Hellmut Stern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hellmut Stern
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In a 2011 lecture, Stern points on a map to Harbin, China, to which his family escaped
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| Born | 21 May 1928 Berlin, Germany
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| Died | 21 March 2020 (aged 91) Berlin, Germany
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| Occupation | Classical violinist |
| Organization | Berlin Philharmonic |
| Awards | Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany |
Hellmut Stern (born May 21, 1928 – died March 21, 2020) was a famous German violinist. He played the main violin part with the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic orchestra. Hellmut Stern wrote a book about his life in 1990. It tells the story of his family's journey. They lived in China from 1938, Israel from 1949, and the United States from 1956. He then returned to Berlin in 1961. As a member of the Berlin Philharmonic's board, he helped arrange the orchestra's first trip to Israel.
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Hellmut Stern's Early Life
Hellmut Stern was born in Berlin, Germany. He came from a Jewish family. His father, Dittmar Stern, was a voice teacher. His mother, Ilse Rose Stern, was a pianist. Hellmut's mother started teaching him piano when he was five years old.
He went to a Jewish school in Wilmersdorf. When he was nine, he received a violin. A kind person at his school gave it to the most talented student.
Escaping Germany
His family tried to leave Germany starting in 1933. This was because of the difficult times for Jewish people. After a terrible event called the November Pogrom in 1938, they had to escape quickly. They fled from Berlin to Harbin, a city in China. His mother had a fake job contract as a pianist there to help them get in.
While living in China, Hellmut helped his family earn money. He played piano and violin in bars, nightclubs, and hotels.
Moving to Israel and the U.S.
In 1948, his family moved to Israel. This move is called aliyah. In 1951, Hellmut was playing piano at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. There, he met another famous violinist, Isaac Stern. Isaac helped him get an audition for the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Tel Aviv. Hellmut got his first job in an orchestra as a second violinist.
His parents found it hard to make a living in Israel. In 1956, they moved to the United States. Hellmut had planned to stay in Israel. But when his father became very ill, Hellmut followed his parents to the U.S. in December of that year. Without a work permit, he had to take many different jobs. In 1958, he joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Later, he played with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra.
Return to Berlin and the Philharmonic
In 1961, Hellmut Stern returned to West Berlin. He still thought of Berlin as his home.
Hellmut joined the Berlin Philharmonic as a first violinist. He stayed with this famous orchestra for 34 years. In 1986, he became a principal violinist. From 1969, he was also a member of the orchestra's board. He played with many great conductors, especially Herbert von Karajan. Hellmut also performed as a soloist in several concerts. One was the Humoristisches Festkonzert in 1982. This concert celebrated the orchestra's 100th birthday.
A Dream Come True: Tour to Israel
Hellmut worked hard to organize a tour for the orchestra to Israel. He started trying in 1967. The orchestra would have been welcome then, but not their conductor, Karajan. Finally, in 1990, his dream came true. The orchestra, led by Daniel Barenboim, played several concerts in Israel. They even performed a joint concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta.
In 1993, Hellmut Stern received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This important award was given to him by Richard von Weizsäcker. Hellmut retired from the orchestra in 1994.
A Professional Witness
After he retired, Hellmut Stern visited many schools. He wanted to teach young people about the dangers of fascism and dictatorship. He called himself a "professional witness." This meant he shared his personal experiences to help others learn from history.
Hellmut Stern published his autobiography, Saitensprünge, in 1990. He passed away in Berlin on March 21, 2020, at the age of 91.
