Hornberger, G. O.

German-born concert cellist, composer, conductor, and music teacher, Gustav Otto Hornberger (1872-1958) was affiliated with several New York orchestras and chamber music groups, and taught for many years at private studios in locations in Queens, New York.

According to his professional biography, Hornberger began his musical training with his father, with whom he studied piano and cello. After studying cello at the Royal Conservatory in Stuttgart, he performed as a soloist with numerous European orchestras and later immigrated to the United States. In 1903, Hornberger advertised himself in American papers as a resident solo-cellist with a repertoire of over 200 pieces available for hire for concerts and recitals. He performed as a member of the Philharmonic Trio, which gave concerts at the Academy of Music under the auspices of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. In 1923, Hornberger founded the Aeonian Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and served as its conductor and musical director through 1948. He also was a cellist with the New York Symphony Orchestra and with the Philharmonic Society (he was chairman of the board of the Philharmonic Society when the two merged into the New York Philharmonic-Symphony, now the New York Philharmonic). Hornberger offered instruction in piano, violin, cello, singing and harmony at his Suburban Music Studio in Woodhaven, New York and at the Musical Art Studio in Jamaica, New York. He also composed music for concert presentation. Several of his compositions contain lyrics written by Louis Zuber. Hornberger apparently utilized or considered utilizing the pseudonym, Gaston de Coquerelle.

From the description of Gustav Otto Hornberger scores, circa 1897-1944. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 169946346

Gustav Otto Hornberger was born in Germany on October 19, 1872. According to his professional biography, Hornberger began his musical study at six years old when he studied piano and cello with his father. Four years later he began to study violin and practice the church organ. He favored the cello. He then studied under K. Kundinger at the Amnheim Conservatory and Professor Cabisius at the Royal Conservatory in Stuttgart, Germany. He performed as solo-cellist with numerous European orchestras under conductors including Von Bulow, Rubenstein, Weingartner, Zumpe, and R. Strauss. In the United States he played under Seidel, Hertz, Damrosch, and Safonoff. He toured Europe, Canada, and the United States as a concert cellist.

In 1903, Hornberger advertised himself in American papers as a resident solo-cellist with a repertoire of over 200 pieces available for hire for concerts and recitals. He performed as a member of the Philharmonic Trio which gave concerts at the Academy of Music under the auspices of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. Hornberger also performed with the Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra and as a member of the Schnitzler String Quartette, the Stein Trio, and the Kaltenborn Quartet. He was musical director of the Aeonian Chorus and Orchestra. Hornberger was cellist with the New York Symphony Orchestra and with the Philharmonic Society. He was chairman of the board of the Philharmonic Society when the two merged into the New York Philharmonic-Symphony, now the New York Philharmonic.

Hornberger offered instruction in piano, violin, cello, singing and harmony at his Suburban Music Studio in Woodhaven, Long Island and at the Musical Art Studio in Jamaica, New York. He also composed music for concert presentation and for sale. Several of his compositions contain vocals composed by Louis Zuber. Hornberger apparently utilized or considered utilizing the pseudonym Gaston de Coquerelle. In 1914 he debuted his Finlandia, a sonata for violoncello and piano, at the Tonkunstler Society in Memorial Hall.

Hornberger died on July 17, 1958 at the age of 85.

Additional source: Obituary. New York Times, 7/17/1958.

From the guide to the Gustav Otto Hornberger scores, circa 1897-1944, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)