Boris Hambourg
Encyclopedia
Boris Hambourg was a Russian cellist who made his career in the USA, Canada
, England
and Europe
.
Boris was the third son of Michael Hambourg , and the younger brother of the pianist Mark Hambourg
(1879–1960) and the violinist Jan Hambourg
(1882–1947). The three sons were encouraged in music from an early age, and were taught instruments which enabled them to play together in chamber music ensemble, as the Hambourg Trio. Boris began his studies in London
in 1892, and after devoting some time to piano, decided to specialize in the cello. He studied at the Hoch Conservatory
in Frankfort-am-Main from 1898 to 1903, taking lessons from Herbert Walenn and later from Hugo Becker
.
In 1903 he made a concert tour of Australia
and New Zealand
, and in 1904 he took part in the first Tchaikovsky Festival in Germany
, held at Pyrmont
. In 1904-1905 he went to Belgium
at the invitation of Eugène Ysaÿe
, who further developed his musical art in interpretation and style. Boris Hambourg made his London debut in 1905, and his American debut in 1910. He was a member of the Hambourg String Quartet (the other members being Jan Hambourg
, John Robinson and Eric Coates
). He appeared as a soloist in many different places before settling in Toronto
, where he took part in founding the Hambourg Conservatory of Music (a private school which closed in 1951), and became its Director. He was naturalised Canadian in 1910.
He continued to appear in concert with many leading orchestras in the United States and Europe, and in England appeared as soloist with the Queen's Hall
Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Boris was the third son of Michael Hambourg , and the younger brother of the pianist Mark Hambourg
Mark Hambourg
Mark Hambourg was a distinguished Russian-British concert pianist, among the most famous of his age.- Life :Mark Hambourg was the eldest son of the pianist Michael Hambourg , and was brother of the cellist Boris Hambourg and the violinist Jan Hambourg , and of the musical organiser Clement...
(1879–1960) and the violinist Jan Hambourg
Jan Hambourg
Jan Hambourg was a Russian violinist, a member of a famous musical family, who made his career in Europe during the early 20th century....
(1882–1947). The three sons were encouraged in music from an early age, and were taught instruments which enabled them to play together in chamber music ensemble, as the Hambourg Trio. Boris began his studies in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1892, and after devoting some time to piano, decided to specialize in the cello. He studied at the Hoch Conservatory
Hoch Conservatory
Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium - Musikakademie was founded in Frankfurt am Main on September 22, 1878. Through the generosity of Frankfurter Joseph Hoch, who bequeathed the Conservatory one million German gold marks in his testament, a school for music and the arts was established for all age groups. ...
in Frankfort-am-Main from 1898 to 1903, taking lessons from Herbert Walenn and later from Hugo Becker
Hugo Becker
for french actor see Hugo BeckerHugo Becker was a prominent German cellist, cello teacher, and composer. He studied at a young age with Alfredo Piatti, and later Friedrich Grützmacher in Dresden.He was born in 1863 in Strasbourg; his father Jean Becker was a famous violinist...
.
In 1903 he made a concert tour of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and in 1904 he took part in the first Tchaikovsky Festival in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, held at Pyrmont
Pyrmont
Pyrmont may refer to:* Bad Pyrmont, a spa town in northern Germany* Pyrmont, Indiana, United States* Pyrmont, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia* Pyrmont Bridge is a landmark connecting Pyrmont, NSW to Sydney in Australia...
. In 1904-1905 he went to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
at the invitation of Eugène Ysaÿe
Eugène Ysaÿe
Eugène Ysaÿe was a Belgian violinist, composer and conductor born in Liège. He was regarded as "The King of the Violin", or, as Nathan Milstein put it, the "tzar"...
, who further developed his musical art in interpretation and style. Boris Hambourg made his London debut in 1905, and his American debut in 1910. He was a member of the Hambourg String Quartet (the other members being Jan Hambourg
Jan Hambourg
Jan Hambourg was a Russian violinist, a member of a famous musical family, who made his career in Europe during the early 20th century....
, John Robinson and Eric Coates
Eric Coates
Eric Coates was an English composer of light music and a viola player.-Life:Eric was born in Hucknall in Nottinghamshire to William Harrison Coates , a surgeon, and his wife, Mary Jane Gwynne, hailing from Usk in Monmouthshire...
). He appeared as a soloist in many different places before settling in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, where he took part in founding the Hambourg Conservatory of Music (a private school which closed in 1951), and became its Director. He was naturalised Canadian in 1910.
He continued to appear in concert with many leading orchestras in the United States and Europe, and in England appeared as soloist with the Queen's Hall
Queen's Hall
The Queen's Hall was a concert hall in Langham Place, London, opened in 1893. Designed by the architect T.E. Knightley, it had room for an audience of about 2,500 people. It became London's principal concert venue. From 1895 until 1941, it was the home of the promenade concerts founded by Robert...
Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
.
Sources
- A. Eaglefield-Hull, Dictionary of Modern Music and Musicians (Dent, London 1924).