New-York tribune., 1921-10-29
Strauss Denies
Slllrs ON u. S.
I'm Interview
Declares He Also Was Mis-
quoted in Regard to MIR.
Bodanzky, and Explains
His Talk With Reporter
Has New Ballet for Vienna
\ Completes First Act of an
Opera; Composer Likes to
Read Criticisms of Work

Richard Strauss, who will conduct the
first concert of his second American
tour next Monday evening at Carnegie
Hall, again took occasion to repeat that
he had been m,squoted regarding GER
tain remarks derogatory 20 America, at
tributed to him IN an interview pub
lished in "The Nation" when he re-
ceived members Of the press in his
suite at the Hotel ST. Regis yesterday
afternoon.
"What really happened was this
said the composer. speaking In Ger
man, as his command of English is
limited to few words:
Explains Alleged Interview
can American journalist came to me
FOR an interview. Not wishing to turn
her away. received the lady, but told
her that did not care to give an inter
view. We talked for a few moments.
Then she left. Later l was amazed to
and to learn that remarks ! had never
made were being severely criticized.
II was particularly distressed at the
sighting way in which | was made to
speak of Mr.. Bodanzky by the writer Of
the alleged interview. When asked If l
would consider favorsbly possible en-
gaeement to conduct at the Metropoli-
tan Opera House replied that had
no oesire for such an engagement, be-
cause the Metropolitan had already an
excellent conductor, Mr.. Bodanzky. l
have never met Mr.. Bodanzky, nor have I
heard him conduct, but he has been
highly spoken OF, and 1t Is deplorable
that such an unfortunate Introduction
should have taken Splace."
DR.. Strauss saidW*hat he had COM
pleted new ballet" "Schlagobers," the
Viennese equivalent for whipped cream,
coming winter. TIE Characters are
boys and girls in a confirmation class,
who visit pastry shop, where the
the 1s act LAID a s' hss
based on tragi-comic episode in his
own life, for which he has acted as
his own librettiSt He declined to re-
veal the plot. but added:
"Of course there is a happy ending.
The world has gone through so much
suffering that it is the duty of art to
be cheerful"
Discusses Earlier Works
Speaking of his earlier works, he
mentioned "Traum Durch die Daemmer-
ung" as being, in his opinion, his best
song. This song was written in five
minutes, while he sat at the piano
waiting for Frau Strauss to put on her
things before going for walk.
He believes Till Eulenspiege" and
"Tod und Verklaerung" to be the most
popular of his symphonic poems, but
he himself prefers "Don Juan" and
"Also Sprach Zarathustra."
Ill e. a.
tailed programs of symphonic works TO
should undertand the meaning Of the
music. The music itself should fit the
title SO well as 20 make other explana
tions superfuous. For example, I once
chose Macbeth as the ubJect for
symphonic poem. The work ended with
triumphal march in which intended
TO depict Macduff's victory over the
hero. In discussing the ending with
Voo Buelow, he said: This is all
wrong. You can't have a symphonic
poem about Macbeth end with the
t-iumphal march of MacduF. The pub
lie will never understand when Mac
beth leaves off and MacDuf appears
at once realized that he was right,
and changed the ending.
On the other hand. a program may
be helpful guidepcst for the public"
Asked his definition Of talent and
genius, DR.. Strauss said
Every genius must have talent, but
not every talented person is genius.
Won Bulow used to say that Schumann
began as genius and ended rs tai
ent"
Likes to Read Criticisms
The composer is not at all averse TO
reading criticisms of his works. He
does not uphold the pose of sublime
indifference toward critical discussion.
~ am not one Of those composers
who swear that they never read no
tice.' he said. "On the contrary. I
read every one that falls into my hands.
and find bad criticisms more interest
ing than praise"
DR.. Strauss will remain in America
Tor two months, appearing in forty
two concerts in New York, Boston.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit and
other cities. His engagements include
three evenings in New York devote d
entirely to his songs, which will be
surg by Miss Elena Gerhardt, Miss
Birgit Engel and Miss Elizabeth Schu-
mann. -Four songs will be heard here
for the first time, and another compost
ton new to the city, violin concerto.
"rltten on the leaves OF a copy book
during DR.. Straass's school 0ays. will
be played by Bronislaw Hube rman late
in December. '''''' W
DR.. Strauss is accompanied by his
son, who expects to take lawyers
degree at Heidelberg upon his return
to Germany.