[New York Symphony Orchestra] [Damrosch, Walter. (1862-1950)]
En Route to Cuba - Original 1925 Photograph
Original photograph of conductor Walter Damrosch and the members of the New York Symphony Orchestra, posing as a group outside while "en route to Cuba." Press stamp on verso with date of January 27, 1925. Trimmed, else in fine condition. 11 x 14 cm.One of the most important figures in the history of American music performance, Walter Damrosch was conductor for many years of the NY Symphony Society and Oratorio Society, and it was apparently he who persuaded Andrew Carnegie to build Carnegie Hall as a home for the two societies. He was also instrumental in the establishment of German opera at the Metropolitan Opera. Damrosch presented the American premieres of many important works by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Wagner, Elgar, commissioned Gershwin's piano concerto and conducted the premiere of his "An American in Paris." Upon his arrival in Cuba in 1925, he was voted a corresponding member of the Cuban National Academy of Music and was presented with a gold medal and certificate at a banquet in his honor. (13059)
Unsigned Photograph Classical Music