The sun., 1904-08-07

that he saved us from the artihciality lof
the old Kapellmeister, as well as from
the elegance of the Mendelssohnian school,
but he would probably write supplement
tary article to his essay on conducting II
he could see how the public has made prina
donnas Of his conductors.
1t Is surprising that these pampered
leaders Of the orchestra can still do wonder
ful work, that ecentricities are still the
exception, while sanity Is the rule with them.
Only their genuine musical instinct and
their excellent education have 80 far saved
them from being entirely spoiled by an
over enthusiastic public. But this Is not
yet the end.
! The writer had the pleasure OF being
present at a recent conductors sympo-
sium at in Munich. Arthur Nikisoh and
Felix Weingartner, the two great COM
petitors on the Berlin concert field, were
the stars, though there were others.
The occasion was a peculiar one.
Nikisch and Weingartner had been in
vited to conduct the "Meistersinger' and
'Tristan" performances at the Wagner
| festival in August next at the Prinz Re-
| CENTER Theatre, and in order to give them
a previous trial with orchestra and singers
they had also been engaged to conduct
| one single performance of each work at
the old Hoftheater Immediately before
| the end Of the regular season. Nikisoh
had Just conducted the aMeistersinger, and
the gathering at the hotel was meant to
| celebrate In an unofficial way his un-
doubtedly great success with the audience.
To prepare this performance-the first
Nikisch ever conducted In Munich-he
had been allowed to have one piano re-
hearsal and two orchestral rehearsals, but
each one of such short duration that only
one act and half could be rehearsed.
Weingartner complained that he would
have only one rehearsal for Tristan and,
what's more. that the representatives OF
Tristan and Kur,penal would be new in their
parts. Furthermore, only one moro re-
hearsal will be granted for the festival
performances in August, though the cast
may be slightly changed.
1t Is only just to say that Nikisch under
the conditions had done wonders with tho
score Of the 'Meistersinger. OF course, no
could not make Feinhals sing any better
than Is this gentleman's wont; In spite OF
the sonorous voice, his Hdns Sdchs was
far more shoemaker than poet.
Nor could Nikisch restitute to DR.. Walter,
the Wahher ron Stolzin0, the voice which
this singer Is said to have had some decades
ago. or give him the appearance and the
bearing Of a knight. He could not help
along our illusion by diminishing the waist
line OF Epd. He could not drive that I'M
bearable Pooner. substitute for the always
indisposed Kloepper-compare the chronicle
OF the last Metropolitan Opera House season
out OF Nuremberg, nor could no prevent
Darid Hofmueller) from singing In all
keys but the right one.
He could not give the strings in the Or
chestra finer quality Of tone, he could not
rob the trombones Of their fearful brutality,
or persuade the woodwind to stay in tune.
He could not be expected to accomplish or
prevent great many other things, the lack
or presence Of which marred the perform
ance.
But fortunately all these things could
not prevent him from disclosing his superior
conductorship. He had been out OF the
opera routine for fully fifteen years. though
he admitted he conducted the 1Meister-
singer" at one special occasion In Hamburg
about eight years ago.
Whoever watched him at the rehearsal
and during the performance IN Munich
must have found it hard to believe that
Nikisch ever did anything else but conduct
operas. He showed absolute mastery Of
the score, was cool and yet agile, missed no
cue and forced his intentions frequently
through sheer intensity to be executed
without being understood.
1t was q pleasure to watch this great
little man. who is certainly one OF the most
musical conductors the world has ever
seen. He may have some idiosyncrasies.
and they love to call him a poseur; they
should never forget to add that he is also
an excellent musician and a born conductor.
Let him who is without vanity throw the
first stone at Arthur Nikisch's protruding
white cuffs.
Nikisch has, as all the world knows,
very white and delicately shaped hands.
Why should he use them ungracefully?
His hair Is still thick and dark and falls
in those world renowned curves over his
forehead the mustache Is also without
a silver streak, while the chin alone Is now
full of gray hair.
Nkisch is as irresistible as ever and
nobody was surprised when at the afore-
mentioned symposium very pretty young
lady, after the first glass Of champagne,
offered 4Briderschaft' to the Leipsic con-
ductor Arthur accepted gracefully and
bestowed the official kiss upon the young
girls lips with the lingering dignity Of
connoisseur. Mrs. Nikisch was not present
at the ceremony, but would undoubtedly !
have enjoyed 1t.
Nikisch was easily the centre of attrac- |
ton. not only because he had conducted that |
evening and compliments were due to him, |
but because he had distinct advantage |
over his fellow conductors who were pres !
ent. Nikisch does not compose.
How easy for him to outdo in amlability |
those who are icted with the desire Of |
augmenting the musical literature. Vein |
gartner is also a very polite and amiable |
man, but he composes. and he who escapes |
favors publicly is always in disadvantage |
to him who can offer them.
Nikisch was most curious to produce a |
work of his dear friend Felix next season
at Leipsic, and Weingartner, under such
obligation to his friend Arthur. will manage
to be present at the performance.
Conductor Bernhard Stavenhagen, an
% ~ h.,