Robert Mann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Mann
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| Born |
Robert Nathaniel Mann
July 19, 1920 |
| Died | January 1, 2018 (aged 97) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Portland Youth Philharmonic Juilliard School |
| Occupation | Composer, violinist, educator |
| Years active | 1933–2018 |
| Known for | Founder of the Juilliard String Quartet |
Robert Nathaniel Mann (born July 19, 1920 – died January 1, 2018) was a very talented violinist, composer, and conductor. He was also a founding member of the famous Juilliard String Quartet. He taught music at the Manhattan School of Music for many years.
Robert Mann was the first violinist in the Juilliard String Quartet. He played with this group for over 50 years until he retired in 1997. He played many different musical instruments, including some made by the famous Antonio Stradivari. A documentary about his life, called Speak the Music, was made in 2014.
Contents
Robert Mann's Amazing Life
Growing Up and Starting Music
Robert Mann was born and grew up in Portland, Oregon. His dad worked as a tailor (someone who makes clothes) and a grocer (someone who sells food). Robert started learning the violin when he was nine years old. When he was 13, he joined the class of Edouard Hurlimann, who was the main violinist (called the concertmaster) of the Portland Symphony.
He played in the Portland Youth Philharmonic, a youth orchestra. When he was younger, he actually thought about becoming a forest ranger! In 1938, at age 18, he moved to New York City. He went to the Juilliard School, a famous music school. There, he studied violin, composing music, and conducting.
In 1941, Robert Mann won the important Naumburg Competition. He made his first big performance in New York just two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Soon after finishing school, he joined the US Army.
His Time at Juilliard
After the army, the president of Juilliard, William Schuman, asked Robert Mann to start a new music group. So, in 1946, Mann founded the Juilliard String Quartet. He was the first violinist for this group until he retired from it in 1997.
The quartet celebrated its 50th birthday in 1996–97. During its time, the group played about 5,000 concerts! They performed more than 600 different musical pieces. They also played about 100 brand new pieces for the first time. The quartet recorded over 100 songs and won three Grammy awards for their music.
Robert Mann also wrote more than 30 musical pieces. These pieces were for a narrator (someone who tells a story) and different instruments. He often performed them with his wife, Lucy Rowan, who was an actress. Some of his music was recorded. He also wrote a piece called Fantasy for Orchestra. This was played by famous orchestras like the New York Philharmonic. He wrote a Duo for Violin and Piano, which was first played at Carnegie Hall. He also composed a string quartet and other pieces for instruments like cello and viola.
Robert Mann also recorded music as a solo artist. He recorded pieces by famous composers like Béla Bartók, Beethoven, Mozart, and Elliott Carter.
Besides playing and composing, Mann was also a conductor. He led the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a recording. He made his first public performance as a conductor with the Seattle Symphony in 1988. He also conducted the Jupiter Symphony in New York City.
Helping Other Musicians
Robert Mann loved helping younger musicians. He worked closely with many string quartets, like the Alexander, Emerson, and Tokyo quartets. He helped them learn and grow. Later, he also taught violin students at the Juilliard School. Some of his students became very successful, like Juliette Kang, who won a big violin competition.
Mann also helped start the Ravinia Stean's Institute for Young Artists. He was the head of the Chamber Music Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts. He was also on the board of directors for the New York Philharmonic. He was the president of the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation.
In 1990, Robert Mann received awards for his great service to music. He also received special honorary doctorates from many universities, like the Manhattan School of Music and Oberlin College.
Robert Mann's son, Nicholas, is also a violinist and violist. They often played music together. His daughter, Lisa Mann, is a psychologist. His brother, Alfred E. Mann, was a successful engineer and business person.
In April 1996, Robert Mann was chosen as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This was to honor his important contributions to the arts.
Robert Mann passed away on January 1, 2018.
