Some of the Principal Players in the Various
Sections of the Philadelphia Orchestra
1900-1925
Thaddeus Rich,
Assistant Conductor
and Concertmaster
Dr. Thaddeus Rich, who has been the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1906, was born in Indianapolis. He began to play the violin in 1893, and when he was twelve years old showed such remarkable talent that he was sent to Leipsig, where he entered the Leipsig Conservatory, graduating with honors at the age of fifteen. In 1901 he accepted a position as first violinist with the famous Gewandhaus Orchestra under Arthur Nikisch, and two years later he went to Berlin as concertmaster of the Charlottenburg Opera. Here he studied violin with Joachim and composition with Pfitzner. In 1905 he returned to America, and Fritz Scheel, who was then conductor of the orchestra, heard him play and immediately engaged him as concertmaster. At his performances in Philadelphia he has played nearly every modern and classic concerto of value in violin literature.
Hans Kindler,
First Violoncellist—1916-20
Hans Kindler was born in Rotterdam, Holland, and was educated in the High School and University of that city. When he was nine years old he began to play the ’cello, and later he attended the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he studied under Mossel, Jean Gerardy, and Casals. He was for two years solo cellist with the Deutsches Opernhaus, Berlin-Charlottenburg, and during his residence in Berlin he taught the ’cello at the Scharwenka Conservatory. Mr. Kindler has appeared with the principal orchestras in Berlin, Amsterdam, Birmingham, and Hanover, under such famous conductors as Mengelberg, Kunwald, Schönberg, Landon Ronald, etc. He has also played in joint recitals with Julia Culp, Xaver Scharwenka, and Ferruccio Busoni, who dedicated to him a transcription of a Chromatic Fantasy by Bach. He has also played for the Queen of Holland and for the Prince and Princess of Wied in Berlin.
David Dubinsky:
First second Violinist,
was born in Odessa, Russia, educated in Philadelphia. Began his musical education at the age of eleven. Studied the violin under Schradieck and Sauret. Original member of Philadelphia Orchestra. Four seasons in Pittsburg Orchestra under Emil Paur, serving as principal second violin. Played in Cincinnati Orchestra in May Festivals of 1906 and 1914 Boston Festival Orchestra. Engaged for Philadelphia in 1908.
Romain Joseph Verney:
First Viola,
was born in Paris, France, graduated with honors from the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under Theophile Laforge, at the age of eighteen. Was one of the principals at the Opera Comique and played in the Concerts Colonne. Came to this country in 1906 to be first viola with the New York Symphony Orchestra, where he remained for five years, and from there went to the Chicago Grand Opera Company. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1920.
William Morris Kincaid:
First Flute,
was born in Minneapolis, educated at Punahan, Honolulu, also Columbia University. While living in Hawaiian Islands began to study the piano at the age of seven, flute at the age of eight, and after moving to the United States, the organ. He studied the flute at Institute of Musical Art with George Barrère, from which he graduated in the regular and artist course. He played with New York Symphony Orchestra for five years. Soloist at concerts in and around New York and on tour with New York Symphony and New York Chamber Music Society. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1921.
Marcel Tabuteau:
First Oboe,
was born at Compiègne (Oise), France. He began his musical studies at the age of six, with his brother-in-law, a well-known violinist. At the age of thirteen he became a pupil at Paris Conservatory under Georges Hillet, the famous master of the French Oboe School, where he studied five years. In 1904 was awarded the first prize at Paris Conservatory. His teacher advised him to come to this country and recommended him to Walter Damrosch, with whom he played for several seasons, and in 1908 was engaged by Toscanini at the Metropolitan Opera House. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1915.
Anton Horner:
First Horn,
was born in Gossengrun, Bohemia. He began to play the violin at the age of eight under his father’s instruction, who was a professional musician; began to learn the horn at thirteen, entered Leipsig Conservatory at fourteen where he studied for over three years, violin under Hans Becker, and horn under Frederick Gumbert. Three years with Pittsburgh Orchestra. (Also plays violin.) Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1902.
Richard Krüger:
First Bassoon,
was born in Berlin, Germany. Received private instruction in violin and piano from the age of twelve to fourteen; then four years at the Parlow Conservatory of Music, Berlin, being a pupil of Otto Schoenberg in the study of the bassoon. Played with Symphony Orchestra at Aix-la-Chapelle and Cologne, and under the direction of Richard Strauss, Felix Weingartner, Felix Mottl and Fritz Steinbach, also with Theodore Thomas Orchestra in Chicago. (Also plays piano and violin.) Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1901.
Antonio Torello:
First Double Bass,
was born at San Sadurni de Noya, Province of Barcelona, Spain. Received his musical education at the Municipal School of Music at Barcelona. Began to play bass at the age of ten, played in an orchestra and at fourteen was playing solos. Played in the following orchestras: Associación? Musical de Barcelona, Boston Opera Orchestra, Boston Festival Orchestra, has been heard as soloist in Spain, Portugal and Madeira Island, and in the United States during the Boston Festival Orchestra tour in 1911, all through the New England States, Pittsburgh, Denver, Cleveland, etc. Came to America in 1909. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1914.
Daniel Bonade:
First Clarinet,
was born in Geneva, Switzerland. Studied the clarinet under M. Lefèbre (solo clarinet at Paris Opera) in 1904, and won first prize at Paris Conservatory in 1913. Played in Paris in Sechiari Symphony Orchestra and in Monteux Symphonic Orchestra (Paris). Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1917.
Solomon Cohen:
First Trumpet,
was born in New York City. Began studying trumpet in 1912 under Mr. Schlossberg of the New York Philharmonic; then studied harmony under Hedda van dem Beemt. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1918.
J. Walter Guetter:
First Bassoon,
was born in Philadelphia. Studied violin from nine to fourteen years of age; at fourteen began study of bassoon and piano. From 1910 to 1914 studied at Klindworth Scharwenka Conservatory of Music, Berlin, under Adolf Guetter, principal bassoonist of former Royal Opera. With Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1915-22. Appeared as soloist with local Orchestra at St. Marknerkirchen, Saxony, in 1914; in Chamber Music Concerts in Chicago and Philadelphia; with Philadelphia Orchestra at Children’s Concerts in 1923. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1922.
Michel Penha:
First Cellist, 1920-1925,
was born in Amsterdam, Holland. He began his general musical education at Amsterdam Conservatory, and studied under Professors Mossel, Hugo Becker and Joseph Salmen. Toured as soloist in Europe, Indies, South America and United States. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1920.
William Oscar Schwar:
Tympanist,
was born in Bautzen, Saxony, Germany. Began to play the violin at the age of ten. Studied tympani under Mr. Heinemann, first tympani player at the Royal Opera and teacher at Royal Conservatory at Dresden, Germany. Was a member of the Royal Opera at St. Petersburg, and has played in all the leading cities of Germany and European countries under the following musical directors and in the cities here cited: Felix Mottl, Karlsruhe; Treckler, Dresden; Sauer, Coblentz, Frischen, Hanover. Shortly after joining the Philadelphia Orchestra he made a sensation by his wonderful playing in the overture “Romeo and Juliet” by Tschaikowsky. When he had finished, the entire orchestra applauded him with great enthusiasm, an action which is seldom accorded a member of an orchestra in rehearsal by his colleagues. (Also plays snare drum, bells and xylophone.) Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra in 1903.
Gardell Simons:
Trombone,
was born at Allegan, Michigan. He began the study of the trombone at the age of nine and a few years later commenced a systematic course of study in Chicago. Since it was difficult at that time to get instruction of a high order from Trombonists he relied mostly upon singers and instrumentalists of repute for his instruction in breathing, phrasing, articulation and expression, and at length became one of the originators of the Modern School of trombone playing; also studied harmony and composition to some extent. Played first trombone with Philharmonic Orchestra, New York City, Arens “People’s Symphony,” Volpe Symphony and others. Wide experience as soloist with concert bands and concert companies, etc., and plays mostly his own compositions or violin music adapted by himself to the trombone. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1915.
Daniel Maquarre:
First Flute, 1910-1918,
was born in Brussels. When five years old he began the study of music in Paris, and in 1893, entered the National Conservatory of Paris to study flute and harmony; in 1896 he won the first prize for the flute. Toured in the United States as soloist with Mme. Emma Nevada in 1901, and was for two years soloist with Longy Club, of Boston. In 1902 became member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he remained for seven seasons; also one season with New York Philharmonic. Organized the D. Maquarre Ensemble of Instruments in fall of 1913 in Philadelphia. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1910.
André Maquarre:
First Flute, 1918-1910,
was born in Brussels. Began his musical studies at the age of eight at the Paris Conservatory, with Solfeggio and Piano under Martini, also studied Harmony with Landon, Flute with Henry Altes and Composition with Massenet. Played in several orchestras in Paris, also Opera. Joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1898 as solo flute, and from 1906-1917 was conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra during the period of the “Pop” Concerts season at Symphony Hall. Wide soloist experience in Symphony orchestras, chamber music organizations, also obligato with singers, such as Melba, Gilibert and others. Founded the Maquarre Sextet in Boston in 1901. Composed three operas and a number of orchestral pieces in Symphonic form, an overture played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra; and chamber music for wind choir and songs. Engaged for Philadelphia Orchestra 1918.
Peter Henkelman,
First English Horn and Oboe,
was born in Heusden, Holland. Attended school in Holland, and at the age of seven began to study the violin. A few years later he began the study of the piano, and at the age of thirteen entered the Royal Conservatory at The Hague, where he started to study the oboe and English horn, as well as continuing his studies of the violin, piano and theory. He has played with the City Symphony Orchestra at Haarlem and Utrecht, the Winderstein Orchestra of Leipzig, the Symphony Orchestra of Budapest, the City Orchestra of Heidelberg, as well as with the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. Engaged for the Philadelphia Orchestra 1901.