Browsing The New York Times for today’s date in 1867, under the banner “Amusements,” you would have seen this notice: “Mr. Theodore Thomas, returned home from his trip to Paris and Berlin, will resume personal control of the concerts given by his orchestra at Terrace Garden this evening.”

Born in Germany in 1835, Theodore Thomas came to America when he was ten. By his 20s, as a young violinist, Thomas was a major player on the New York music scene, and by his 30s, had his own orchestra.

Thomas had a passion for introducing new works to American audiences. For example: Johann Strauss Jr’s “Blue Danube Waltz” was played for the first time ever in Vienna in February of 1867, and, thanks to Thomas, just five months later received its American premiere in midtown Manhattan on today’s date that same year. Thomas had picked up the new score in Europe, hot off the presses, and played it at his first concert back home.

During his long and energetic musical career in New York, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Chicago, Theodore Thomas presented amusing musical bonbons and challenging scores old and new, ranging from Bach to Offenbach, and from Johann Strauss to Richard Strauss.

Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825 – 1899) Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 314 Columbia Symphony; Bruno Walter, cond. Sony 64467