Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-30

Revue Musicale. Translated by Julia
Rogers.)
THE death of Arthur Nikisch. in
whom the art Of music has lost
one of the most celebrated per-
sonalities Of the century, has not yet
been estimated at its just value by the
musical press. Those strange events
in the domain of art are too often d.
verted from public attention. 1t is
now for the musical historian to APP
preciate all the merits of this genial
artist. The people of our time. and
above all those who came into personal
contact with Nikisch, knowing his
musical worth. cannot ana we him
with undisturbed and cold impartiality;
for it is rare that in an artist the per
sonal charm should have been, as in
Nikisch. so much a part of his art.
Of engaging personality. extremely
distinguished. and charming, Nlkisch
had the ability to attract all those who
came in contact with him. He was the
idol of the musicians he directed. and
what others were able to accomplish
ONLY after great effort he accomplished
simply by the charm of his personality,
and by his manner of working with
the orchestra, during which he become
angry. or make an offensive remark.
VI luIsV MS N'iNN IL eAfHhS
Indications.
Friendly With Conferees
Among artists of the same profess
sion it is rare that there exists such
a friendlinpss as existed between
Nikisch and his conferees Of different
rank. and with all this, with his rare
discretion and his consideration of
his colleagues. his position was never
disputed and his authority was recog-
nized even by those orchestral con-
ductors who during these last years
were elevated in Europe TO a posi-
ton no less important. and to a pop
ularity as great.
No one was jealous of him. no one
tried to rival him. and not only because
everyone felt he was a superior per-
~sonality apart. but above all. because
the individual charm of this marvellous
artist caused all selfish sentiments to
disappear and left only a profound adj
miration for his remarkable genius. In
what consisted. then. the extraordin-
arv charm of Nikisch. a charm which
allowed him TO make any orchestra I'M
recognizable. and fascinated his adj
mirers? Was it due to his technique
as orchestral conductor. technique
subtle and dynamic which reached the
highest degree of perfection. or was il
II KIM OF NNUolIt llilISutt NJlINh nv
exercised on his musicians and audi
ence. awakening in them artistic ideas
and various emotions:
The Two Types
There are two types of orchestral
conductors. One, the most frequent.
the conductor who IS in himself the
center and active force of the or
chestra. The orchestra in his hands
is a powerful and animated instrument
of which he is the living soul. The
conductor who by his will dominates
the will Of the orchestra as a whole.
He is a virtuoso, who. during the per-
Torrance becomes the cretor himself.
Nikisch belongs in another category
of orchestral conductors and in orr
century be has been the unique conduc-
tor of this type. His technique mas
terly. with a laconic gesture at times
scarcely perceptible. consisted princi-
pally in a sort Of powerful control
which he exercised over the orchestra
into which he seemed 70 fuse his own
will. Nikisch succeeded in transform
ing TO the orchestra his center of
gravity and under his suggestive in,
~fluence the entire orchestra and each
musician in particular seemed TO find
the necessary C0lors and emotions.
without seeming 10 have known them
before. and it is because the perform
ance of Nik,sch was so often tlnged
with such inspiration that il came near
being a creation Of his own. His re-
hearsals with the orchestra had prln-
cipally in view the going over and
welding together Of musical material
and reserying always for the concert
the unexpected flights. Brought up
under the influence of the romantic
school. his Interpretation was incom-
parable.
Loved Russian omanticists
Nikisch loved the Russian romantic
composers. Tchaikowsky. Arensky,
Kalinnnikov and others. He went TO
Russia at the time Tchaikowskv was
the idol of the public before many Of
his works had been given. II was
Nikisch who first gave a sublime in
terpretation To the fifth and sixth
symphonies. The Russian public. who
always had for him n great friend
ship and profound love, considered
him one of their own. Nikisch loved
Russian and Russian art with the
same great love.
He went often to Russia, not only
to take part in many concerts of vari-
Gus musical organizations at Petrograd,
Moscow and the provinces, but also 10
conduct operas and concerts for the
benefit of the musicians of the orches-
tras of Petrograd and Moscow. All
musical Russia took part in the fetes
given in his honor on the occasion of
the 25th anniversary of his artistic
work. During the war Nikisch re
mained the great and noble artist and