“Tausend Künstler” Schreiner Bavarian (First time in America) “This work really requires ‘more men,’ but Herr Schwer thinks he can handle it alone. The principal theme is of a martial and military nature. Mr. Schwer only had one rival, and that man died long ago. You will not have much difficulty in following Mr. Schwer, for in this work the performer is very much in evidence at all times. He is very familiar with all of the instruments required for this composition. He has ‘hit them’ very often and possesses an unusual amount of originalitye. ‘TO SEE IT IS TO APPRECIATE IT.’ Mr. Schwer will depict thunder claps, echoes, bombardments, combats, cavalry charges, charge accounts, railroad wrecks, and many other scenic effects while performing this work.” * * * * * PERSONNEL OF ORCHESTRA “Mozart Symphony J. K. WITZEMANN, Schroon Lake, N. Y. F. W. COOK, Hampton Beach, N. H. EMIL HAHL, Willow Grove, Pa. LOUIS BOEHSE, Profile House, N. H. ANTON HORNER, Stone Harbor, N. J. JOSEPH HORNER, Tent City, Cal. “Conductors—(negotiations pending).” This occasion was much enjoyed by about 1200 guests, to whom an evening of musical fun was somewhat of a novelty. After the production of the Mahler Symphony the Philadelphia Orchestra became the most talked of orchestra in America. Its reputation was made. This success, however, did not bring about any abatement in the conductor’s zeal, or make him relinquish his aims for the perfection of the orchestra. On the part of the Board of Directors the result was a determination to put the orchestra on a firm financial basis. This desire was so great on the part of one of them, who wished to remain unknown, that he planned a course of action which involved a large expenditure on his part, but which with the co-operation of 1200 Philadelphians made it possible to roll up in seven years a fund of approximately $800,000. CHAPTER II THE SEVEN YEAR ENDOWMENT FUND, 1916 The question of placing the Philadelphia Orchestra on a firm financial foundation had been under consideration for a long time by the Board of Directors. Each year the Guarantee Fund was becoming more difficult to secure and more of a burden; besides which hand-to-mouth financing is not a very creditable path to travel indefinitely. When these discussions arose, the first question always was “How can we solicit money for a permanent fund and beg for a Guarantee Fund at the same time?” That question always ended against a blank wall. No answer suggested itself until in May, 1916, Mr. Van Rensselaer received a communication from a person who wished to remain unknown, so he later received the title “Unknown Donor.”