Dr. Carl Muck conductor, Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Artist/Author/Producer: Dr. Carl Muck
- Confronting Bodies: U.S. Government
- Dates of action: March 26, 1918
- Location: United States
- Description of the Art Work
- A concert of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
in Providence, Rhode Island
- Description of incident
- "...In November 1917, at a concert of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
in Providence, Rhode Island, the conductor ignored the joint request of
nine women's clubs that the orchestra play "The Star Spangled Banner"
either before or after the program..." Censorship, Princeton 1991 pg. 195
This incident prompted a great deal of press coverage including a
verbal response from President Theodore Roosevelt condemning his actions.
- Results of incident
- "..By March 26, 1918, Dr. Muck had been placed in jail on the ground
that his presence at large was a danger to the peace and safety of the
country. He was arrested and held on a Presidential warrant after the
Department of Justice had made an extensive investigation "of his
record of pro-German sympathies and utterances." And May 1918 saw the
former conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in an internment camp
at Fort Ogelthorpe, Georgia..." Censorship, Princeton 1991 pg. 195
"...In June 1919, although Dr. Muck was still in the internment
camp, plans were being made for his deportation. The next item about
(muck) appeared in March 1921. From the safe distance of The Hague in the
Netherlands, Muck was able to relate his woes in the Unites States. He
denied disloyal actions in America and was said to have stated "I was
accused of espionage because I conducted German music and naturally
associated with my German compatriots." Censorship, Princeton 1991 pg.
195
Source: Censorship, Princeton 1991 pg. 195
