Hartmann, Arthur (Martinus)
Hartmann, Arthur (Martinus)
Hartmann, Arthur (Martinus), American violinist, teacher, and composer; b. Philadelphia, July 22, 1881; d. N.Y., March 30, 1956. He studied violin with Martinus Van Gelder in Philadelphia, making his debut there at 6. He then studied violin with LoeffLer and composition with Homer Norris in Boston. From the age of 12 he made concert tours. After garnering critical accolades as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orch. (1906) and the N.Y. Phil. (1908), he went to Paris and gave recitals with Debussy, who became his close friend. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, he returned to the U.S. and made a transcontinental tour in 1916-17. In subsequent years he was active in N.Y as a performer, teacher, and composer until 1954. He prepared numerous transcriptions and arrangements.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire