Hambourg, Mark

1879-

Eminent pianist; born at Bozutchar, in the province of Vorenez, South Russia. His decided talent developed very early, and his father, who was a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, decided to give him a thorough musical training. His progress was so rapid that at the age of ten he made his first public appearance with the Mocero Philharmonic Society. After this he made a successful tour of Great Britain, and in 1891 at the advice of Richter and Paderewski, went to Vienna, where he studied for three years with Leschetizky, and won the Liszt Scholarship. In 1894 Dr. Richter invited him to play at a Philharmonic concert in Vienna, on which occasion he performed Chopin's Concerto in E minor, and proved himself fully matured in his art. The following year he played at a Philharmonic concert in London and afterward made extensive tours through Europe, and to Australia and South Africa. In  1899 he made his American debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, afterward making a successful tour of the United States and Canada. He made a second American tour in 1902. His technique is admirable and he is imaginative and intellectual, bringing to the interpretation of the great masters a rare insight and sympathy to which in large measure his success is due. He is a man of wide culture and in spite of constant travel is deeply interested in many lines of study, being familiar with the literatures of France, Germany, England and Russia, with printing, sculpture and science. His repertory is extensive, including about twenty concertos and almost six hundred other compositions. He has composed several pieces for piano and violin.

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