A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Thomas, Theodore

by F. H. Jenks

THOMAS, Theodore, born Oct. 11, 1835, at Esens, in Hanover; received his first musical nstruction from his father, a violinist, and at the age of six made a successful public appearance. The family emigrated to the United States in 1845, and for two years Theodore made frequent appearances as a solo violinist in concerts at New York. In 1851 he made a trip through the Southern States. Returning to New York he was engaged as one of the first violins in concerts and operatic performances during the engagements of Jenny Lind, Sontag, Grisi, Mario, etc. He occupied the position of leading violin under Arditi, and subsequently, the same position in German and Italian troupes, a part of the time officiating as conductor, until 1861, when he withdrew from the theatre. In 1855 he began a series of chamber-concerts at New York, with W. Mason, J. Mosenthal, Carl Bergmann, G. Matzka, and F. Bergner, which were continued every season until 1869. In 1864 Mr. Thomas began his first series of symphony concerts at Irving Hall, New York, which were continued for five seasons, with varying success. In 1872 the symphony concerts were resumed and carried on until he left New York in 1878. Steinway Hall was used for these concerts, and the orchestra numbered eighty performers. In the summer of 1866, in order to secure that efficiency which can only come from constant practice together, he began the experiment of giving nightly concerts at the Terrace Garden, New York, removing, in 1868, to larger quarters at the Central Park Garden. In 1869 he made his first concert tour through the Eastern and Western States. The orchestra, at first numbering forty players, was, in subsequent seasons, increased to sixty. The programmes presented during these trips, as well as at New York, were noticeable for their catholic nature, and for the great number of novelties brought out. But it was also noticeable that the evenings devoted to the severer class of music, old or new, in the Garden concerts at New York, were often the most fully attended. Thomas's tendencies, it was plainly seen, were toward the new school of music; but he was none the less attentive to the old, and he introduced to American amateurs a large number of compositions by the older masters. The repertory of the orchestra was very large, and included compositions in every school. In 1878 Thomas was appointed director of the new College of Music at Cincinnati. In April, 1879, he was unanimously elected conductor of the New York Philharmonic Society, a position which he had occupied in the season of 1877–78. The concerts by the Brooklyn Philharmonic Society were in his charge during the seasons of 1862, 1866 to 1870 inclusive, and have been since his last election, May 26, 1873. He has directed several festivals at Cincinnati and New York since 1873. In 1883 he went from New York to San Francisco with an orchestra and several eminent singers, giving, on his way, concerts in the principal cities. In some cities embraced in this tour, notably Baltimore, Pittsburg, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Denver, and San Francisco, festivals, in which were included performances of important choral works, were given with the aid of local societies under his direction. Mr. Thomas withdrew from the College of Music at Cincinnati in 1880. At present (1883) he is director of the Philharmonic Societies of Brooklyn and New York, and of the New York Chorus Society. [App. p.799 "Add that the famous orchestra formed by him was disbanded in 1888."]

[ F. H. J. ]