Article on the need for more popular concerts in New York City

Event Information

Venue(s):

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

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
1 August 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

12 Sep 1869

Citations

1)
Article: New-York Times, 09 September 1869, 4.

Begins with paragraph favorably describing life in New York City in general terms.

“All these good points, and many more, may be set down in favor of New-York as a residence, but it must be admitted on the other side that the City is not rich in public places of amusement. In this respect we are behind the age. For men whose whole time is not absolutely engaged in business, there are no resources outside their own houses. Learned societies do not tempt men of the highest culture, and the quick revolutions of political life deter this class from attempting the work of practical statesmanship. The classes which have less leisure, and are obliged to work harder, are no better off. They find few healthy means of recreation, and consequently they too often take refuge in the dram shop. Public gardens and picture galleries do more to diminish intemperance than all the prohibitive measures which could be devised. There has not been time to found a national collection of pictures, and indeed the old leaven of Puritanism has been a little too powerful to encourage such undertakings. That people are worse for indulging in ‘shows’ and amusements is still the belief of a large and estimable portion of the community. We have some theatres which would be a credit to any country, and performers not to be matched in England, but it is not always that the entertainments are of the highest class. Then as regards music, can we deem ourselves specially favored by fortune? There are few opportunities available to the general public of hearing first-class compositions played by a well-trained band. An experiment in the right direction has, indeed, been made my Mr. Theodore Thomas at Central Park Garden. There is a commodious hall, and a garden at the back sufficiently large for a promenade; above all, the orchestra is well trained, and the selection of music, if sometimes a little profuse and incongruous, is at least calculated to furnish something for all tastes. Concerts of the same kind in a more truly central position would doubtless be liberally supported during the Winter months. But one swallow does not make a Summer. Mr. Thomas cannot himself supply the demand for good music which exists in a city like this. Even the managers of theatres might help us by paying a little more attention to their orchestras. Two or three are all that can be desired, but common tunes, played in a slovenly manner, are what we usually look for and get in the temple of the Muses. The banging of drums or the crash of cymbals—a confused roar and hurly-burly—supersede old-fashioned melody. Good music is more difficult of access to most of the people than a good dinner. As for the Germans, they can very well take care of themselves. If, besides the opportunity of hearing the masterpieces of great composers, there were a few more cheap and comfortable reading-rooms in the City, can anyone doubt that they would be a success?...”

Concludes with paragraph about children’s amusements and the need for a zoo.