Blue Danube in NYC

SynopsisToday we note the American premiere of just one of dozens of symphonic masterworks introduced to these shores by German-born conductor Theodore Thomas, arguably the most important figure in the development of American symphony orchestras in the 19th century.In 1864, Thomas began a series of summer concerts, first in New York City, and later in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Chicago. It was in New York City, on today’s date in 1867, that Thomas gave a concert at Terrace Gardens, a brand-new entertainment complex that included a five-story hotel, a concert hall, ballroom, banquet rooms, and big, beautifully-planted outdoor gardens, all located on East 58th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenue. In 1867, this address was still relatively green and quiet, perfect for an open-air garden concert, so under a blue July 4 sky the Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss, Jr., was performed for the first time in America — and less than five months after its world premiere performance in Vienna!The price for a ticket to the Terrace Garden concert was 25 cents — and alongside the new music by Johann Strauss Jr., audiences would have heard pieces by Weber, Gounod, Suppe, Offenbach and Verdi among others.Music Played in Today's ProgramJohann Strauss Jr. (1825-1899): By the Beautiful Blue Danube; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 46710