The Washington times., 1912-04-11
lula Murdock Tells Of the Career
OF Noted Composer and Conductor

EXCEPT for an invasion OF gray upon
the black hair and beard Arthur MIX
isch. conductor OF the London SYM
phony Orchestra, has changed but little
since twenty years ago when he was
conductor OF the Boston symphony Or
chestra. The same quiet, almost languid
manner. the same reserved bows, the
same self-contained reserve marked his
manner in New York last week where
on last Monday night he gave tae hrst
concert in his American tour, when
will include more than score OF cities,
of which Washington will be one.
TELL the American music-loving pub
lie that this is enc of the happiest mo-
ments Of my life, for return to Amer
lea after nineteen years OF absence, and
find the same enthusiasm and interest
that this country has always accorded
me-
Tears filled his eyes when he ex-
pressed these sentiments to the little
group of newspaper friends and musical
associates who crowded the artists 5
room of Carnegie Music Hall TO greet
him, and q few minutes, afterward,
when he lifted his baton, to conduct
for the first time after an absence OF
twenty years, the audience fairly rose
at him. Many shouted. everybody APP
plauded, and the ovation lasted some-
taing like hve minutes. Bowing with
that show Of outward calm that Is
typical OF Nikisch. the conductor ac-
cepted the ovation gracefully. The audi
ence was a personifed Who's who OF
music, and most OF them recalled vividiy
this wizard Of the baton" as he has
been called. The touches OF time were
all forgotten when NiKisch took the
stand. Then he was the same conductor
as of old, 1.-The most emotional conduc-
tor of the concert room," as he has Sc
often been called.
Nikisch Is Master
OF Men In Orchestra.
Temperamentally, Mr.. Nikisch Is a
volcano, intensely dramatic. with never
a needless gesture, but always with the
expressive movements of master OF
the orchestra.
Mr.. Nikisch is picturesque, as well a.
forceful The white forelock of hi.
abundant hair falls across his forehead
and down into his eyes during the ex-
citement of his conducting, yet. al
times, he is as inimovable as stone
image. He uses no notes whcn con.
Quoting, and his baton is one of the
longest used by any conductor. Al
times. when leading his men through
a particularly fiorid passage, it cuts
the air like lightning, and at Other
moments 1t is held high over the con.
ductor's head. Again it is motionless
in his hands, while he directs his mer
with merely glance from bis almos
hypnotic eye.
The career OF Mr.. Nikisch is interest
ing and unusual. Born in Lebenyi. II
Hungary, in 1855, he showed unusua
lave for music at the age of four years
and at six he began the study of tn,
piano, showing remarkable gifts OF eX
preston. and n most unusual memory
At the age of seven. after hearing 70
the first time the oyertures from "Wil
liam Tell and The Barber of Sc
ville," he went home and wrote on
totb pieces from memory. They were
in the main, correct. which shows tha
even as a cnild he possessed an unusua
power. of retention. At eight he. ap
peared in rublic' as q prodigy. causing
sensation with his spirited perform
;lnccs OF operatic transcripticns b,
Thal Nikisch was then taken &
Vienna. whore he was placed In a con
servatory. and here he began the stud.