Brodsky, Adolph

1851

Celebrated contemporary Russian violinist and teacher. He was born at Taganrog, Russia, and early displayed exceptional musical talent. He began taking lessons at the age of five, and at the age of nine gave a concert. At this concert he enlisted the sympathy of a wealthy citizen, who sent him to study at Vienna. In the year 1860, he entered the Vienna Conservatory and became a pupil of the famous Joseph Hellmesberger. This great teacher took much delight in his gifted pupil and allowed the "wonder child" to play at many con certs in Vienna, and finally admitted him into his own quartet, then in the height of its popularity, the personnel being Hellmesberger, Brodsky, Boderich and Popper. After a residence of ten years in Vienna, Brodsky made a tour in his native land, 1870 to 1874, and with two other artists gave concerts all over Russia, the itinerary extending as far as Tiflis in the Caucasus and Baku on the Caspian. He subsequently settled in Moscow, that he might come under the influence of Ferdinand Laub; but he was never a pupil of Laub, as is stated in some biographies, though Dr. Brodsky considers that Laub had a greater influence on the formation of his style than even Hellmesberger. In 1874, Brodsky was appointed professor in the Munich Conservatory. He remained there four years, then for two years conducted the symphony concerts at Kiev, and toured Austria, Germany and England from 1881 to 1883. The latter year, he accepted the post of violin professor at Liepsic Conservatory, where he remained eight years,  there forming the well-known Brodsky Quartet. From 1891 to 1894 he toured the United States and Canada, making his headquarters in New York. On his return to Europe he settled at Manchester, England, assuming the duties of chief professor of violin at the Royal College of Music, and leader of the Halle Orchestra. On the death of Sir Charles Halle, October, 1895, he became principal of the College. Victoria University, in 1902, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Music, and he is the possessor of the Olaf Order of Norway.