Samuel Nordheimer
Encyclopedia
Samuel Nordheimer was a prominent businessman and music promoter in 19th century Toronto
. A Bavaria
n immigrant, he lived first in New York
and then in Kingston, Ontario
, before settling in Toronto in 1844. He and his older brother Abraham established a piano
importing business, A.& S. Nordheimer Co. In part to build this business, Nordheimer also became one of the most active promoters of music in Canada. He brought prominent foreign stars to the city, such as Jenny Lind
; opened a concert hall in Montreal, founded the Chamber Music Association, and for many years directed the Toronto Philharmonic Society.
The business prospered and expanded. It became Canada's leading publisher of sheet music
, and initially had the sole right to publish copies of the Maple Leaf Forever. The company also opened branches in other cities across Canada. As well as continuing to import pianos, in 1890 the firm opened its own factory in Toronto and quickly became one of Canada's best known domestic piano brands.
Nordheimer became a prominent member of the city's commercial class, serving on a number of corporate boards. In 1871 he married Edith Boulton, who was from a prominent Toronto family that had played a leading role in the Family Compact
and had built The Grange
. That same year Nordheimer completed work on a massive home named Glenedyth. It was located on Davenport Hill, near James Austin's Spadina House
. While the house was demolished in the 1920s, the ravine
running by the site is still known as the Nordheimer Ravine.
Nordheimer remained head of the company until his death, when the firm was taken over by his nephew Albert. Upon his retirement from the business in 1928, the firm was taken over by Heintzman & Co.
His legacy included a section of Castle Frank Brook
being named after him.
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...
. A Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
n immigrant, he lived first in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and then in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, before settling in Toronto in 1844. He and his older brother Abraham established a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
importing business, A.& S. Nordheimer Co. In part to build this business, Nordheimer also became one of the most active promoters of music in Canada. He brought prominent foreign stars to the city, such as Jenny Lind
Jenny Lind
Johanna Maria Lind , better known as Jenny Lind, was a Swedish opera singer, often known as the "Swedish Nightingale". One of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she is known for her performances in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and for an extraordinarily...
; opened a concert hall in Montreal, founded the Chamber Music Association, and for many years directed the Toronto Philharmonic Society.
The business prospered and expanded. It became Canada's leading publisher of sheet music
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
, and initially had the sole right to publish copies of the Maple Leaf Forever. The company also opened branches in other cities across Canada. As well as continuing to import pianos, in 1890 the firm opened its own factory in Toronto and quickly became one of Canada's best known domestic piano brands.
Nordheimer became a prominent member of the city's commercial class, serving on a number of corporate boards. In 1871 he married Edith Boulton, who was from a prominent Toronto family that had played a leading role in the Family Compact
Family Compact
Fully developed after the War of 1812, the Compact lasted until Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1841. In Lower Canada, its equivalent was the Château Clique. The influence of the Family Compact on the government administration at different levels lasted to the 1880s...
and had built The Grange
The Grange (Toronto)
The Grange is a historic Georgian manor in downtown Toronto, Canada and was the first home of the Art Museum of Toronto. Today, it is part of the Art Gallery of Ontario. The structure was built in 1817, making it the 12th oldest surviving building in Toronto and the oldest remaining brick house...
. That same year Nordheimer completed work on a massive home named Glenedyth. It was located on Davenport Hill, near James Austin's Spadina House
Spadina House
Spadina Museum, also called Spadina , is a historic manor on Spadina Road in Toronto, Canada that is now a museum operated by the City of Toronto Cultural Services. The museum preserves the house much as it existed and developed historically...
. While the house was demolished in the 1920s, the ravine
Toronto ravine system
The Toronto ravine system is one of the most distinctive features of the geography of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a network of deep ravines that form a large urban forest that runs throughout much of the city...
running by the site is still known as the Nordheimer Ravine.
Nordheimer remained head of the company until his death, when the firm was taken over by his nephew Albert. Upon his retirement from the business in 1928, the firm was taken over by Heintzman & Co.
Heintzman & Co.
Heintzman & Co. Ltd was a celebrated Canadian piano manufacturer, based in the Toronto area, whose instruments retain a reputation for quality of workmanship and fineness of tone.- History :...
His legacy included a section of Castle Frank Brook
Castle Frank Brook
Castle Frank Brook is a buried creek and south-west flowing tributary of the Don River in central and north-western Toronto, Ontario, originating near the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Dufferin Street....
being named after him.