1. Overview
Ernest Henry Schelling (July 26, 1876 - December 8, 1939) was a prominent American pianist, composer, conductor, and music director. Recognized as a child prodigy, he gained a significant reputation as a performer and later distinguished himself as the conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Schelling is particularly celebrated for his pioneering efforts in music education, notably initiating the New York Philharmonic's Young People's Concerts, which aimed to foster musical appreciation in children through engaging performances and educational commentary, thereby significantly contributing to cultural accessibility for youth.
2. Biography
Ernest Schelling's life spanned a remarkable journey from a musical child prodigy to an internationally recognized musician, marked by his extensive education, significant personal relationships, and a multifaceted career that ended in New York City.
2.1. Early Life and Education
Ernest Schelling was born in Belvidere, New Jersey, on July 26, 1876. He displayed extraordinary musical talent from a very young age, quickly establishing himself as a child prodigy. His first musical instruction came from his Swiss-born father, who introduced him to the basics. At the remarkably early age of four, Schelling made his public debut as a pianist at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Demonstrating immense potential, he traveled to Europe at age seven to pursue formal musical education. In Europe, he was admitted to the prestigious Paris Conservatoire and furthered his studies with several renowned masters of music. His teachers included notable figures such as Percy Goetschius, Hans Huber, Richard Barth, Moritz Moszkowski, and Theodor Leschetizky.
2.2. Studies with Paderewski
At the age of 20, in 1896, Ernest Schelling began an intensive period of study with the celebrated Polish pianist and statesman, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Schelling was Paderewski's sole pupil for a period of three years, a testament to his exceptional talent and Paderewski's dedication to his development. This rigorous training significantly shaped his abilities as a pianist, leading him to gain a strong reputation as a remarkable performer.
2.3. Personal Life
Ernest Schelling was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Lucie Howe Draper. They were wed on May 3, 1905, in Manhattan, New York City. Lucie Howe Draper Schelling passed away on February 4, 1938, at their summer residence in Lausanne, Switzerland. Following her death, Schelling remarried on August 11, 1939, to Helen Huntington "Peggy" Marshall. At the time of their marriage, Schelling was 63 years old, and Marshall was 21, making her 42 years his junior. Helen Huntington Marshall was the stepdaughter of the notable American philanthropist Brooke Astor and a niece of Vincent Astor.
2.4. Death
Ernest Schelling died relatively soon after his second marriage, on December 8, 1939, at his home in Manhattan, New York City. The cause of his death was a cerebral embolism. His second wife, Helen Huntington Marshall, who he had married just four months prior, was present at his deathbed.
3. Musical Career
Ernest Schelling's musical career was exceptionally diverse, encompassing significant achievements as a concert pianist, a prolific composer, and a pioneering conductor, particularly in the realm of music education.
3.1. Pianist
Schelling cultivated a highly regarded career as a concert pianist. He embarked on extensive tours throughout Europe, as well as North and South America, performing to critical acclaim. Through these performances, he established a strong reputation as a remarkable and skilled pianist, earning widespread recognition for his artistry.
3.2. Composer
As a composer, Ernest Schelling produced numerous works for various ensembles, including piano, orchestra, and chamber groups. While many of these compositions were frequently performed during his lifetime, they have since largely fallen out of the standard classical repertoire. His most notable work is A Victory Ball, a symphonic poem for orchestra. This piece was inspired by an anti-war poem of the same title by the English poet Alfred Noyes. An early electrical recording of A Victory Ball was made by Willem Mengelberg and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for the Victor Talking Machine Company, demonstrating its initial popularity and significance.
3.3. Conductor
In addition to his work as a pianist and composer, Schelling served as the conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 1935 to 1937. He is also widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in developing and leading educational concert series aimed at young audiences.
3.3.1. Young People's Concerts
Ernest Schelling is widely credited as the first conductor to initiate the Young People's Concerts of the New York Philharmonic, a series later famously continued by Leonard Bernstein. The inaugural concert took place on March 27, 1924. These concerts were specifically designed with the purpose of fostering a love and appreciation for music in children. They ingeniously combined the orchestra's performance with an engaging lecture that delved into various aspects of the orchestra itself or the music being played. To further enhance the learning experience and provide a variety of stimuli, these lectures were often accompanied by pictures or demonstrations. The Young People's Concerts proved to be highly successful and were greatly appreciated by both children and their parents. Schelling not only conducted these concerts in New York but also took them on tour, presenting similar educational performances in various cities across the globe, including Philadelphia, London, Rotterdam, and Los Angeles.
4. Honors and Memberships
Throughout his distinguished career, Ernest Schelling received several honors and held significant memberships. In 1917, he was elected an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national fraternity for men in music. This induction took place at the fraternity's Alpha chapter, located at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.