Hanna Vollenhoven facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hanna Vollenhoven
Hanna Vollenhoven, from a 1923 publication
Born	1889 The Hague
Died	1972 United States
Other names	Hanna van Vollenhoven Wolff, Mrs. Allen H. Vories Jr.
Occupation	Composer, pianist

Hanna van Vollenhoven Vories (born in 1889, died in 1972) was a talented musician. She was a composer and a pianist from the Netherlands. Later in her life, she moved to America. Many people remember her for the music she wrote and played for special instruments called player pianos. Her music was often published using the name "Hanna Vollenhoven."

Hanna's Early Life and Music Training

Hanna van Vollenhoven Wolff was born in a city called The Hague in the Netherlands. Music was a big part of her family! Her father, grandfather, and even her brother Phillip were all musicians.

Hanna loved music too. She went to the Amsterdam Conservatory to study. There, she learned from famous music teachers like Julius Roentgen and Hugo Riemann. Later, she also studied with well-known pianists Alfred Cortot and Leopold Godowsky.

Hanna's Music Career

Hanna Vollenhoven started her career as a pianist in Europe in 1909. She played her first big concert. In 1915, she traveled to America. She made her American debut with the Chicago Symphony, a very famous orchestra.

Soon after, Hanna decided to focus completely on her music in America. She left her role on the Netherlands Committee for Arts, Science, and Friendly Relations. She moved to Tarrytown, New York, but worked in New York City.

Hanna played piano in a play called Pierrot the Prodigal. She also gave solo concerts. She would advertise her shows, saying she would play music by "modern and ultra-modern composers." These included artists like Debussy and Scriabine.

Music for Player Pianos

Hanna Vollenhoven wrote and played at least two piano pieces for the De Luxe Reproducing Roll Corporation. These were The Thought of You and Viennese Waltz. These pieces were made into rolls for player pianos. She also played her song Mon Reve for Welte Mignon piano rolls.

In 1927, Hanna worked with Vaughn De Leath, who was known as the "Radio Girl." They recorded Hanna's song The Night Before Christmas for Edison Records. Hanna also wrote articles about music. She wrote "A Visit with Richard Pitrot" for the Musical Monitor magazine in 1921.

Hanna's music was published by several companies. These included the Boston Music Company and G. Schirmer Inc.

Hanna's Compositions

Hanna van Vollenhoven wrote many different types of music. She composed an operetta, a cantata, and pieces for piano and voice.

Operetta

• Alice in Movieland

Piano Music

• Mon Reve (My Dream)
• Old Netherland Folksongs
• Thought of You
• Viennese Waltz

Vocal Music

• "America We Sing to Thee" (1945)
• "Joyous Meditation" (with words by Gibbs Hofmann)
• "Love Me, I Love You" (with words by Christina Rossetti)
• "(The) Night Before Christmas" (with words by Clement Clarke Moore)
• Star of the Renaissance: A Vision (a cantata, with words by Ray Bridgman)

Hanna's Personal Life and Legacy

In 1933, Hanna van Vollenhoven married Allen Hamilton Vories Jr. He was an artist and a singer. They lived in Weehawken, New Jersey, and sometimes performed music together. They had a son named David, who also became a musician.

Hanna was also a church organist in New Jersey. She passed away in 1972 when she was in her eighties. Today, New York University gives a special award each year. It is called the Hanna van Vollenhoven Vories Memorial Prize in Music. It is given to a senior student who is studying music.