New-York tribune., 1918-05-05
n AJOR HENRY L. HIGGIN-
MI SONS retirement from con-
1vx troll of the Boston Symphony

W. troll of the Boston Symphony
Orchestra, which he founded
more than thirty-seven years ago, is an
event of more than passing interest. The
New York Tribune said:
"New Workers and all lovers of fine music
will read of Major Higginson's retirement
from the Boston Symphony with very deep
regret. For more reasons than one This
fine organization almost entirely Major
Higginson's personal creation. 1t was
very remarkable thing that in this Boston
banker there should have been found such
almost unerring judgment in the selection
of men and conductors and such tact and
decision in administering the affairs of the
orchestra"
This regret is shared by "The Port
land Press" which says, however,:
"The unfortunate experience which Major
Higginson recently had with DR.. Karl Muck,
the conductor Of this orchestra undoubtedly
hastened his withdrawal from the manage
ment of this splendid musical organization.
When the war came there were twenty
two members Of the orchestra who were of
Teutonic origin. After his arrest
the conductor set up claim that he was
a Swiss citizen and not citizen Of Ger
many, but although the Swiss government
investigated his claim it did not make any
demands upon the United States for DR..
Muck's release from custody.
"The Symphony Orchestra has since been
purged of all of it's Teutonic players and
their places supplied by musicians Of other
nations. 1t is doubtful if ever again a
German or an Austrian finds place among
its members. The newly appointed trustees
Of the Symphony Orchestra promise to
maintain the orchestra at the high stand
ard established under Major Higginson's
management, and doubtless will be able to
do 80. But there will be universal regret
to learn that Major Higginson has retired
He has done great deal for music in the
years he has devoted to this organization
and the millions of musical students in
America fully appreciate it,"
There is no question as to Major Hig-
ginson's loyalty to his country. He
proved that half century ago. But. as
"The Philadelphia Inquirer" puts it, "he
resented the restrictions which the war
necessitated and commented upon them
in manner that grieved his friends and
offended the patriotic sentiment of the
American people" This, "The Inquirer"
thinks, is the explanation:
'In his eyes the orchestra was kind Of
sacrosanct institution existing by itself in
Tar removed world of art, where the clash
OF arms and the animosities inseparable
from an international conflict should not
be Dermifted IN ~
With difficulty bring himself to associate
the performance Of music with the exigen-
cies OF the ardent patriotism by which the
great mass of the American nation is now
inspired"
In his History of the Boston Svn-
phony Orchestra" M. A. de Wolfe Howe
traces the inspiration which led to the
foundation of the institution to Major
Higglnson's sojourn in Vienna and other
musical centres from 1850 to 1860.
Of the physical injury which overlook
Mr. Higginson, in consequence of over
long and over-diligent practice under
conditions which no ordinary man would
have faced without early capitulation
there is no need here to speak, although
it was directly bound up with his ulti-
mate decision on March /, 1860, to re-
turn home. He wrote then:
up to the present time almost I hava
hoped to be able to play, but it cannot be-
and therefore have determines
to leave here. II you consider the whola
tnang ana remember that l enjoy in the
depths OF my soul music an nothing also
you'll easily comprehend my stay"
Then came the interruption Of the
Civil War, regarding which Major Hig-
ginson wrote:
"That war taught great many man th.t