The Washington times., 1912-04-11

OF violin, continuing meanwhile plano
composition. His progress at the con-
serv;tiory was so astonishing that he
ston became the star rupif OF this fa-
nous institution
Wanted To Conduct
From Early Youth.
Even as early as ten years OF age,
Nikseh began to realize that con-
ductor's life was the ideal career for
him, and from that time on. all bis
energies were bent In this direction. At
the age OF thirteen he won prize for
violin ana composition. and at eighteen,
when he graduated, ne was permitted
to conduct the first movement Of his
own 4 minnr symphony, at pupils
public concert.
Leaving the conservatory, he went to
Vienna. and there met Richard wag-
ner, who was in that capital conducting
concert Among his fellow-pupils
were Emil Paur and Felix Mottl. Later
in the same year he had the good for
tune to play in the orchestra under
Wagner's direction, on the occasion OF
the laying of the cornerstone of the
Bayreuth Theater. The orchestra had
been recruited from among the best
musicians of Europe, there being no
less than ten concertmeisters. includ-
| ing Wilhelmj, at the head Of the first
vtoiins. When but nineteen years OF
age Nikisch became an ofhcial mem,
Der OF the Vienna Royal Orchestra, and
for three years he sat among the nrst
violins. playing during this time under
List Rubinstein, Brahms, and Wag-
ner, to mention only 2 few OF the Ell, II,
time to time, invited TO conduct tnis
Vienna orchestra.
| The rise of the young man was rapid,
/ and throughout Europe he gained en-.
ai,ty ha
music, including Tschaikowsky, Neu-
mann, Franz Liszt, Clara Schumann.
and many others,
| Meanwhile the New World beckoned
to him, and the year 1889 found Nikisch
/ at the head of the Boston symphony
Orchestra, which he conducted for four
years. What he accomplished In that
4 period is too we'll known TO those who
have followed musical history to be re-
peated here. He returned to his ma
| tive land to take up the work, as leader
OF the Budapest Orchestra Later
he was offered the leadership OF what
| is considered the most desirable posi-
/ ton in Europe, that of conductor OF
the famous Gwendhaus concerts IN
Leipzig. During that time he found
leisure to conduct concerts OF the Ber-
| lin Philharmonic and the Berlin or
| chestra. He alse has found time to
conduct occasional concerts in the lead
| ing cities of Europe. particularly the
great Wagnerian music dramas, every
L
Under Patronage
Of King George v.
While many attempts have been made
to bring Mr.. Nikisch to America. he
has never found opportunity until this
year to free himself from his number
less musical engagements for such a
trip. The present trip Is made with
lonly the highest artistic possibilities In
view He has been permitted to- select
his own orchestra. and he has chosen
one that he believes is best endowed
with capabilities TO fully meet his
wishes and demands, to illustrate with
perfect skill and intelligence his won.
derful ideas of Interpretation.
His visit to this country is made un
der the patronage of King George V OF
England, who has lent encouragement
TO this tour by authorizing the use oi
his name as a special patron OF the
visit of the London symphony Orches
ira to the United States and Canada.
- ;7 JULIA MURDOCH.