Hugo Becker

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Hugo Becker (February 13, 1864 – July 30, 1941) was a prominent German cellist, cello teacher, and composer. He studied at a young age with Alfredo Piatti, and later Friedrich Grützmacher in Dresden.[1]

He was born in 1864 in Strasbourg; his father Jean Becker was a famous violinist. His father tried teaching him violin at the age of six, but the young Becker loved cello, and switched over at the age of nine. By age fifteen he was touring with a string quartet made up of him, his father, sister, and brother. He had also become a leading cellist in the court orchestra in Mannheim.[1]

In 1884, Becker was appointed solo cellist with the Frankfurt Opera Orchestra, and the following year became the leading cello teacher at the Frankfurt Hoch Conservatory. From 1909 to 1929, he was professor of cello at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin.[2]

During this time he also toured extensively and played chamber music with Eugène Ysaÿe and Ferruccio Busoni in a piano trio.[1], and later with Artur Schnabel and Carl Flesch as the third Schnabel Trio[2] between 1914-21.

He owned two Strads: the 1720 Cristiani and another one built in 1719 now known as the Becker.[1]

[edit] Selected works

  • Andante religioso
  • Three Pieces for Cello with Piano Accompaniment
  • Scènes d'amour, duo
  • Deux Morceaux: Romance, Duo
  • Deux Morceaux: Valse gracieuse, Duo
  • Cello Concerto in A major
  • Aus dem Leben des Waldschrat, suite
  • Mechanik und Ästhetik des Violoncellospiels

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Hugo Becker, Cellist. Internet Cello Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
  2. ^ a b Artur Schnabel: Musiker 1882-1951, page 19-21, pub: Archives of the Academie der Künste / Wolke Verlag, 2001
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