Adolph Schellschmidt
American cellist and composer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Adolph Schellschmidt | |
|---|---|
Adolph Schellschmidt in 1900 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | August 30, 1867[1] |
| Origin | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States[1] |
| Died | March 18, 1946 (aged 78)[2] Indianapolis, Indiana, United States[2] |
| Genres | Classical music Chamber music |
| Occupation | Composer Teacher |
| Instruments | Cello[1] Violin[1] Piano[1] |
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
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]