STATEMENTS by Willem Mengelberg on the eve of his departure for Europe, and the issuance of a preliminary announcement in the form of a prospectus from the office of the Society, have focused attention on the New York Philharmonic and its plans for next year. Mr. Mengelberg, who will return from Holland next February to conduct the orchestra during the latter half of its season, declared the orchestra will number 120 men, and made it plain that his return was conditioned on inclusion in the Philharmonic roster of many men from the National Symphony, to disband at the end of this season, and also on the working out of some new compromise agreement with the union musicians, whereby more time can be devoted to rehearsals. It is estimated that as many as seventy-one men will come from the National Symphony. The enlarged orchestra will have the following official name: “The Philharmonic Society of New York, Founded 1842, Merged 1921 with The National Symphony Orchestra.”

The season will be the eightieth of the Society, and besides entailing an enlargement in ensemble beyond that of any other American orchestra, and probably beyond that of any similar organization in Europe, it will bring other departures, including some concerts at the Metropolitan Opera House.

According to the prospectus, Josef Stransky will direct the Orchestra at the Philharmonic concerts during the first portion of the season, which will open in the last week of October. Mr. Mengelberg will direct the Orchestra from February to the end of the season. Artur Bodanzky of the Metropolitan Opera House will be associated with Mr. Mengelberg as a Philharmonic guest conductor, while Henry Hadley will continue as associate conductor.

The Philharmonic series at Carnegie Hall will include fourteen Thursday evenings, eighteen Friday afternoons, four Saturday evenings and twelve Sunday afternoons. In addition, performances will be given on ten Tuesday evenings and two Sunday afternoons at the Metropolitan Opera House, under the direction of Willem Mengelberg and Artur Bodanzky. Six Sunday afternoon concerts will be given at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Mr. Mengelberg took the responsibility for the statement that the Philharmonic will have fully 120 players next season.

“The joint committee, including Messrs. Mackay, Kahn, James, Cooper and Triller, have invited me to lead the Philharmonic, as I did fifteen years ago,” the Hollander said, “and though I refused several times, I have now consented on condition that the Philharmonic is to become the greatest orchestra in America. Mr. Stransky will lead the early part of the season, and after he has made his programs I will make mine.

“The orchestra will be increased from 100 men to 120, on a basis of twenty first violins and others in proportion, as required for the most modern scores. Smaller choirs, such as the woodwind, will be doubled, so there will always be two soloists for any part. Many of the National players will thus be employed, and, while they were a new orchestra this season, their progress now compares with any in this country or in Paris and London.

“The directors have been most generous in acceding to my plans. For one thing, there should be three rehearsals of three hours each for a symphony concert, not one rehearsal of two hours, as under the present rules. I understand this will soon be arranged with the union musicians, but ample rehearsals are in any case a condition of my return.”

Mr. Mengelberg admitted that the question of the Musical Union’s demands is a pressing one. “Things cannot continue under the present rules and regulations,” he said, "because of the expense.

“For art you must have the money, but there is a limit, and your generous music patrons cannot be expected to go on indefinitely. What makes an orchestra great is the rehearsing, and the time allowed here, two hours, is too short.

“I cannot prepare a ·concert with a two-hour rehearsal Abroad we have no such rules. We have in Amsterdam three-hour rehearsals. The same conditions must obtain here. For instance, we have paid as much as $400 alone for ‘overtime’ at a single rehearsal since I have been in New York. That is altogether too costly and cannot be continued.

“I am confident the labor union will at least meet us half-way. At any rate the labor question must be settled by the time. I come back. I am returning to conduct the concerts of the new Philharmonic under conditions which must be met. ·I am not going into the question of future salaries of musicians or of the open shop as to symphonic orchestras, but I will say that conditions will be much easier next year.

“I leave the National Symphony, one of the best, if not the very best musical organization, in America," added Mr. Mengelberg. “I asked of the musicians·when I came: ‘Will you study under me?’ They said they would and they did. We have accomplished much and there is a bright future ahead in another season. The Philharmonic will be the largest orchestra in America, much larger than the best orchestras abroad.

“I shall return next season with the greatest enthusiasm for my work, for America is the musical Promised Land. A golden era of music is dawning in this country, for the American people unconsciously are getting the finest musical education obtainable. Your children go to concerts and hear only the best; you have orchestras playing in all parts of the country, and the American is quick in discernment. He can pick the good from the bad with unerring judgment. The country, too, has given some gifted conductors, and the more music you have the better the field for producing composers. They are sure to come.”