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Furtwaengler Declines Philharmonic Post; Virginia Snubs Nazi Fete

March 17, 1936
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The controversy over appointment of Wilhelm Furtwaengler as musical director of the Philharmonic Symphony Society had been settled today with the cabled withdrawal of the German conductor “until the public realizes that politics and music are apart.”

The cable from Luxor, Egypt, made public in a statement by the society’s executive committee, read: “Political controversies disagreeable to me. Am not politician but exponent of German music which belongs to all humanity regardless of politics. I propose postpone my season in the interests of Philharmonic Society and music until the public realizes that politics and music are apart.”

Meanwhile, it was reported from Richmond, Virginia, that the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson, had, according to its president’s statement, “promptly, firmly and politely” declined an invitation to participate in the Heidelberg 550th anniversary celebration.

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