Nikisch, Arthur

views updated

Nikisch, Arthur (b Lébényi Szent-Miklós, 1855; d Leipzig, 1922). Hung. conductor and violinist. Child prodigy pianist. Played vn. in orch. at laying of Bayreuth foundation stone, May 1872. Violinist, Vienna Court Opera Orch. 1874–7. Engaged by A. Neumann as ch. master, Leipzig Opera, 1877, 2nd cond. there 1878, 1st cond. 1879–89 (with Mahler as 2nd cond. 1886–8). Cond. Boston SO 1889–93. Dir. Budapest Opera 1893–5. Cond. Leipzig Gewandhaus Orch. and Berlin PO from 1895. Frequent guest cond. in Eng. and USA. Took LSO on first Amer. tour 1912. Cond. opera at CG 1907, 1912 ( Holbrooke's Children of Don), and 1913–14 (The Ring). Cond. much Eng. mus. incl. Elgar's 1st Sym. and f.p. of Butterworth's Shropshire Lad Rhapsody (Leeds 1913). Was excellent pf. accomp., notably with his pupil Elena Gerhardt. Comp. chamber mus. and cantata.

More From encyclopedia.com