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THE ORCHESTRA Theodore Thomas
THREE
THEODORE THOMAS was a great commander. He not only had a born gift for leadership, but he had served well in the ranks, so that when he wanted something done he could generally show a musician how to do it. He was one of the early American concert musicians and his particular distinction lies in the fact that he was the great pioneer in the organization and upbuilding of the large orchestra in the United States. Theodore Thomas was born in Esens, East Friesland, on the North Sea, on October 11., 1835. He came by his musical talents naturally, for his father was a violinist. The family emigrated to the United States when Theodore was ten years old. Theodore learned to play the violin at an early age, and appeared in many concerts in New York as a soloist before he was fifteen. When he was sixteen he made a successful tour of the Southern States, and on returning to New York played the first violin in concerts given by Jenny Lind, "the Swedish Nightingale," and the celebrated tenor, Mario. Then he joined the orchestra conducted by Arditi, of old-time opera fame, and for ten years played as concert master in wandering opera companies. In 1855, in company with the dis tiguished pianist, Dr. William Mason, Thomas began a series of chamber concerts in New York City, which were continued up until 1869. In 1864 he inaugurated a series of symphony concerts in New York, which were continued for five years, and then resumed in the years between 1872 and 1878. In order to keep his men together and maintain true music discipline, he gave summer concerts in various gardens. In this way the "Thomas Orchestra" became a well-known and popular institution.
Theodore Thomas was always a master at making programs, and his concerts had a high educational value on account of the rare judgment that he used in selecting, not only from the classics, but from the newer works of music, pieces that - would invite and improve the public taste. Theodore Thomas and his orchestra fared badly at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. As a result his men were disbanded and he was compelled to turn to teaching. He devoted two years to directing the College of Music in Cincinnati, and then in 1878 he returned to New York to accept the leadership of the Philharmonic Society, the oldest orchestral organization in the United States. He retired from the Cincinnati College of Music in 1880, but kept in touch with that city by directing the May festivals there each year during the rest of his life. He settled in New York and collected a fine orchestra, which in 1883 toured from New York to San Francisco and return. On the expiration of his term as conductor of the Philharmonic Society, a very liberal offer was made to him to organize a similar symphony orchestra in Chicago. This he accepted an(] a contract was signed in December, 1890. 'lhere Theodore Thomas came fully into his own. His years of labor were crowned with a success universally acknowledged. A symphony hall was built by popular subscription especially as.a home for his musical organization. During the years that remained to him he toured many cities with his great Chicago Orchestra, and his concerts were everywhere hailed as musical events of the first importance.
Mr. Thomas was twice married, first in 1864 to Miss Minna L. Rhodes, who died on April 4, 1889; then, on May 7, 1890, to Miss Rose Fay, a sister of the well-known pianist, Miss Amy Fay. Theodore Thomas died in Chicago on January 4, 1905.
Mr. Thomas was abrupt and determined in manner, but he possessed a kindly heart. He knew his players well, both as men and as musicians, and was a warm friend to them. He was a thorough musical scholar, and a forceful, commanding figure in the moulding of the music history of America. The music world of today owes much to him.
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 5, No. 1, SERIAL No. 125 COPYRIGHT. 1917, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION. INC.
