Adolph Schellschmidt | |
|---|---|
 Adolph Schellschmidt in 1900 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | August 30, 1867
[1] Indianapolis, Indiana, United States [2] |
| Origin | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States [1] |
| Died | March 18, 1946 (aged 78)
[2] Indianapolis, Indiana, United States [2] |
| Genres |
Classical music Chamber music |
| Occupation(s) | Composer Teacher |
| Instruments |
Cello
[1] Violin [1] Piano [1] |
Adolph H. Schellschmidt (August 30, 1867 – March 18, 1946) [1] was an American cellist and composer. He wrote, studied, taught and performed classical and chamber music. He was nicknamed "the dean of cellists." [3]
Early life and education
Adolph Schellschmidt was born on August 30, 1867, in Indianapolis, Indiana. [1] He was one of seven siblings. The family was very musical, with all children learning how to play an instrument to participate in the family chamber orchestra. [4] His father, Adolph, taught Schellschmidt how to play the violin when Schellschmidt was ten. [3] [4] Two years later, at the age of 12, he began playing cello after seeing Thedodore Hahn perform in Cincinnati. [4]
Schellschmidt eventually studied under Hahn in Chicago. [2] Schellschmidt also learned how to play clarinet at this time. [4] He lived for a time in New York City, where her performed and was a member of the Musicians Protective Union. When he was 26, Schellschmidt traveled to Europe to study, and played in the first performance of Death and Transfiguration, conducted by Richard Strauss. [2] In Europe, he also studied under Louis Hegyesi. [4] He studied, alongside his sister Emma, at the Cologne Conservatory from 1890 until 1893. [3]
Career
In 1893, Schellschmidt returned to Indianapolis from Europe. [4] He started teaching at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. [2] He started performing with the Schliewan String Quartet and co-organized the Kammermusik Society. [4] Eventually, he joined the faculty at DePauw University, where he taught for 17 years and oversaw the glee club. [2] [5] He also taught at Indiana University from 1919 until 1921. [6] He was a member and teacher at the Arthur Jordan Conservatory for 26 years. [2] As of 1898, Schellschmidt taught at his personal studio, alongside his sisters Emma, on harp, and Bertha on violin. [7] He was nicknamed "Schelley" by his students. [4]
Later life and death
Schellschmidt died on March 18, 1946, at his home in Indianapolis after being sick for nine weeks. [2] [3] In tribute, the Arthur Jordan Conservatory yearbook, Opus, was dedicated to Schellschmidt. [4]
Legacy
Schellschmidt's sheet music collection is held in the collection of the Indiana State Library. [1] His papers are in the collection of DePauw University. [8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Collection: Adolph Schellschmidt collection | Indiana State Library Manuscripts Catalog". Rare Books and Manuscripts. Indiana State Library. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Adolph Schellschmidt's Obituary". Historic Indianapolis. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Adolph Schellschmidt, Dean of Hoosier Cellists, is Dead at 77". The Indianapolis News. 19 March 1946. p. 7. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Opus (1946)". Jordan Conservatory of Music Yearbooks. Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music. 1946. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ Sparrow, Masada (12 June 2017). "Schellschmidt family biographies" (PDF). Indiana State Library. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ Indiana University Bulletin. The University. 1924. p. 9.
- ^ Music: A Monthly Magazine, Devoted to the Art, Science, Technic and Literature of Music. W. S. B. Mathews. 1898. p. 58.
- ^ "Collection: Adolph Schellschmidt papers". DePauw University. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
External links
- "Musical Families in Early Indianapolis" from Historic Indianapolis