Hugo Becker facts for kids
Hugo Becker (born February 13, 1863 – died July 30, 1941) was a very famous German cellist, a great cello teacher, and a composer. He started learning the cello at a young age. His teachers included Alfredo Piatti and Friedrich Grützmacher.
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Life Story of Hugo Becker
Hugo Becker was born in 1863 in a city called Strasbourg. His father, Jean Becker, was also a very famous violin player. His father tried to teach him the violin when he was six years old. But young Hugo loved the cello more! He switched to playing the cello when he was nine.
By the time he was fifteen, Hugo was already touring. He played in a string quartet with his father, sister, and brother. He also became a top cellist in the court orchestra in Mannheim. This was a big achievement for someone so young.
Becoming a Soloist and Teacher
In 1884, Hugo Becker became the main solo cellist for the Frankfurt Opera Orchestra. This meant he played the most important cello parts. The next year, he started teaching cello at the Frankfurt Hoch Conservatory. He was a leading teacher there.
Later, from 1909 to 1929, he became a cello professor. This was at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. Many students learned from him. One of his students was George Georgescu, who later became a famous conductor. Georgescu once said, "All I know, I learned from Hugo Becker." This shows how much his students respected him.
Playing Chamber Music
During his life, Hugo Becker traveled a lot to perform. He also played chamber music with other famous musicians. Chamber music is played by a small group of instruments. He played in a piano trio with Eugène Ysaÿe and Ferruccio Busoni. Later, he played with Artur Schnabel and Carl Flesch. This group was known as the Schnabel Trio.
Hugo Becker passed away on July 30, 1941.
Hugo Becker's Special Cellos
Hugo Becker owned two very special cellos. These cellos were made by Antonio Stradivari. Stradivari was a famous Italian craftsman who made musical instruments. His instruments are known for their amazing sound.
The two cellos Becker owned were:
- The 1700 Cristiani cello.
- Another cello built in 1719, which is now called the Becker.
These cellos are still very valuable and famous today.
