“Dr. Stokowski declared that the music spoke for itself and that the orchestra was heartily glad when it gave pleasure to its hearers. Dr. Hart, in behalf of a committee, made an eloquent and feeling speech in deserved tribute to Mr. Van Rensselaer, and presented a silver urn of enormous dimensions, together with a set of resolutions. “The members of the committee standing with Dr. Hart were Miss Frances Wister, Miss Anne Thomson, Mr. Judson and Dr. Rich, and the actual presentation was made by Miss Thomson. The orchestra blew a fanfare and the audience stood and applauded.” * * * * * _Public Ledger_, November 20th, 1920, Editorial: “TWENTY YEARS IN MUSIC “In signalizing its twentieth anniversary with a revival of the original programme directed by Fritz Scheel on November 16th, 1900, the Philadelphia Orchestra has enabled its friends to indulge in pleasurable reflections. “It is difficult, of course, to recall accurately, the artistry of any performance, musical or dramatic, after a lapse of two decades. But a highly sensitized memory is not needed in this instance. Between the most pioneering effort of the orchestra, which ventured upon only six concerts in its first season, and the authority and artistic opulence of the present organization, there is a disparity in which the whole community can take the profoundest pride. “Not only has the orchestra headed by Mr. Stokowski attained to a position of splendid leadership in the realm of music, but the esthetic standards of Philadelphia have admirably kept pace. Without affectation it may be said that the growth of musical culture in this city during the last score of years has been gratifyingly vigorous, unsurpassed here in any previous period of similar length.” * * * * * “Cultural appreciation, it is said, usually follows an era of fervent inspiration. Evidently it is an age of the former in which we are now dwelling, hence the abiding charm and appeal of a twenty-year-old programme. The new honors, well worth an anniversary observance, are for the interpreters.” To those who had devoted years of effort to the orchestra, this occasion was full of interest. Their thoughts flew back to memories of Fritz Scheel and the early struggles; to the advent of Leopold Stokowski and the advance of the orchestra to its present position; to the changed attitude of the public. A procession of events seemed to march down the years; the inauguration of a Pension Fund; the Mahler Symphony and the Chorus; the Peoples’ Concerts; the University of Pennsylvania Concerts; the effort for Popular and Sunday Concerts. Such recollections made the life of the Philadelphia Orchestra seem full and vigorous.