Peter Gellhorn facts for kids

Peter Gellhorn (born Hans Fritz Gellhorn, October 24, 1912 – February 13, 2004) was a talented musician from Germany. He was a conductor, composer, pianist, and teacher. Peter moved to London, Britain, and had a long and successful career there until he passed away.

Early Life and Moving to Britain

Peter Gellhorn was born Hans Fritz Gellhorn in Breslau, Germany (which is now Wroclaw, Poland). His father was an architect, and his family loved music. Peter studied at the Schiller Realgymnasium and later at Berlin University. He also attended the Berlin Music Academy, where he learned from the famous composer Franz Schreker.

In 1935, when the National Socialists came to power in Germany, Peter had to leave his home country. He moved to England to start a new life.

Early Career and War Years

In 1937, Peter Gellhorn worked with the well-known Russian singer Vladimir Rosing. They recorded a collection of "Songs by Famous Russian Composers." Critics praised Peter, saying he was Rosing's "best accompanist."

From 1939 to 1941, during World War II, Peter was held in Mooragh Internment Camp on the Isle of Man. This happened because he was from Germany, which was considered an "enemy" country at the time. The famous British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams helped him get released. In 1947, Peter became a British citizen and officially changed his name to Peter Gellhorn.

A Career in Music

After the war, Peter Gellhorn worked with the Vic-Wells Opera. This led to an invitation to join the staff at Covent Garden Opera when it reopened. He became an assistant to the music director, Karl Rankl. Peter conducted many performances there starting in 1947.

Later in his career, he also conducted at other famous places. These included Glyndebourne and with the Carl Rosa Opera Company.

Leading the BBC Chorus

In 1961, Peter Gellhorn became the Director of the BBC Chorus. This group later became known as the BBC Singers. He led them in performing many important musical works. These included Holst's The Cloud Messenger and Rubbra's In Die et Nocte Canticum.

In 1967, Peter helped create the annual Opera Barga Festival in central Italy. This festival was an educational music event. He served as its musical director.

Teaching and Later Years

Peter Gellhorn married actress Olive Layton in 1943. They had two sons and two daughters. After retiring from the BBC in 1972, he continued to share his musical knowledge. He taught at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal College of Music.

He also coached singers and other musicians from his home in London. Peter often performed as part of a piano duo and as an accompanist for other musicians. One of his students was the young composer George Benjamin. Peter taught George piano and composition until he was 15. Then, Peter arranged for George to study with Olivier Messiaen in Paris, a composer Peter had known for many years.

Peter Gellhorn's Compositions

Even as a young man in Berlin, Peter Gellhorn was composing music. Some of his early works include the four-movement Kleine Suite for oboe and piano (1932). He also wrote his String Quartet No 1 (1933-1934). These pieces had a rich, complex sound, but still followed traditional musical rules.

After moving to England, he continued composing. He wrote a second string quartet in 1935 and Totentanz (1937) for two pianos. He also created a Bach-inspired piece called the Trio Suite for two violins and viola. In 1937, he composed the more thoughtful Intermezzo for violin and piano. This piece was written for his friend Maria Lidka. His song Autumn (1938), which used words by Walter de la Mare, also had a reflective mood.

Works from Internment and Later

While he was interned during the war, Peter composed two pieces. These were The Cats (a short piece for strings) and Mooragh. Mooragh was written for male choir and strings, using words by F.F.Beiber, who was also held in the camp.

After the war, Peter composed less often. His later works include Thoughts on a Chinese Tune for two clarinets and piano duet (1976). He also wrote Dialogue for violin and viola with string orchestra (1977). A second Trio Suite for children was composed in 1982. His final song, Aedh wishes for the Cloths of Heaven, was written in 1995.

List of Performances (Royal College of Music Project)

• Kleine Suite for oboe and piano (1932)
• String Quartet No 1 in five movements (1933-1934)
• Capriccio for violin and piano (1936, dedicated to Max Rostal)
• Sonata for two pianos (1936)
• Intermezzo for violin and piano (1937)
• Autumn, song (1938)
• Andante for string quartet (1940)
• The Cats for string orchestra (without double bass) or string quartet (1940)
• Mooragh for male voices and strings (1940)
• Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven, song (1995)

See also

• List of émigré composers in Britain