Philharmonic Society of New York Board of Directors Meeting

“Philharmonic board sat near two hours at Steinway—all present. I found them (Hill excepted) in high wrath. We had arranged with that guileful Israelite Maurice Grau, that Rubinstein should lead his ‘Ocean’ symphony at our next concert, for which loan of that maestro, & also of Wieniawski, we were to disburse $1000.00. It was one of our conditions that Rubinstein should not produce that symphony in New York till after he had conducted it for us. Now Mr. Grau advertises it for next Monday night, at a private concert speculation of his own. The board was strongly inclined to repudiate Mr. Rubinstein, & change the whole programme, though it has been advertised & announced. Bergmann was particularly irate, & Bergner talked mere tincture of capsicum. I held forth (though presiding, being called on for my opinion) against the proposed change—talked long & earnestly, & I think produced some effect. The question was referred to a meeting of the society. I favored this course, for one of the points on the other side was that the orchestra was so exasperated that it would not receive Rubinstein civilly, or play with spirit under him as leader, & I wanted to see what their temper really was.”