Resentment over the appointment of Wilhelm Furtwaengler, director of the Prussian State Opera, as musical director of the New York Philharmonic Symphony Society threatened today to crystallize into plans for founding a rival orchestra.
The suggestion was announced as a movement gained impetus among subscribers and patrons of the orchestra to bring it to bankruptcy by a financial boycott if the appointment were not rescinded.
Arthur Judson, manager of the Philharmonic, refused to comment on a letter sent by Ira A. Hirschmann, merchant and head of the orchestra division of Mayor LaGuardia’s Municipal Art Committee, threatening the boycott if the Board of Directors did not reconsider the appointment.
Mr. Hirschmann, who is credited with having introduced the Philharmonic to radio, demanded today that the board of directors either reconsider or resign. He told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the finances of the Philharmonic were such that withdrawal of subscriptions would bring financial ruin.
Reporting that a number of subscribers had informed him they were cancelling their subscriptions, Mr. Hirschmann, characterized the appointment of Furtwaengler as an “outrage” and a “slap in the face to the kind of free government represented by serious thinking Americans.”
He said that he had spoken to the Mayor, who promised to support the boycott movement by “emphatic action.”
Backing was also promised by Dr. Stephen S. Wise, president of the American Jewish Congress. He said that efforts would be made to secure the rescinding of the appointment.
Mr. Hirschmann, who is chairman of the University in Exile as well as a prominent subscriber and supporter of the Philharmonic, said: “The subscribers of the Philharmonic Society have shown by their attitude to Toscanini (who refused to conduct at Bayreuth) their approval of his noble stand. For them to accept Furtwaengler now would be a denial of their former position.”
Mr. Hirschmann said:
“Mr. Furtwaengler now occupies a position in the Council of State of the Nazi Government, to the best of my knowledge. He has just been reinstated as director of the Prussian State Opera. His statement of protest asking for freedom for all musicians in April, 1933. The German Government subsequent to this statement turned down his request flatly, whereupon Furtwaengler accepted the dictates and philosophy of the Nazi Government, and proceeded to work as one of its officials, which position, I understand, he now occupies.”
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