully Darley | Clement B. Newbold
William L. Elkins | James W. Paul, Jr.
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Clement A. Griscom | Edgar Scott
Mrs. Alfred C. Harrison | Simon A. Stern
John H. Ingham | Miss Anne Thomson
Oliver B. Judson | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Edward I. Keffer | Henry Whelen, Jr.
Oscar A. Knipe | P. A. B. Widener

1902-1903
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
John H. Ingham, Secretary
Henry Whelen, Jr., Treasurer

DIRECTORS
George Burnham, Jr. | Edward G. McCollin
A. J. Cassatt | Thomas McKean
John H. Converse | Clement B. Newbold
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | James W. Paul, Jr.
William L. Elkins | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Richard Rossmässler
Clement A. Griscom | Edgar Scott
Mrs. Alfred C. Harrison | Simon A. Stern
John H. Ingham | Miss Anne Thomson
Oliver B. Judson | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Edward I. Keffer | Henry Whelen, Jr.
C. Hartman Kuhn | P. A. B. Widener

1903-1904
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
John H. Ingham, Secretary
Henry Whelen, Jr., Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Thomas McKean
George Burnham, Jr. | Clement B. Newbold
A. J. Cassatt | James W. Paul, Jr.
John H. Converse | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Richard Rossmässler
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Edgar Scott
Clement A. Griscom | Simon A. Stern
John H. Ingham | Miss Anne Thomson
Edward I. Keffer | Alexander Van Rensselaer
C. Hartman Kuhn | Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
Edward G. McCollin | Henry Whelen, Jr.
Oliver B. Judson | P. A. B. Widener

1904-1905
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
John H. Ingham, Secretary
Henry Whelen, Jr., Treasurer

DIRECTORS
George Burnham, Jr. | Thomas McKean
John H. Converse | Clement B. Newbold
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | James W. Paul, Jr.
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Clement A. Griscom | Richard Rossmässler
John H. Ingham | Edgar Scott
Oliver B. Judson | Miss Anne Thomson
Edward I. Keffer | Alexander Van Rensselaer
C. Hartman Kuhn | Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
Edward G. McCollin | Henry Whelen, Jr.

1905-1906
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Henry Whelen, Jr., Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Edward G. McCollin
George Burnham, Jr. | Thomas McKean
Alexander J. Cassatt | Clement B. Newbold
John H. Converse | James W. Paul, Jr.
Richard Y. Cook | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Edgar Scott
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Miss Anne Thomson
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Clement A. Griscom | Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
John H. Ingham | Henry Whelen, Jr.
Edward I. Keffer | P. A. B. Widener
C. Hartman Kuhn | Miss Frances A. Wister

1906-1907
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Henry Whelen, Jr., Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Edward G. McCollin
George Burnham, Jr. | Clement B. Newbold
John H. Converse | James W. Paul, Jr.
Richard Y. Cook | Mrs. F. H. Rosengarten
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Edgar Scott
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Miss Anne Thomson
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Clement A. Griscom | Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
John H. Ingham | Henry Whelen, Jr.
Edward I. Keffer | P. A. B. Widener
C. Hartman Kuhn | Miss Frances A. Wister
Thomas McKean |

1907-1908
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Thomas McKean
George Burnham, Jr. | Arthur E. Newbold
John H. Converse | Clement B. Newbold
Richard Y. Cook | James W. Paul, Jr.
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Edgar Scott
Miss Mary K. Gibson | E. T. Stotesbury
Clement A. Griscom | Miss Anne Thomson
John H. Ingham | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Edward I. Keffer | Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
C. Hartman Kuhn | P. A. B. Widener
Edward G. McCollin | Miss Frances A. Wister

1908-1909
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Thomas McKean
Charles A. Braun | Arthur E. Newbold
George Burnham, Jr. | Clement B. Newbold
John H. Converse | G. Heide Norris
Richard Y. Cook | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Edgar Scott
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | E. T. Stotesbury
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Miss Anne Thomson
Clement A. Griscom | Alexander Van Rensselaer
John H. Ingham | Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
C. Hartman Kuhn | Miss Frances A. Wister

1909-1910
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Charles A. Braun | Thomas McKean
James Crosby Brown | Arthur E. Newbold
George Burnham, Jr. | Clement B. Newbold
John H. Converse | G. Heide Norris
Richard Y. Cook | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Edgar Scott
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | E. T. Stotesbury
Theodore N. Ely | Miss Anne Thomson
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Clement A. Griscom | Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
John H. Ingham | Miss Frances A. Wister

1910-1911
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Thomas McKean
Charles A. Braun | Arthur E. Newbold
James Crosby Brown | Clement B. Newbold
Richard Y. Cook | G. Heide Norris
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Edgar Scott
Theodore N. Ely | E. T. Stotesbury
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Miss Anne Thomson
Clement A. Griscom | Alexander Van Rensselaer
John H. Ingham | Andrew Wheeler
C. Hartman Kuhn | Miss Frances A. Wister

1911-1912
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Arthur E. Newbold
Charles A. Braun | Clement B. Newbold
James Crosby Brown | G. Heide Norris
Richard Y. Cook | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Edgar Scott
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | E. T. Stotesbury
Theodore N. Ely | Miss Anne Thomson
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Clement A. Griscom | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
John H. Ingham | Andrew Wheeler
C. Hartman Kuhn | J. R. Barton Willing
Thomas McKean | Miss Frances A. Wister

1912-1913
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Arthur E. Newbold
Charles A. Braun | Clement B. Newbold
James Crosby Brown | G. Heide Norris
Richard Y. Cook | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Edgar Scott
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | E. T. Stotesbury
Theodore N. Ely | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
Clement A. Griscom[64] | Andrew Wheeler
John H. Ingham | J. R. Barton Willing
C. Hartman Kuhn | Miss Frances A. Wister
Thomas McKean |

1913-1914
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Thomas McKean, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward W. Bok | Thomas McKean
Charles A. Braun | Arthur E. Newbold
John F. Braun | Clement B. Newbold
James Crosby Brown | G. Heide Norris
Richard Y. Cook | Edgar Scott
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | E. T. Stotesbury
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
Theodore N. Ely | Andrew Wheeler
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Miss Frances A. Wister
John H. Ingham | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall

1914-1915
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
Edward W. Bok, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | John H. Ingham
Edward W. Bok | C. Hartman Kuhn
Charles A. Braun | Thomas McKean
John F. Braun | Arthur E. Newbold
James Crosby Brown | G. Heide Norris
Richard Y. Cook | E. T. Stotesbury
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Andrew Wheeler
George W. Elkins | Miss Frances A. Wister
Theodore N. Ely | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall
Miss Mary K. Gibson |

1915-1916
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
E. T. Stotesbury, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | Henry McKean Ingersoll
Edward W. Bok | John H. Ingham
Charles A. Braun | C. Hartman Kuhn
John F. Braun | Thomas McKean
James Crosby Brown | Arthur E. Newbold
Richard Y. Cook | G. Heide Norris
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | E. T. Stotesbury
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
George W. Elkins | Andrew Wheeler
Theodore N. Ely | Miss Frances A. Wister
Samuel S. Fels | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall
Miss Mary K. Gibson |

1916-1917
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
E. T. Stotesbury, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | John H. Ingham
Edward W. Bok | C. Hartman Kuhn
Charles A. Braun | Arthur E. Newbold
John F. Braun | G. Heide Norris
James Crosby Brown | E. T. Stotesbury
Richard Y. Cook | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Andrew Wheeler
George W. Elkins | Joseph E. Widener
Samuel S. Fels | Miss Frances A. Wister
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Charlton Yarnall
Charles D. Hart | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall
Henry McKean Ingersoll |

1917-1918
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
E. T. Stotesbury, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward W. Bok | Effingham B. Morris
Charles A. Braun | Arthur E. Newbold
John F. Braun | G. Heide Norris
James Crosby Brown | E. T. Stotesbury
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Alexander Van Rensselaer
George W. Elkins | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
Samuel S. Fels | Andrew Wheeler
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Joseph E. Widener
Charles D. Hart | Miss Frances A. Wister
Henry McKean Ingersoll | Charlton Yarnall
John H. Ingham | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall

1918-1919
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
E. T. Stotesbury, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward W. Bok | Effingham B. Morris
Charles A. Braun | G. Heide Norris
John F. Braun | E. T. Stotesbury
James Crosby Brown | Miss Anne Thomson
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
George W. Elkins | Andrew Wheeler
Samuel S. Fels | Joseph E. Widener
Charles D. Hart | Miss Frances A. Wister
Henry McKean Ingersoll | Charlton Yarnall
John H. Ingham | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall

1919-1920
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
E. T. Stotesbury, Vice-president[65]
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Arthur E. Newbold, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward W. Bok | Effingham B. Morris
Charles A. Braun | G. Heide Norris
John F. Braun | Miss Anne Thomson
James Crosby Brown | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Andrew Wheeler
George W. Elkins[66] | Joseph E. Widener
Samuel S. Fels | Miss Frances A. Wister
Charles D. Hart | Charlton Yarnall
Henry McKean Ingersoll | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall
John H. Ingham |

1920-1921
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
William Jay Turner, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Robert K. Cassatt, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward W. Bok | Effingham B. Morris
Charles A. Braun | G. Heide Norris
John F. Braun | Robert K. Cassatt
James Crosby Brown | Miss Anne Thomson
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
William Jay Turner | Andrew Wheeler
Samuel S. Fels | Joseph E. Widener
Charles D. Hart | Miss Frances A. Wister
Henry McKean Ingersoll | Charlton Yarnall
John H. Ingham | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall

1921-1922
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
William Jay Turner, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Robert K. Cassatt, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward W. Bok | Effingham B. Morris
Charles A. Braun | G. Heide Norris
John F. Braun | Robert K. Cassatt
James Crosby Brown | Miss Anne Thomson
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
William Jay Turner | Andrew Wheeler
Samuel S. Fels | Joseph E. Widener
Charles D. Hart | Miss Frances A. Wister
Henry McKean Ingersoll | Charlton Yarnall
John H. Ingham | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall

1922-1923, 1923-1924, 1924-1925
OFFICERS

Alexander Van Rensselaer, President
William Jay Turner, Vice-president
Andrew Wheeler, Jr., Secretary
Robert K. Cassatt, Treasurer

DIRECTORS
Mrs. William W. Arnett | C. Hartman Kuhn
Edward W. Bok | Effingham B. Morris
Evan Randolph | G. Heide Norris
John F. Braun | Robert K. Cassatt
James Crosby Brown | Miss Anne Thomson
Cyrus H. K. Curtis | Alexander Van Rensselaer
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
William Jay Turner | Andrew Wheeler
Samuel S. Fels | Joseph E. Widener
Charles D. Hart | Miss Frances A. Wister
Henry McKean Ingersoll | Charlton Yarnall
John H. Ingham | Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall

Appendix D

First Guarantors of the Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1901

Mr. Horace Allen | Miss Mary K. Gibson
Miss Helen Audenried | Mr. W. W. Gilchrist
Mr. Lewis Audenried | Mr. Wm. Grew
Mrs. A. W. Baird | Miss Mary C. Griffith
Mr. W. J. Baird | Mrs. Clement A. Griscom
Mr. J. W. Bayard | Mr. W. Bennett Gough
Mrs. E. F. Beale | Mrs. R. Emott Hare
Mrs. Louis F. Benson | Mrs. J. Campbell Harris
Mrs. Arthur Biddle | Mr. Austin S. Heckscher
Mrs. George Tucker Bispham | Messrs. C. J. Heppe & Son
Rev. Cyrus Townsend Brady | Mr. F. D. Howell
Mr. John F. Braun | Mrs. Warren Ingersoll
Miss Frances I. Brock | Miss M. H. Ingham
Dr. Edward Brooks | Mr. W. H. Joyce
Miss Harriet Buchanan | Mrs. O. A. Judson
Mrs. Edward S. Buckley | Mr. O. B. Judson
Dr. C. E. Cadwalader | Dr. Edward I. Keffer
Miss F. E. Caldwell | Mr. Philip F. Kelly
Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt | Mr. Oscar A. Knipe
Mrs. S. Castner, Jr. | Mr. C. Hartman Kuhn
Mr. Frank G. Cauffman | Mrs. Bigelow Lawrence
Miss Kate H. Chandler | Miss Nina Lea
Mrs. James H. Chapman | Mr. J. Bertram Lippincott
Mr. Charles J. Cohen | Mrs. E. Lynch
Mr. John H. Converse | Mr. Edw. G. McCollin
Mrs. Alexander Brown Coxe | Mrs. H. Pratt McKean
Mrs. Chas. E. Coxe | Mr. Thomas McKean
Mr. Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. | Mr. Frank McLaughlin
Miss Rebecca Coxe | Messrs. Henry Miller & Sons
Mr. F. E. Cresson | Mr. Joseph M. Mitcheson
Mr. David S. Cresswell | Mr. Clement Buckley Newbold
Mr. D. E. Crozier | Mrs. Thomas H. Newton
Mr. H. B. Curran | Miss Ethel Parrish
Mr. Chas. W. Dannehauer | Mrs. Joseph Parrish
Mr. Francis T. S. Darley | Miss M. Parrish
Mrs. Samuel G. Dixon | Hon. Clement B. Penrose
Mr. George B. Dreisler | Mrs. Eli Kirk Price
Mr. Theo. N. Ely | Mr. Max Riebenack
Mr. Chancellor C. English | Mrs. E. C. Roberts
Mrs. Spencer Ervin | Mr. W. S. Robinson
Mrs. Wm. H. Farr | Miss Fannie Rosengarten
Mr. Chas. H. Fischer | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Mr. J. G. Rosengarten | Mr. Henry Gordon Thunder
Miss Elsé West Rulon | Mr. Alex. Van Rensselaer
Miss Emma Schubert | Mrs. T. H. Warren
Mr. Edgar Scott | Mr. Henry Waters
Mrs. Thomas A. Scott | Mr. L. R. Welsh
Miss Elizabeth Smith | Mr. Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
Mrs. Edward B. Smith | Miss Gertrude Wheeler
Miss E. K. Smith, Jr. | Mr. C. S. Whelen
Mr. S. Decatur Smith | Mrs. C. S. Whelen
Mrs. A. M. Starr | Mr. Henry Whelen, Jr.
Mr. Simon A. Stern | Miss Abbie Winnery
Messrs. N. Stetson & Co. | Mr. Ellis D. Williams
Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson | Mr. Chas. Willing
Mr. W. R. Stobbe | Mr. David D. Wood
Miss M. D. Tenbrooke | Dr. C. S. Wurts
Mr. J. B. Thayer, Jr. | Mrs. Charlton Yarnall
Mr. Geo. C. Thomas | Mr. Richard Zeckwer
Mr. Henry J. Thouron | Mr. Harry D. Ziegler

Appendix E

Summary of Concerts Played by
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Seasons 1900-1901 to 1924-1925, Inclusive

1— | Season 1900-1901: |
Six Concerts | 6
Reading, Penna. | 1
Total | 7
2— | Season 1901-1902: |
Regular Series Concerts | 14 |  | 28
Public Rehearsals | 14
Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, York, |
Penna., Trenton, Wilmington, three (3) each | 24
Total | 52
3— | Season 1902-1903:
Regular Series Concerts | 14 |  | 28
Public Rehearsals | 14
Beethoven Cycle | 5
Popular Concerts | 5
Young People’s Educational Series | 5
Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, York, |
Penna., Wilmington, three (3) each | 18
Baltimore, Carlisle, Lebanon, Lock Haven, Scranton, |
Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Penna., New York City, |
Trenton, Washington, one (1) each | 10
Total | 71
4— | Season 1903-1904:
Regular Series Concerts | 14 |  | 28
Public Rehearsals | 14
Young People’s Educational Lecture Concerts | 5
People’s Concerts | 5
Special Concerts | 2
Popular Concert | 1
Special (Thibaud) Concert | 1
Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Penna., Wilmington, |
three (3) each | 12
Boston | 2
Reading, Lebanon, Penna., New York City, one (1) each   | 3
Total | 59
5— | Season 1904-1905:
Regular Series Concerts | 15 |  | 30
Public Rehearsals | 15
People’s Concerts | 5
Weingartner Concert, Special | 1
Harrisburg, Washington, one (1) each | 2
Total | 38
6— | Season 1905-1906:
Regular Series Concerts | 18 |  | 36
Public Rehearsals | 18
Lecture Concerts | 4
Baltimore, Washington, Wilmington, three (3) each | 9
Lancaster, Reading, New York City, two (2) each | 6
Trenton, Easton, Brooklyn, one (1) each | 3
Total | 58
7— | Season 1906-1907:
Regular Series Concerts | 20 |  | 40
Public Rehearsals | 20
People’s Concert, Kensington | 1
Baltimore | 5
Washington  | 5
Wilmington | 4
Harrisburg | 3
Trenton | 2
Easton, Reading, Penna., one (1) each | 2
Total | 62

8— | Season 1907-1908: |
Regular Series Concerts, 22 pairs | 44
“In Memoriam” Concert, Fritz Scheel | 1
Baltimore | 5
Washington | 5
Wilmington | 4
Lancaster | 2
New York City, Trenton, one (1) each | 2
Total | 63
9— | Season 1908-1909: |
Regular Series Concerts, 22 pairs | 44
University of Pennsylvania | 2
People’s Concerts, Kensington | 2
Baltimore | 5
Washington | 5
Wilmington | 4
Lancaster | 2
New York City, Brooklyn, Princeton, one (1) each | 3
Total | 67
10— | Season 1909-1910: |
Regular Series Concerts, 22 pairs | 44
Popular Concerts | 10
University of Pennsylvania | 6
People’s Concerts, Kensington | 3
Stetson Concert | 1
Baltimore | 5
Washington | 5
Wilmington | 4
Princeton | 2
Total | 80
11— | Season 1910-1911: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Popular Concerts | 11
National Federation of Music Clubs, Special | 1
People’s Concerts, Kensington | 3
University of Pennsylvania | 2
Stetson Concert | 1
Camden | 5
Wilmington | 4
Norristown | 2
Total | 79
12— | Season 1911-1912: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Two pairs of Concerts for the Guarantee Fund | 4
Popular Concerts | 6
People’s Concerts, Kensington | 4
University of Pennsylvania Concerts | 2
Germantown | 1
Stetson Concert | 1
Atlantic City | 2
Camden | 6
Wilmington | 4
Akron, Cleveland, Easton, Norristown, Pittsburgh, |
Reading, Penna., one (1) each | 6
Total | 86
13— | Season 1912-1913: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Popular Concerts | 6
People’s Concerts, Kensington | 3
Germantown | 1
Stetson Concert | 1
University of Pennsylvania | 2
Manuscript Music Society | 1
Atlantic City | 2
Camden | 6
Wilmington | 4
Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus; Detroit, Mich.; |
Pittsburgh, Reading, Penna.; Springfield, Mass.; |
Washington, one (1) each | 9
Total | 85
14— | Season 1913-1914: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Special Concert in Afternoon Series | 1
Popular Concerts | 6
People’s Concerts, Kensington | 3
University of Pennsylvania | 2
Stetson Concert | 1
Atlantic City | 4
Princeton | 2
Washington | 3
Wilmington | 4
Oberlin, Akron, Cleveland,; Ann Arbor, Detroit, |
Boston, North Adams, Mass.; Meriden, Middlebury, |
Bridgeport, Waterbury, Norwich, Conn.; New York |
City, Pittsburgh, Easton, Reading, Scranton, |
one (1) each | 17
Total | 93
15— | Season 1914-1915: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Special “Pension Fund” Concerts | 2
Concert for Young People | 1
University of Pennsylvania | 2
Richmond | 3
Washington | 3
Wilmington | 4
Atlantic City | 2
Reading | 2
Oberlin, Akron, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Baltimore, |
Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie, Indianapolis, |
New York City, Princeton, one (1) each | 11
Total | 80
16— | Season 1915-1916: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, extra performances | 7
Public School (“Public Ledger”) Concerts | 8
Free Sunday Afternoon Concerts | 3
University of Pennsylvania | 3
Stetson Concert | 1
Washington | 5
Wilmington | 4
Atlantic City | 2
Baltimore, Bryn Mawr, Buffalo, Oberlin, Cleveland, |
Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Ypsilanti, Mich.; |
Jamestown, N. Y., New York City, Norristown, Easton, |
Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading, Penna., Princeton, |
one (1) each | 17
Total | 100
17— | Season 1916-1917: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Special performance of Bach St. Matthew Passion | 1
Public School (“Public Ledger”) Concerts | 8
Free Sunday Afternoon Concerts | 3
University of Pennsylvania Concerts | 3
Stetson Concert | 1
Five pairs of Concerts in Pittsburgh | 10
Baltimore | 3
Washington | 5
Wilmington | 5
Atlantic City | 2
Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Oberlin, Lima, Springfield, |
Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Ypsilanti, Grand Rapids, |
Jamestown, N. Y.; New York City, Portland, Maine, |
Princeton, Lebanon, Reading, Penna.; Richmond, |
Va.; Wheeling, W. Va.; Williamstown, Manchester, |
Mass.; one (1) each | 21
Total | 112
18— | Season 1917-1918: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Reformation Concert, Special | 1
Aeolian Concert, Special | 1
Red Cross Concert, Special | 1
People’s Concert at Stetson Auditorium | 1
Pittsburgh, 5 pairs | 10
Baltimore | 5
Washington | 5
Wilmington | 5
Oberlin | 2
Cleveland | 2
Toronto, Canada | 3
Camp Dix, N. J.; Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Grand |
Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti, Mich.; Buffalo, |
Rochester, Ithaca, N. Y.; New York City, Princeton, |
one (1) each | 12
Total | 98
19— | Season 1918-1919: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
French War Relief Benefit | 1
Roosevelt Memorial Concert | 1
Wanamaker Concert | 1
Stetson Auditorium | 1
University of Pennsylvania | 2
Pittsburgh, 5 pairs | 10
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 5
Wilmington | 5
New York City (Afternoon) | 5
New York City, Vacation Association Benefit | 1
Cleveland | 3
Toronto | 3
Oberlin | 2
Wheeling, W. Va.; Pottsville, one (1) each | 2
House of Representatives, Harrisburg, Penna. | 1
Total | 98
20— | Season 1919-1920: |
Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Endowment Fund Concerts (telephone subscribers) | 2
Wanamaker, Special | 1
Supervisors of Music, Special | 1
Aeolian Concert, Special | 1
Stetson Auditorium | 1
University of Pennsylvania | 5
New York City (Evening) | 5
Pittsburgh, 5 pairs | 10
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 5
Wilmington | 5
Toronto | 4
Cleveland | 3
Harrisburg | 2
Buffalo, Ithaca, Columbus, Oberlin, Detroit, |
Pottsville, Princeton, one (1) each | 7
Total | 107
21— | Season 1920-1921: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Monday Evening | 3
People’s Concert at Stetson Auditorium | 1
University of Pennsylvania | 5
New York City (Series) | 8
Froebel League, New York, Special | 1
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 5
Wilmington | 5
Pittsburgh, 5 pairs | 10
Harrisburg | 5
Toronto | 4
Princeton, Pottsville, one (1) each | 2
Total | 104
22— | Season 1921-1922: |
Regular Series Concerts, 25 pairs | 50
Monday Evening Concerts | 3
Children’s Concerts | 3
Strauss Concert | 1
Philadelphia Award | 1
Stetson Auditorium | 1
University of Pennsylvania | 5
New York City (Series) | 10
Strauss, New York, Special | 4
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 5
Pittsburgh, 5 pairs | 10
Harrisburg | 5
Toronto | 4
Princeton, Pottsville, one (1) each | 2
Total | 109
23— | Season 1922-1923: |
Regular Series Concerts, 26 pairs | 52
Monday Evening Concerts | 4
Children’s Concerts, 3 pairs | 6
Wanamaker Concert, Special | 1
Stanley Theatre, Special | 1
“Forum” Concert | 1
(“Philadelphia Award”) Concert | 1
Stetson Auditorium | 1
New York City | 10
Pittsburgh, 3 pairs | 6
Pittsburgh Children’s Concerts | 3
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 5
Toronto | 4
Harrisburg | 3
Princeton, Pottsville, one (1) each | 2
Total | 105
24— | Season 1923-1924: |
Regular Series Concerts, 26 pairs | 52
Monday Evening Concerts | 6
Children’s Concerts, 4 pairs | 8
Philadelphia “Forum,” Lecture Concerts | 4
Public School Children | 3
Teachers’ Convention, Special | 1
Philadelphia Award | 1
Mendelssohn Choir of Toronto, Philadelphia | 1
New York City | 10
Mendelssohn Choir of Toronto, Special, in New York | 2
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 5
Toronto | 4
Montreal, Princeton, one (1) each | 2
Total | 104
25— | Season 1924-1925: |
Regular Series Concerts, 29 pairs | 58
Monday Evening | 8
Children’s Concerts, 4 pairs | 8
Public School Children | 3
Philadelphia “Forum” | 3
Philadelphia Award Concert, Special | 1
New York City | 10
Washington | 5
Baltimore | 5
Toronto | 4
Buffalo, Princeton, one (1) each | 2
Total | 107

Appendix F

Conductors
Personnel of Philadelphia Orchestra 1900-1925
Personnel of Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus 1920-1921
Managers 1900-1925
Office Staff 1925

Conductors
Fritz Scheel 1900-1907 |  | Carl Pohlig 1907-1912
| Leopold Stokowski 1912 |
Personnel
S. Abas | Violin | 1901-02
Philip Abbas | Cello | 1916-17
Harry Aleinikoff | Violin | 1915-25
Paul Alemann | Clarinet | 1904-25
Louis Angeloty | Violin | 1908-22
P. Antonelli | Horn | 1920-23
Rufus M. Arey | Clarinet (Principal) | 1923-24
Bernard Argiewicz | Cello | 1917-19
|  | 1924-25
William L. Arkless | Violin | 1900-01
| Viola | 1915-18
J. Aschke | Piccolo | 1901-02
Anton Asenmacker | Cello | 1917-19
J. Ayala | Trumpet | 1916-17
F. V. Badollet | Flute | 1901-04
Harry J. Baker | Battery | 1923-24
Irving J. Bancroft | Violin | 1916-25
Philip Bansbach | Viola | 1919-22
W. Barchewitz | Violin | 1901-04
Clemente Barone | Flute and Piccolo | 1900-01
| (Principal 1907-10) | 1904-10
Richard Barone | Violin | 1923-24
Herman Basse | Trumpet (Principal 1904-05, | 1904-05
| 1914-15) | 1914-17
Gus Battles | Flute | 1906-09
Victor Bay | Violin | 1922-23
Jacob H. Beck | Trumpet | 1900-01
William J. Beck | Violin | 1906-09
Mirko Belinski | Cello | 1904-09
J. F. Bellois | Violin | 1900-01
Joel Belov | Violin | 1912-20
|  | 1923-24
Samuel Belov | Viola | 1908-20
Joseph Benavente | Cello | 1917-18
August Bender | Trumpet | 1901-03
F. Beneter | Violin | 1901-02
Isadore Berv | Horn | 1923-25
Frederick Bettoney | Bassoon | 1917-20
P. Bianculli | Violin | 1913-14
Henry Bielo | Bassoon | 1920-22
Julius Bielo | Bass | 1920-22
Antonin Blaha | Violin | 1906-08
|  | 1909-12
Max Bleyer | Trumpet (Principal 1903-04) | 1903-08
Max Blumenfeld | Violin | 1904-06
H. Bobell | Violin | 1903-04
Gustav Boehm | Violin | 1900-01
Louis Boehse | Bass | 1904-07
|  | 1908-25
Daniel Bonade | Clarinet | 1917-22
|  | 1924-25
Milton Bornstein | Violin | 1921-25
Rosario Bourdon | Cello | 1904-08
Domenico Bove | Violin | 1917-23
|  | 1924-25
Isador Bransky | Viola | 1919-20
Horace Britt | Cello (Principal) | 1907-08
Roger Britt | Violin | 1914-20
Joseph Brodo | Violin | 1918-24
Leopold Broeckaert | Flute | 1904-05
H. I. Brown | Violin | 1921-25
J. H. Burkartmaeir | Violin | 1900-01
Nathan Cahan | Bass | 1900-24
P. Cahon | Cello | 1901-02
L. Cailliet | Clarinet | 1916-25
H. Campowsky | Violin | 1903-17
|  | 1920-23
Herman Carow | Violin | 1916-18
Hugo Carow | Viola | 1900-04
|  | 1908-21
S. H. Cauffman | Cello | 1901-02
|  | 1903-04
Harry Chazin | Violin | 1919-23
S. Cheifetz | Viola | 1924-25
Josef Chudnowsky | Violin | 1913-24
John A. Cianciarulo | Violin | 1900-01
|  | 1903-05
Giuseppe Cimino | Horn | 1918-19
David Cohen | Violin | 1918-25
Solomon Cohen | Trumpet | 1918-25
Lucius Cole | Violin | 1905-19
Frederick W. Cook | Violin | 1906-24
Carlton Cooley | Viola | 1919-20
William Conrad | Bassoon | 1921-22
S. Cortadella | Bass | 1923-24
Francesco Cortese | Harp | 1900-01
R. Cras | Horn | 1919-20
Henri Czaplinski | Violin | 1924-25
S. Dabrowski | Violin | 1923-25
Benjamin D’Amelio | Violin | 1919-24
J. De Boer | Violin | 1901-02
George Dechert | Trombone | 1901-04
George De Clerck | Viola | 1912-19
Victor de Gomez | Cello | 1916-19
Frank Delli Gatti | Viola | 1920-21
| Violin | 1921-23
F. Del Negro | Bassoon | 1922-25
Eugene Devaux | Oboe | 1910-11
William Diestel | Viola (Principal) | 1908-15
Fritz Dieterichs | Clarinet (Principal) | 1901-12
Joseph Di Natale | Violin | 1917-18
William F. Dodge | Violin | 1906-07
Carl Doell | Violin (Concertmaster) | 1900-01
P. A. Donatelli | Tuba | 1923-25
Frederick Donath | Viola and Celesta | 1923-24
Paul Donath | Violin | 1903-04
|  | 1907-17
Max Donner | Violin | 1907-08
John D’Orio | Horn | 1910-18
|  | 1921-25
Alfred Doucet | Oboe (Principal) | 1902-13
David Dubinsky | Violin | 1900-01
| Viola | 1901-02
| Violin (Principal 1912-25) | 1908-25
Vladimir Dubinsky | Cello (Principal) | 1906-07
A. Dupuis | Oboe | 1916-18
W. B. Ebann | Cello (Principal) | 1901-02
Sol Eckstein | Bass Clarinet | 1900-01
Oscar Eiler | Cello | 1912-14
Bruno Einhorn | Cello | 1913-17
Benjamin Eisenberg | Violin | 1918-19
Maurice Eisenberg | Cello | 1917-19
Henri Elkan | Viola | 1920-25
S. Elkind | Bass | 1921-22
Otto Elst | Trombone (Principal) | 1906-16
Rudolph Engel | Viola and Trumpet | 1904-25
David Epstein | Viola | 1922-25
Leonard Epstein | Viola | 1920-24
Meyer B. Epstein | Violin | 1923-24
D. H. Ezerman | Cello | 1901-02
Pasqual Fabris | Violin | 1924-25
Rudolph Fahsbender | Bass | 1920-23
Julius Falk | Violin | 1900-03
Vincent Fanelli, Jr. | Harp | 1913-25
Carl Fasshauer | Violin | 1912-18
John Fasshauer | Bass | 1900-05
|  | 1907-21
Henry W. Fehling | Violin (Principal) | 1900-01
Harry Feldman | Violin | 1923-24
W. Fenstel | Cello | 1900-01
Emile Ferir | Viola (Principal) | 1918-19
Antonio Ferrara | Violin | 1916-20
|  | 1921-23
|  | 1924-25
Luigi Ferrara | Violin | 1917-18
|  | 1919-25
Paul Fillsack | Violin and Clarinet | 1901-24
John Fisnar | Bassoon | 1922-25
John A. Fischer | Flute and Piccolo | 1909-25
R. Fischer | Cello | 1902-03
Clarence Fogg | Viola | 1900-02
|  | 1903-04
|  | 1906-08
Emil Flogmann | Cello | 1919-20
|  | 1921-25
C. Franke | Violin | 1901-02
George O. Frey | Tuba | 1921-23
| Trombone and Euphonium | 1923-24
Nathan Frey | Viola | 1921-24
A. Friese | Battery | 1901-05
Max Froelich | Cello | 1918-20
John Fruncillo | Viola | 1900-01
Paul Fuchs | Bassoon | 1902-08
Mario Garaffoni | Bass | 1924-25
Edgar A. Gastel | Violin | 1900-01
Erwin Gastel | Cello | 1900-01
Fred Geib | Tuba | 1904-05
Edward W. Geffert | Trombone | 1917-21
Victor Geoffrion | Bass | 1922-25
C. E. Gerhard | Trombone | 1900-01
|  | 1904-09
|  | 1921-25
A. Ginsburg | Violin | 1924-25
Angelo Giurato | Violin | 1900-01
Harry Glantz | Trumpet | 1915-17
Beaumont Glass | Violin | 1910-17
Joseph Glassman | Bass | 1917-18
Abram Goldfuss | Violin | 1918-21
Jerome Goldstein | Violin | 1917-21
A. Gorodetzky | Violin | 1920-25
Charles Grebe | Cello | 1900-01
|  | 1903-04
|  | 1908-17
Fred P. Greims | Cello | 1900-01
H. Greims | Viola | 1901-02
Herman Grevesmühl | Violin | 1902-03
William S. Greenberg | Viola | 1923-25
Georges Grisëz | Clarinet (Principal) | 1922-23
Johann Grolle | Violin | 1902-05
|  | 1907-11
R. Grossman | Cello | 1901-02
Harry F. Grover | Viola | 1918-19
William Gruner | Bassoon (Principal 1906-07) | 1906-17
Walter Guetter | Bassoon | 1922-25
B. Gusikoff | Cello | 1920-25
Isadore Gusikoff | Cello | 1921-25
William H. Gussen | Violin | 1900-01
William H. Guyon | Flute and Piccolo | 1907-09
Carl Haferburg | Viola | 1901-02
|  | 1903-05
L. M. Haferburg | Viola | 1902-03
Emil Hahl | Viola | 1902-19
Raymond J. Hall | Cello | 1920-23
Erich Haltenorth | Violin | 1901-02
| Viola | 1904-24
H. Haltenorth | Violin | 1903-04
Charles F. Hamer | Cello | 1919-20
Sidney Hamer | Cello | 1918-22
Paul Handke | Trumpet (Principal 1902-03) | 1901-03
F. H. Hartmann | Trombone | 1900-01
H. Hartman | Bass | 1900-01
A. Hase | Bass | 1904-06
|  | 1920-25
Albert Hase | Bass | 1901-04
Otto Haubenreisser | Violin | 1905-09
Gustav Heim | Trumpet (Principal) | 1905-07
A. Heine | Violin | 1903-04
Herman Heller | Violin | 1900-02
John Hellberg | Bassoon | 1900-01
P. Henkelman | Oboe and English Horn | 1901-25
Otto Henneberg | Horn | 1905-25
Rudolph Hennig | Cello (Principal) | 1900-01
Dayton M. Henry | Violin | 1918-25
A. Heynen | Bassoon | 1901-02
Hans Himmer | Cello | 1904-14
H. J. Hornberger | Violin | 1900-04
Anton Horner | Horn (Principal) | 1902-25
Joseph Horner | Horn | 1900-01
|  | 1902-25
Ernest Huber | Bass | 1919-20
A. Huster | Violin | 1901-02
L. Hutinet | Trombone | 1916-17
Roland Huxley | Violin | 1906-08
John G. Ingle | Violin | 1900-01
William Jaeger | Trumpet | 1900-01
Joseph A. Jakob | Horn | 1909-10
Sol E. Jarrow | Viola | 1905-06
Lewis C. Jocher | Bass | 1900-01
|  | 1907-13
Clarence Jordan | Violin | 1924-25
Ernest Kaehler | Violin | 1900-01
|  | 1907-13
Maurice Kaplan | Viola | 1920-25
Alfred Kastner | Harp | 1901-02
|  | 1903-04
Joseph E. Kearney | Viola | 1903-04
Oscar Keller | Clarinet | 1902-04
Geoerge William Keyser | Viola | 1908-19
Carl Kihlman | Violin | 1903-19
W. M. Kincaid | Flute (Principal) | 1920-25
Hans Kindler | Cello (Principal 1916-20) | 1914-20
Samuel Kliachko | Cello | 1920-22
Karl Klupp | Horn | 1901-04
Carl Kneisel | Cello | 1908-17
|  | 1919-22
F. H. Knorr | Bass | 1900-01
Henry Koch | Horn | 1900-01
A. Koehler | Trumpet | 1903-04
H. Koenig | Violin | 1903-04
Jan Koert | Violin | 1900-02
| Viola (Principal) | 1902-08
Benjamin Kohon | Bassoon (Principal) | 1912-15
A. Korb | Violin | 1901-06
Elkan Kosman | Violin (Concertmaster) | 1901-02
Fabien Koussevitzky | Bass | 1923-25
Boris Koutzen | Violin | 1924-25
Hugo Kreisler | Cello | 1906-07
Emil Kresse | Violin, Tympani and Battery | 1901-02
|  | 1904-25
George Kresse | Violin | 1901-03
|  | 1906-07
Christian Kriens | Viola | 1902-04
Richard Krueger | Bassoon (Principal) | 1901-06
|  | 1907-08
|  | 1909-12
|  | 1915-22
E. Kruger | Violin | 1903-05
Otto Kruger | Violin | 1905-17
Paul Krummeich | Violin | 1903-07
William Kruse, Jr. | Bassoon | 1920-21
Alexis Kudisch | Violin | 1918-19
Julius G. Kumme | Viola | 1900-01
Max Lachmuth | Oboe and English Horn | 1900-01
Joseph La Monaca | Flute | 1910-25
F. M. Lapetina | Viola | 1900-01
Francis J. Lapitino | Harp | 1911-13
Emile Latisch | Bass | 1910-17
Vincent Lazarro, Jr. | Bass | 1921-25
H. C. Le Barbier | Trumpet (Principal) | 1909-14
Morris Lein | Trumpet | 1923-25
J. W. F. Leman | Viola | 1908-18
Miln Lemisch | Viola | 1900-01
Alfred Lennartz | Cello | 1902-16
B. F. Leventhal | Viola | 1911-23
Harry Levy | Violin | 1918-19
Robert Lindemann | Clarinet (Principal) | 1913-17
A. Lipkin | Violin | 1922-25
George Livoti | Violin | 1923-24
Gustave A. Loeben | Viola and Celesta | 1919-25
Alfred Lorenz | Violin | 1901-02
|  | 1903-17
| Viola (Principal) | 1917-18
| Violin | 1918-25
Franz Lorenz | Cello | 1909-17
Paul P. Lotz | Trombone | 1900-01
|  | 1909-25
H. Lucas | Viola | 1901-02
Arthur Luck | Bass | 1914-18
C. Stanley Mackey | Tuba | 1900-04
|  | 1905-15
Robert Mädler | Bass | 1902-07
E. Maestre | Cello | 1922-24
E. Malach | Bass | 1918-19
Theodore Mansfelt | Cello | 1904-05
André Maquarre | Flute (Principal) | 1918-20
Daniel Maquarre | Flute (Principal) | 1910-18
Attillio Marchetti | Oboe (Principal) | 1913-15
John Marquardt | Violin (Concertmaster) | 1902-03
Mrs. John Marquardt | Harp | 1902-03
Herman Martonne | Violin | 1917-20
Gustav Mayer | Battery | 1916-23
Henry Mayer, Jr. | Battery | 1907-23
Albert Meichelt | Trumpet | 1902-04
Nicola Melatti | Violin | 1922-24
Emilio Meriz | Violin | 1917-18
Herbert G. Mertz | Violin | 1919-20
J. Messias | Cello | 1901-02
Harry W. Meyer | Violin | 1904-15
John A. Meyer | Violin | 1900-01
Paul Meyer | Violin | 1914-21
Henry J. Michaux | Viola (Principal 1915-17) | 1915-25
Charles S. Miller | Violin | 1918-19
Robert Minsel | Horn (Principal 1901-02) | 1901-04
Oskar Modess | Bassoon (Principal) | 1900-01
Bernhard Mollenhauer | Violin | 1900-01
John W. Molloy | Violin | 1920-25
Albert R. Moret | Violin | 1902-20
Frank S. Morton | Violin | 1906-07
Herman Mueller | Viola and Bassoon | 1910-17
| Bassoon | 1917-25
Matthew J. Mueller | Violin | 1922-25
Otto Mueller | Violin | 1907-14
|  | 1921-24
C. H. Muller | Bass | 1900-01
G. Munsch | Clarinet | 1901-02
Charlton Lewis Murphy | Violin | 1900-01
Edward Murray | Viola | 1924-25
Ludwig Nast | Cello | 1902-04
Gennaro M. Nava | Viola | 1922-23
F. A. Nicoletta | Harp | 1923-25
David Nowinski | Violin | 1906-17
Bram Oberstein | Cello | 1923-24
W. Oesterreich | Flute and Piccolo | 1903-04
Max Olanoff | Violin | 1918-19
Gustav Olk | Viola | 1903-04
Hugo Olk | Violin (Principal) | 1902-04
Samuel Ollstein | Violin | 1920-22
Gustav Paepke | Violin | 1902-05
|  | 1922-23
Matyas Pauli | Bass | 1918-23
L. Pellegrini | Violin | 1919-20
Michel Penha | Cello (Principal) | 1920-25
William Pfannkuchen | Bassoon | 1906-07
Walter Pfeiffer | Violin | 1910-19
Earl Pfouts | Violin (Principal part of | 1911-18
| season 1911-12) |
Paul Pieschel | Bassoon (Principal) | 1908-09
Stephen Pillischer | Violin | 1924-25
Paul Pitkowsky | Violin | 1921-25
Paul Planert | Bass | 1901-05
Benjamin Podemski | Battery | 1923-25
Alexander Popoff | Violin | 1923-25
P. Popperl | Violin | 1901-02
M. Pottag | Horn | 1901-02
Milton Prinz | Cello | 1924-25
Karl Querengaesser | Bass | 1901-15
Paul Rahmig | Bass (Principal 1901-14) | 1901-17
|  | 1919-20
|  | 1924-25
Edward Raho | Oboe | 1913-25
Lewis Raho | Oboe | 1918-24
Howard F. Rattay | Violin | 1905-06
Harold W. Rehrig | Trumpet | 1923-25
Joseph Reiter | Horn (Principal) | 1900-01
A. Rensch | Oboe | 1901-02
Kalman Reve | Violin | 1923-24
J. Rhodes | Viola | 1901-02
L. M. Rice | Viola | 1902-03
Thaddeus Rich | Violin (Concertmaster) | 1906-25
Albert Riese | Horn | 1904-09
|  | 1910-25
Herman Rietzel | Oboe | 1911-13
Albert Ritter | Tympani | 1902-03
A. Ritzke | Clarinet | 1900-01
August H. Rodemann | Flute (Principal) | 1902-07
C. H. Rodenkirchen | Trumpet (Principal 1907-09) | 1907-09
|  | 1911-15
Edmond Roelofsma | Clarinet | 1902-20
B. Roeschmann | Violin | 1900-01
|  | 1903-04
Jean Rogister | Viola | 1923-24
Sam Rosen | Viola | 1919-20
|  | 1921-25
M. Roth | Violin | 1924-25
E. Rozanel | Trumpet | 1917-18
R. Rykmans | Bass | 1901-02
Alfred Saal | Cello (Principal) | 1904-06
Herman Sandby | Cello (Principal) | 1902-04
|  | 1908-16
Adolph Sauder | Oboe | 1900-01
Herbert F. Saylor | Violin | 1904-05
Fritz Schaefer | Viola | 1904-05
Julius Scheel | Violin (Principal) | 1901-12
Paul Scheele | Viola | 1904-15
Reinhold Schewe | Violin | 1900-01
|  | 1907-16
K. Schinner | Horn | 1901-02
William Schlechtweg | Trombone | 1904-15
Hans Schlegel | Flute and Piccolo | 1916-25
Alexander Schmidt | Violin | 1908-12
Emil Schmidt | Viola | 1900-01
Emil F. Schmidt | Violin | 1900-01
|  | 1903-04
|  | 1908-23
George Schmidt | Viola | 1902-11
Henry Schmidt | Violin | 1920-25
Richard Schmidt | Viola (Principal) | 1900-01
William A. Schmidt | Cello | 1903-04
|  | 1911-12
|  | 1914-25
Charles M. Schmitz | Cello | 1900-01
Philipp Schmitz | Cello | 1903-13
|  | 1919-25
Charles F. Schoenthal | Flute (Principal 1900-01) | 1900-01
|  | 1909-10
Gerold Schon | Cello | 1918-20
John G. Schon | Bassoon | 1916-20
George Schott | Cello | 1912-18
Fred Schrader | Trombone (Principal) | 1904-06
B. Schreibmann | Trumpet | 1921-23
B. Schuch | Violin | 1901-02
Edmund Schuëcker | Harp | 1904-09
Joseph Schuëcker | Harp | 1909-11
Max Schulz | Violin | 1902-05
Richard Schurig | Bass (Principal) | 1900-02
Oscar Schwar | Tympani | 1903-25
Michel Sciapiro | Violin | 1914-15
Max Selinski | Violin | 1907-14
Frank Seltzer | Trumpet | 1907-11
Ernest Serpentini | Oboe | 1924-25
Jules J. Serpentini | Clarinet | 1920-25
David Shaievitch | Flute | 1905-06
J. Byron Shannon | Bass | 1920-24
Marcus Sherbow | Violin | 1900-04
Joseph Sherman | Violin | 1923-25
S. Siani | Bass | 1924-25
Adrian Siegel | Cello | 1922-25
Bernard Siegert | Cello | 1920-21
Israel Siekierka | Violin | 1924-25
Harry Silberman | Violin | 1917-18
Emile Simon | Cello | 1907-14
Gardell Simons | Trombone | 1915-25
Jacob Simkin | Violin | 1920-23
|  | 1924-25
J. C. Small | Piccolo | 1900-01
Josef Smit | Cello | 1924-25
Isador Sokoloff | Cello | 1914-18
Max Sottnek | Violin | 1909-13
Willy Speckin | Bass | 1903-04
|  | 1905-10
Alfred Speil | Violin | 1901-03
S. Spoor | Violin | 1919-20
Gustav Stange | Trombone | 1902-04
L. Starzinsky | Viola | 1901-02
|  | 1903-10
Robert Stein | Cello | 1902-03
Bruno Steinke | Cello | 1919-20
Bruno Steyer | Viola | 1924-25
Karl Stiegelmayer | Oboe | 1901-10
Walter H. Stobbe | Battery | 1900-01
William R. Stobbe | Tympani | 1900-01
A. F. Stockbridge | Violin | 1906-07
Leon Stoll | Viola | 1900-01
William Stoll, Jr. | Violin | 1900-01
Alfons Storch | Violin | 1904-06
P. Strahlendorf | Violin and Bass Clarinet | 1901-02
K. Streuber | Bass | 1901-02
Edward A. Stringer | Violin | 1900-01
Jacob Stroble | Violin | 1900-01
Julius Sturm | Cello | 1902-04
Michael Svedrofsky | Violin (Concertmaster) | 1904-06
Marcel Tabuteau | Oboe (Principal) | 1915-25
Eduard Tak | Violin | 1905-06
Morris Tartas | Viola | 1919-20
Alexander J. Thiede | Violin | 1920-25
Andrew Thomas | Tuba | 1915-21
Hans Tiedge | Violin and Battery | 1902-17
Anton Torello | Bass (Principal) | 1914-25
Ludwig Trein | Cello | 1900-02
|  | 1903-04
|  | 1907-11
R. Unger | Cello | 1901-02
G. Unglada | Violin | 1908-12
Emil Urbash | Flute and Piccolo | 1902-03
James Valerio | Battery | 1924-25
F. W. Van Amburgh | Clarinet | 1912-13
Hedda Van den Beemt | Violin (Principal 1906-07) | 1901-07
|  | 1911-20
| Celesta | 1920-24
August Van Leuwen | Flute | 1901-02
Israel S. Van Sciver | Battery | 1900-01
Albert Van Stratum | Violin | 1905-06
Amédée Vergnaud | Viola | 1924-25
Romain Verney | Viola (Principal) | 1920-25
A. Villani | Bass | 1922-23
Adolph Vogel | Cello | 1921-25
J. Vogel | Trombone | 1901-02
Henry F. Volmer | Viola | 1900-01
Louis Volmer | Cello | 1900-01
Ernst Wagner | Trombone | 1901-04
Frederick E. Wagner | Trumpet (Principal 1900-01) | 1900-01
|  | 1917-21
Josef Waldman | Violin | 1912-16
Robert Walter | Violin | 1903-06
Henry Warner | Violin | 1900-02
Emil Waschek | Viola | 1905-06
Frank S. Watson | Cello | 1918-25
Nelson J. Watson | Bass | 1923-24
Herman Weinberg | Violin | 1919-25
Karl Weinelt | Horn | 1904-05
H. Weissenborn | Clarinet | 1900-01
William Welker | Violin | 1900-01
Daniel R. Wells | Viola | 1900-02
William M. Wells | Cello | 1900-04
M. F. Wenning | Violin and Bassoon | 1901-03
Charles R. Wenzel | Cello | 1904-06
Florenz Werner | Violin | 1901-03
L. Wertheim | Viola (Principal) | 1901-02
Carl Whitaker | Bass | 1900-01
G. Wicking | Violin | 1902-03
Heinrich Wiemann | Bass | 1924-25
Ernest S. Williams | Trumpet | 1917-23
Benjamin H. Winterstein | Violin | 1916-18
Florian Wittman | Viola | 1922-23
H. Wittmann | Bass | 1900-01
John K. Witzemann | Violin | 1900-17
M. Wollenberg | Bass | 1906-07
John Wulf | Bass | 1907-19
G. Zapp | Violin | 1901-02
Karl W. Zeise | Cello | 1922-24
Leon Zeitzew | Violin | 1920-21
Alexander Zenker | Violin | 1916-25
Paul Zierold | Cello | 1905-07
L. Ziporkin | Bass | 1917-19
Albert Zoellner | Horn | 1900-01
NOTE—This list includes only those men who completed a season’s work.

Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus[67]
December 1920

First Sopranos
Mrs. G. W. Anderson ’19 | Miss Clara L. Holden ’15
Mrs. Annabel I. Bell ’19 | Miss H. G. Hullstrung ’20
Miss Mildred S. Benners ’20 | Mrs. Gertrude M. Jones ’20
Miss Helen G. Blakely ’19 | Mrs. A. H. Koehl ’20
Mrs. Mildred S. Cascaden ’19 | Mrs. H. C. Kressly ’19
Miss Blanche E. Cascaden ’19 | Mrs. Milton Kutz ’19
Miss Mildred Castor ’20 | Miss Etta C. LeVine ’20
Miss Diana A. Cauffman ’19 | Miss Helen B. Lewis ’15
Mrs. M. Christie ’15 | Mrs. Howard McMorris ’20
Mrs. P. Benson Collard ’19 | Miss Irma F. Maldonado ’20
Miss Gertrude Ely ’15 | Miss Sophia Maleson ’19
Mrs. H. B. Ewing ’15 | Miss Grace E. Mahorter ’20
Mrs. Pearl M. Gilday ’20 | Miss M. Eliz. Morrison ’19
Mrs. Robert C. Glenn ’19 | Miss Clara A. Nagel ’19
Miss Winfrey Glenn ’19 | Miss Anna L. Neil ’15
Mrs. Harold Greene ’20 | Miss Ida H. Oetter ’16
Miss Naomi V. Grobe ’20 | Miss Dorothy E. Pierce ’19
Mrs. Harold H. Happold ’20 | Miss Elizabeth Powers ’20
Miss Agnes M. Higbee ’16 | Miss Marian M. Riddle '19
Miss Ethel K. Ridge ’20 | Mrs. Lilian S. Toudy ’20
Miss Alva Sergeant ’14 | Miss Volita Wells ’19
Mrs. Albert E. Seymour ’20 | Mrs. M. N. Williamson ’20
Mrs. Mable T. Shick ’20 | Miss Freeda Wolley ’19
Mrs. Philip Sterling ’20 | Miss Josephine E. Zwick ’19
Miss Emma L. Stratton ’19 | Miss A. Elise Hartman ’19
Mrs. M. L. Sutton ’20 | Miss Margaret S. Lewis ’15
Second Sopranos
Mrs. Gilbert P. Albrecht ’15 | Miss Jean P. Mumford ’19
Miss Faye Atkinson ’19 | Mrs. R. S. B. Perry ’19
Miss Caroline Austin ’20 | Miss Helen C. Philips ’19
Miss Helen M. Batten ’14 | Miss Joanna L. Potter ’14
Miss Amella E. Bein ’14 | Miss Emma M. Rea ’19
Miss Mildred E. Cascaden ’20 | Miss Elsie G. Rodgers ’15
Mrs. Grace Colgan ’20 | Miss E. A. Rossmässler ’15
Miss Marion W. Eisenhart ’20 | Miss Bernice Russell ’19
Miss Theo R. Eldredge ’19 | Miss Louise P. Schwarz ’14
Mrs. Ruth F. Eliasson ’19 | Miss C. Evelyn Smith ’15
Miss Mary Dale Hackett ’14 | Miss Marguerite D. Smith ’19
Miss Elsie M. Hauck ’19 | Miss Phoebe Hart Smith ’19
Miss Marie L. Henry ’20 | Miss Helen R. Snyder ’19
Miss Geordie P. Joline ’15 | Miss Milava Stankowitch ’14
Mrs. Albert G. Kleefeld ’15 | Mrs. John B. Thayer, 3rd ’16
Miss Kath. W. McCollin ’16 | Mrs. Anna M. Wilt ’19
Miss Edith M. Miller ’20 | Miss Helen B. Wineland ’15
First Altos
Miss Olive I. Berry ’14 | Miss Clara A. Jewell ’19
Miss Ada Bess ’20 | Miss Elizabeth K. Jones ’15
Miss J. R. Bonniwell ’19 | Miss Eliza Kannegieser ’15
Miss Joyce Bowers ’19 | Miss Helen R. Kern ’19
Miss Helen I. Chambers ’19 | Miss Mildred E. Locke ’15
Miss Frances B. Codling ’20 | Miss Morton J. Meyers ’14
Miss May Coldran ’20 | Miss Margaret Montgomery ’19
Miss Anna E. Ellwanger ’15 | Miss Sarieta M. Renton ’15
Miss Adele L. Fox ’16 | Mrs. E. M. Reynolds ’20
Miss Anne Geyer ’19 | Miss Clara L. Ristine ’15
Miss Creda Glenn ’19 | Mrs. R. J. Robinson ’19
Miss K. Marie Good ’15 | Miss Caroline L. Rothman ’20
Miss Margaret Greaves ’20 | Miss Pauline C. Rumpp ’15
Miss Flora E. Gruning ’20 | Mrs. Leopold Seyffert ’16
Miss Marion W. Gushee ’20 | Miss Lydia P. Wise ’15
Miss Marguerite E. Ingram ’15 | Miss Olive Wolf ’16
Mrs. David J. Wright ’20
Second Altos
Miss Marie M. Barr ’14 | Miss Florence H. Burk ’19
Mrs. Joseph M. Beckett ’19 | Miss Ada V. Clouden ’14
Miss Edith M. Boyd ’14 | Miss Anna Cohn ’15
Miss Susie J. Dailey ’15 | Mrs. Maurice Markley ’16
Miss F. Edna Davis ’15 | Miss Annetta R. Masland ’20
Miss F. Carolyn Deaver ’19 | Miss Georgia P. Palmer ’15
Miss M. P. Euchelberger ’19 | Miss Mary M. Pearson ’19
Mrs. Charles W. Foust ’15 | Mrs. William Pollock ’19
Miss Irene F. Goenner ’16 | Miss Ray Rawlings ’20
Miss Alma L. Kellmer ’20 | Miss Ethel H. Stewart ’14
Miss Roberta Laird ’15 | Miss Helen A. Straughn ’15
Mrs. John H. McCracken ’14 | Miss Alma M. Tegge ’19
Mrs. Ida A. McGirr ’20 | Miss Jane Whitehead ’19
Mrs. Harry A. Mackey ’15 | Miss E. May Williamson ’14
First Tenors
Mr. Gilbert P. Albrecht ’14 | Mr. J. Mitchell Hooper ’19
Mr. A. W. Allen ’20 | Mr. Chas. A. Hunsberger ’14
Mr. Donald G. Baird ’20 | Mr. William Jamison ’15
Mr. Henry W. Clavier, Jr. ’15 | Mr. Adolph Mehnen ’15
Mr. Alan C. Cunningham ’15 | Mr. Samuel Albert Nook ’20
Mr. Robert Dewar ’20 | Mr. George D. Phillips ’20
Mr. Charles E. Frew ’15 | Mr. Benjamin W. Price ’15
Mr. Josephus J. Frost ’15 | Mr. Harold C. Rawley ’14
Mr. Alfred H. Gonzales ’15 | Mr. Albert E. Seymour ’14
Mr. Arthur G. Graham, Jr. ’19 | Mr. Geo. H. Staniforth ’15
Mr. Henry K. Hollinger ’20 | Mr. Elmer E. Traub ’15
Mr. J. Henry Warren ’19
Second Tenors
Mr. John E. Abnett, Jr. ’19 | Mr. Wm. Lloyd Harding ’19
Mr. Adolf Balod ’20 | Mr. Eugene Muller ’16
Mr. Jos. K. Bartholomew ’15 | Mr. Thomas Nelson, Jr. ’20
Mr. Edwin S. Bartlett ’14 | Mr. Adam H. Patterson ’19
Dr. Charles A. Behney ’20 | Mr. William Pollock ’15
Mr. John W. Culp ’20 | Mr. J. R. Satterthwaite ’19
Mr. Edw. W. Dietsch ’20 | Mr. Reese R. Smith ’20
Mr. C. Seymour Evans ’15 | Mr. Alexander Stewart ’20
Mr. L. J. Finnan, Jr. ’16 | Mr. Allan F. Titus ’20
Mr. Wm. D. Hamill ’15 | Mr. George R. Tyson ’19
First Bassos
Mr. H. Carl Albrecht ’14 | Mr. George S. Gengenbach ’19
Mr. Charles A. Bjorklund ’19 | Mr. Robert C. Glenn ’15
Mr. George P. Boggs ’20 | Mr. Jas. B. Greenwood ’20
Mr. Raymond T. Bohn ’20 | Mr. J. Courtland Hamer ’15
Mr. Albert W. Braeuninger ’15 | Mr. Raymond E. Hess ’20
Mr. John A. Brook ’20 | Mr. W. Chester Hill ’20
Mr. Henry T. Denby ’20 | Mr. Edward E. Hipscher ’20
Mr. Bertram F. Everit ’15 | Mr. Alvah H. Koehl ’20
Mr. Wm. H. Faville ’19 | Mr. Frederick Landstreet ’15
Mr. R. H. Fleming ’14 | Mr. Eugene Maes ’19
Mr. William Millham ’15 | Mr. Richard M. Sutton ’19
Mr. Hugh R. Parrish ’19 | Mr. Arthur Synnestvedt ’15
Mr. Francis H. Rockett ’20 | Mr. Frank B. Titus ’20
Mr. Wm. J. Searle, Jr. ’20 | Mr. Edward L. Wallace ’20
Mr. Howard F. Story ’20 | Mr. Bernard G. Wise, Jr. ’20
Mr. William Zimmermann ’19
Second Bassos
Mr. Jas. H. W. Althouse ’15 | Dr. Eugene K. Krause ’16
Dr. John H. Arnett ’20 | Mr. Wm. McGowan, Jr. ’20
Mr. Harry Broese ’15 | Mr. Ray Miller ’20
Mr. Clinton M. Christine ’15 | Mr. Carl F. Rumpp ’19
Mr. A. P. Chute ’14 | Mr. Oliver F. Saylor ’19
Mr. Stephen T. Conway ’20 | Mr. Dennis Sosnowski ’19
Mr. W. R. Crawford ’20 | Mr. Milton B. Stallman ’16
Dr. F. H. Eaton ’20 | Mr. Hubert Synnestvedt ’16
Mr. C. L. Farraday ’15 | Mr. Geo. B. Whidden ’14
Mr. Frank A. Hartranft ’14 | Mr. Frank J. Williams ’20
Mr. William C. Hess ’20 | Mr. Frank D. Witherbee ’19
Mr. Harry K. Kirk ’16 | Mr. J. C. Wrenshall, Jr. ’19

NOTE—Figures following names denote year of admission.

Managers of the Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1925

Oliver Boyce Judson, 1901-02

George P. Eckels, 1902-03

John Mahnken, 1903-04, 1904-05

Ernest J. Lanigan, 1905-06

Charles Augustus Davis, 1906-07 to 1909-10

Harvey M. Watts, 1911-12, 1912-13

Ralph Edmunds, 1913-14, 1914-15

Arthur Judson, 1915-16

Horace Churchman, 1910-11, Controller

Office Staff 1925

Arthur Judson, 1915

Louis A. Mattson, 1907

Elizabeth M. Russell, 1917

Margaret E. Pringle, 1916

Mary A. McGinty, 1917

Ruth M. O’Neill, 1910

Appendix G

Assistant Conductors
Guest Conductors

Organizations That Have Appeared With the
Philadelphia Orchestra

Soloists Who Have Appeared With the
Philadelphia Orchestra

Assistant Conductors

A. H. Rodemann, 1907: Philadelphia, February 15-16, conducted regular concerts during Scheel’s illness.

Thaddeus Rich, 1914: Assistant Conductor, Kensington, Philadelphia, April 8; November 5-6, 1915, entire programme with exception Schoenberg’s Kammersymphonie; November 9, 1915, Stetson concert; Norristown, January 11, 1916; Philadelphia regular concerts, January 28-29, 1916; Philadelphia Girls’ High School, January 31, 1916; Lancaster, Pa., February 1, 1916; Easton, Pa., February 17, 1916; Reading, Pa., February 22, 1916; University of Pennsylvania, February 24, 1916; Boys’ Central High School, March 7, 1916; Germantown High School, March 30, 1916; Frankford High School, April 13, 1916; Stetson Concert, January 9, 1917; Atlantic City, N. J., January 22, 1917; Reading, Pa., February 20, 1917; University of Pennsylvania, February 21, 1917; Stetson Concert, November 7, 1917; Pittsburgh, Pa., February 11, 1918; Oberlin, Ohio, February 13, 1918; Philadelphia, December 28, 1918; Toronto, February 22, 1919; Philadelphia, March 21-22, 28-29, April 12-15-16, 1919; Stetson, March 25, 1919; Wilmington, March 24, 1919; Stetson, November 15, 1921; University of Pennsylvania, January 18, 1922; Philadelphia regular concerts, January 20-21, 1922; University of Pennsylvania, February 8, 1922; University of Pennsylvania, March 1, 1922; University of Pennsylvania, March 22, 1922; Pittsburgh, November 10, 1922, January 13, 1923, and March 23, 1913, conducted Children’s concerts; Stetson, November 14, 1922; Harrisburg, March 22, 1923; Pittsburgh, March 23, 1923; Philadelphia regular concerts, January 19-20, 1923; Philadelphia regular concerts, January 11-12, 1924; Princeton, March 18, 1924; Philadelphia regular concerts, January 23-24, 1925; Princeton, March 2, 1925.

Guest Conductors

Ernest Bloch, 1918: Philadelphia, January 25-26, conducted programme of his own works.

Leandro Campanari, 1907: Philadelphia, February 22-23, March 1-2; Harrisburg, February 19; Trenton, February 21; Reading, February 25; Washington, February 26; Baltimore, February 27, during Scheel’s illness.

Alfredo Casella, 1921: Philadelphia, October 28-29, conducted his own “Pages of War.”

Alphonse Catherine, 1919: Philadelphia, January 31-February 1, conducted entire programme.

Frank Guernsey Cauffman, 1909: Philadelphia, March 5-6, conducted his own “Legende.”

George W. Chadwick, 1911: Philadelphia, March 29, conducted his own Suite Symphonique at National Federation of Musical Clubs Concert.

Vincent D’Indy, 1922: Philadelphia, January 6-7; Princeton, January 9; Washington, January 10; Baltimore, January 11; Harrisburg, January 12; Pittsburgh, January 13-14, conducted entire programme.

Georges Enesco, 1923: New York, January 2; Philadelphia, January 5-6; Washington, January 9; Baltimore, January 10; Harrisburg, January 11; Pittsburgh, January 12-13; Pottsville, January 17, conducted entire programme.

Ossip Gabrilowitsch, 1920: Philadelphia, April 3-5, conducted entire programme.

Philip H. Goepp, 1909: Philadelphia, March 5-6, conducted his own Academic March; February 1, 1911, conducted his own Wedding March; April 2, 1913, conducted his own Wedding March, one number by Wm. Gerstley and one by H. Pfitzner—all Philadelphia.

Samuel Gardner, 1919: Philadelphia, October 24-25, conducted his own “New Russia.”

Henry Hadley, 1910: Philadelphia, November 25-26, conducted his own “Culprit Fay”; New York, March 9, 1920, conducted his own overture, “Othello.”

Victor Herbert, 1912: Philadelphia, February 16-17, conducted the prelude to Act III of his own “Natoma.”

Henry Albert Lang, 1911: Philadelphia, March 1, conducted his own Fantastic Dances (Popular Concert); Philadelphia, April 2, 1913, conducted his “Fantasies of a Poet” (Manuscript Music Society Concert).

Wassili Leps, 1908: Philadelphia, February 21-22, conducted entire Programme on account Pohlig’s injuries from railroad accident; also Philadelphia, March 13-14, 1908, and March 5-6, 1909, conducted his own “In the Garden of the Gods”; Philadelphia, February 15, 1911 (Popular Concert), conducted Clarence Bawden’s “Ballade” for Piano; Wilmington, February 5, 1912, conducted entire Wagner programme; Philadelphia, April 2, 1913 (Manuscript Music Society Concert), conducted his own aria for soprano and orchestra, “Nirvana.”

Willem Mengelberg, 1921: Philadelphia, March 18-19, conducted entire programme.

Darius Milhaud, 1923: Philadelphia, January 26-27, conducted entire programme.

Otto Mueller, 1913: Philadelphia, April 2, conducted his own Symphonic poem “Atlantis,” at Manuscript Music Society Concert.

Horatio Parker, 1911: Philadelphia, March 29, conducted his own aria “Crépuscule,” at National Federation of Musical Clubs Concert.

Sergei Rachmaninoff, 1909: Philadelphia, November 26-27, conducted his own Symphony in E minor and Moussorgsky’s fantasy, “Une nuit sur le mont chauve”; also played group piano soli.

Herman Sandby, 1915: Philadelphia, February 19-20, conducted his own orchestral suite, “The Woman and the Fiddler.”

Cyril Scott, 1920: Philadelphia, November 5-6, conducted his own “Two Passacaglias for Orchestra.”

Frederick Stock, 1924: Philadelphia, January 18-19-21; Washington, January 22; Baltimore, January 23, conducted entire programme.

Richard Strauss, 1904: Philadelphia, March 4-5; Boston, March 7-8; conducted “Tod und Verklärung,” “Till Eulenspiegel,” also a group of his own songs; Philadelphia, November 30, 1921; New York, October 31, 1921; November 15, 1921, December 13, 1921, December 27, 1921; Philadelphia, December 23-24, 1921, conducted entire programme.

Igor Strawinsky, 1925: Philadelphia, January 30-31, conducted entire programme of own works.

Gustav Strube, 1915: Philadelphia, December 31-January 1, 1916, conducted his own “Variations on an Original Theme.”

Hedda Van Den Beemt, 1913: Philadelphia, Manuscript Music Society Concert, April 2, conducted his own “Introduction and Scene” for orchestra, “Aucassin et Nicolette”; Philadelphia, April 3-4, 1914, conducted same composition.

Willem Van Hoogstraten, 1925: Philadelphia, January 16-17-19; Washington, January 20; Baltimore, January 21, conducted entire programme.

Louis Von Gaertner, 1910: Philadelphia, December 22-23, conducted his own Tone Poem, “Macbeth.”

Felix Weingartner, 1905: Philadelphia, February 16, conducted entire programme—special concert.

Camille Zeckwer, 1916: Philadelphia, February 4-5, conducted his own “Sohrab and Rustum.”

Organizations Which Have Appeared with
The Philadelphia Orchestra

Bach Choir of Baltimore (1907), Baltimore.

Eurydice Chorus of Philadelphia (1908, 1912).

Fortnightly Club of Philadelphia (1908, 1916).

Ben Greet Players (1909).

Junger Maennerchor Singing Society of Philadelphia (1914).

Mendelssohn Choir of Toronto (1914), Philadelphia.

Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia (1903, 1904, 1907, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1916, 1919).

Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus (1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1921).

Pittsburgh Chorus, trained by Charles Heinroth (1921), Pittsburgh.

Schola Cantorum of New York (1919), New York.

Organizations participating in the Lobgesang Symphony:

Cantaves Chorus, Eurydice Chorus, Fellowship Club, Fortnightly Club,

Germantown Choral Society, Haydn Club, Junger Maennerchor,

Lyric Club, Matinee Musical Club, Mendelssohn Club,

Orpheus Club, Philadelphia Choral Society, Strawbridge and

Clothier Choral Society, Treble Clef Club, Vocal Art Society,

Wanamaker Choral Society.

Outside organizations participating in the performance of Bach’s

“St. Matthew Passion”:

Girls’ Normal School and Girls’ High School Choruses.

Soloists Who Have Appeared with
the Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1925

Philip Abbas | Cellist | 1917
Mabelle Addison | Contralto | 1914, 1915
Frances Alda | Soprano | 1914
Perley Dunn Aldrich | Baritone | 1910
Merle Alcock | Contralto | 1921
Paul Alemann | Bass Clarinet | 1923
Ethel Altemus | Pianist | 1907, 1911, 1916
Paul Althouse | Tenor | 1916
Horace Alwyne | Pianist | 1924
Pasquale Amato | Baritone | 1910
Rufus M. Arey | Clarinetist | 1924
Robert Armbruster | Pianist | 1912, 1916
Pepito Arriola | Pianist | 1910
Adèle Aus Der Ohe | Pianist | 1903
Cecile Ayres | Pianist | 1914
Wilhelm Bachaus | Pianist | 1912, 1914, 1923
Della Baker | Soprano | 1920
Inez Barbour | Soprano | 1916, 1921
John Barclay | Baritone | 1921, 1922, 1924
Louise Barnolt | Contralto | 1911
Mary Barrett | Soprano | 1915, 1918, 1919
Vera Barstow | Violinist | 1916
Georgia Richardson Baskerville | Pianist | 1915
Harold Bauer | Pianist | 1902, 1908, 1914,
|  | 1916, 1917, 1918,
|  | 1919, 1920, 1922
Edna Harwood Baugher | Soprano | 1912
Clarence Bawden | Pianist | 1910, 1911
Dan Beddoe | Tenor | 1915
Wassily Besekirsky | Violinist | 1915, 1916
Louis Bailly | Viola | 1921
David Bispham | Baritone | 1903, 1904, 1911, 1921
Lillian Blauvelt | Soprano | 1900, 1903, 1904
Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler | Pianist | 1902, 1903, 1904, 1907,
|  | 1908, 1915, 1916
Edith Wells Bly | Pianist | 1910, 1916
Giuseppe Boghetti | Tenor | 1915
Edward Bonhote | Baritone | 1910
Elizabeth Bonner | Contralto | 1919, 1923
Leonard Borwick | Pianist | 1914
Rosario Bourdon | Cellist | 1907
Domenico Bove | Violinist | 1916
Sophie Braslau | Contralto | 1915
John F. Braun | Tenor | 1902, 1908, 1911,
|  | 1914, 1915
Robert Braun | Pianist | 1915
Elizabeth Pritchard Brey | Soprano | 1922
Bertha Brinker | Soprano | 1912
Horace Britt | Cellist | 1907, 1908
Viola Brodbeck | Soprano | 1913, 1915
Eddy Brown | Violinist | 1918, 1920
Helen Buchanan | Soprano | 1914, 1915, 1919
Richard Buhlig | Pianist | 1907, 1908
Mrs. Joseph Bunting | Soprano | 1904
Aloys Burgstaller | Tenor | 1903
Tom Burke | Tenor | 1922
Richard Burmeister | Pianist | 1902
Ferruccio Busoni | Pianist | 1911, 1915
Mme. Charles Cahier | Contralto | 1922
Giuseppe Campanari | Baritone | 1905, 1908
Teresa Carreño | Pianist | 1901, 1908, 1909,
|  | 1913, 1914
Pablo Casals | Cellist | 1915, 1918, 1920
Anna Case | Soprano | 1911, 1917
Marie Caslova | Violinist | 1916
Alfredo Casella | Pianist | 1921, 1923
Cecile Chaminade | Pianist | 1908
Kitty Cheatham | Interpreter of |
| Children’s Songs | 1913, 1914
Walter Clapperton | Basso | 1922
Julia Claussen | Mezzo-Soprano | 1918
Achille Cocozza | Violinist | 1910
David Cohen | Violinist | 1917
Sol Cohen | Trumpet | 1923, 1925
Frank M. Conly | Basso | 1911
Horatio Connell | Bass-Baritone | 1911, 1914, 1917
Luther Conradi | Pianist | 1908
Emilia Conti | Soprano | 1914
Elsa Lyons Cook | Soprano | 1915, 1917, 1919
Carlton Cooley | Violinist | 1921
Winner of Stokowski Medal
Albert Cornfeld | Violinist | 1915
Alfred Cortot | Pianist | 1918, 1920,
|  | 1922, 1925
Charles M. Courboin | Organist | 1922
Marcella Craft | Soprano | 1916
Julia Culp Lieder | Singer | 1914, 1916
Claude Cunningham | Baritone | 1906
Royal Dadmun | Baritone | 1920, 1921
Eugene D’Albert | Pianist | 1905
Marguerite D’Alvarez | Contralto | 1922
Murray Davey | Basso | 1912
Rebecca Davidson | Pianist | 1917
Eleanore de Cisneros | Mezzo-Soprano | 1908
Emilio de Gogorza | Baritone | 1907, 1915, 1916
Jose Delaquerriere | Tenor | 1924
F. Del Negro | Bassoon | 1923, 1924
Mary Hissem de Moss | Soprano | 1908
Vladimir de Pachmann | Pianist | 1904, 1907, 1911
Susanna Dercum | Contralto | 1915, 1916
Emmy Destinn | Soprano | 1915
Mina Dolores | Soprano | 1923
P. Donatelli | Tuba | 1923
Alfred Doucet | Oboe | 1910
Nicholas Douty | Tenor | 1905, 1907,
|  | 1914, 1918
Vladimir Dubinsky | Cellist | 1907
Marcel Dupre | Organist | 1922
Claire Dux | Soprano | 1922
W. B. Ebann | Cellist | 1902
Mischa Elman | Violinist | 1909, 1912, 1913,
|  | 1914, 1915, 1916,
|  | 1917
Myrtle Elvyn | Pianist | 1914
Georges Enesco | Violinist | 1923, 1924
Edwin Evans | Baritone | 1915, 1919
Mildred Faas | Soprano | 1914, 1915, 1919
Jules Falk | Violinist | 1910
Vincent Fanelli, Jr. | Harpist | 1914, 1923
Frank L. Farrell | Pianist | 1914
Geraldine Farrar | Soprano | 1919
Maude Fay | Soprano | 1916
Idette Feinman | Pianist | 1917, 1922
Mrs. Logan Feland | Soprano | 1913
Emile Ferir | Viola | 1918
Alice Fidler | Contralto | 1918, 1919, 1920
Adelaide Fischer | Soprano | 1916
John A. Fischer | Flutist | 1922, 1923, 1925
Carl Flesch | Violinist | 1914, 1923, 1925
Felix Fox | Pianist | 1903
Mary Woodfield Fox | Pianist | 1911
Cornelius Franke | Violinist | 1902
Olive Fremstad | Soprano | 1917, 1918
Carl Friedberg | Pianist | 1917
Blanche Friedmann | Soprano | 1911
Mme. Povla Frijsh | Soprano | 1918, 1919
Rudolf Friml | Pianist | 1905
Clarence Fuhrman | Pianist | 1905
Ossip Gabrilowitsch | Pianist | 1900, 1902, 1907,
|  | 1915, 1916, 1917,
|  | 1918, 1919, 1920,
|  | 1923
Johanna Gadski | Soprano | 1905, 1906, 1907,
|  | 1908, 1915
Rudolph Ganz | Pianist | 1913, 1920
Samuel Gardner | Violinist | 1919
Mabel Garrison | Soprano | 1916, 1917, 1924
Edith L. Gastel | Soprano | 1912
Lucy Gates | Soprano | 1916
Eva Gauthier | Mezzo-Soprano | 1922
Elena Gerhardt | Soprano and | 1913, 1915, 1916,
| Lieder Singer | 1917, 1921, 1922
Jean Gerardy | Cellist | 1901, 1905, 1922
Jeanne Gerville-Réache | Contralto | 1912, 1913
Dinh Gilly | Baritone | 1913
Frank Gittelson | Violinist | 1914, 1916
Thelma Given | Violinist | 1920
Alma Glück | Soprano | 1910, 1911, 1914,
|  | 1915, 1916
Leopold Godowsky | Pianist | 1912, 1916
Dorothy Goldsmith | Pianist | 1912, 1917
Effie Leland Golz | Violinist | 1915
Katharine Goodson | Pianist | 1908, 1909, 1913,
|  | 1914, 1920
Percy Grainger | Pianist | 1916
Mrs. William Houston Greene | Soprano | 1911, 1913
Charles Gregorowitsch | Violinist | 1901
Hermann Grevesmühl | Violinist | 1903
David Griffin | Baritone | 1915
Bonarios Grimson | Violinist | 1913
Georges Grisëz | Clarinet | 1923
Maud Grove | Contralto | 1910
Walter Guetter | Bassoon | 1923, 1925
Henry Gurney | Tenor | 1915
Arthur Hackett | Tenor | 1920, 1923
Emily Stokes Hagar | Soprano | 1915
Marguerite Hall | Contralto | 1904
Marie Hall | Violinist | 1905
Mark Hambourg | Pianist | 1902, 1907
Rachel Hamilton | Soprano | 1917
Vahrah Hanbury | Soprano | 1920
Elsie Stewart Hand | Pianist | 1903
Harold Hansen | Tenor | 1924
Theodore Harrison | Baritone | 1914, 1915
Arthur Hartmann | Violinist | 1906
Sue Harvard | Soprano | 1913
Hugo Heermann | Violinist | 1905
Jascha Heifetz | Violinist | 1918
Alexander Heinemann | Baritone and |
| Lieder Singer | 1912
Anton Hekking | Cellist | 1907
Otto Henneberg | Horn | 1923
Rudolph Hennig | Cellist | 1901
Myra Hess | Pianist | 1922
Florence Hinkle | Soprano | 1910, 1911, 1912,
|  | 1913, 1914, 1915,
|  | 1916, 1917, 1920,
|  | 1921, 1922
Allen C. Hinckley | Basso | 1909
Josef Hofmann | Pianist | 1901, 1902, 1904,
|  | 1907, 1913, 1915,
|  | 1917, 1918, 1919,
|  | 1922, 1923, 1924
Louise Homer | Contralto | 1905, 1908,
|  | 1913, 1914
Horace R. Hood | Baritone | 1913
Anton Horner | Horn | 1923
Joseph Horner | Horn | 1923
Henry Hotz | Basso | 1918
Mae Hotz | Soprano | 1917, 1919
Bronislaw Huberman | Violinist | 1922, 1923
Caroline Hudson-Alexander | Soprano | 1914
Estelle Hughes | Soprano | 1919, 1920
Winner of Stokowski Medal
Elsa Alves Hunter | Soprano | 1920
Ernest Hutcheson | Pianist | 1906, 1908, 1910,
|  | 1915, 1921
Maria Ivogun | Soprano | 1922
Sascha Jacobinoff | Violinist | 1917, 1918
Rafael Joseffy | Pianist | 1904
Clara Yocum Joyce | Contralto | 1913
Franceska Kaspar-Lawson | Soprano | 1908, 1909,
|  | 1911, 1912
Albert Kastner | Harpist | 1901
Emily Stuart Kellogg | Contralto | 1907
Grace Kerns | Soprano | 1913
Margaret Keyes | Contralto | 1911, 1914,
|  | 1916, 1917
W. M. Kincaid | Flutist | 1922, 1923,
|  | 1924, 1925
Hans Kindler | Cellist | 1915, 1916, 1917,
|  | 1918, 1919, 1921,
|  | 1922, 1923, 1924,
|  | 1925
Karl Klein | Violinist | 1907
Charles E. Knauss | Pianist | 1905, 1906, 1907,
|  | 1911, 1913
Paul Kochanski | Violinist | 1921, 1923, 1924
Tilly Koenen | Contralto and |
| Lieder Singer | 1910, 1916
Augusta Kohnle | Contralto | 1913
Benjamin Kohon | Bassoon | 1914
Nina Koshetz | Soprano | 1922, 1923, 1924
Elkan Kosman | Violinist | 1901, 1902
Fritz Kreisler | Violinist | 1901, 1902, 1905,
|  | 1907, 1908, 1910,
|  | 1913, 1915, 1917,
|  | 1920, 1921
Richard Krueger | Bassoon | 1920
Joseph La Monaca | Flutist | 1925
Frederic Lamond | Pianist | 1924
Wanda Landowska | Pianist and |
| Harpsichordist | 1923, 1924
Edward Lane | Pianist | 1922
Winner of Stokowski Medal
Marie Stone Langston | Mezzo-Soprano | 1911, 1913, 1914
Edward Lankow | Baritone | 1920
Francis Lapitino | Harpist | 1911, 1912
Earle Laros | Pianist | 1914, 1916
Florence Larrabee | Pianist | 1915
Hulda Lashanska | Soprano | 1921, 1924
Roberta Lee | Soprano | 1919
Maurits Leefson | Pianist | 1907
Alfred Lennartz | Cellist and |
| Organist | 1915
Wassili Leps | Pianist | 1908, 1910,
|  | 1911, 1912
Emilie Fricke Lesher | Pianist | 1922
Mischa Levitzki | Pianist | 1921
Josef Lhevinne | Pianist | 1907, 1909
Josef and Rosina Lhevinne | Pianists | 1922
James Liebling | Cellist | 1914
Albert Lindquest | Tenor | 1917
Hubert Linscott | Basso | 1924
S. H. Lipschuetz | Basso | 1912, 1913
Carlo Liten Dramatic | Reader | 1918
Alfred Lorenz | Violinist | 1904
Waldemar Lutschg | Pianist | 1905
Madeleine McGuigan | Violinist | 1915, 1916, 1917
J. Campbell McInnes | Baritone | 1920
Margaret McMullin | Soprano | 1919
Guy Maier | Pianist (with |
| Lee Pattison) | 1924, 1925
André Maquarre | Flutist | 1919, 1920, 1921
Daniel Maquarre | Flutist | 1911, 1912, 1913,
|  | 1914, 1915, 1916,
|  | 1918
Marvine Maazel | Pianist | 1920
Edward MacDowell | Pianist | 1901
Will C. MacFarlane | Organist | 1917
C. Stanley Mackey | Tuba | 1914
Francis MacMillen | Violinist | 1911
Helen MacNamee-Bentz | Soprano | 1911, 1913,
|  | 1914, 1915
Charlotte Maconda | Soprano | 1903
John Marquardt | Violinist | 1903
Mrs. John Marquardt | Harpist | 1903
Helena Marsh | Contralto | 1923
Henri Marteau | Violinist | 1906
Frederic Martin | Basso | 1907
Gurney Mattox | Violinist | 1915
Margaret Matzenauer | Contralto | 1917, 1918, 1919,
|  | 1920, 1921
George Meader | Tenor | 1921
Nicholas Medtner | Pianist | 1924
Elsa Meiskey | Soprano | 1917
Kathryn Meisle | Contralto | 1918
Yolanda Merö | Pianist | 1911, 1913, 1916,
|  | 1921, 1924
Caroline Mihr-Hardy | Soprano | 1904, 1905
Gwilyn Miles | Baritone | 1901
Letitia Radcliffe Miller | Pianist | 1916
Selden Miller | Pianist and |
| Organist | 1905, 1906
Margaret Ashmead Mitchell | Soprano | 1915
Benno Moiseiwitsch | Pianist | 1919, 1923
Grisha Monasevitch | Violinist | 1924
Winner of Stokowski Medal
Ruth Montague | Mezzo-Soprano | 1923
Winner of Stokowski Medal
Edward Mumma Morris | Pianist | 1914, 1915
Lambert Murphy | Tenor | 1916, 1917, 1920
Marguerite Namara-Toye | Soprano | 1912
Harold Nason | Pianist | 1907
Agnes Thomson Neely | Soprano | 1906
Otto Neitzel | Pianist | 1906, 1907
Anna Newhoff | Pianist | 1920
Frank A. Nicoletta | Harpist | 1923
Mitja Nikisch | Pianist | 1924
Elsie North | Soprano | 1911
Guiomar Novaes | Pianist | 1917, 1921
Margarete Ober | Soprano | 1915
Hugo Olk | Violinist | 1902, 1903
Sigrid Onegin | Contralto | 1922
Leo Ornstein | Pianist | 1919, 1921, 1925
Anna Otten | Violinist | 1902
Ignace Jan Paderewski | Pianist | 1914
William H. Pagdin | Tenor | 1908
Kathleen Parlow | Violinist | 1911, 1916, 1921
Lee Pattison | Pianist |
| (with Guy Maier) | 1924, 1925
Frederick Patton | Basso | 1920
Michel Penha | Cellist | 1920, 1921, 1922,
|  | 1923, 1924
Louis Persinger | Violinist | 1912
Alexander Petschnikoff | Violinist | 1906, 1908
May Peterson | Soprano | 1916, 1921
Fernand Pollain | Violoncellist | 1918
Mildred Potter | Contralto | 1915
John Powell | Pianist | 1917, 1923
Maud Powell | Violinist | 1914, 1916
Michael Press | Violinist | 1924
Raoul Pugno | Pianist | 1903, 1906
Robert Quait | Tenor | 1920
Agnes Clune Quinlan | Pianist | 1910
Sergei Rachmaninoff | Pianist | 1909, 1919,
|  | 1920, 1921
Paul Rahmig | Double Bass | 1914
Harold Randolph | Pianist | 1906, 1909, 1910,
|  | 1913, 1915
Alfred Reisenauer | Pianist | 1905
Gertrude Rennyson | Soprano | 1911, 1914
Thaddeus Rich | Violinist | 1906, 1907, 1908,
|  | 1909, 1910, 1911,
|  | 1912, 1913, 1914,
|  | 1915, 1916, 1917,
|  | 1918, 1919, 1920,
|  | 1921, 1922, 1923,
|  | 1924, 1925
Albert Riese | Horn | 1923
Mrs. Albert M. Rihl | Soprano | 1904
Emma Roberts | Mezzo-Soprano | 1915, 1920
Christian Rodenkirchen | Trumpet | 1914
Max Rosen | Violinist | 1918
Moriz Rosenthal | Pianist | 1906, 1907
Arthur Rubinstein | Pianist | 1906, 1922
Cornelius Rübner | Pianist | 1908, 1910
Zipporah Rosenberg | Soprano | 1912, 1913
Elsa Ruegger | Violoncellist | 1903, 1906
Ella Rumsey | Contralto | 1920
Alfred Saal | Violoncellist | 1905, 1906
Camille Saint-Saens | Pianist | 1906
Carlos Salzedo | Harpist | 1918, 1919
Carlos Salzedo | Pianist | 1924
Olga Samaroff | Pianist | 1905, 1906, 1907,
|  | 1909, 1914, 1915,
|  | 1916, 1917, 1918,
|  | 1919, 1920, 1921,
|  | 1922, 1925
Herman Sandby | Violoncellist | 1902, 1904, 1908,
|  | 1909, 1910, 1911,
|  | 1912, 1913, 1914,
|  | 1915, 1916
Emil Sauer | Pianist | 1908
Emile Sauret | Violinist | 1905
Ernest Schelling | Pianist | 1905, 1913, 1915,
|  | 1917, 1922
Hans Schlegel | Flutist | 1925
Emil F. Schmidt | Violinist | 1920
E. Robert Schmitz | Pianist | 1920
Alexander Schmuller | Violinist | 1921, 1922
Artur Schnabel | Pianist | 1923
Alwin Schroeder | Violoncellist | 1905, 1908, 1909
Edmund Schuëcker | Harpist | 1909
Max Schultz | Violinist | 1904
Ernestine Schumann-Heink | Contralto | 1902, 1904, 1906,
|  | 1907, 1911, 1912,
|  | 1914, 1916
Oscar Schwar | Tympanist | 1923
Cyril Scott | Pianist | 1920
Henri Scott | Basso | 1915
Oscar Seagle | Baritone | 1915
Vivienne Segal | Soprano | 1915
Mrs. F. A. Seiberling | Contralto | 1913
Toscha Seidel | Violinist | 1918, 1919
Johannes Sembach | Tenor | 1915, 1916, 1917
Marcella Sembrich | Soprano | 1902, 1913
Arrigo Serato | Violinist | 1921
Jules J. Serpentini | Clarinet | 1923
Irma Seydel | Violinist | 1913
Arthur Shattuck | Pianist | 1918
Oscar Shumsky | Violinist | 1924
Alexander Siloti | Pianist | 1922, 1923
Bruce Simonds | Pianist | 1922
Gardell Simons | Trombone | 1924
Margaret Sittig | Violinist | 1921
Jean Skrobisch | Tenor | 1915
Mrs. Farrington Smith | Soprano | 1916
David Sokolove | Pianist | 1924
Albert Spalding | Violinist | 1915, 1916
August Spanuth | Pianist | 1903
Janet Spencer | Contralto | 1908
Theodore Spiering | Violinist | 1917
Maud Sproule | Contralto | 1902
Helen Stanley | Soprano | 1921
Evelyn Starr | Violinist | 1915
Gertrude May Stein | Soprano | 1902
Fribda Stender | Soprano | 1906
S. Tudor Strang | Organist | 1910, 1911
G. Russell Strauss | Baritone | 1909
Pauline Strauss-De Ahna | Soprano | 1904
Henry Such | Violinist | 1912
Rose and Ottilie Sutro | Pianists | 1916
Michael Svedrofsky | Violinist | 1905, 1906
Noah H. Swayne, 2d | Basso | 1911
Marguerite Sylva | Soprano | 1911
Marcel Tabuteau | Oboe | 1915, 1917, 1920,
|  | 1921, 1923, 1924
Pasquale Tallarico | Pianist | 1911, 1913
Emil Telmanyi | Violinist | 1921
Maggie Teyte | Soprano | 1919, 1920
Jacques Thibaud | Violinist | 1903, 1904, 1917,
|  | 1918, 1919, 1920,
|  | 1921, 1922
Dorothea Thullen | Soprano | 1913
Henry Gordon Thunder | Organist | 1916
William Sylvano Thunder | Organ and | 1915, 1916, 1917,
| Harmonium | 1920, 1921
Anton Torello | Double Bass | 1914, 1917,
|  | 1920, 1921
Ruth Townsend | Mezzo-Soprano | 1915
Evalyn Tyson | Pianist | 1919
Aline Van Barentzen | Pianist | 1916, 1917
Marcia Van Dresser | Soprano | 1918, 1919
Ellison Van Hoose | Baritone | 1903, 1912
Henri Varillat | Baritone | 1912
Ferenc Vecsey | Violinist | 1921
Romain Verney | Viola | 1921, 1922, 1923
Paul Volkmann | Tenor | 1904, 1908
Constantin Von Sternberg | Pianist | 1903, 1905,
|  | 1910, 1916
Julian Walker | Basso | 1904
Helen Ware | Violinist | 1913, 1914
Alma Weisshaar | Soprano | 1912
Hunter Welsh | Pianist | 1914
Florenz Werner | Violinist | 1902
Reinald Werrenrath | Baritone | 1916, 1917,
|  | 1920, 1921
Clarence Whitehill | Baritone | 1911, 1916
Charlotte Demuth Williams | Violinist | 1921
Ernest Williams | Trumpet | 1921
Evan Williams | Tenor | 1913
Arthur Howell Wilson | Pianist | 1910, 1911
Flora Wilson | Soprano | 1910
Rosalie Wirthlin | Contralto | 1917
Herbert Witherspoon | Basso | 1915, 1917
John K. Witzemann | Violinist | 1902, 1903, 1904,
|  | 1906, 1910, 1913,
|  | 1915, 1916
Ludwig Wüllner | Reader and |
| Liedersinger | 1908, 1910
Eugene Ysaye | Violinist | 1904, 1913
Camille Zeckwer | Pianist | 1904, 1913, 1914
Marie Zeckwer-Holt | Soprano | 1907, 1908,
|  | 1910, 1917
Efrem Zimbalist | Violinist | 1912, 1914, 1916,
|  | 1918, 1919, 1921
Marie Kunkel-Zimmerman | Soprano | 1902, 1905,
|  | 1906, 1907
Augusta Zuckermann | Pianist | 1902

Appendix H

Some of the Principal Players in the Various
Sections of the Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1925

Thaddeus Rich,
Assistant Conductor
and Concertmaster

Dr. Thaddeus Rich, who has been the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1906, was born in Indianapolis. He began to play the violin in 1893, and when he was twelve years old showed such remarkable talent that he was sent to Leipsig, where he entered the Leipsig Conservatory, graduating with honors at the age of fifteen. In 1901 he accepted a position as first violinist with the famous Gewandhaus Orchestra under Arthur Nikisch, and two years later he went to Berlin as concertmaster of the Charlottenburg Opera. Here he studied violin with Joachim and composition with Pfitzner. In 1905 he returned to America, and Fritz Scheel, who was then conductor of the orchestra, heard him play and immediately engaged him as concertmaster. At his performances in Philadelphia he has played nearly every modern and classic concerto of value in violin literature.

Hans Kindler,
First Violoncellist—1916-20

Hans Kindler was born in Rotterdam, Holland, and was educated in the High School and University of that city. When he was nine years old he began to play the ’cello, and later he attended the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he studied under Mossel, Jean Gerardy, and Casals. He was for two years solo cellist with the Deutsches Opernhaus, Berlin-Charlottenburg, and during his residence in Berlin he taught the ’cello at the Scharwenka Conservatory. Mr. Kindler has appeared with the principal orchestras in Berlin, Amsterdam, Birmingham, and Hanover, under such famous conductors as Mengelberg, Kunwald, Schönberg, Landon Ronald, etc. He has also played in joint recitals with Julia Culp, Xaver Scharwenka, and Ferruccio Busoni, who dedicated to him a transcription of a Chromatic Fantasy by Bach. He has also played for the Queen of Holland and for the Prince and Princess of Wied in Berlin.

David Dubinsky:
First second Violinist,

was born in Odessa, Russia, educated in Philadelphia. Began his musical education at the age of eleven. Studied the violin under Schradieck and Sauret. Original member of Philadelphia Orchestra. Four seasons in Pittsburg Orchestra under Emil Paur, serving as principal second violin. Played in Cincinnati Orchestra in May Festivals of 1906 and 1914 Boston Festival Orchestra. Engaged for Philadelphia in 1908.

Romain Joseph Verney:
First Viola,

was born in Paris, France, graduated with honors from the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under Theophile Laforge, at the age of eighteen. Was one of the principals at the Opera Comique and played in the Concerts Colonne. Came to this country in 1906 to be first viola with the New York Symphony Orchestra, where he remained for five years, and from there went to the Chicago Grand Opera Company. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1920.

William Morris Kincaid:
First Flute,

was born in Minneapolis, educated at Punahan, Honolulu, also Columbia University. While living in Hawaiian Islands began to study the piano at the age of seven, flute at the age of eight, and after moving to the United States, the organ. He studied the flute at Institute of Musical Art with George Barrère, from which he graduated in the regular and artist course. He played with New York Symphony Orchestra for five years. Soloist at concerts in and around New York and on tour with New York Symphony and New York Chamber Music Society. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1921.

Marcel Tabuteau:
First Oboe,

was born at Compiègne (Oise), France. He began his musical studies at the age of six, with his brother-in-law, a well-known violinist. At the age of thirteen he became a pupil at Paris Conservatory under Georges Hillet, the famous master of the French Oboe School, where he studied five years. In 1904 was awarded the first prize at Paris Conservatory. His teacher advised him to come to this country and recommended him to Walter Damrosch, with whom he played for several seasons, and in 1908 was engaged by Toscanini at the Metropolitan Opera House. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1915.

Anton Horner:
First Horn,

was born in Gossengrun, Bohemia. He began to play the violin at the age of eight under his father’s instruction, who was a professional musician; began to learn the horn at thirteen, entered Leipsig Conservatory at fourteen where he studied for over three years, violin under Hans Becker, and horn under Frederick Gumbert. Three years with Pittsburgh Orchestra. (Also plays violin.) Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1902.

Richard Krüger:
First Bassoon,

was born in Berlin, Germany. Received private instruction in violin and piano from the age of twelve to fourteen; then four years at the Parlow Conservatory of Music, Berlin, being a pupil of Otto Schoenberg in the study of the bassoon. Played with Symphony Orchestra at Aix-la-Chapelle and Cologne, and under the direction of Richard Strauss, Felix Weingartner, Felix Mottl and Fritz Steinbach, also with Theodore Thomas Orchestra in Chicago. (Also plays piano and violin.) Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1901.

Antonio Torello:
First Double Bass,

was born at San Sadurni de Noya, Province of Barcelona, Spain. Received his musical education at the Municipal School of Music at Barcelona. Began to play bass at the age of ten, played in an orchestra and at fourteen was playing solos. Played in the following orchestras: Associación? Musical de Barcelona, Boston Opera Orchestra, Boston Festival Orchestra, has been heard as soloist in Spain, Portugal and Madeira Island, and in the United States during the Boston Festival Orchestra tour in 1911, all through the New England States, Pittsburgh, Denver, Cleveland, etc. Came to America in 1909. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1914.

Daniel Bonade:
First Clarinet,

was born in Geneva, Switzerland. Studied the clarinet under M. Lefèbre (solo clarinet at Paris Opera) in 1904, and won first prize at Paris Conservatory in 1913. Played in Paris in Sechiari Symphony Orchestra and in Monteux Symphonic Orchestra (Paris). Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1917.

Solomon Cohen:
First Trumpet,

was born in New York City. Began studying trumpet in 1912 under Mr. Schlossberg of the New York Philharmonic; then studied harmony under Hedda van dem Beemt. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1918.

J. Walter Guetter:
First Bassoon,

was born in Philadelphia. Studied violin from nine to fourteen years of age; at fourteen began study of bassoon and piano. From 1910 to 1914 studied at Klindworth Scharwenka Conservatory of Music, Berlin, under Adolf Guetter, principal bassoonist of former Royal Opera. With Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1915-22. Appeared as soloist with local Orchestra at St. Marknerkirchen, Saxony, in 1914; in Chamber Music Concerts in Chicago and Philadelphia; with Philadelphia Orchestra at Children’s Concerts in 1923. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1922.

Michel Penha:
First Cellist, 1920-1925,

was born in Amsterdam, Holland. He began his general musical education at Amsterdam Conservatory, and studied under Professors Mossel, Hugo Becker and Joseph Salmen. Toured as soloist in Europe, Indies, South America and United States. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1920.

William Oscar Schwar:
Tympanist,

was born in Bautzen, Saxony, Germany. Began to play the violin at the age of ten. Studied tympani under Mr. Heinemann, first tympani player at the Royal Opera and teacher at Royal Conservatory at Dresden, Germany. Was a member of the Royal Opera at St. Petersburg, and has played in all the leading cities of Germany and European countries under the following musical directors and in the cities here cited: Felix Mottl, Karlsruhe; Treckler, Dresden; Sauer, Coblentz, Frischen, Hanover. Shortly after joining the Philadelphia Orchestra he made a sensation by his wonderful playing in the overture “Romeo and Juliet” by Tschaikowsky. When he had finished, the entire orchestra applauded him with great enthusiasm, an action which is seldom accorded a member of an orchestra in rehearsal by his colleagues. (Also plays snare drum, bells and xylophone.) Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1903.

Gardell Simons:
Trombone,

was born at Allegan, Michigan. He began the study of the trombone at the age of nine and a few years later commenced a systematic course of study in Chicago. Since it was difficult at that time to get instruction of a high order from Trombonists he relied mostly upon singers and instrumentalists of repute for his instruction in breathing, phrasing, articulation and expression, and at length became one of the originators of the Modern School of trombone playing; also studied harmony and composition to some extent. Played first trombone with Philharmonic Orchestra, New York City, Arens “People’s Symphony,” Volpe Symphony and others. Wide experience as soloist with concert bands and concert companies, etc., and plays mostly his own compositions or violin music adapted by himself to the trombone. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1915.

Daniel Maquarre:
First Flute, 1910-1918,

was born in Brussels. When five years old he began the study of music in Paris, and in 1893, entered the National Conservatory of Paris to study flute and harmony; in 1896 he won the first prize for the flute. Toured in the United States as soloist with Mme. Emma Nevada in 1901, and was for two years soloist with Longy Club, of Boston. In 1902 became member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he remained for seven seasons; also one season with New York Philharmonic. Organized the D. Maquarre Ensemble of Instruments in fall of 1913 in Philadelphia. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1910.

André Maquarre:
First Flute, 1918-1910,

was born in Brussels. Began his musical studies at the age of eight at the Paris Conservatory, with Solfeggio and Piano under Martini, also studied Harmony with Landon, Flute with Henry Altes and Composition with Massenet. Played in several orchestras in Paris, also Opera. Joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1898 as solo flute, and from 1906-1917 was conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra during the period of the “Pop” Concerts season at Symphony Hall. Wide soloist experience in Symphony orchestras, chamber music organizations, also obligato with singers, such as Melba, Gilibert and others. Founded the Maquarre Sextet in Boston in 1901. Composed three operas and a number of orchestral pieces in Symphonic form, an overture played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra; and chamber music for wind choir and songs. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1918.

Peter Henkelman,
First English Horn and Oboe,

was born in Heusden, Holland. Attended school in Holland, and at the age of seven began to study the violin. A few years later he began the study of the piano, and at the age of thirteen entered the Royal Conservatory at The Hague, where he started to study the oboe and English horn, as well as continuing his studies of the violin, piano and theory. He has played with the City Symphony Orchestra at Haarlem and Utrecht, the Winderstein Orchestra of Leipzig, the Symphony Orchestra of Budapest, the City Orchestra of Heidelberg, as well as with the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. Engaged for the Philadelphia Orchestra 1901.

Appendix I

Partial List of “First Performances” in America

Auric—Nocturne (January 26-27, 1923)

Bliss—Mêlée Fantasque (February 27-28, 1925)

Braunfels—Fantastic Variations (October 14-15, 1921)

Carpenter—“A Pilgrim Vision” (November 26-27, 1920)

Converse—“The Mystic Trumpeter” (March 3-4, 1905)

De Falla—Excerpts from “El Amor Brujo” (April 15-17, 1922)

D’Indy—Symphony No. 2, in B flat (December 30-31, 1904)

D’Indy—“Wallenstein” (December 19-20, 1902)

Dvorak—Heldenlied (December 27-28, 1901)

Fitelberg—Polish Rhapsody (November 4-5, 1921)

Glazounow—Scènes de Ballet (February 24-25, 1905)

Granados—Intermezzo and Epiloque from “Goyescas” (March 10-11, 1916)

Hausegger—Symphonic Poem, “Wieland der Schmied” (October 17-18, 1913)

Mahler—Symphony No. 8 (March 2, 1916)

Mahler—Das Lied von der Erde (December 16, 1916)

Daniel Gregory Mason—Symphony No. 1, in C minor (February 18-19, 1916)

Purcell—Trumpet Prelude (December 26-27, 1924)

Rabaud—Symphony No. 2, in E minor (October 24-25, 1913)

Rachmaninoff—Symphony No. 3, “The Bells” (February 6-7, 1920)

Rimsky-Korsakow—Excerpts from “Kitesch” (Solitude and The Battle),

(October 26-27, 1923)

Schelling—A Victory Ball (February 23-24, 1923)

Skryabin—Symphony No. 3, “Le Divin Poème” (November 19-10, 1915)

Sibelius—Symphony No. 5, in E flat (October 21-22, 1921)

Richard Strauss—Alpensymphonie (April 28-29, 1916)

Strawinsky—Le Chant du Rossignol (October 19-20, 1923)

Strawinsky—Symphonies d’Instruments à Vent, à la mémoire

de Claude Achille Debussy (November 23-24, 1923)

Strawinsky—Sacre du Printemps (March 3-4, 1922)

Concertos

Max Bruch—Concerto for two Pianos and Orchestra

(December 29-30, 1916) First World Performance.

Medtner—Concerto in C minor for Piano and Orchestra

(October 31-November 1, 1924)

Ornstein—Second Concerto for Piano and Orchestra

(February 13-14, 1925)

Szymanowski—Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

(November 28-29, 1924)

Tailleferre—Concerto for Piano and Orchestra

(March 20-21, 1925)

Performances of the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven:

March 26, 1903; January 1-2, 1904; February 7-8, 1907; February

27, 1907 (Baltimore); March 13-14, 1914; May 7-8, 1920; December

3-4, 1920; April 8, 1921 (Pittsburgh); February 21, 1924 (Toronto);

March 4, 1924 (New York); March 6, 1924 (Philadelphia with Mendelssohn

Choir of Toronto)

Appendix J

Programmes of Six Concerts of
the Philadelphia Orchestra
First Season 1900-1901

PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Mr. Fritz Scheel, Conductor

FIRST CONCERT
Friday, November 16, 1900, at 8.15 P. M.

Programme
Carl Goldmark | Overture, “In Spring,” | Op. 36
Ludwig van Beethoven | Symphony No. 5, C minor, | Op. 67
| I. | Allegro con brio | 2-4 |
II. | Andante con moto | 3-8 |
III. | Allegro | 3-4 |
IV. | Allegro | 4-4 |
Intermission of ten minutes
Peter Ilitsch Tschaikowsky | Concerto for Pianoforte, | No. 1,
| B flat minor, | Op. 23
| I. | Allegro, non troppo e molto maestoso | 3-4 |
II. | Andantino simplice | 6-8 |
III. | Allegro con fuoco | 3-4 |
Karl Maria von Weber | “Invitation to the Dance,” | Op. 65
Orchestration by Felix Weingartner
Richard Wagner | Entry of the Gods into “Walhalla”
Mr. Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Soloist

SECOND CONCERT
Friday, December 14, 1900, at 8.15 P. M.

Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven | Overture Leonore, | No. 3
Johannes Brahms | Symphony No. 2, D major, | Op. 73
| I. | Allegro non troppo
II. | Adagio non troppo
III. | Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino)
IV. | Allegro con spirito
Ambroise Thomas | “Mad Scene” (Hamlet)
Intermission of ten minutes
Peter I. Tschaikowsky | Serenade for Strings, | Op. 48
Andantino non troppo—Allegro Moderato
Moderato, Tempo di Valse—Larghetto  
Elegiaco—Andante, Allegro con spirito  
Songs
| “Spring Has Come” (Hiawatha), Tyler
| “Skylark,” Händel
| “An April Birthday,” Ronalds
Bedrich Smetana | “Vltava” (Moldau)
From Symphonic Poem “My Fatherland”
Mme. Lillian Blauvelt, Soloist
Selden Miller, Accompanist

THIRD CONCERT
Friday, January 18, 1901, at 8.15 P. M.

Programme
Richard Wagner | A Faust Overture
Ludwig  van | Beethoven | Symphony No. 4, | Op. 60
|   I. Adagio—Allegro Vivace
|  II. Adagio
| III. Allegro Vivace
| IV. Allegro ma non troppo
Intermission
H. Vieuxtemps |  | Concerto No. 2, | Op. 19
|   I. Allegro
|  II. Andante
| III. Rondo—Allegro
Engelbert Humperdinck | Moorish Rhapsody
|   I. Tarifa (Sunset Elegy)
|  II. Tanger (A Night in a Moorish Cafe)
| III. Tetuan (A Ride in the Desert)
Mr. Fritz Kreisler, Soloist

FOURTH CONCERT
Friday, February 8, 1901, at 8 P. M.

Programme
William | W. Gilchrist | Symphony in C
I. | Introduction, Vivace Impetuoso. Allegro Molto
II. | Adagio, Andante Moderato
III. | Scherzo, Vivace
IV. | Finale, Molto Allegro
Edward | MacDowell | Concerto for Piano No. 2
I. | Larghetto. Poco più Mosso e con Passione
II. | Presto Giocoso
III. | Largo. Molto Allegro
Carl Maria von Weber | Overture “Oberon”
Edward Grieg | Berceuse for Strings, from Op. 68
Heinrich Hoffmann | Elves and Giants, from Op. 22
Anton Dvorak | Slavonic Dances III and VII
Edward MacDowell, Soloist

FIFTH CONCERT
Wednesday, March 6, 1901, at 8.15 P. M.

Programme
Carl Goldmark | Overture “Sakuntala,” Op. 13
August Lindner | Concerto for Violoncello, E minor
a. Serenade—Andante 
b. Tarantelle—Allegro Vivace
Peter Tschaikowsky | Symphony “Pathétique,” Op. 74
I. Adagio—Allegro non troppo
II. Allegro con Gracio 
III. Allegro Molto Vivace 
IV. Finale—Adagio Lamentoso    
Franz Liszt | Les Préludes
Mr. Rudolph Hennig, Soloist

SIXTH CONCERT
Friday, April 19, 1901, at 8.15 P. M.

Programme
Joachim Raff | Symphony “Im Walde”
I. Allegro 
  II. Largo—Allegro Assai 
  III. Allegro 
Eduard Grieg | Concerto for Piano in A flat
I. Allegro Moderato 
  II. Adagio 
  III. Allegro Moderato 
Peter Tschaikowsky |   Overture—Fantasie, “Romeo and Juliet”
Mme. Teresa Carreño, Soloist

Appendix K

The Women’s Committees for the
Philadelphia Orchestra
1924-1925

(Formed March, 1904)

Miss Frances A. Wister, President
Mrs. Harold Ellis Yarnall, Vice-president
Mrs. Charles W. Henry, Vice-president
Mrs. Charles R. Wood, Recording Secretary
Mrs. William W. Arnett, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Alfred Reginald Allen, Treasurer
Miss Frances A. Wister, General Secretary for the Endowment Fund
Honorary Vice-presidents
Mrs. Alexander W. Biddle | Mrs. Arthur E. Newbold
Mrs. John Cadwalader | Mrs. Morris Pfaelzer
Mrs. A. J. Dallas Dixon | Miss Anne Thomson
Mrs. George W. C. Drexel | Mrs. Wm. Austin Slaughter
Miss Mary K. Gibson | Mrs. Edward T. Stotesbury
Mrs. Austin S. Heckscher | Mrs. Charlemagne Tower
Mrs. Charles E. Ingersoll | Mrs. Alex. Van Rensselaer
Mrs. C. Hartman Kuhn | Mrs. J. William White
Mrs. James McCrea | Mrs. Charlton Yarnall
Mrs. Thomas McKean |
Directors  
Mrs. Thomas G. Ashton | Miss Nina Lea
Mrs. Russell Duane | Mrs. Joseph Leidy
Miss Gertrude Ely | Mrs. Thomas Robins
Mrs. Simon B. Fleisher | Mrs. John B. Thayer, 3d
Mrs. Joseph M. Gazzam | Mrs. Sydney Thayer
Mrs. Frank T. Griswold | Mrs. John B. Townsend
Mrs. Henry S. Jeanes | Mrs. George F. Tyler
Ex-officio  
Germantown—Countess of Santa Eulalia    
West Philadelphia—Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly
Delaware County—Mrs. Matthew H. Cryer  

Germantown and Chestnut Hill Women’s Committee

(Formed March, 1905)

Countess of Santa Eulalia, President
Mrs. Charles E. Morgan, First Vice-president
Mrs. Henry W. Raymond, Second Vice-president
Mrs. William Jay Turner, Third Vice-president
Miss Rossmässler, Recording Secretary
Mrs. W. Beaumont Whitney, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Richard Rossmässler, Treasurer
Miss Frances A. Wister, General Secretary for the Endowment Fund
Directors  
Mrs. Franklin Baker, Jr. | Mrs. Theron I. Crane
Mrs. Wm. L. Barclay | Mrs. Norton Downs, Jr.
Mrs. George C. Bowker | Mrs. Wm. W. Frazier, 3d
Mrs. Wm. P. M. Braun | Mrs. Frederic Gardiner
Mrs. Henry W. Butterworth | Mrs. George Horace Lorimer
Mrs. Charles S. Cheston | Mrs. Joseph A. Louchheim
Mrs. J. Hamilton Cheston | Mrs. Wm. Price Newhall
Mrs. Edw. W. Clark, 3d | Mrs. Edward A. Schumann
Mrs. Morris Llewellyn Cooke |

West Philadelphia Women’s Committee

(Formed April, 1905)

Officers
Mrs. L. Howard Weatherly, President
Mrs. C. Lincoln Furbush, First Vice-president
Mrs. William S. Newcomet, Second Vice-president
Mrs. Alfred H. Peiffer, Recording Secretary
Mrs. Charles L. Mitchell, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Samuel S. Fels, Treasurer
Miss Frances A. Wister, General Secretary for the Endowment Fund
Directors  
Mrs. Perley Dunn Aldrich | Mrs. John S. W. Holton
Miss Marguerite Bement | Mrs. Wyllis K. Ingersoll
Mrs. Harold Boericke | Miss Amelia Justi
Mrs. John J. Boericke | Mrs. John M. Kennedy, Jr.
Mrs. Edward W. Bok | Mrs. H. McKnight Moore
Mrs. John F. Braun | Mrs. Edward L. Perkins
Miss Mary Burnham | Mrs. Frank Read, Jr.
Mrs. Charles Carver | Mrs. Harold E. Roberts
Mrs. Lewis R. Dick | Mrs. A. M. Starr
Mrs. F. W. Ferguson | Mrs. William A. Sullivan
Mrs. G. W. B. Fletcher | Mrs. W. Moseley Swain
Mrs. Collin Foulkrod | Mrs. Arthur Wilson
Mrs. James Woods Fry | Mrs. Camille Zeckwer
Mrs. Herbert T. Herr |

Delaware County Women’s Committee

(Formed May, 1911)

BOARD OF MANAGERS

Officers
Mrs. Matthew H. Cryer, President
Mrs. Samuel S. Burgin, First Vice-president
Mrs. J. S. C. Harvey, Second Vice-president
Mrs. Harry H. Battles, Third Vice-president
Mrs. Henry Volkmar Gummere, Secretary
Miss Beulah C. Garretson, Treasurer
Directors  
Mrs. Frank Aydelotte | Mrs. S. Leonard Kent, Jr.
Mrs. J. Claude Bedford | Mrs. Gibson McIlvaine
Mrs. William H. Biester | Mrs. Robert L. McLean
Mrs. Samuel Dyer Clyde | Mrs. John A. Miller
Mrs. Morton P. Dickeson | Mrs. T. Haldean Moore
Mrs. William Easby | Mrs. Charles Musser
Mrs. Albert Fox | Mrs. George Bispham Page
Mrs. Harold C. Goddard | Mrs. A. A. Parker
Mrs. Edward F. Hitchcock    | Miss Edith Peters
Mrs. Benjamin R. Hoffman | Mrs. Richard Peters, Jr.
Mrs. Edward K. Innes | Mrs. J. Frederick Petry
Mrs. Robert F. Irwin | Mrs. J. Lord Rigby
Mrs. Willis D. Jameson | Mrs. John David Shattuck
Mrs. E. R. Keller | Mrs. Channing Way
Mrs. N. B. Kelly | Mrs. Henry M. Wirz

COMMITTEES OUT-OF-TOWN

The Delaware Committee (1907-1508)

(Wilmington)
for
The Philadelphia Orchestra

Formed May, 1905

Mrs. Lewis C. Vandegrift, President
Mrs. Joseph Swift, Vice-president
Mrs. William Betts, Secretary
Miss Annie T. Flinn, Treasurer
Mrs. Otho Nowland, Chairman Guarantee Fund
Mrs. Ellwood C. Jackson, Chairman Auxiliary Committee
Mrs. A. H. Berlin, Chairman Press Committee
Mrs. John Bancroft | Mrs. Alfred R. Jones
Mrs. John B. Bird | Mrs. A. E. Kruse
Miss Martha Bradfield | Miss Kurtz
Mrs. Daniel M. Bates | Miss Lore
Mrs. T. Leslie Carpenter | Mrs. D. J. Reinhardt
Mrs. Allan J. Colby | Mrs. J. E. Smith
Mrs. W. F. Curtis | Mrs. Harry J. Stoeckle
Mrs. William K. du Pont | Mrs. Calvin Swayne
Mrs. Harlan Gause | Mrs. William F. Sellers
Mrs Charles E. Griffith | Mrs. Henry B. Thompson
Mrs. Norman Huxley | Mrs. James P. Winchester

The Washington Committee (1907-1908)

for
The Philadelphia Orchestra

Formed May, 1906

Miss Aileen Bell, Acting Chairman

(The names of a large Committee and a
list of Patronesses are unavailable.)

The Baltimore Committee (1907-1908)

for The Philadelphia Orchestra

Formed May, 1906

Lawrason Riggs, Esq., President
His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons
His Excellency Governor Edwin Warfield
Right Reverend Bishop William Paret, D.D.
Vice-presidents
Hon. Charles J. Bonaparte | Mrs. Bernard N. Baker
Bernard N. Baker, Esq. | Mrs. Charles J. Bonaparte
Frank Frick, Esq. | Mrs. David L. Bartlett
J. Swan Frick, Esq. | Mrs. William Ellicott
Gaun M. Hutton, Esq. | Mrs. T. Harrison Garrett
Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs | Mrs. John Gill
Signor Pietro Minetti | Mrs. Gaun M. Hutton
Philip Ogden, Esq. | Mrs. Henry Barton Jacobs
Wilson Patterson, Esq. | Mrs. Howard Munnikhuysen
Dr. Thomas L. Shearer | Mrs. William Paret
R. Manson Smith, Esq. | Mrs. Wilson Patterson
John Marshall Thomas, Esq.   | Mrs. Nelson Perin
Edwin L. Turnbull, Esq. | Mrs. R. Manson Smith
Jere H. Wheelwright, Esq. | Mrs. James Madison Thompson
J. B. Noel Wyatt, Esq. | Mrs. Edwin Warfield
| Mrs. Jere Wheelwright
Miss Shearer, Chairman
Honorary Managers | Active Managers
Mrs. W. S. Belding | Miss Bloodgood
Mrs. John S. Berry | Miss Bessie Campbell Clark
Miss Octavia Bates | Mrs. Isaac Dixon
Mrs. Frederick M. Colston | Mrs. J. Hamsley Johnson
Mrs. J. S. Ellard | Mrs. Ernest Knabe
Mrs. Charles M. Franklin | Miss Lurman
Mrs. Richard Griffith | Mrs. Edward H. McKeon
Mrs. Paul Haupt | Mrs. S. C. Rowland
Mrs. David Hutzler | Mrs. Sigmund Sonneborn
Mrs. Grier Hersh | Mrs. Oscar A. Turner
Mrs. Charles Keidel | Mrs. Clarence Watson
Mrs. C. Manigault Morris | Mrs. Robert W. Wood
Miss Mary L. Parker | Mrs. George L. Zell
Mrs. Frederick B. Stieff | Frederick M. Colston, Esq.
Mrs. William S. Thayer | Charles E. Dohme, Esq.
Mrs. Sidney Turner | Frederick H. Gottlieb, Esq.
Rev. F. Ward Denys | Dr. John Hemmeter
Miles Farrow, Esq. | Rev. Oliver Huckel
Dr. Charles M. Franklin | Ernest Jenkins, Esq.
Edwin Frank, Esq. | Robert Oliver Lehr, Esq.
Maurice Gregg, Esq. | Theodore Marburg, Esq.
Dr. B. Merrill Hopkinson | Rev. John Timothy Stone
Edwin Schenck, Esq. |
Charles Weber, Jr., Esq. |

The Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra
invites you to be present at a meeting in the interest of
The Philadelphia Orchestra
to be held at the
Arundell Club
1000 North Charles Street, Baltimore,
on
Thursday afternoon, December fourteenth (1905)
at half after three o’clock

Under the patronage of

Mrs. Josiah Law Blackwell

Mrs. Alexander Brown

Mrs. George Dallas Dixon

Mrs. S. Naudain Duer

Mrs. William M. Ellicott

Mrs. George T. Gibson

Mrs. Daniel C. Gilman

Mrs. John P. Poe

Mrs. Harold Randolph

Miss Mary Butler Shearer

Mrs. W. Plunkett Stewart

Mrs. Jesse Tyson

Mrs. George L. Zell

Music by
Mrs. Thomas S. Kirkbride, Jr., Pianist
and
Mr. John Witzemann, Violinist
and Mr. Alfred Saal, Violoncellist
Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Appendix L

Announcement of Children’s Concerts
The Philadelphia Orchestra Association

Founded 1900
Maintaining and Operating

The Philadelphia Orchestra

104 Musicians

Leopold Stokowski, Conductor

Special Announcement
Children’s Concerts Season 1921-1922
Wednesday Afternoons at Four

December 14th, 1921 February 1st, 1922
March 8th, 1922

Academy of Music

In Answer to a Long-Felt Need

The Philadelphia Orchestra Association announces
a Series of Three Children’s Concerts
for the coming season under the auspices of:

The Matinee Musical Club | The Citizen’s Committee
Mrs. Frederick W. Abbott, | Mrs. Frederick Rosengarten,
Chairman | Chairman
Mrs. Edwin B. Garrigues | Mrs. Robert Von Moschzisker
Mrs. Helen Pulaski Innes | Mrs. John Hampton Barnes
The Board of Education
Dr. Edwin C. Broome, Superintendent of Schools, Philadelphia
Dr. Enoch W. Pearson, Director of Music in the Public Schools
Dr. Hollis Dann, Director of Music, State Dept. of Education
The Women’s Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra
The Germantown & Chestnut Hill Women’s Committee for
The Philadelphia Orchestra
The West Philadelphia Women’s Committee for
The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Media, Chester & West Chester Women’s Committee for
The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Civic Club of Philadelphia
The New Century Club
The Philomusian Club
The Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs
The Philadelphia Association of Settlements

These Concerts will be conducted by Mr. Stokowski, who has arranged a series of programmes lasting one hour, during which short talks will be given about the instruments, as well as about the selections played.

The Concerts are for Children, and no adult will be admitted unless accompanied by one or more children.

Committee on Children’s Concerts

Miss Frances A. Wister, Chairman
Mr. Edward W. Bok | Dr. Charles D. Hart
Schedule of Prices (No Tax) | Series of Three   Concerts
Parquet and Balcony Boxes, seating six | $18.00
Parquet and Balcony Boxes, seating four | 12.00
Parquet, Parquet Circle and Balcony Seats | 2.25
Family Circle | 1.50
Amphitheatre | .75

Appendix M

Philadelphia Permanent Orchestra Prospectus

March 3, 1899

The musical life of this city has reached a stage in its development that must make it apparent to all who are interested in the advancement of matters of art and education that if we are to continue the progress of the past few years and take our place as a city of any musical importance, the next and most necessary step is the founding of a Permanent Philadelphia Orchestra. Such an undertaking is one that requires serious consideration, and the co-operation not only of our music-loving public but of all citizens who are interested in our civic progress.

In order to establish an orchestra such as would be a distinct credit to the city, it is necessary to have a paid-up fund of not less than $250,000.

The following Committee, before issuing this circular, have given the matter great consideration, carefully looked into various organizations in other cities, and feel confident that if they meet with liberal response Philadelphia will have in a few years an orchestra second to none in America. When Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and other cities, not nearly so large or so wealthy, have established permanent orchestras, it is surely time that we should interest ourselves and unite in aiding to form an organization in keeping with our size and importance. This will not be possible with less than the sum before mentioned, which they trust you will aid them in securing upon the following terms and conditions:

1. Subscribers shall not be bound by their subscriptions unless the sum of $200,000 shall have been subscribed.

2. The fund shall be used only for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a permanent Philadelphia Orchestra, and it shall be applied for that purpose by the following Trustees:

C. William Bergner | C. Hartman Kuhn
John H. Converse | Simon A. Stern
Samuel A. Crozer | James F. Sullivan
George W. Childs Drexel | Thomas B. Wanamaker
Charles C. Harrison |

or their successors. The discretion of such Trustees shall be absolute as regards the administration of the fund, and they shall have power to fill any vacancy occurring in their number, they having agreed to abide by the conditions herein stated.

The Trustees shall invest $200,000 of the fund, using only the interest thereof and the additional $50,000 shall be used for current expenses of the first few years, when the expenses will be heavier and the deficit greater.

3. The orchestra shall be composed, first, of the best musicians resident in Philadelphia; then, of the best musicians obtainable either in this country or abroad. In order to insure the success of the enterprise, it is absolutely necessary that the highest standard be maintained, that the reputation of the orchestra can be established in other cities beside our own, for it is not possible for an orchestra to become self-supporting that cannot command engagements outside the city to which it belongs.

4. The Board of Trustees, when it considers that the completion of the fund is assured, shall select the leader upon the careful and unbiased consideration of the merits and records of all candidates submitted to it. Such candidates, however, to be only men of the highest reputation either in Europe or America, and the leader one whose name will add to the prestige of the orchestra both here and in other cities.

5. The selection and placing of the musicians shall be made by the leader, subject to conditions in paragraph three.

6. As the subscribers contribute to the fund solely for the benevolent purpose of advancing the cause of music in Philadelphia and release all control over said fund, they shall not be considered as partners with each other, or with the Trustees in the conduct or management of said orchestra.

7. The Board of Trustees shall never exceed nine in number.

8. Subscribers to the permanent fund shall have choice of seats in advance of the general public for all Symphony Concerts.

The Committee earnestly requests all who are interested and who will aid them by subscribing to the Fund, to kindly give the matter their prompt attention, and send in any subscription or communication as soon as possible, for if the Orchestra is to be established by next season, it is necessary to push matters without delay.

Committee

Philadelphia Permanent Orchestra[68]

Miss Balch | Miss Mary Moss
Mrs. William Burnham | Mrs. Clement B. Newbold
Mrs. Louis F. Benson | Mrs. Charles Platt, Jr.
Miss Bright | Mrs. John Williams Patten
Mrs. George W. C. Drexel | Miss Ethel Parrish
Mrs. Chancellor C. English | Mrs. W. H. H. Robinson
Mrs. Simon B. Fleisher | Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson
Miss M. K. Gibson | Mrs. C. Morton Smith
Mrs. Alfred C. Harrison | Miss Susan Stevenson
Mrs. John Harrison | Mrs. Monroe Smith
Mrs. Edward Iungerich Keffer | Mrs. John Thompson Spencer
Mrs. Joseph Leidy, Jr. | Mrs. William Penn Troth
Mrs. William L. McLean | Miss Frances Wister
Miss Ada Elizabeth Miles | Mrs. Charles S. Whelen.
Miss Edith Lee Hutchinson, Secretary, 1936 Wallace Street

Endorsers
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Arnett | Miss Margaret Harvey
Mr. Francis R. Abbott | Mr. Ellis Clarke Hammann
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel T. Bodine | Mr. Alfred Curtin Hirsh
Mr. Richard S. Brock | Mr. Max Heinrich
Mr. James M. Beck | Mr. Samuel B. Huey
Mrs. William Bucknell | Mr. James Hay
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Bennett | Mr. H. H. Hallowell
Mr. Henry C. Blair | Mr. John H. Ingham
Mr. David Bispham | Mrs. Charles E. Ingersoll
Miss Emma M. Boyles | Mr. Henry McKean Ingersoll
Dr. Edward Brooks | Miss Hilda Justice
Blasius & Sons | Mr. J. George Klemm
Mr. Charles A. Braun | Dr. Edward Iungerich Keffer
Mrs. M. M. Baltz | Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Ketterlinus
Mr. Samuel Castner, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. George B. Kester
Mr. Richard Y. Cook | Miss Florence Keen
Mrs. Edward H. Coates | Mr. Edward Knapp
Mrs. J. Gardner Cassatt | Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lea
Mrs. Edward Coles | Mr. August B. Loeb
Mrs. William T. Carter | Mr. Algernon Sidney Logan
Mr. Harrison K. Caner | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McKean
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Curtin | Mrs. Henry Pratt McKean
Miss Mary M. Cohen | Mr. Edward Garrett McCollin
Mr. and Mrs. J. deW. Cookman | Mr. James C. Miller
Dr. Hugh A. Clarke | Mr. Selden Miller
Mr. Gilbert Raynolds Combs | Miss Alice Lewis Murphy
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Dickson | Miss Agnes Morrison
Mr. F. T. Sully Darley | Mr. and Mrs. Harrison S. Morris
Mr. Frederick Douredoure | Mr. Charles T. Murphy
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Darlington | Mr. Frederick R. Meigs
Mr. Nicholas Douty | Mrs. Markoe
Mr. William L. Elkins | Miss Helen L. Murphy
Mr. Carl Edelheim | Mrs. J. P. Mumford
Mr. Chancellor C. English | Miss Mary Wanamaker Miller
Mr. Henry Erben | Miss Adelaide Madeira
Mrs. Charles Este | Mr. Edmond Morris
Mrs. George Harrison Fisher | Mr. G. Heide Norris
Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Fox | Mr. Charles E. Pugh
Mr. and Mrs. George C. Fletcher | Miss Marie Virginia Peck
Mr. Charles N. Fahnestock | Mr. Charles R. Peck
Mr. Charles Fearon | Mrs. Frank Pleasanton
Miss Elizabeth Wilson Fisher | Mrs. John Worrell Pepper
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Gibbs | Mr. Frederick Peakes
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. B. Gough | Mr. Enoch Pearson
Mrs. J. Ernest Goodman | Mr. Joseph Rosengarten
Mr. W. W. Gilchrist | Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten
Mrs. Charles W. Henry | Dr. J. M. Reeves
Mr. and Mrs. Byerly Hart | Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rossmaessler
Mr. Edward I. H. Howell | Mrs. Harry B. Rosengarten
Dr. Henry C. Register | Mrs. Eliza D. Turner
Miss Elsé West Rulon | Mr. S. S. Thompson
Mrs. Thomas A. Scott | Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Tenbrook
Mr. Justus C. Strawbridge | Mr. Louis C. Whitney
Mr. N. A. Stout | Mr. and Mrs. Owen Wister
Mr. Monroe Smith | Dr. George Woodward
Mr. and Mrs. John Hasletine Shinn | Mr. Massah M. Warner
Mr. A. M. Sheppard | Mr. Clarence Wolf
Mr. Calvin Mason Smith | Miss Woolman
N. Stetson & Co. | Mr. Albert B. Weimer
Mr. Constantin von Sternberg | Mrs. Wm. Rotch Wister
Mr. Frank Thomson | Mr. Andrew Wheeler, Jr.
Mr. George C. Thomas | Mr. E. Burgess Warren
Mrs. Charles Newbold Thorpe | Mr. P. A. B. Widener
Miss Kate Tilge | Mr. Richard Zeckwer

The following members of the Board of the Musical Fund Society:

Mr. Wm. F. Biddle | Mr. Geo. P. Kimball
Mr. O. C. Bosbyshell | Dr. Alfred C. Lambdin
Mr. John H. Carr | Mr. Edw. G. McCollin
Mr. H. G. Clay | Mr. R. P. Robins
Dr. Richard J. Dunglison   | Mr. Charles M. Schmitz
Mr. Jas. W. Hazlehurst | Mr. Charles P. Turner
Mr. Wm. H. Hollis | Mr. C. Wetherill

Manuscript Society of Philadelphia
W. W. Gilchrist, President

The Symphony Society of Philadelphia
Dr. E. I. Keffer, President

A Philadelphia newspaper 1899:

“How to Get an Orchestra”

“It need not be difficult in Philadelphia to form as fine an orchestra as anybody is willing and able to pay for. A permanent orchestra is a very costly institution. It involves the permanent employment of anywhere from fifty to a hundred good musicians, at salaries sufficient to secure their constant and exclusive services as orchestra players throughout the active portion of the year. A simple calculation will show that the expense of this mounts quickly by tens of thousands.

“Even in a great city, with a very large public interested in orchestral music, it is scarcely possible to meet this expense by the receipts from local concerts. There is a limit to the number of concerts that can be prepared or that can find hearers in one place, so that a large fixed orchestra can hardly earn its living—unless in some great place of popular resort, like the Crystal Palace at London or the Trocadero at Paris. Boston, an exceptionally self-reliant metropolis, provides two full audiences a week for the symphony concerts in Music Hall for twenty-four weeks in the year, but it is known that this does not meet the expense of the orchestra. Experience furnishes no evidence of any such hunger for orchestral music among the general public of Philadelphia as would justify a reliance on its financial support for an orchestra of the class of that which private generosity has maintained at Boston and that has established a standard with which, as a business enterprise, it would be necessary to compete.

“Clearly, therefore, such an enterprise, if undertaken here, must be undertaken either in a missionary spirit by those who regard music as an elevating influence in the community, or for their own gratification, by those who wish for greater musical opportunities for themselves. In either case, or both, the promoters must expect to pay the piper. And this being the case, we should say that those who pay have an entire right to choose their piper—to organize their orchestra in their own way and put it in charge of whom they please.

“The discussion that has been going on recently upon this subject has run wide of the mark. It is not a question of the best way to organize an orchestra, but simply whether there is anybody ready to put up the money to have an orchestra at all. If there is not, the whole discussion is futile; if there is, we cannot see that the details concern anybody else. The rest of us can pay for our tickets and find fault, or we can let it alone, as we have done with so many excellent orchestra concerts, past and present. Something beside the purely musical appeal is required to attract an audience, very few of whom can know the actual difference between one band and another, except in size and in some of the more meretricious technical effects, and if this can be supplied by personal, social or fashionable interest and influence, there is that much gained.

“It is an old rule in Philadelphia, that when anybody undertakes to do anything, everybody else proposes a different way. This has always prevented the natural development of a local orchestra, and always will do so as long as the matter is open to public contention. The first essential to the establishment of a high-class orchestra is capital. If that is provided, the rest can be obtained, and those who provide it have the right to determine how to spend it, and the right also to command appreciation an support. Without this we can dispute till the cows come home with no more result than at any other time in the past forty years, during which time everybody has been agreed that Philadelphia should have such an orchestra, but no two agreed as to who should conduct it, or how it should be maintained.”

Public Leger, March 4, 1899:

“A Philadelphia Orchestra”

“The movement which has long been on foot to establish a permanent symphony orchestra in this city, one which should from its inception challenge favorable comparison with any other orchestra in the United States, and one in which all who take an interest in music might feel a justifiable pride, has now taken such definite shape that its accomplishment is practically assured.

“A perusal of the prospectus of the Philadelphia Permanent Orchestra which was issued yesterday by the committee who have piloted the undertaking into its present haven, an which will be found published in full on another page, shows that a paid-up fund of $250,000 is necessary for the work in hand. All who are interested in the civic progress of the city, an those in particular who are interested in music, are invited to contribute to the fund.

“The details of the scheme speak for themselves, but the pith of the understanding is that $200,000 of the fund shall be permanently invested and the interest used for the advancement of the orchestra, while the $50,000 cash balance is to be devoted to the current expenses of the first few years. Preference is to be given to musicians resident in Philadelphia, and the Board of Trustees is to select the leader from conductors of acknowledged reputation at home or abroad.

“That such an institution will be of great and permanent value to the city, there can be no possible doubt. A symphony orchestra of the calibre proposed is as essential to the musical taste of the rising generation as a well endowed public library is to their literary education. Without an acknowledged standard to judge by, musical taste and musical judgment become chaotic, and degenerate by feeding without discrimination on what is inferior.

“That such an organization will draw full houses, those who have seen the Academy packed to the ceiling at every concert given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra will not doubt, an the fact that Philadelphia has enabled a grand opera company of the first magnitude to give an extended season here with a large margin of profit for the past two years, is another demonstration of the existence of a large musical public. It must be admitted that the musical public of Philadelphia is peculiar in some respects; it has a rooted antipathy to mediocrity and an invincible dislike of being managed from New York. But the public know what they want. They have long wanted an orchestra—a real orchestra—of their own. Various obstacles have cropped up from time to time in the way, but the last one—the war with Spain—no longer exists; the way has been cleared and the time is ripe for the accomplishment of its desire.

“The names of the committee who will direct the affairs of the orchestra are substantial guarantees of an able, impartial and business-like administration of its affairs, and the names of those who have endorsed it financially, a list that will be double and trebled in a few days, are certain indications that the orchestra will shortly be an accomplished fact.”

Appendix N

Literature of Early Days

First Circular Announcing The Philadelphia Orchestra
Mailed in September, 1900, to About 4000 People

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

85 Performers
Mr. Fritz Scheel, Conductor

A series of six Symphony Concerts will be given at the Academy of Music during the season of 1900-1901, on the following dates: Friday evening, November 16; Friday evening, December 14; Friday evening, January 18; Friday evening, February 8; Wednesday evening, March 6; Friday evening, April 19.

Soloists of the first rank will assist at the concerts, and names will be announced as soon as pending engagements have been made.

The prices of season tickets, with reserve seats to the six concerts, are: Boxes with six seats $75; boxes with four seats $50; other seats $8, $6 and $4; proscenium boxes on application.

Sale of seats to holders of Patronesses’ Cards will begin at Miss Harris’s office, No. 1115 Chestnut Street, on Wednesday morning, October 10, at 9 o’clock.

The series announced above is the outgrowth of two Symphony Concerts given last winter for the benefit of sufferers by the Philippine War. The committee in charge was the auxiliary to the committee of ladies who supervised the Philippine concerts, and it is intended that the management of the series of the coming season shall be generally the same. To cover expenses of the concerts a guarantee fund has been subscribed, the amount of which is sufficient to meet the requirements of the present undertaking; but it is hoped that our people will give the concerts such liberal support as to prevent a deficit at the end of the season.

The Philippine concerts proved the availability of many of our resident musicians for work of the highest grade, and the committee has undertaken the task of organizing this series of concerts because it believes that with a sufficient number of rehearsals, under capable direction, our home players will be able to render great orchestral compositions efficiently and acceptably.

Mr. Scheel will insist upon frequent and thorough rehearsals of the music; and no labor nor expense will be spared to make the work of preparation complete and the musical results wholly satisfactory.

The committee feels, however, that without a widely spread interest among the people of Philadelphia, its chief object would not be realized. That object is largely to promote the musical culture of the city, and to improve its status as a center of musical effort. Therefore, an appeal is made to every Philadelphian who understands what this undertaking may mean to the city’s future musical life for active interest and co-operation.

Most useful help can be given to the movement by making its object known to friends and acquaintances; all personal effort will be an effective aid to the committee’s work.

Whether or not the receipts equal the expenses of the concerts, it is the hope of the committee that this movement for music in Philadelphia will receive hearty encouragement and support from every one who has a pride in the city’s artistic life.

Committee:   |

Henry Whelen, Jr.

John C. Sims

Edward G. McCollin

Oscar A. Knipe

Dr. Edward I. Keffer

Oliver Boyce Judson

John H. Ingham, Secretary,

508 Chestnut Street.

Circular Letter Mailed to Patronesses Who Had Not
Purchased Tickets About Ten Days Before Sale
to Public, October, 1900:

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

85 Performers

Mr. Fritz Scheel, Conductor

The Management of the Philadelphia Orchestra wishes to inform those interested in the concerts that the sale of season tickets has progressed most favorably. Of the forty-nine boxes forty-one have been sold, and about thirteen hundred seats have been taken. There now remain unsold but 140 seats in the Parquet, 103 in the Parquet Circle and 76 in the Balcony. Prompt application at Heppe’s Piano Rooms, 1115 Chestnut Street, will be necessary to secure choice places. Should these seats be disposed of, there will, of course, be no sale of reserved seats for single concerts.

Such widespread support is the best proof that the public of Philadelphia has undoubted faith, not only in the musical ability of Mr. Scheel and his men, but also in the value of this effort to advance the cause of orchestral music in our community. The attitude of the musical profession toward the project is clearly set forth in the enclose circular.

Committee:   |

Henry Whelen, Jr.

John C. Sims

Edward G. McCollin

Oscar A. Knipe

Dr. Edward I. Keffer

Oliver Boyce Judson

John H. Ingham.

Circular Issue About October 15, 1900,
for Press and for Soliciting Patronesses, to
be Enclosed With Other Literature:

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Mr. Fritz Scheel, Conductor

Believing that the public would be glad to hear what the Musical Profession in Philadelphia thinks of this undertaking, the committee in charge has written to a few of the leading musicians, asking for their views. Extracts from their replies are given below.

The intelligent and keen critical standpoint from which their life’s training enables them to judge, gives weight to their words, and the complete unanimity of opinion which they express is noteworthy.

From Mr. Thomas a’Becket, President, Pennsylvania State Music Teachers’ Association:

“Without a doubt the best man who has taken up residence in Philadelphia during the past forty years. This opinion is shared by the older of our orchestral musicians; also by men who have recently played under his conducting. It has been fully demonstrated, first, that Mr. Scheel has wonderful ability in handling musicians—amateur as well as professional—and drawing from them their best work; second, that there is in Philadelphia—which I have maintained for twenty-five years—the nucleus for a good orchestra. The great need has been the proper man to bring together conflicting elements. (The movement) has, indeed, my heartiest support.”

From Dr. Hugh A. Clarke, Professor of Music, University of Pennsylvania:

“I believe Mr. Scheel to be a leader of first-rate ability in every respect. His work during the past winter gives ample evidence of his high standing as a musician and a conductor. The movement for the establishment of an orchestra in Philadelphia has my most cordial support, as I am convinced that it has now taken the right shape and is in the hands of the right people.”

From Mr. W. W. Gilchrist, Principal of the Central Conservatory of Music, Leader of the Mendelssohn Club, Leader of the Harrisburg Oratorio Society, etc.:

“Those in whose judgment I have confidence speak very highly of him. The movement has my cordial support.”

From Dr. Alfred C. Lambdin, Musical Editor, of “The Philadelphia Times.”

“To the broad musical knowledge, the imaginative perception, the technical accomplishment that makes up the interpretive artist of high rank, he seems to add those peculiar personal qualities, the power of expressing his musical ideas through the medium of others, that differentiate the real ‘conductor.’ The value of such a man in any musical community is measured only by his opportunity. The great value of Mr. Scheel’s work this winter has been in the fresh and full artistic authority, which he has brought to bear upon our disorganized musical forces here. The two concerts at the Academy abundantly demonstrated what can be done under such leadership and how it can be done. The movement, therefore, to continue that work, and develop it on the lines already laid down, commands my most cordial support.”

From Mr. D. D. Wood, Organist of St. Stephen’s Church, Instructor at Philadelphia Musical Academy, Teacher of Harmony, Counterpoint, etc.:

“Mr. Scheel is possessed of all those rare qualifications which go to make up a great leader.

“He is most excellent musician of large and varied experience, an earnest and conscientious worker, a man of great personal magnetism, and thoroughly capable of making the very best of the means at his disposal. As a conductor he deserves a place in the very first rank.

“The work accomplished by Mr. Scheel during the past winter has been eminently successful, and deserves the cordial recognition of all true lovers of musical art, and of all who are interested in the progress of that art in our city.

“I am in hearty sympathy with the movement set forth in your circular.”

Footnotes:

[1] O. G. Sonneck: “Early Concert Life in America.”

[2] J. F. Sachse: “The Missive of Justus Falckner of Germantown, Concerning the Religious Condition of Pennsylvania in the Year 1701.”

[3] Robert R. Drummond: “Early German Music in Philadelphia.”

[4] Sonneck: “Francis Hopkinson and James Lyon.”

[5] Drummond: “Early German Music in Philadelphia.”

[6] Drummond: “Early German Music in Philadelphia.”

[7] For full text of Prospectus, see Appendix M.

[8] After a year of work the total sum promised was $50,000.

[9] At this time Willow Grove Park, fifteen miles out of Philadelphia, was the foremost summer musical center.

[10] Programme of March 27th and 28th, 1925.

[11] See Appendix D.

[12] For remaining programmes see Appendix J.

[13] For Charter see Appendix A.

[14] For present membership see Appendix K.

[15] For present membership see Appendix K.

[16] For present membership see Appendix K.

[17] See Appendix K.

[18] See Appendix K.

[19] See In Memoriam.

[20] See In Memoriam

[21] See Appendix D.

[22] See Page 69.

[23] First performance in America.

[24] Philadelphian.

[25] First performance in America.

[26] Philadelphian.

[27] First performance in America.

[28] Philadelphian.

[29] Philadelphian.

[30] Philadelphian.

[31] Philadelphian.

[32] Philadelphian.

[33] Philadelphian.

[34] Philadelphian.

[35] Philadelphian.

[36] Programme book, November 19th and 20th, 1920.

[37] See Appendix G.

[38] See Appendix L.

[39] Sonneck: “Early Concert Life.”

[40] By-laws, 1920.

[41] For full list of performances, see Appendix E.

[42] First performance in America.

[43] First performance in America.

[44] First performance in America.

[45] First performance in America.

[46] First performance in America.

[47] Philadelphian.

[48] First performance in America.

[49] First performance in America.

[50] Philadelphian.

[51] First performance in America.

[52] First performance in America.

[53] First performance in America.

[54] First performance in America.

[55] Philadelphian.

[56] First performance in America.

[57] First performance in America.

[58] First performance in America.

[59] First performance in America.

[60] First performance in America.

[61] First performance in America.

[62] First performance in America.

[63] First performance in America.

[64] Died during the season and his place filled by Mrs. Harold E. Yarnall.

[65] Resigned during the season.

[66] Died during the season and his place taken by William Jay Turner.

[67] NOTE—Figures following names denote year of admission.

[68] The officers were: Chairman, Mrs. W. H. H. Robinson; Treasurer, Mrs. Edward I. Keffer; Secretary, Miss Edith Lee Hutchinson.

Transcriber’s Notes:

The illustrations have been moved so that they do not break up paragraphs and so that they are next to the text they illustrate.

Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.