Schelling, Ernest (Heniy)

Schelling, Ernest (Heniy), American conductor, composer, and pianist; b. Belvidere, N.J., July 26, 1876; d. N.Y., Dec. 8, 1939. He first appeared in public as a child prodigy, playing the piano at the age of 4 1/2 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. He was then sent to Paris in 1882, where he studied at the Cons. with Mathias until 1885; later received instruction from Moszkowski, Leschetizky, H. Huber, K. Barth, and finally Paderewski in Morges, Switzerland (1898–1902). Extended tours in Europe (from Russia to Spain) followed; he also toured in South America. Returning to the U.S. in 1905, he devoted most of his energies to conducting and composing. He conducted the N.Y. Phil, young people’s concerts (1924–39); was conductor of the Baltimore Sym. Orch. (1936–38); also made frequent appearances as a conductor in Europe. He was elected a member of the National Inst. of Arts and Letters in 1913.

Works

ORCH .: Sym. (n.d.); Légende symphonique (1904; Philadelphia, Oct. 31, 1913); Suite fantastique for Piano and Orch. (1905; Amsterdam, Oct. 10, 1907); Impressions from an Artist’s Life, symphonic variations for Piano and Orch. (1913; Boston, Dec. 31, 1915, composer soloist); Violin Concerto (Providence, R.I., Oct. 17, 1916, Fritz Kreisler soloist); A Victory Ball, symphonic poem after Noyes (Philadelphia, Feb. 23, 1923); Morocco, symphonic tableau (N.Y., Dec. 19, 1927, composer conducting). CHAMBER : Violin Sonata (n.d.); Divertimenti for Piano Quintet (1925); piano pieces.

Bibliography

T. Hill, E. S. (1876–1939): His Life and Contributions to Music Education through Educational Concerts (diss., Catholic Univ. of America, 1970).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire