Books › The violinist, 1903 › scan 9
Scan 9
The violinist, 1903
20 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 7. See the scan on archive.org.
1Letter from Leipzig
3The last week in September we were ushered into the great "Saal" or concert chamber of the Leipzig Conservatory, to make as best we could our "vorspiel," before we knew whether or not we were to be admitted to the famous musical institution. No matter how much experience one may have had before the public in the role of a soloist, complete self-composure is a seeming impossibility when one finds himself alone on the big stage with his audience, few in number but many in wisdom and experience, occupying seats immediately in front of him. During the few seconds spent in tuning, he easily recognizes such personages as Nikisch, Sitt, Hilf, Becker, Teichmuller and Klengel, for he has seen their photographs many times in America, and in a sense feels acquainted with them. But, unfortunately, this particular "sense" is not the one in which he now finds himself.
5Of the violin teachers in the conservatory, three are particularly renowned as violin teachers, viz.: Hans Sitt, Arno Hilf and Becker. As to which of the three is the better it would indeed be hard to say. True, each has his own particular method of teaching; each has his own singular personality, which he throws into his work; and lastly, each has his own list of followers, all truly convinced of the superiority of his teacher over the others.
7The conservatory orchestra of the present year is a most interesting one from a musical standpoint, but the conscientious one always feels that his attendance being compulsory (and in orchestra rehearsals one's attendance, should he be a member, is undeniably compulsory) takes away much of the true pleasure of orchestra work. Tardiness at rehearsals is regarded as an offense almost as grave as absence from them and woe is he whom Capellmeister Sitt sees coming to rehearsal after it has commenced.
9Almost every Friday evening a concert (abend-concert) by a few of the best pupils on different instruments is given in the concert saal. These are always well attended by the students, inasmuch as the performances are always quite artistic in character. Only those among the best are chosen to appear at these abends, consequently one must regard himself highly honored to be asked to appear as soloist in one of them. The advantages consequent to membership in the conservatory are many and profitable. The famous Gewandhaus Orchestra concerts are on now and one's membership entitles him to a free ticket to most of the final rehearsals of these concerts. That he is not given a ticket to each and all of these is due to the number of students in the conservatory being greater than the accommodations at the Gewandhaus. The final rehearsals are much attended by the general public, as one can procure a ticket for 2 marks 50d, while the price for a ticket to the concert on the day following is 4 marks. The Gewandhaus Orchestra, under the direction of Nikisch, is certainly a grand organization, and the concerts are always of the highest character. They are virtually the backbone of the musical entertainments here in Leipzig. But, although it might be unsafe to tell a Leipziger so, I am convinced that in purity of harmony, in general phrasing and in real musical interpretation, our Chicago Orchestra under Theodore Thomas is grandly superior to the Gewandhaus Orchestra.
11Surely for the developing of a well-rounded musical nature, Leipzig is an ideal place to live. There is always something worth while musically before the public, and from a standpoint of expense—and nearly all if not all of the conservatory students consider things from that standpoint—to attend these entertainments costs one much less than the same would cost in America. Opera, Wagnerian and all other kinds, is to be seen twice or three times each week, and although these performances in staging and artists are undoubtedly inferior to grand opera in America, still they are excellent in every way, while tickets can be procured to them for as low as one mark.
13Concerts of all kinds are given here almost daily; world-renowned artists appearing in them. Since October 1, several renowned musicians have given performances, while Kubelik, Marteau, Ysaye, Thomson, Halir, Petschnikoff and his wife are scheduled to appear during the coming season. These are but some of the attractions to which violinists are looking forward with pleasure. It makes no difference what line of musical study one may be pursuing, he can always find a most congenial and helpful atmosphere in Leipzig.
15Max von Lewen Swarthout.
17Miss Gertrude Bates, a little friend of The Violinist residing in Dallas, Texas, whose picture appeared in this journal over a year ago, has recently played the first movement of De Beriot's 7th concerto in public, at the age of just nine years. Only three days earlier, Nov. 8th, she played piano solos in recital.
19The Rapp Protection String Case protects strings.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.