A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/British Orchestral Society

BRITISH ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. This society was established in 1872 for the purpose of giving an annual series of concerts by British artists, the soloists, vocal and instrumental, together with the band of seventy-five performers, being drawn from the ranks of native musicians. The scheme of each concert includes a symphony, a concerto, two overtures, and vocal music; the programme being gone through without any break. Mr. George Mount is the conductor, and the band includes Messrs. Carrodus, Zerbini, Doyle, E. Howell, J. Howell, sen., as the leaders of the string department. While the performers have been exclusively English, the music has been drawn from composers of all nations, but several new works by native writers have been given for the first time, including Macfarren's overture to 'St. John the Baptist' (1873); J. F. Barnett's overture to Shakspere's 'Winter's Tale' (1873), written for the society; J. Hamilton Clarke's 'Saltarello' (1874); Alfred Holmes' overture to 'Inez de Castro' (1874); Gadsby's overture 'The Witches' Frolic' (1874); Wingham's Symphony in B flat (1875). The soloists at the concerts include the names of the most eminent English artists. The concerts are given at St. James's Hall, and Mr. Stanley Lucas is the secretary (1876). [App. p.565 "the Society ceased to exist in 1875, its last concert taking place on June 1 of that year."]

[ C. M. ]