330 A HISTORY OF 



submitted its first report, in which it is said that " the 

 extraordinary success which has attended the Society's 

 first efforts in this direction is most encouraging, and 

 an augury of the important service to Art which con- 

 tinued efforts in this direction are likely to effect." 

 Chamber music was selected as the class of composition 

 in which the great composers embodied many of their 

 best thoughts, and as few performers were required, it 

 seemed the most promising field for the Society's 

 efforts. The co-operation of the Instrumental Music 

 Club was sought, and arrangements were made to 

 direct the attention of the audience to points of special 

 interest in each composition. At the course of re- 

 citals which began in October 1886, analytical notes 

 on the music performed, prepared by Sir Robert Stewart, 

 were given gratuitously to the holders of tickets. Two 

 years later this plan was given up, and those attending 

 the recitals were offered facilities for obtaining scores 

 of the pieces performed in a cheap and convenient 

 form. In 1898, the analytical notes were resumed; 

 they were prepared by Professor Ebenezer Prout and 

 sold at a nominal price. Next year the notes were 

 continued by Mr. J. S. Shedlock. In recent years these 

 educational features have been allowed to lapse, largely 

 because the recitals have had the effect they were 

 intended to produce, and Dublin audiences are no 

 longer unacquainted with the masterpieces of the great 

 composers of chamber music. With this change has 

 come a more critical taste, and instead of relying 

 solely, as at first, upon local talent, the services of the 

 most distinguished artists in this country and abroad 

 are now drawn upon to ensure the best results in the 

 promotion of this branch of art. 



The organ with which the lecture theatre is 

 provided is described at p. 328. 



