Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 1, No. 5 (1927-02)

200 The Phonograph Monthly Review "3WV The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Exclusive Victor Artists Founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891 T HE Chicago Symphony Orchestra has one of the most interesting and outstanding records of any American musical organiza- tion. In 1891, Theodore Thomas founded it with the support of a number of public-spirited Chicagoans. It remained under his direction until his death in 1905, when the conductorship was given to his assistant, Frederick Stock, who has remained as conductor since that time. Its official title has undergone several changes: first known as the Chicago Orchestra, it later bore the name of its founder, and is now called the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, founded by Theo- dore Thomas, thus giving due honor both to the city and the individual who established and main- tained it. Theodore Thomas first became known in Chicago through his visiting concerts with his own orchestra from New York. His first con- cert was given there in 1869 when Chicago was smaller in population than Cincinnati and St. Louis. When Thomas’ enterprises in New York met with considerable difficulties, fifty-two guar- antors were enlisted from the citizens of Chicago, an Orchestral Association was organized, and Mr. Thomas was engaged as Director. At first, financial troubles threatened to swamp the new orchestra, but public subscriptions enabled the work to be carried on. The Chicago Orchestra is unique in that it has been financed largely by the citizens, contributing comparatively small amounts, rather than by one or a few rich men. In 1904 popular subscriptions from about 8,500 contributors enabled the Orchestra to build its own home, Orchestral Hall, now one of the centers of the musical life of the city. The governing body of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the Orchestral Association, consist- ing of forty members appointed for life. Mem- bership is regarded as an honorable distinction, and the community pride in the orchestra and its directors is very strong. Like most of the other large symphony orches- tras, the Chicago Symphony has established an old age pension fund for the benefit of its mem- bers. This pension fund is maintained entirely by contributions and no assessment is made upon the players, a most creditable arrangement and one which strongly bears out the pride which Chicagoans feel toward the organization and all its members. The list of concerts given during the season in Chicago and nearby cities is an imposing one. Twenty-eight successive Friday afternoon and twenty-eight successive Saturday evening con- certs are given at Orchestral Hall in the regular series, the longest continued season of symphony concerts in America. Twelve Tuesday afternoon concerts (to accommodate people unable to obtain seats for the other series) and eight concerts at the University of Chicago are also given. Then there are two identical series of six concerts each for children, illustrated by stereopticon slides and explanatory remarks by Dr. Stock. Sixteen popular concerts are given, established in 1914, drawing upon factory and mill workers for their audiences. Tickets are obtained at a nominal price through Settlement Houses, Welfare De- partments of industrial plants, factories, etc. Outside of Chicago ten symphony and two children’s concerts are given in Milwaukee and two symphony and one children’s concerts in Aurora, 111. The Orchestral Association is also prominent in the work of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, donating the use of the hall for concerts and rehearsals, the use of the library, and also the services of its conductor and assistant conductor. Many players in Middle Western symphony or- chestras have been recruited from the ranks of this valuable training school. The present conductor, Doctor Frederick Stock, was born in Julich, Germany, November 11, 1872, and studied music under his father, a bandmaster, and later the violin at the Cologne Conservatory and composition, theory, etc., with Humperdinck, Zoellner, Jensen, and Woellner. He came to America in 1895 to become a member of the Chi- cago Orchestra and within four years was made assistant conductor. On the death of Theodore Thomas in 1905, the Orchestral Association con- sidered all the noted conductors of Europe to fill his place, but finally wisely gave the honor to Stock, whose ability had been so well proved to them. He has held the post continuously since that time, with the exception of a short while in 1918 while he was awaiting the completion of his American Citizenship. The esteem which his abilities and pleasing personality have won for him in Chicago, and all over the country, is of the very highest and most sincere type. Doctor Stock is also a composer of distinction and numbers among his compositions two sym- phonies, overtures to “Life’s Springtide,” “To a Romantic Comedy,” and “Nature,” Symphonic Variations, Symphonic Sketches, a Symphonic Waltz, tone-poem “Life” in memory of Theodore Thomas, a violin concerto (performed by Zim- balist), festival marches and hymns, and many chamber and small works. His orchestral ar- rangements, particularly his re-orchestration of Schumann’s Third (Rhenish) Symphony are well known and admired. Dr. Stock’s programs well illustrate his far- ranging musicianship. The full standard reper- tory is included, but modern and native works