The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-12
That Is, II the Philharmonic Makes PrAo-
Heal OnCr.

lItbl VilNIs
Felix Weingartner has returned TO tho
United States for another hurried visit
which gives him the chance 10 rehearse
various orchestras, see the interior OF
various concert halls and then hurry back
to Munich to resume there the concerts
which he would have conducted If he
had not been brought here by the Phil
harmonic Society.
This year Herr Weingartner is to have
few days preceding his departure TO look
around New York He will not. as he do
last year. 90 from Carnegie Hall to the
steamer Nine. Neingartuer, who accom-
panies her husband on this visit, wanted
10 have "a look at something else besides
Carnegie Hall and the Hotel Netherland
She was Baroness before her marriage 10
the conductor and when he came here last
winter the two had been married only
week.
Another acquisition Of the conductor just
before he left Munich was the red ribbon
of the Legion of Honor which the French
Government conferred on him,
Il don't wear it, he said with smile,
although | saw u musical gentleman with
one on the other night When go to Paris,
where the ribbon has significance toeNery-
body who sees it, ] shall put II on. never
wear decorations anywhere outside OF INC
country in which happened to get them.
concert in a country in which have been
decorated | almost forget to take along
the decoration. II would OF course, ne
impolte Of me to play for Prince who had
decorated me and not to have on his order.
But there are lots of Princes in Germany,
and they nearly all have orders.
just before he sailed for this country ii
was announced that Herr Weingartner
had resigned the direction Of the Royal
Symphony concerts Of Berlin. This was
not altogether true.
Il did write TO Berlin, resigning my
post as conductor OF the ROYAL concerts
there Herr Wengartner said, "but It
was not accepted. ] was asked TO wait
until | came back from the concerts here
before / made my final decision. The
ROYAL concerts are given at the opera house
in Berlin, and tine orchestra is the orchestra
of tho opera. After | decided to give UP
| operate conducting, ] retained those con-
certs. But the journey from Munich to
Berlin and back again has proved too much
a. ] had twelve concerts in Munich and
ten in Berlin. Unjust work at composition
and must have time TO read.
The real question that interests all who
talk now TO Herr Weingartner is his in
tentions for the future. He has been dis
cussed az n possible conductor of the Phil
harmonic. and his name has unofflcially
been mentioned as a conductor OF the
Boston Symphony at some future date.
Herr Weingartner expresses himself with
the greatest frankness on this subject.
What my feelings toward accepting
the conductorship OF the Philharmonic
are he said, is not important now, az
the society has made me no offer OF a kind
that is practical. | might he able to accept
/ one il it were. The number OF concerts
suits me very well and should enj Joy living
| in New York At least ! think should.
or course when one comes fora short visit
/ everybody ia 40 charming. But believe
/ | should like it always.
-Suoh a post as the conductor OF the
Boston symphony Orchestra should never
accept under any circumstances. Think
/ OF it; 10 conduct hundred concerts in
season and to have 10 travel about a. that
! orchestra doesl A man would have time
| for nothing else and would never get out
OF a concert hall.
Whether Herr Weingartner viii be ac-
/ oepted by the society OF not has not been
/ decided although none Of the foreign
conductors has made the same success
! he did last year. Probably it would be-
! difficult for the society 10 pay the large
salary necessary for any conductor who
| intends TO devote himself TO the Philhar-
monte All the previous conductors have
been at the Metropolitan or have had their
own orchestras and brought up their in
comes to the desired figure in that way.
But Herr Weingartner will not be able to
do any Of those things.
Il don't say that / shall never conduct
opera again, Herr Weingartner told TIE
/ Sun reporter. for | did conduct Tristan
und Isolde twice last summer in Munich
and enjoyed it very much. should never
again take any permanent employment
as an operate conductor. however. What
! / desire IL a limited number Of concerts
and the time to make them "a nearly perfect
as possible.
After the close Of his season in Munich
Herr Weingartner will 20 70 Paris TO con-
| duct with the Colonne orchestra n Beetpo-
ven festival. in which he is 10 give nine
symphonies and two Of the conoertos.
Only one other contemporaneous Ger
man musician has the Legion OF Honor,
/ Herr Mengartner said, and. curiouslv
enough, be got II for the same reason thai
| did. Felix Motif. while he was intendant
at Carsruhe, revived several Of the Ber-
lioz operas, among them La Prise os