Article on Thomas Orchestra concerts at the Central Park Garden

Event Information

Venue(s):
Central Park Garden

Manager / Director:
J. [manager] Gosche

Conductor(s):
Theodore Thomas [see also Thomas Orchestra]

Event Type:
Orchestral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
21 February 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

27 Jul 1869

Performers and/or Works Performed

Citations

1)
Article: New York Herald, 27 July 1869, 3.

“This popular place of amusement meets with uninterrupted success. Even such unfavorable weather as there was yesterday and last night did not prevent a large audience being present, while on every night when the weather is fair the immense hall and the saloons and garden adjoining are crowded, and these will hold comfortably four to five thousand people. It is essentially the summer amusement of the people of New York. It supersedes and leaves all the theatres in the shade. Here people can listen to the finest music from the first combination of performers in the country, as well as from the first soloists, while they enjoy the cool, fresh air or indulge in a social glass of wine, take ice cream, lager beer or supper, or anything else that a first class restaurant or hotel can supply. Families and parties group round the tables, which are placed in every part of the large hall, saloons and garden, and enjoy themselves in this way, while the orchestra or band is playing. Or they promenade in couples as in a grand ball room, through the wide passages and around the refreshing fountains and shrubbery. Gentlemen indulge in smoking their Havanas, except in one of the halls appropriated to those who do object to the fumes of cigars. The whole place is delightfully cool, for even when the weather is hot in the lower part of the city people get here the fresh air from the Park. The gardens are on the highest part of the island except the ridge along Washington Heights. Last night the programme of performances was chiefly made up of the choicest waltzes and polkas, with several overtures and marches. This is always so on Monday nights to suit the particular audiences that attend on these nights especially. On Friday nights the programme is made up of classic music, for then the musicians and artists usually attend. But it is varied every night, and the wonder is how Mr. Theodore Thomas can find in the range of music such a charming variety. There are forty-two performers, every one of whom is thorough in his profession and a soloist. This, perhaps, cannot be said of any other band or orchestra in the world. The star is, however, Mr. Levy, who usually performs two or three solo parts on the cornet-a-piston and who is invariably encored and loudly applauded. He has a splendid instrument and is, as a performer on it, the successor of Koenig. As to the chief and conductor himself, Mr. Theodore Thomas, it is hardly necessary to speak. The public of New York and the American public generally know of his great talents as a musician, conductor and manager. No man has done so much to stimulate the cultivation of music, and that of the highest order, in this country, and the people owe him for that a lasting debt of gratitude. Mr. Gosche, who is the partner of Mr. Thomas in the Central Park Garden business, and who has the general management, has so well managed as to make this place select and popular at the same time. There is no rowdyism or bad characters, and nothing to offend the most fastidious. Indeed, it is a place of resort for the most respectable families, and nowhere can they spend a more agreeable hour or two. There will be a grand testimonial performance for the benefit of Mr. Theodore Thomas, on Friday evening, the 4th of August, when, no doubt, the New York public will show their appreciation of the talents and services of this gentleman.”