The Rise of the Symphonic Poem in Glasgow 1879-1916: A Documentary History

The development of significant cultural infrastructure such as symphonyorchestras, and the strategies adopted to underpin musical growth andsustainability represent a complex network of influences and influencers. Thischapter considers the case of the Glasgow Choral Union Orchestra, whichwas founded in the 1870s, forging a more independent identity and nationalremit as the Scottish Orchestra before the turn of the twentieth century, toreveal the strategies that were employed by conductors and boards of management to attract, educate and retain audiences for orchestral music. Repertoirechoice is examined in detail to determine the role of programme music in thatagenda, particularly under the three longest serving conductors of the orchestra before World War I: August Manns (1825–1907), Frederic Cowen (1852–1935) and Emil Mlynarski (1870–1935), whose other conducting appointmentsprovided a direct connection to trends in London and Europe and contributedto the lines of influence that brought new repertoire to Glasgow audiences. Theperiod from the appointment of Manns in 1879 to the departure of Mlynarskiin 1916 also saw a transition from programmatic ‘concert overtures’ and similar works to the establishment of the symphonic poem in Glasgow, and thisresearch aims to reveal key factors that shaped music-making in this formative period.