Paur and the Pittsburgh: Requiem for an Orchestra

Abstract

The Symphony Orchestra is unique among the major orchestral ensembles of the United States in boasting two distinct histories during its ninety-three years of existence. In the first of these histories, three distinguished music directors (Frederic Archer, Victor Herbert, and Emil Paur) guided an ensemble, known simply as the Pittsburgh Orchestra, from struggling infancy through a period of remarkable artistic success to its disbandment as a result of chronic financial problems-in only fourteen seasons (1896-1910). Following its collapse, sixteen years passed before established a second professional orchestra -and, in the process, laid the foundation for the first-rate ensemble that is still identified with the city today. A wealth of detail pertaining to the early history of the Orchestra exists in the extensive collection of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and concert programs now housed in the music division of the city's Carnegie Library.' These papers, with their accounts of financial failure in the face of musical success, suggest uncomfortable parallels with the plight of several orchestras today. Incentive for the establishment of a permanent professional orchestra in was provided when Andrew Carnegie donated to his adopted city the imposing Carnegie Library building, complete with its sumptuous music hall. The beginnings of the orchestra were modest; during its first year, fifty players were employed for a twelve-week season. Ten afternoon and ten evening concerts were presented under