Hellmesberger, Ferdinand
Hellmesberger Georg I, *24 April 1800 Vienna, †16 August 1873 Vienna, violinist, conductor, and composer. He was taught the basics of music and violin playing by his father, a teacher and civil servant; at the age of five, he was already performing before the emperor. He sang in the Hofkapelle, where he succeeded F. Schubert as a soloist (soprano). After leaving the boys’ choir, he pursued his education at the Gymnasium of the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz. In 1817, he was introduced to a wide circle of musicians associated with the well-known Sonnleithner family. He began his studies at the Vienna Conservatory under E.A. Förster (composition) and J. Böhm (violin). In 1819, he gave his concert début, and from 1821 he was Böhm’s assistant. In 1826, he was appointed titular professor, and in 1833, active professor; he retired in 1867. His fame gradually grew thanks to concerts he gave in European capitals, overshadowing the leading musicians of the time, such as J. Mayseder and Böhm. In addition, he was Konzertmeister at the Hofoper (from 1830) and a member of the Hofkapelle in Vienna, as well as the first conductor of the Philharmonic concerts organized since 1842. He also organized chamber music concerts in his home, which consistently enjoyed great popularity.
Hellmesberger became famous for his concert and teaching activities, contributing to the creation of the Viennese school of violin playing – his pupils included J. Joachim and M. Hauser. His compositions, however, remain relatively insignificant. He published a String Quartet, two violin concertos, and many short pieces for violin.