The Violoncello and Its HistoryWasielewski, Wilhelm Joseph von
History
The Violoncello and Its History
Wasielewski, Wilhelm Joseph von
Cellists; Cello -- History
HEINRICH MOLLENHAUER, born on September 10, 1825, at Erfurt, was from
his fourth year taught piano and violin playing, and when only a
half-grown boy he made, with his brothers, under his father’s guidance,
a concert tour through Germany. He later devoted himself, under Knoop’s
direction, to Violoncello playing with great success. Mollenhauer
belonged for three years, from 1853, to the Royal band at Stockholm,
and then turned to New York. After he had travelled through the North
American States as a Concert-giver, he settled down, in 1867, at
Brooklyn, and founded there a music school.
In the sphere of chamber music the best performer was the Cellist of
the formerly famous MÜLLER STRING QUARTET, whose name was THEODORE. He
was born on September 27, 1802, in Brunswick, and died there on May 22,
1875. He is described as the very soul of the Quartet Band, which with
his brothers Carl (1st Violin), Georg (2nd Violin), and Gustave (Tenor),
he so carefully kept together for so many years, the most brilliant
period of which was from 1831-1855. During this time the brothers Müller
undertook journeys into Germany, Holland, Denmark, and Russia, which
were crowned with fame. They were also heard in Paris.
As is known, the Müller String Quartet was continued by the sons of
Charles, the eldest of the brothers, who belonged as Concert Master to
the Ducal Kapelle of Brunswick. The Violoncellist of the junior Quartet
Band was--
WILLIAM MÜLLER, born on June 1, 1834, in Brunswick. He had his uncle,
Theodore, as his master. After he had been working with his brothers in
the Meiningen orchestra, as well as in Wiesbaden and Rostock, he entered
the Berlin Court Kapelle as solo cellist, and also undertook the Cello
instruction in the Royal High School for Music. In this position he
remained three years, when he went to America. From that time there is
no more account of him.
His pupil, EUGEN SANDOW, born on September 11, 1856, in Berlin, occupied
himself from his sixth to his eighth year, under the direction of
his father, with violin playing; gave it up however in favour of the
Violoncello, and had as his next teacher the royal chamber musician,
A. Rohne. In 1870 he was taken into the High School for Music, and was
there, from 1873 to 1876, Müller’s pupil. In April of the year 1879
ensued his appointment as Chamber Musician in the Royal band.
* * * * *
Since the beginning of the present century Hamburg has been
distinguished by excellent cellists. Foremost must be brought forward
here--
JOHANN NIKOLAUS PRELL. He was born on November 6, 1773, in Hamburg,
and earned the thanks of the musical world there especially by the
institution of regular Quartet Academies. He died on March 18, 1849. His
son--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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