While yet full of gratitude to the Boston Academy of Music, for the happiness, the accession of life and knowledge conferred by their performance of one of the Beethoven’s great symphonies, we are confounded by hearing that they are likely to be obliged to give up the enterprise, the truly worthy enterprise of forming the taste of an audience, and cultivating those high feelings of art, which will never be brought out, but rather destroyed by concerts in the popular style, for want of means. Might but this word of gratitude, of sympathy, avail to induce any of those, who would aid largely if they felt the worth of the cause, to consider what we are likely to lose for want of a little money. The opportunity of learning to appreciate the great Art of the age, through the performance of a series of classical works by an excellent orchestra, inspired by a genuine feeling of beauty, must this be taken from us, and these noble enjoyments postponed, perhaps for years, for want of a little activity now Would that space and time permitted to express our own feelings, and as far as in us lies plead the good cause!
Source: The Dial (January 1842) pp.407-408
