A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Philharmonic Society, The (Brooklyn)

by F. H. Jenks

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY, THE, Brooklyn, new York, incorporated 1857. Its declared object is the 'advancement of music in the city of Brooklyn, by procuring the public performance of the best works in this department of art.' Its affairs are controlled by a directory of 25 members, chosen annually, from which a government is appointed. Membership is secured by payment of the subscription annually designated by the directors, who also prescribe the number of these subscriptions, limited, for several years, to 1200. Beginning in the autumn of 1857, five or more concerts have been given in each season, that at the close of the 21st season, May 10, 1879, being the 108th—each preceded by three public rehearsals. During the first five seasons the concerts were given at the Brooklyn Athenæum. Since 1862, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a large theatre holding nearly 3000 people, has been made use of. The orchestral conductors have been Theodore Eisfeld, 1857–62; Theodore Thomas, part of 1862; Mr. Eisfeld again, until the election of Carl Bergmann, September 5, 1865; Mr. Thomas, re-elected September 4, 1866; Mr. Bergmann again, 1870–73; succeeded May 26, 1873, by Mr. Thomas, who still retains the position (1879), assisted by William G. Dietrich, who has charge of the orchestra at the first two rehearsals of each concert. The concerts have always been of a high order; the orchestra large and composed of the best musicians procurable; the programmes of a catholic nature, no especial school of music having undue prominence. Important works have been produced for the first time in America, including several by native composers. Large choral works have occasionally figured on the society's programmes, as well as solos and instrumental concertos. The society's library contains the scores and parts of over 100 orchestral works. Officers 1878–79: L. B. Wyman, president; H. K. Sheldon, B. H. Smith, vice-presidents; C. L. Burnet, treasurer; B. T. Frothingham, secretary.

[ F. H. J. ]