Victor Hochhauser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Victor Hochhauser
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| Born | 27 March 1923 Košice, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia)
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| Died | 22 March 2019 (aged 95) London, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Music promoter |
| Spouse(s) | Lilian Hochhauser (née Shields) (1949–2019; his death) |
| Children | 4, including Mark Sofer and Daniel Hochhauser |
Victor Hochhauser CBE (March 27, 1923 – March 22, 2019) was a famous British music promoter. He helped bring many amazing musicians and ballet dancers from around the world to perform in the United Kingdom. He was especially known for introducing Soviet artists to Western audiences.
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Early Life and Moving to the UK
Victor Hochhauser was born on March 27, 1923, in Košice, which was part of Czechoslovakia at the time. Today, this city is in Slovakia. His father, David Hochhauser, owned a business.
In 1939, when Victor was 16 years old, his family had to leave their home. They came to the UK as refugees to escape the Nazis. This was a very difficult time in Europe.
Bringing Music to the World
Victor Hochhauser started his career in music in 1945. He began organizing concerts and shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This is a very famous place for performances.
After 1953, a big change happened in the world. Victor was the first person to arrange tours for Soviet musicians to perform in Western countries. This was a huge deal because it helped people from different parts of the world connect through music.
He introduced many incredible artists to new audiences. These included famous musicians like David Oistrakh, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emil Gilels, and Sviatoslav Richter. He also brought conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky to the UK.
Victor and his wife Lilian became known as the top independent promoters of classical music and ballet in Britain. They helped many people enjoy beautiful music and dance.
Special Awards and Recognition
Victor Hochhauser received several important awards for his work. In 1993, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This is a special honour given by the British Queen or King for great achievements.
In June 2010, Victor and his wife Lilian were given the Order of Friendship by Russia. This award recognized their efforts in building cultural connections between Russia and other countries through music.
Family Life
Victor met his future wife, Lilian Shields, in London. They both worked for Rabbi Dr. Solomon Schonfeld. Lilian was born in Britain, and her parents were from Russia.
Victor and Lilian got married in 1949. They had four children together. One of their children, Mark Sofer, became a diplomat. Lilian also received a CBE in 2018 for her contributions.
Later Years
Victor Hochhauser passed away on March 22, 2019, in a hospital in London. He was 95 years old. He left behind a wonderful legacy of bringing joy and culture to millions through music.
