T seems a long time ago that New York | sary to their continuance when once or

I city attained its undoubted position as ganized.

the metropolis of the Western Continent, and yet for many years it lagged far behind most of the second and third rate cities of Europe in all that related to music. America had not then produced that brilliant galaxy of singers which is to-day receiving the well-earned plaudits of the Old and New worlds. She had not attracted to her shores those who stood foremost as singers, virtuosi, or conductors. With the exception of psalmodists and tune and ballad writers, American composers were unhonored and unknown. There was neither the material from which to form orchestras or choruses on a grand scale, nor an appreciative public, neces

The great artists of the Old World feared the ocean voyage; it was seldom that European favorites such as Jenny Lind or Jullien could be tempted to adventure so doubtful a field, and when they did come, it was for a brief stay only. In a few weeks or months they would traverse the country, and then return home, loaded with honors-and cash. As a rule, we were obliged to content ourselves with artists whose powers were on the wane, and whose popularity at home was declining.

The mighty upheaval of society caused by our civil war has resulted in a wonderful re-adjustment of our thoughts, hab

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by Harper and Brothers, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

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its, and tastes. Year after year finds our | this country when he was ten years of age. audiences growing in size, and becoming Successively a child-violinist, member of more exacting, critical, and appreciative. an orchestra, one of a string quartette, In constantly increasing numbers the mu- leader of Italian and German opera comsicians of Europe visit us, and in many in-panies, violin soloist, and conductor of his stances their stay is indefinitely prolong- own orchestra, he has run through the ed. The piano no longer monopolizes whole gamut of musical practice. By the energies of our young music students. many he is regarded as the "apostle" of The violin and the various orchestral in- Wagner and the new school, whose music struments receive more attention each through his instrumentality has become year from American youth. But above to us familiar as household words." If all we have developed composers, conduct- this implies a neglect of the old masters, ors, organists, and critics from among our it does him a great injustice. A comparown people, whose influence for good can ison of names on the programmes shows not be overestimated; who have taught that Beethoven has been oftener presentthousands what good music is, and have ed than Wagner, and Haydn, Mozart, elevated the taste of the entire public who Schubert, and Mendelssohn oftener than care for music at all. Liszt, Brahms, and Berlioz. Mr. Thomas is not wedded to any particular school; but with a strong leaning to that of Wagner, he has always kept in view the sterling and beautiful compositions of all the great masters, and has played the best orchestral music, old and new, against opposition and misrepresentation, often the result of indifference or prejudice.

The fine arts and the drama have made marked progress throughout the United States during the last generation, but in neither of these has the advance been so great as in music. The change, noticeable all over the country, is of necessity more perceptible in New York than elsewhere. Including the adjoining cities, which practically are a part of New York, the population within an equal radius exceeds that of Paris, and is more than half that of London. Having numerous avenues of enjoyment, a pleasure-loving population, the city is a Mecca for the pleasure-pilgrims of America. In New York the wealth of the country is centred; trade, industry, and commerce are to a great extent regulated by its markets, and by the capitalists and merchant princes who make it their home. The cosmopolitan character of the city is plainly apparent in its population. Britons, Irish, Germans, French, Italians, are all present in such large numbers that the different nationalities impress their characteristics upon the city.

In 1861 he began the formation of an orchestra that for seventeen years was the pride and boast of New York; and as soon as he felt that he could safely rely on the support of the public in an enterprise that should appeal to the cultivated taste, the famous Symphony concerts were begun, and these were artistically his greatest success. That the orchestra might remain together during the whole year, the famous Summer-night Festivals were instituted in 1866. There, with an orchestra capable of interpreting any work, Mr. Thomas did not seek to enforce a severe class of music, but gave the public dance music, marches, and selections from the popular operas, as well as compositions of a higher order. By this means the frequenters of the Terrace and Central Park gardens by degrees grew to like and ask for the better music, and trivial

Nearly as many classes of music are to be heard as there are nations represented. French, German, Italian opera; English glees, German Lieder; Thomas's Symphony concerts and the Pirates of Pen-ities were gradually dismissed. It seemzance, the Messiah and Jubilee Singers, Lohengrin and the Royal Middy, all find an appreciative audience.

In considering the musicians of New York, one colossal figure stands, like Saul, head and shoulders above his brethren. England received Handel from Hanover, and to the same little kingdom America is indebted for Theodore Thomas. He holds an exceptional position in the history of music in America. He came to

ed a hazardous experiment to give daily concerts in Fifty-ninth Street and Sixtythird Street at a time when the centre of population was two miles down town, and when slow horse-cars were the only means of access; but distance could not keep away the great public, to whom these concerts were the Symphony and Philharmonic concerts of the select few.

When the plan was adopted of giving an entire evening to the works of one