Hollander, Benno

1853

Violinist and composer; born in Amsterdam. He made his first appearance in London when only a child. His genius seeming to warrant it, he was placed in the Paris Conservatory to study under Massart. He also studied composition under SaintSaens. Here he became acquainted with Berlioz, who was then in his last years, and he heard Wieniawski, which  was much to his advantage. He won the first violin prize in 1873, then started upon a very successful tour through Germany, Russia, Denmark and Sweden. Returning to London in 1876 he devoted his time to composition and playing the viola. He has held a number of engagements, being leader of the orchestra under Richter at the German Opera, professor of violin at the Guildhall School of Music and directed the orchestra for Henschel in his two seasons of London Symphony concerts. In 1903 he succeeded in establishing an organization of his own at the Kensington Town Hall, called the Orchestral Society. He was appointed Court violinist to the late King of Holland. Among his works are two violin concertos with orchestra, a pastoral fantasia for the same; The Last Days of Pompeii, a septet for piano, strings and two horns; a symphony, Roland; two orchestral pieces, Drame and Comedie; besides many songs and instrumental pieces.