New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-31
MUSIC.
Mr.. wENeARTNER.s RETIREMENT.

Where there is so much speculation as TO the
next conductor OF the Boston Symphony Orchestra,
and so much gossip touching the financial outcome
OF the enterprise which associated Felix Weingart-
ner and Walter Damrosch in the artistic direction
Of the New York Symphony Orchestra. there Is
bound also TO be interest IN the correspondence
which has lately passed between MI Welngarlher
and the trustees OF the fund which was raised last
year for the purpose Of lettering the personnel or
the orchestra and bringing Mr.. Weingartner from
Germany.
When be was about to begin his arrangements
for next season. which naturally would have IN
volved the fixing Of the dates on which MT. Ven
garner was 10 conduct Mr.. Damrosch Iec7i''O
the following cable dispatch
Damrosch, New York: Wait with an arrange
ments until letter arrives. NElNGARINER
Mr. Damrosch answered at once by cable:
New York March 5. 1905.
Kindly cable eventual changes. DAMROSCH.
The answer came from Berlin:
Berlin, March S. 1870.
Geographic information impossible ,,.r,-r-,,
Then came the following letter, in German. adj
dressed 10 n. Damrosch:
Berlin March 8. 1896.
Dear Friend. Even before I could write the letter
which ! answered this morning. You viii certainly
understand that could not communicate the con
OF this letter by telegraph The matter itself
will perhaps astOnish you, but hope you viii uT-
u q
accordingly. I beg Of you TO agree to q release
Of contract. There are questions Of health
which make IL seem most desirable not to cross me
iyti,,,at -ac3taI ~ fbasa faars as they are at
present secondary to the principal reasons OF my
request. After serious consideration l have re-
solved with the close Of this season retire alto
gether from my activities as conductor. When you
receive this letter. the first steps Tor the release
from my Berlin contract will already have been
begun. II goes without saying that am ready
TO bind myself IN any form desired by you auTlng
years not 10 conduct in the United States and
1I it tl'tilS +I5,a ne If poId and re-
main, with heartiest greetings and with pleasant
lea, your FELIX WEiNGARTNER.
R5eF to fuT5B 6is5 8qp5sS as to NH his FS565
+. SChirmcr treasurer Of the trustees
Dauernde Ruhe EUR Gesundheit absoIut moth
wendig Muss unhedingt schadLGhe OceanTelse IN
Blasting rest absolutely necessary for health.
Must unqualhedly avoid harmful ocean voyage In
the future)
ThereupOn, on Saturday week, the trustees re
solved 70 grant him release from his obligations
toward them. provided that Mr.. Weingartner would
recognize their option 70 call upon him for his
services If at any time within years he should
| determine to come again to conduct IN America.
The trustees Of the New York Symphony Orches-
+ ira Isaac \. SeIigmau, chairman Richard
yelling secretary; Rudolph F. Schirmer, treas
urer, John F. Cowdn. 5. 5. Sanford. Treuor L.
Park Thomas F. Ryan and Daniel Guggenhe liner.
It does not seem at all likely that they viii ever
be called upon to make use Of the safeguard which
. their action created. There has been no fOunda-
ton whatever for the persistent rumors that have
come from Boston the effect that Major Higgiu-
son was contemplating the engagement of Mr..
WeiuEartueT. Il may be accepted without the
slightest reservation that Major Higgiuson never
made a proposition TO Mr.. Weingartner looking TO
an engagement. Mr.. Wetngartner has not entered
INTO his calculations. In fact, Major Higgiusou S
plans have not yet been formulated with anything
like definiteness. He has neither decided TO en-
I gage conductor Of emineuce and celebrity nor a
younger man OF talent who would grow with the
experiences gained at the head Of the organization
which Mr.. Gercke has brought to so high a degree
of perfection
The merits Of Mr.. steinbach We're strongly urged
by some of his friends especially by Mr.. Willy
! Hess the concert master Of the Boston orchestra
and Major Higginson came to New York and lis
tened to both public rehearsaIs last week He went
so far as TO express a high degree of admiration
for Mr.. Steiubach's talent, but there was no aU-
proach Of minds on the subject of an engagement.
whereas Mr. SteinbaCh persisted in saying that ne
had intention OF leaving his post in Cologne
which, in addition TO other things which made il
eminently satisfactory. promised handsome pen
sion d retirement the date of which was brought
near by the municipal authorities of Cologne on
his engagement. they counting in the years of has
service as music director general Of the Duke of
Saxe-M einingen.
The latest issues of the German newspapers con
firm the statement made by Nj Weiugartner that
he would have already begun effort To- be re-
leased from his Berlin engagement by the time
that Mr. Damrosch should receive lis letter. We
read In the 'Tagoblatt' Of Berlin.
Felix Weipgartner, has informed the attendance
sign his post conductor of the symptoms concerts
Of the Royal Orchestra the end Of the present sea-
Though there has as yet been Uo answer from
The lntendauce General We are obliged 90 recognize
arm fl his resolve and not likely 10 he shaken a-
vas lne cas- On a LoIll,- Ael'hsI ht l.-
lenc4nce General, which VIII not be wanting AS