.

1899. Dec. 30. H. W. Parker's "Northern Ballad" given by the
Boston Symphony Orchestra.

CHAPTER VIII

1900

The first decade of the twentieth century was noteworthy for the
establishment of orchestras throughout the land. During the nineteenth
century the development of the resources of the country and the increase
of its wealth and population was phenomenal. In 1900 the population of
the United States was about seventy-five millions. Chicago, which was
practically non-existent in 1800, had a population of about two millions
and was already a rival of New York. Railroads, unknown at the beginning
of the nineteenth century, had covered the country with a network of
communications and caused the growth of large cities in places far
remote from the civilization of the year 1800.

We find Minneapolis establishing an orchestra in 1902, St. Paul in 1905,
New Orleans in 1906, Seattle in 1908, while the Symphony Society of New
York was reorganized in 1905, and a Russian Symphony orchestra
established in New York City. The term "Symphony Orchestra" has been
universally adopted, till we have symphony orchestras even in the moving
picture houses. In Grove's Dictionary (edition of 1890) the only
symphony orchestra mentioned is "the Boston Symphony Orchestra," though
the "Symphony Society" of New York is also listed. It seems then that
the term "symphony" applied to an orchestra is an American qualification
signifying complete equipment, and at least good intentions.

During this period the New York Philharmonic Society adopted the plan,
for three successive years, of engaging visiting, or guest conductors,
and in this way a number of the most prominent European conductors were
introduced to the American public.

A few American composers emerged, and of them the most frequently found
were Frederick S. Converse and Henry K. Hadley, of whose works several
were produced by the leading orchestras and opera companies.

The list of virtuosi is also long. Among pianists Harold Bauer and Ossip
Gabrilovitsch appeared in 1900, and later came Rudolf Ganz, Josef
Lhevinne, Katherine Goodson, and Serge Rachmaninof. Among violinists,
Kubelik, Kocian, Hugo Heermann, Jacques Thibaud, Efrem Zimbalist and
Arthur Spalding, only the last being of American birth.

The list of singers is long, and is chiefly associated with opera.
Louise Homer, an American, made her debut in 1900, and Geraldine Farrar,
another American, in 190