Arthur Nikisch |

Arthur Nikisch

In 1866-1873 he studied at the conservatory in Vienna, classes of J. Hellmesberger Sr. (violin) and F. O. Dessof (composition). In 1874-77 violinist of the Vienna court orchestra; participated in performances and concerts under the direction of I. Brahms, F. Liszt, J. Verdi, R. Wagner. Since 1878 he was the second conductor and choirmaster, in 1882-89 he was the chief conductor of the opera house in Leipzig.

He directed the largest orchestras in the world – the Boston Symphony (1889-1893), the Leipzig Gewandhaus (1895-1922; turned it into one of the best orchestras) and at the same time the Berlin Philharmonic, with which he toured a lot, including repeatedly in St. Petersburg and Moscow ( for the first time in 1899). He was director and chief conductor of the opera house in Budapest (1893-95). He led the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra (1897). In 1902-07 he was the head of the teaching department and the conducting class of the Leipzig Conservatory. Among his students are K. S. Saradzhev and A. B. Hessin, who later became well-known Soviet conductors. In 1905-06 he was director of the opera house in Leipzig. He toured with many orchestras, including the London Symphony (1912) in Western Europe, in the North. and Yuzh. America.

Nikish is one of the greatest conductors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a deep and inspired artist, a prominent representative of the romantic trend in the performing arts. Outwardly restrained, with calm plastic movements, Nikish had a great temperament, an extraordinary ability to captivate the orchestra and listeners. He achieved exceptional shades of sound – from the finest pianissimo to the enormous power of fortissimo. His performance was characterized by great freedom (tempo rubato) and at the same time rigor, nobility of style, careful finishing of details. He was one of the first masters to conduct from memory. He played an important role in promoting the work of P. I. Tchaikovsky (especially close to him) not only in Western Europe and the USA, but also in Russia.

Among other works performed by Nikish are works by A. Bruckner, G. Mahler, M. Reger, R. Strauss; he performed works by R. Schumann, F. Liszt, R. Wagner, I. Brahms, and L. Beethoven, whose music he interpreted in a romantic style (a recording of the 5th symphony has been preserved).

Author of cantata, orchestral works, string quartet, sonata for violin and piano.

Son of Nikish Mitya Nikish (1899-1936) – pianist, toured the cities of South America (1921) and New York (1923).

G. Ya. Yudin