Weingartner, Felix. (1863–1942)
Signed Photograph as an Early Music Conductor!
A most unusual signed postcard photograph of the great Austrian conductor, composer, and pianist conducting in period dress (wig, lace collar, and cuffs) -- an early-music conductor before his time? He has signed boldly at the foot and dated Basel, September 27, 1930. Although it is not clear for what occasion he would have dressed up in this fashion, Weingartner conducted the Basel Symphony Orchestra from 1927 to 1934, during a period in which figures in Basel including Paul Sacher (a student of Weingartner's) were beginning the study of historical performance practice in that city. Sacher founded the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, an institute for early music, in 1933. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.6 x 13.5 cm).Born in Austria-Hungary, Weingartner studied piano in Leipzig and then in Weimar with Franz Liszt. In his long conducting career he led orchestras and operas in Berlin, Munich, Mainz, Vienna (succeeding Gustav Mahler as the director of the Vienna Hofoper), Boston, and Basel. Alongside his conducting, he considered himself as equally, if not more importantly, a composer, and left seven symphonies, several operas, chamber music and art songs. (13800)
Classical Music Signed Photograph