New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-10
MUSIC IN LEIPSIC.
CONSERVATISM AND IT'S CONSEQUENCES
HERR NIKIScH.

The Boston orchestra that has secured Mr.. Ar
thur Niliscb, Of Leipsic, its conductor for tie
next three seasons has obtained one Of the ablest
and most progressive conductors in Germany to-
day. The Boston management however, will not
by any means receive the thanks Of the really
musical people Of Leipsic; for when Mr.. Nildsch
leaves this city for the New World he viii take
away one OF the strongest influences that have
kept the city in touch with the onward movement
of modern art. Mr.. Nilxisch, in his capacity as
conductor of the Leipsic City Theatre, has main
tanned it among the first three or four opera
houses in Germany; and by his activity here as
well as by his zeal in forwarding The progressive
aims of the List yerein he has been a powerful
stimulus in the midst of the crusty conservatism
that pervades this ancient music city.
The truth is that the real importance of Lepsic as
II musical centre is viewed in America in something
Of a historical light that is not by any means in
accordance with the facts of today Undoubtedly
Lcipsic, though but small provincial city of
Saxony, has had q pre-emnent name in musical
matters for nearly two centuries. The old Thomas
school and its cantor, who was always distin-
gushed musician of the day, Bach, whose best
activities were given 10 that position the Gewand-
haus orchestra, and finally the Conservatory with
Mendelssohn as its head, and the brilliant assem-
blage of instructors under him, 70 say nothing Of
the opera which even in Wagner's boyhood
was Of the best in Germany-all
these have given Leipsic more musical enjoy
ments and probably better ones than any other
single German city in the past could offer. The
result of all this has been curious selfsatisfed
spirit in the town; a reputation for " culture
and pride in its reputation that bear marked
resemblance to similar traits in distinguished
New-England city. There are, in fact, many
points in which Leipsc might be called the
modern Athens Of Germany The letters Of
Mendelssohn, written in the midst Of the negotia-
tons that ultimately brought him TO Leipsic, give
many amusing glimpses Of the immaculate town.
Never was there anything equal TO the culture of
these Leipsicers." Everybody went to the &C.
wandhaus concerts, precisely as they do now, which
is very much like similar institution in the
American Athens, where attendance is also OBJ
ligatory upon the elect; they went into weekly
ecstases over them, and could pass exhaustive
criticisms upon everything that was played there.
When 10 all the rest the Conservatory was added,
bringing there permanently Mendelssohn, Schu-
Manu. Moscheles David, Hauptmann, Richter and
| the Others, there was no reason why Leipsic was
not the real hub Of the musical universe. The
selfsatisfacton Of the Leipscers reached its high
water mark.
There IL has remained; but 20 those who visit
the place nowadays with the appreciation Of what
is being done in music elsewhere, in Germany and
out, and how 1t is being done, there appears much
| about Leipsic that IS not inspiring. In fact, II
there is not exactly decadence indicated IN what
one secs and hears here there is at least notable
! failure to keep up with the modern movement III
music. One may we'll doubt whether Beethoven
would co into the same ecstasies over Lcipsic's
musical activity now, that he did 10 Rochlitz in
1922. when he thought a mere reading OF the
list Of what they played there was delightful
and absorbing occupation.
The Gewandhaus institution is responsible Tor
most OF this rigid conservatism in the musical
city. II so absorbs and appropriates the entire
aesthetic life OF the place that It's character dom
mates all that goes in this sphere IN Lelpsic'
| With n permanent orchestra OF seventy or elghy
admrnbh performers. one Of the finest buildings
| in the world devoted solely 20 concert purposes
| and the support Of an old and aristocratic so1ey
| that il upon almost as firm basis as the Gov
| eminent itself the Gewandhaus is doing little
eIse but treading over and over again the paths
~ aftv and sixty years ago. Reineoke, for thirty
wears as the head Of IL and also OF the ConserVH-
| tory. thus stands in double capacity as Meu-
delssohn's successor. and appears bound not 10
see beyond the mental horizon that clrcuihscrioeu
the musical world Of those days lie KNOWS no0
AZ ALL or nc best only as half-explored ana dan-
gcrous country the fair domain OF modern thoushU
In musical art either as TO creation or Ps TO inuer-
pretaton The works of the modern bchoeis' Ok
of any school outside Of Germany, are rare anu ap-
| narentlv unwelcome intruders INTO Gewandhaus
nroorammes and even they come there. for the
| most part, rs necessary evil at@hulns 'ao "P
pearance Of some great soloist
The music aows under Reinecke's baton as
Wagner said it did under Mendessohns. Ike the
water from town pump The Gewandhaus or
cbestra PLAYS with IN abundant facility and du-
ency. and Herr ReineclSe pays certain amount
Of attention 10 the more obvious Of the composers
exprcssed wishes But that same indifference TO
emotional and intellectual content characterlzes
his conducting that characterized Mendelssohns
Wagner speaks with feeling Of the difficulty NJ
had In Graduating the traces OF the latter from
the London Philharmonic orchestra, whlch ne
conducted fifteen years after Mendessohns death
OF fire and passion and Schwung,' OF elasticity
and freedom OF tempo. even OF such techmo"i
matters as fine phrasing and decisive ana accurate
attack one hears hears nothing at all IN the ue-
wandhaus orchestra. IL is rarely lucld' rarely
sympathetic In its tone quality, ana apparently
never can reach a true pianissimo. The grand
mothery face OF ReinecIe -" Herr ProIessol
Kapelmeister Doctor Reinecke' as he Is upon
the Gewandhaus proTammes-beams upon inc
half-dozen aged directors of the society," sitting
among the entire wealth and fashion OF Leipsi'
in their unpurchasable seats, each priced family
heirloom. and all are convinced that such music
and such culture never existed outside of favored
Lepsic
Fortunately the Gewandhaus inducnce Is NOT
quite al-prevadlng in Lepsic; and to the MAJ
shortly to be added TO the ranks OF American con-
ductors is due much OF the credit that lt Is not
The City Opera House has been hperaiV man
aged under Mr.. Nikisch's leadership IL shows
most of the musical qualities that the Gewand
haus fails in. The LisZtveren cares. so iar as lts
limited resources allow. for the various interests
Of modern musical activity outside OF opera. In
ellis N,l,iscb has played a dominating part. III
| - - liz nnd IL lannns tlr