New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-14
FRITZ SCHEEL DEAD.
Conductor of Philadelphia Orchestra
Expires IN Hospital.

ptffadeipnla.
20 the Philadelphia Orchestra well known in Amer
a.. ana Europe died in a private hospital here to-
s.v after a months illness. Mr. ScheeI recently
,,,ye-ed a mental and physical breakdown, and
,rps removed 10 Atlantic City. He showed some
,,nprovement when he became III with pneumonia
,nd was brought TO this city.
vrtz gcheei was born IN Lubbock. Germany. on
November :. 1852 and came OF a musical family.
vofh his father and his grandfather had conducted
Iooal orchestras. and his mother was a singer OF
eorne note. Hered:ty and environment alike con-
srbuted 10 make musician OF the boy. who while
siin az school studied the piano with Burjam and
che violin with Gottfried. Hermann Pape and
Tauterbach His aptitude and proficiency we're so
great that he played with the first vioins in the
fsbeck Orchestra before he was ten years old At
the same age he organized an orchestra OF young
nsope and conducted it with success in series OF
concerts. He showed his versatility by learning to
plsy the horn. the trumpet, the trombone and the
tuba accomplishments that were Of no small use
10 him in his ambitious youthful efforts and in his
later career
When he was twelve years old young Schee went
10 Leipsic and began a systematic study OF the
violin under Ferdinand David. After fve years OF
hard work ne received the appointment OF concert
master and conductor Of concerts at Bremerhayen.
One Of the earliest feats of this boy Of seventeen
IN hts new post 10 conduct an entire act OF
Robert lie Dlable from memory the score having
been lost or nlisaid. After that he was no longer
Fsauired to play in the orchestra, but was retained
soiely as conductor
scheel remained about four years at the Bremen
heven opera, when. before he had attained his ma
Jority he was appointed violin soloist IN the Court
Opera AT Schwerin, in the winters and as director
Of the summer concerts This was a life appoint
ment snd he remained in Il nine years playing
nnder the conductorship of Alloys Schmidt and
ttudying the violin with Zahn and Kade.
lie went 10 Chemnitz, Saxony. in 1854 where, in
competition with thirty-hve other aspirants, he
won the appointment as successor to Hans Slit as
Aapelinleister Here he also remained nine years.
giving, in addition, symphony concerts I'm many OF
the large German cities and organizing and con-
Quoting large choral society. the Bach Gesell-
schaft which celebrated Bachs 2OOth anniversary
with notable musical festival.
During this period Scheel won the friendship OF
such leading musicians sarasate. Joachim. VIII
helmj and Hans Won Buiow. with the last named,
IN 1880 he alternated as conductor Of the Hamburg
ORCHESTRA
The influence that Won Balow exerted over HIS
young friend was noticeable throughout Mr..
kcheeis after career lie always followed Won
5ulow,s peculiar readings. and reflected in his con-
"ges,ng me masters temperament and methods
States. He conducted few symphony concerts in
New York, and then went 10 Chicago as leader OF
Inc Irocadero Orchestra, with DR.. Florence Zieg-
easement IN San FRANCISCO the Following year to
conduct concert orchestra was successful from a
musical point Of view and led 10 the establishment
ot a symphony society under Mr.. Scheel's director
Misfortune overlook the enterprise. however and
Scheel came East and accepted the first oppor-
UNITY that offered-tO conduct orchestra at
y oooSoe Park, newly opened suburban resort
near Philadelphia.
Here he attracted the notice Of Philadelphia
music lovers, and he was asked TO direct
NeiLg, given early in 1850, for the benefit OF the
soldiers and sailors in the Philippines The effect
produced by the eighty musicians under Mr.
Scheels leadership such TO lead 20 the de-
ieefnnlhaton 70 establish permanent local
cnestra. The necessary subscriptions were secured,
slQ mus was started; IN ihe fall OF 1900 the Phia
oelphla Orchestra. With Fritz Scheel a conductor
rive concerts were given the first season. four
tNen me neEf, with Is many public rehea rsais''
given the third season: thrty-sfK the year follow
ing this season the number had increased 10 forty
and the engagements for next year are forty-four
~ Fhllaoelphia, besides large number IN other
Mr. scheel combined with a magnetic ternpera-
inent great capacity for hard work HIS aunbi-
uo1s eAtenoed even 10 permanent resident chorus
enc 10 = permanent philadelphia opera. Although
his exertions had Far undermined his health Tyo
etaIs $50 mat ne was compelled 10 take a long
sunfners rest IN the Maine woods he aid not
take the leadership OF the Orpheus Club and 81 fba
Eurydice Chorus. 10 both Of which he had been
erected during his absence. The Same season he
leheafSed ard produced piecas With sba
Philadelphia Orchestra. including Richard G.raues
intricate and difficult 'Sinfonia Domestic ,,bIcb
alone required six weeks Of earnest preIaratfon
. announcer physical breakdown followed and Mr.
echeel sought Tecuperation in trip through South
eFn Europe, resting for several weeks with his Tan
iF IN tneir Munich home. He resumed his vynrl,
lest ran with his accustomed vigOr but he soon
Sleep forsook him. his strength gave cut and Ia 3;
month he collapsed just before Beet ovan con
ceTi which he was TO conduct lie obeyed the
urging Of the directors Of the Orchestra AssocJs-
lion and went at TO Atlantic Cify
His daughter. Miss Margaret Schael has her, HE
companion throughout his career in America