Theodore Thomas A Musical Autobiography . In Two Volumes, with Portraits and Views Vol. I. Life Work With an Appreciation and Personal Recollection, and a Detailed Account of His More Important Work . and an Appendix. Vol. II. Concert Programmes With an Introduction by Mr. Thomas, Setting Forth His System of Programme-Making, and Commentin on Habitual Late-Comers and Modern Orchestra Technique

2 volumes. Large octavo. Original publisher's full dark brown decorative cloth with titling gilt to uppers and spines. Vol. I: Life Work: 1f. (recto half-title, verso publisher's note), 1f. (recto blank, verso frontispiece), 1f. (recto title, verso copyright), 1f. (recto quotation, verso blank), 327,[i] (blank) pp. With index. Vol. II: 1f.(recto half-title, verso blank), 1f. (recto blank, verso frontispiece), 1f. (recto title, verso copyright), 1f. (recto quotation, verso blank), 382 pp. With illustrative plates with facsimile reproductions of Thomas's autograph letters, concert programs, photographic portraits, and other memorabilia. Titles with tissue guards. Binding quite worn, rubbed, and bumped, that of Vol. II faded and spotted. Minor wear; uniformly browned; some signatures split; inscriptions to front free endpapers. Thomas, a prominent American conductor of German birth, led the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chicago Orchestra, and the Theodore Thomas Orchestra. "Thomas did more than any other American musician of the 19th century to popularize music of the great European masters. He planted the seed for local symphony orchestras in cities throughout the land and helped the American people gain a greater appreciation of symphonic music. He was a brilliant organizer and an indefatigable worker. He not only directed his orchestra with total autonomy but also managed its business details. He devised ingenious schemes to promote ticket sales, and mapped out special 'pop' and children's programmes, and even concerts for working men. His knowledge and understanding of audiences, as expressed in his programming, was exemplary. He was an undemonstrative, often aloof, conductor, but an admirable disciplinarian who knew his instruments and scores, understood the technical and psychological aspects of orchestral leadership and had the respect of his players. Thomas was admired by those great soloists of Europe who appeared with him. At its height in 1875 the Thomas Orchestra was, by common consent, unsurpassed anywhere, as was the New York PO under his direction ten years later. The popularity of the symphony orchestra in the USA today is due in great part to the work of Thomas." Ezra Schabas in Grove Music Online George P. Upton (1843-1919) was a noted American journalist and music critic active in Chicago. "He served on the Chicago Tribune as music critic (1863-1881) and as senior editor until 1905. He was music consultant to the Newberry Library when it assembled its collection (1885-7). [and] wrote numerous popular books for the education of American audiences. A staunch supporter of Theodore Thomas, he was instrumental in the foundation of the Chicago Orchestra." Mary Ann Feldman in Grove Music Online.…