Arturo Toscanini from 1915 to 1946 [antikvár]

Presentation In promoting a documentary exhibition on Arturo Toscanini, the Orchestra Sinfonica deirEmilia-Romagna has undertaken an initiative that is neither accidental nor merely the result of an anniversary. Our decision was carefully prepared and, in a sense, had been prefigured in the decision to name our organization after the Maestro. A precise cultural policy has led us first to the establishment of an annual international conducting competition and master class, alsó named after Arturo Toscanini, then to the publication of a volume of Toscanini studies, and now to the exhibition. Along the way, we have discovered two Toscaninis: on the one hand, the musician, the reformer of musical organizations, and on the other, the man and his civic commitment (absolutely consistent with his artistic commitment) during the culminating phase of his life and career, which coincided with our century's most troubled period. Thus, the main theme of the exhibition -4 Arturo Toscanini from 1915 to 1946: Art in the Shadow of Politics" - was born of this idea, and of our fortunate encounter with Harvey Sachs, Toscanini's scrupulous, sensitive, and intelligent biographer. The active cooperation of the New York Public Library and the support of the Régiónál Government of Emilia-Romagna made the realization of the project possible, and the plan has been expanded at every stage, thanks to numerous contributions of material and prestigious declarations of morál support. This cultural initiative will visit various cities throughout the world, and it is aimed at a vast public. Through the exhibition, we wish to talk about Toscanini, above all to young people, and in talking about him to bring them closer to art, to a Iove of music, and to an awareness of a difficult moment in history. We are convinced that in so doing, we can make a useful contribution to understanding the artist, the man, and the principles he stood for: repudiation of violence, of oppression, of intolerance. All in all, this is a message of peace. Luciano Mazzoni President of the '^Orchestra Sinfonica deirEmilia-Romagna 'Arturo Toscanini' "