The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-25
PIERRE MONTEUx
WHO is TO BE AT THE BOSTON
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA NEXT SEASON.
Conductors Lay Claim to Privileges
and Indulgences as Well as Financial
Emoluments Outstripping All
Others in Adding Impetus to
Soaring Cost of Music
BY LUCIEN CLEVES.

TINE high cost OF good music Is
nothing new in spite of the
general increase OF prices for
all other sources Of enjoyment for
body and soul. There have been va
rious evidences of the mounting cost
OF this art for the producers. But
it is doubtful If in any department
there has been such 3 sudden rise
as in the case Of the noted conduc-
tor. The prima donnas of the baton,
as Won Bulow long ago called them
have become first ladies now in ev-
cry particular. They not only enjoy
the privileges and indulgences which
used to be the lot OF the prima dom
ma only. They enjoy the great finan-
cia emoluments which were never in
the past the reward Of any but the
popular soprano or tenor.
Various conditions have resulted in
the amazing demands which the mos
famous Of the conductors Of orches-
tras are making to-day. Arturo Tos-
canini. who as an operate conductor
achieved at the Metropolitan Opera
House a salary which had never been
dreamed OF in the past. has recently
been in demand as a conductor OF
symphonic concerts, to which he was
devoted himself during his periods OF
musical activity since he went to Italy
from New York and refused to come
back here. When Henri Rabaud de-
cdad, after a year Of conducting the
Boston Symphony Orchestra, that he
preferred to devote his time to the
scholarly task of composition in
France rather than undertake the
work Of conducting one hundred con-
Certs in this country with the added
task Of travel and other burdens in
Cdental to the duties of the head OF
the Boston symphony Orchestra, the
directors Of that body looked about
them for his successor. Among others
considered available was Arturo Tos-
canini It is said that the distin-
guished Italian never answered the
letter sent to him in reference to the
matter. That may or may not be
true. but other letters Of more or less
importance sent to Signor Toscanini
have remained unanswered. In this
case, however, the writers were al
lowed TO understand that under GER
tain conditions the Italian conductor
might be willing to consider the hon.
or which had been laid at his feet
What these conditions were ultimately
became known. The most important
was the sum OF $4,000 for the season
Q! one hundred concerts.
The Price Prohibitive.
~ course with the increase in the
price OF every detail OF orchestral con-
cert giving this figure was prohibitiVe'
There was a rumor that Signor Tos-
can!ni, whose ability as a conductor
has never been disputed, beginning at
the Metropolitan Opera House with
salary OF $4,000 a year. had gradually
proved his value to that institution
until his compensation during the last
days OF his control Of the theatres
musical side here was $4,000, more
or less This may or may not be true.
Slgnor Gatti- CasaZZa is not in the
habit % discussing the business phases
ot his opera house with outsiders. But
Inc story was we'll founded.
Il afterward developed that Signor
Toscanini was not alone in the high
value he puts on his services as
conductor. 1t Is. of course, impossible
Low Tor the directors OF the Boston
symphony Orchestra to turn in every
erection. With one OF its most emil
hent conductors informed at Fort
ogethorpe a German head OF the or
chestra is out of the question. This
important functionary must come
from an allied or a neutral nation.
holland Is the latter. 1t happens to
possess in Willem Nengelberg a dis
ungu!shed musician who seemed emil
hently fitted to I'LL the place Of the
ueparted Wilhelm Muck. SO the So
ee'y turned TO him. He came to this