Mollenhauer, Emil

1855-

One of the most talented of American choral conductors; born at Brooklyn, New York. He received his general education in the public schools of Brooklyn and at Russell's Academy, New York. When only nine years old he played violin in Niblo's Garden, and when fourteen he played in the orchestra of Booth's Theatre. At the age of sixteen he was one of the first violinists in the Thomas Orchestra. He was a member of the Damrosch Orchestra and of various musical societies of New York and Brooklyn until 1884, when he moved to Boston. Here he was a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1884 to 1888, then he conducted the Germania Orchestra and the Municipal concerts until 1903. His greatest work has been done in connection with the Handel and Haydn Society, of which he became conductor in 1899 and which he has wholly reorganized, dismissing old members unfit for work and filling their places by new. Besides his work with this society he has been connected with clubs at Lynn, Brockton, Salem and Newburyport, and with the Boston Apollo Club and Festival Orchestra.