Dr. Sanna Pederson, University of Oklahoma
Besides his performances with his colleagues de Ahna and Hausmann in a Piano Trio, Heinrich Barth (12.07.1847-23.12.1922) had a solo career, although he never became as famous as his students Wilhelm Kempff, Heinrich Neuhaus, or Arthur Rubinstein. Barth’s training included study with Liszt’s two best students, Hans von Bülow and Carl Tausig. He began at … Read more
There is no mention of Georg Hausmann in Joachim’s biography or published letters, even though Joseph Joachim must have known Georg well. They met in 1844 in London when they performed Mendelssohn’s D minor trio with the composer at the piano. This was part of Joachim’s sensational debut in London as a 13-year-old prodigy. Another … Read more
It seems that during Robert Hausmann’s lifetime, almost no one acknowledged that Georg had ever existed. He is not mentioned in Bernhard’s long, detailed memoirs that he published at the end of his life in 1873, his Erinnerungen aus dem 80 jährigen Leben eines hannoverschen Bürgers (Hannover, 1873). Nor does he come up in Hermann … Read more
The Joachim Quartet did not present a series of concerts in London until 1897. This was the year that two of Joachim’s regular London collaborators, the cellist Alfredo Piatti and the violinist Ludwig Ries, retired. Thereafter Joachim’s Berlin group visited every year (except for the year 1900). There was some confusion in the press … Read more
London, April 1838 M. Hausmann has merit, but attempts more than his instrument can possibly compass. His figure and face remind us of Ole Bull, and like the latter he essays to make the violoncello, as it were, sing, by the use of the tone vibrato. Mr. Hausmann’s intonation in the harmonics is, however, not … Read more
Robert Hausmann was the youngest of five children, born on August 13, 1852. His grandfather Johann Friedrich Ludwig Hausmann (1782-1859) was a famous mineralogist and Professor at the University of Göttingen for 48 years, and his father, Friedrich Ludolf (1810-80), also studied mineralogy. In 1843 Friedrich married Luise Bennighauß (1822-1901). An accomplished pianist, she cultivated music … Read more
Joachim formed a Quartet in 1869 in Berlin as part of the plan for the new Königliche Hochschule für Musik. The main idea was to provide an opportunity for students to hear professional performances of the repertoire they were studying by giving them free access to the concerts and the dress rehearsal at the Hochschule. … Read more