Loeffler, Charles Martin, 1861-1935

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1861-01-30
Death 1935-05-19
Americans,
English, Italian,

Biographical notes:

Composed 1915. First performance Boston, 2 March 1917, Boston Symphony, Carl Muck conductor. Dedicated to Mr. & Mrs. Carl Stoeckel.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Hora mystica : symphony in one movement for grand orchestra and men's voices / composed by Ch. M. Loeffler. 1915. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52731937

Charles Martin Loeffler was born on January 30, 1861. His place of birth is disputed; he claimed to be Alsatian, but according to his biographer Ellen Knight, documents indicate that he was actually born near Berlin. He studied violin and composition in Germany (where Joseph Joachim was one of his teachers) and France, and in 1881 he went to the United States, which eventually became his permanent home. From 1882 to 1903 Loeffler was Second Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and he achieved considerable renown as a solo violinist. He composed extensively, and his works were widely performed during his lifetime. He received many awards, including an honorary doctorate from Yale University in 1926. Charles Martin Loeffler died on May 19, 1935.

From the guide to the The Charles Martin Loeffler Collection, 1895-1936, (Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, Yale University)

First performance Boston, 4 January 1895. Dedicated to Mme. Gardner (Mrs. John Gardner of Boston). Third movement dedicated to the memory of Franz Liszt.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Divertissement in A minor for violin and orchestra / C.M. Loeffler. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52731919

Alsatian-born composer.

From the description of The Charles Martin Loeffler collection, 1895-1936 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 122501266

From the description of The Charles Martin Loeffler collection, 1895-1936 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 701838977

American composer of French birth.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p.,], to Walter [Damrosch], [n.d., 1930 June?]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270668255

From the description of Autograph letter signed, dated : Medfield, Mass. Dec. 31 1911, to Mr. [Harry Harkness] Flagler, 1911 Dec. 31. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270668260

Charles [Karl] Martin Loeffler, violinist and composer, was born on Jan. 30, 1861 in Schöneberg, nr Berlin, or Mulhouse, Alsace. He had his first violin lessons in the late 1860s from a German member of the Russian Imperial Orchestra. By the age of 13 he had decided to become a professional violinist, and from 1874 to 1877 studied violin with Joachim and Eduard Rappoldi and theory with Friedrich Kiel and Bargiel at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. He continued his musical studies in Paris, taking private lessons in violin from Massart and in composition from Guiraud. He was a member of Pasdeloup's orchestra for a season, then played in the private orchestra of Paul de Derwies (1879-1881). After the death of Derwies in June 1881, Loeffler left for the USA. He became an American citizen in 1887. In the autumn of 1882 Loeffler joined the Boston SO as second concertmaster, a position he held for 21 years. He became a favourite soloist with the Boston public. Loeffler retired from the orchestra at the end of the 1902-1903 season. After spending a year (1904-1905) in Paris he settled in Medfield, Massachusetts, where he shared his time between his working farm, his thoroughbred horses, and his musical activities. He died on May 19, 1935 in Medfield.

From the description of Charles Martin Loeffler Collection 1890-1935 (bulk 1901-1930). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71129936

Based on Nikolai Gogol's "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka." Some motifs in movement 3 are authentic Russian folk melodies. First performance Boston, 20 November 1891, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Dedicated to Henry L. Higginson.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Les veillées de l'Ukraine d'aprés Nicolas Gogol pour violon avec grand orchestre / par Charles M. Loeffler. [19--] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52833099

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Subjects:

  • Composers
  • Composers
  • Music
  • Music
  • Music
  • Music
  • Opera
  • Orchestral music
  • Quintets (Piano, bassoon, flute, oboe, saxophone)
  • Saxophone with orchestra
  • Songs
  • Songs (High voice) with chamber orchestra
  • String quartets
  • Symphonies
  • Viola d'amore and piano music
  • Violin and piano music
  • Violinists
  • Violin music
  • Violin with orchestra

Occupations:

  • Collector
  • Composers

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)

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