Smolian, Arthur

1856-

Composer and critic; born at Riga: Studied with Rheinberger, Wüllner and Barmann at the Munich Conservatory. Has been chapelmaster in various cities, and in 1884 succeeded Langer as conductor of the Leipsic Mannergesangverein, also taught at Wiesbaden, and since 1890 has been a teacher in the Carlsruhe Conservatory and music critic for the Zeitung of that city. In 1889 he was assistant at the Bayreuth Festival, which he had championed with tongue and pen for many years. His activity as a thorough and unprejudiced critic has brought him into considerable prominence. He has been an ardent Wagnerian advocate for years, and is a constant contributor to German magazines and newspapers. Smolian has composed songs for one and two voices.