Bauer, Harold, 1873-1951

Harold Bauer, born Apr. 28, 1873, Kingston-on-Thames, near London, died Mar. 12, 1951, Miami, Fla. Throughout his career he was regarded as one of the greatest living pianists, a successor to the tradition of Liszt, Paderewski, and Brahms, and a celebrated interpreter of the music of Schumann, Brahms, and Franck. He was one of the first to champion the music of Debussy and of Ravel. Bauer also had considerable fame in chamber music, performing with Pablo Casals, Fritz Kreisler, Jacques Thibaud, Ossip Gabrilowitsch, the Flonzaley String Quartet, and others. He founded the Beethoven Association in 1918 which, through its sponsorship of public concerts featuring the finest musicians of the time, and through its financial support of musicians and institutions alike, greatly contributed to the development of American musical culture in the first half of the 20th century. Bauer edited many editions of piano music (most notably of Bach, Brahms, and the complete piano works of Schumann), several of which are still in print today. In his later years, he taught at the Manhattan School of Music and at the University of Miami and gave frequent lectures and master classes throughout the United States. Bauer was also interested in a wide range of musical topics and has left a substantial amount of writings on various composers and their works, interpretation, performance practice, and piano technique. Bauer also wrote many articles on more general musical topics.

From the description of Harold Bauer collection, 1880-1951 (bulk 1920-1951). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70984521

From the description of Harold Bauer collection, 1880-1951 (bulk 1920-1951). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 658833285

American pianist of English birth.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (8), dated or postmarked : New York, to Harry Harkness Flagler (one is to Mrs. Flagler), 1914-1934 [and n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270672047

Harold Bauer (1873-1951) was born in London in 1873. He began his musical studies on the violin, and gave his first public performance at the age of nine. In 1893 he went to Paris and began studying with pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski, and eventually shifted his focus to the piano. After his Paris debut the following year, he toured extensively in Europe. He made his American debut in 1900 and settled in the United States in the early part of the twentieth century. In addition to his performing career, he edited many editions of piano music for music publisher G. Schirmer, including the complete piano works of Schumann, and taught at the Manhattan School of Music and at the University of Miami. He also wrote extensively about music for both professional and general audiences. He died in Miami in 1951.

From the guide to the Harold Bauer Papers, 1901-1934., (Columbia University Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

Concert pianist.

From the description of Harold Bauer letters, 1900-1935. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 465278754

Biographical Note

While infrequently considered by modern musical scholarship, Harold Bauer (1873-1951) held an eminent position in the musical life of his time. Throughout his career he was regarded as one of the greatest living pianists, a successor to the tradition of Liszt, Paderewski and Brahms, and a celebrated interpreter of the music of Schumann, Brahms and Franck. He was one of the first to champion the music of Debussy and of Ravel, who dedicated the "Ondine" movement of his Gaspard de la nuit to the pianist. Bauer also had considerable fame as a recitalist, performing with such accomplished performers as Pablo Casals, Fritz Kreisler, Jacques Thibaud, Ossip Gabrilowitsch, and the Flonzaley String Quartet.

As a performer, Bauer continually sought to attain and to define the highest musical standards, and to convey them to the widest possible audience. To this end, Bauer founded the Beethoven Association in 1918, which, through its sponsorship of public concerts featuring the finest musicians of the time, and through its financial support of musicians and institutions alike, greatly contributed to the development of American musical culture in the first half of this century. As an educator, Bauer edited many editions of piano music (most notably of Bach, Brahms, and the complete piano works of Schumann), several of which are still in print today. In his later years, he taught at the Manhattan School of Music and at the University of Miami, and gave frequent lectures and master classes throughout the country. Bauer was also keenly interested in a wide range of musical topics and has left a substantial amount of writings on various composers and their works, interpretation, performance practice, and piano technique.

Bauer's interest in education, however, was not limited to musicians; he recognized that musical culture must extend to as large an audience as possible in order to be fully realized. For this audience, Bauer wrote many articles which treated more general musical topics; his autobiography and these articles all bear the stamp of his particular erudition and wit. For these reasons he was held in high esteem by both his contemporaries among professional musicians and by a larger public, for whom his art possessed an almost "popular" fame.

• 1873, Apr. 28: Born, Kingston-on-Thames, near London
• circa 1878 - 1882 : Received first musical education at home; aunt gave him first violin lessons, and father provided him with piano instruction some years later
• 1882: First public appearance as a violin soloist, Saint James' Hall, London
• 1893: Left England for Paris, where he resided for the next twenty years Began coaching with Ignace Paderewski, which influenced his decision to pursue a career as a concert pianist
• 1894: Debut in Paris. Accepted offer of a concert tour through Russia as accompanist (on piano as well as on violin) for the singer Louise Nikita (pseudonym of Louise Nicholson), which lasted until the spring of the following year
• circa 1896: Frequented Parisian musical circles and became acquainted with several notable figures, including Debussy, Ravel, Saint-Saëns, Enesco, Casals and Kreisler; with the two latter performers, Bauer began a lengthy period of touring
• 1900: American debut in Boston as piano soloist in Brahms' Concerto no. 1in D minor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Wilhelm Gericke (the work's Boston première)
• 1918: Founded the Beethoven Association in New York; its first concert was presented on Nov. 4 of the following year
• circa 1920 - 1948 : Devoted himself to the pursuit of interests which were of highest importance to him: concertizing, writing (on music education and music criticism), and preparing editions of piano music for the publishing firm of G. Schirmer
• 1924, July 10: Became American citizen
• 1948: Published autobiography Harold Bauer, His Book. New York: W.W. Norton
• 1951, Mar. 12: Died, Miami, Florida

From the guide to the Harold Bauer Collection, 1880-1951, (bulk 1920-1951), (Music Division Library of Congress)