“The entire cast, chorus, orchestra and conductor were brought across New Jersey. The Philadelphia Orchestra, numbering for this occasion 110 players; the Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus, a Children’s Chorus, the Philadelphia Choral Society, the Mendelssohn Club and the Fortnightly Club, constituted the choral forces. The presiding genius of all was Leopold Stokowski, the gifted and accomplished young conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. “NOT A BOX OFFICE SYMPHONY “Mahler’s Eighth Symphony quite properly belongs to the class of compositions sought by the Society of the Friends of Music. It does not court the attention of musical directors, who must consider the wishes of the general public or the demands of the box office. New Yorkers may regret that a local orchestra and local choruses were not chosen for the presentation of the work; but only by preparing for more than one performance could the projectors of this production have hoped to complete their undertaking without losses too heavy to confront. Mahler was not troubling himself with practical considerations when he wrote the composition. He had a purpose, which he carried out in the seclusion of his study. And if Hector Berlioz might write a requiem mass fit only for festival occasions, why not Mahler an Eighth Symphony?” “After the New York performance, W. J. Henderson said: “If Philadelphia believes that Mr. Stokowski is essential to her musical development, let her decline to permit him to conduct great concerts in New York. This is a piece of perfectly disinterested advice. “The _Sun’s_ musical chronicler would be delighted to see Mr. Stokowski a New York conductor. He has personality, force, authority, temperament, scholarship and imagination. His conducting of the Mahler Symphony was masterly. He would be a valuable factor in the musical life of New York.” Although the Philadelphia Orchestra is a serious working organization, it has its moments of relaxation and pleasure. Such a one was the reception and dinner given by Mr. Van Rensselaer to the members of the Mahler Chorus on March 16th, 1916, at which the following programme was presented: HORTICULTURAL HALL BROAD STREET, PHILADELPHIA PROGRAMME OF MR. ALEXANDER VAN RENSSELAER’S BUFFET DINNER Thursday Evening, March 16th, at Seven o’Clock Given to the Members of the Mahler Choruses and the Philadelphia Orchestra (dismembered) Philadelphia Orchestra Soloists Horsecar Schwer!!! that’s all Ham Byndler!! Solo-Killest PROGRAMME