The Washington times., 1907-07-07
Philadelphia
Orchestra Is
TOOet PoRlig

Carl Pohlig, court conductor of the
Royal Opera of Stuttgart, has been
formally engaged as conductor of the
Philadelphia Orchestra, to succeed the
late Fritz Scheel The contract was
signed only after prolonged negotiations,
conducted on behalf of the orchestra
by Manager Charles Augustus Davis,
who went abroad six weeks ago on the
difficult quest of finding a man fitted to
the exactions of this important posi-
ton. The announcement of his complete
success has been delayed by the neces-
sity of first securing permission from
the King of Wurtemburg. in Stuttgart
for Herr Pohlig to come to America.
The King considered him so valuable
TO the progress OF music in his own
land that like the German Emperor n
the case of DR.. Karl Muck. 1t was with
the utmost reluctance leave OF absence
was granted
Herr Pohlig is highly esteemed abroad,
as a composer no less than an orchestral
conductor. In presenting his name TO
the public, the orchestra management
feel that in every way he is eminently
fitted to advance the artistic ideals of
the Philadelphia Orchestra, carrying ON
the great work so brilliantly done by
Fritz Scheel during seven years of Ia
Dor for music in this city Among the
warmest friends and admirers of Herr
Pohlig is Dr. Felix Motif, of Munich,
who gave personal interest to the mat
ter of the American appointment, say
ing: "Pohlig is among the first German
conductors. and 1 strongly recommend
him
Carl Pohlig's career has been a no
table one throughout. He was born In
Teplitz. Bohemia, on February 10. 1854
He was recognized as one whose talents
marked him for special advancement
by Franz List. who heard him in Wei
mar, where POhlig was studying In Inc
grammar school LISTS interest was
actively continued for many years. he
took the young student into his home,
and also invited him to accompany hiE1
to Rome-a distinction shared only by
Tausig, Won Bulow, and Rubinstein.
After extended professional tours
throughout Europe, where his abilities
as concert pianist were everywhere rec
ognized he went 10 Hamburg, where
for several years he was associated
with Gustav Mailer in the dictatorship
Of the opera. He then received an ap-
as musical ulTCCNOI at 10
burg and Stuttgart, besides which ke
conducted with exceptional success the
philharmonic concerts in Berlin. and
museum concerts in Frankfort; also IN
Munich and other German cities. His
ability as an orchestral conductor Of
first rank became increasingly evident
TO the public. Pohlig early attained a
position among modern composers OF
Germany, bis music (symphonies) hav-
ing been performed in Berlin by Felix
Weingartner. and by Ernst Schuch In
Dresden-always with success. In rec
ignition OF his musical achievements
Herr Pohlig has been decorated by the
King of Saxony, etc.
Among the musicians who interested
themselves In his appointment to the
vacant conductorship of the Philadel-
phia Orchestra were Felix weingartneT,
Felix Motif. DIR. Otto Neitzel. etc. each
one Of whom urged his appointment
in the strongest terms.
II Will be interesting to know that
Herr Pohlig's concertmeister comes to
America this season as concertmeister of
the Boston Symphony Orchestra.