1868–1877

“Whose music to my thinking pleased.” Henry IV., Part 2, Act v., Sc. 5. ALTHOUGH a very large number of important publications were constantly being issued, perhaps the most remarkable work done during this decade consisted of the series of concerts given under the direction of the firm. The best music could be purchased at an exceedingly small charge, it was now necessary to prove that the same music could be heard at a similarly low rate of expense. Cheap concerts were shown to be as possible as cheap music. The house carried the idea to a practical issue, and made the first serious attempt to give a series of performances of great vocal and orchestral works, to which the public were admitted for one shilling. New works, and old masterpieces which had been neglected, were performed in the best manner at the lowest cost to the public. The seed was thus sown which has since developed into the great interest now taken in all new works. The concerts alluded to in the last chapter seemed to be required to satisfy the public wishes. A valuable amount of good work was done by Henry Leslie and his choir in spreading a knowledge of partsinging, but there was room for other institutions which should keep this one point more conspicuously in view. The firm, having, as before stated, appointed Mr. Joseph Barnby their conductor, and having given two preliminary concerts in 1867, now announced a second season of four concerts, the first of which took place on the 29th of January, 1868.