Lambert, Alexander

1863-

Born in Warsaw, Poland. His father, Henry Lambert, was also a gifted musician, and from him he received his first instruction, beginning when ten years old. He made rapid advancement and at twelve years of age, on the advice of Rubinstein, he was sent to the Vienna Conservatory. There he studied under Jul. Epstein, and at sixteen graduated with the highest honors. The next four years were devoted to the study of music, unaided, until in the summer of his twentieth year, he spent several months with Liszt at Weimar. The next year he made his first concert tour, traveling through Germany with Joachim. Later he played in Russia with Sarasate. His debut was made in Berlin with the Philharmonic  Orchestra, and he also played with many other orchestral organizations. In 1885 he arrived in New York and appeared with the New York and Boston Symphony Orchestra and all other prominent organizations, and gave recitals in Chicago, Boston, New York and other cities. He accepted the position of director of the New York College of Music in 1887, which he held until 1904. He is best known by a valuable practical piano method for beginners. Among his compositions are a mazurka, an etude and bourree, tarantella, valse-impromptu, and canzonetta for piano, a romanze for cello, and an Ave Maria for soprano.