Edouard Dethier
Encyclopedia
Edouard Charles Louis Dethier (25 August 1885 – 19 February 1962) was a Belgian classical violinist and teacher of the violin. He was a soloist with the New York Philharmonic
and New York Symphony orchestras as well as extensively touring the United States and Canada as a recitalist. From 1906, he also taught violin at the Juilliard School
. Amongst his many distinguished pupils there was Robert Mann
. He was the brother of Gaston Dethier
, a noted organist and pianist, and likewise a teacher at Juilliard for many years.
in 1885 to Emile Dethier, organist
, composer, and teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Liège, and Marie (Donnay) Dethier. The couple had seven children, all of whom were musical, although Edouard and his older brother Gaston were the most famous. The four daughters all became pianists. The youngest son, Jean, was organist of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Boston
and later became Director of Music for the Norwood, Massachusetts
public school system and the organist and choirmaster of St. Catherine's Church in Norwood. (Jean's son Vincent Dethier
became a noted biologist.) Dethier was first introduced to the violin by his brother Gaston who originally trained as a violinist and was ten years older than Edouard. At the age of eight, he began his studies at the Liège conservatory, from which he graduated with the First Prize. He then entered the Brussels Conservatory where at the end of his first year (and still only sixteen) he was awarded "First Prize with great distinction" (Premier Prix avec grand distinction) in the Brussels Concours de Violon. Shortly after that he was invited to play in the palace of King Leopold II
.
At seventeen Dethier already had a teaching post at the Brussels Conservatory and remained in the city for the next three years, living with his close friend and fellow violinist Paul Kochanski
. During that time he was also appointed concertmaster
of the orchestra of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie
(the main opera house in Brussels) and played in Eugène Ysaÿe
's symphony orchestra.
In 1905, Gaston suggested that his brother join him in the United States, where he was a solo recitalist and the organist of the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan
. That same year Gaston had also been appointed the head of the organ department at the newly established Institute of Musical Art (later to become the Juilliard School
). On his arrival in the United States, Edouard gave solo recitals in the United States and Canada, as well as sonata recitals with his brother on the piano. In 1907, he too joined the faculty of the Institute of Musical Art as a violin teacher. For his first eight years in the United States, Dethier toured extensively and was a soloist for both the New York Philharmonic
and New York Symphony orchestras as well as the Montreal Symphony. In New York City, he performed Cécile Chaminade
's Trio pour Piano, Violon et Violoncelle with the composer at the piano (1908) as well as partnering Olive Fremstad
in a recital at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
(1912) and Clara Butt
in her first recital at Carnegie Hall (1913). Over the years, he increasingly devoted himself to teaching.
In 1911 Dethier married Avis Putnam (1884–1943), the daughter of Irving Putnam of the famous publishing house G. P. Putnam's Sons
. The couple had three children — Richard Emile, who died in 1928 at the age of fourteen, a younger son, Charles, and a daughter, Margot. Dethier's second wife was the violinist Christine (Phillipson) Dethier who also taught at Juilliard. Edouard Dethier died in New York City on 19 February 1962 at the age of 76. He was survived by his widow Christine (who died in 1995) and two children from his first marriage, Charles Putnam Dethier and Margot Dethier Fogg.
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
and New York Symphony orchestras as well as extensively touring the United States and Canada as a recitalist. From 1906, he also taught violin at the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
. Amongst his many distinguished pupils there was Robert Mann
Robert Mann
Robert Mann is a musician, composer, and conductor.He was a founding member and first violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet for 52 years, and mentor to younger generations of string musicians....
. He was the brother of Gaston Dethier
Gaston Dethier
Gaston Marie Dethier was an American organist, pianist, and composer of Belgian birth. Born in Liège, he was the son of organist Emile Dethier, the brother of violinist Edouard Dethier, and the uncle of physiologist Vincent Dethier. He studied at the Royal Conservatory in his native city with...
, a noted organist and pianist, and likewise a teacher at Juilliard for many years.
Biography
Edouard Dethier was born in LiègeLiège
Liège is a major city and municipality of Belgium located in the province of Liège, of which it is the economic capital, in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium....
in 1885 to Emile Dethier, organist
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, composer, and teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Liège, and Marie (Donnay) Dethier. The couple had seven children, all of whom were musical, although Edouard and his older brother Gaston were the most famous. The four daughters all became pianists. The youngest son, Jean, was organist of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and later became Director of Music for the Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood is a town and census-designated place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,602. The community was named after Norwood, England...
public school system and the organist and choirmaster of St. Catherine's Church in Norwood. (Jean's son Vincent Dethier
Vincent Dethier
Vincent Gaston Dethier was an American physiologist and entomologist. Considered a leading expert in his field, he was a pioneer in the study of insect-plant interactions and wrote over 170 academic papers and 15 science books. From 1975 until his death, he was the Gilbert L...
became a noted biologist.) Dethier was first introduced to the violin by his brother Gaston who originally trained as a violinist and was ten years older than Edouard. At the age of eight, he began his studies at the Liège conservatory, from which he graduated with the First Prize. He then entered the Brussels Conservatory where at the end of his first year (and still only sixteen) he was awarded "First Prize with great distinction" (Premier Prix avec grand distinction) in the Brussels Concours de Violon. Shortly after that he was invited to play in the palace of King Leopold II
Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold II was the second king of the Belgians. Born in Brussels the second son of Leopold I and Louise-Marie of Orléans, he succeeded his father to the throne on 17 December 1865 and remained king until his death.Leopold is chiefly remembered as the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free...
.
At seventeen Dethier already had a teaching post at the Brussels Conservatory and remained in the city for the next three years, living with his close friend and fellow violinist Paul Kochanski
Paul Kochanski
Paul Kochanski was a Polish violinist, composer and arranger.- Training and early career :...
. During that time he was also appointed concertmaster
Concertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
of the orchestra of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie
La Monnaie
Le Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie , or the Koninklijke Muntschouwburg is a theatre in Brussels, Belgium....
(the main opera house in Brussels) and played in Eugène Ysaÿe
Eugène Ysaÿe
Eugène Ysaÿe was a Belgian violinist, composer and conductor born in Liège. He was regarded as "The King of the Violin", or, as Nathan Milstein put it, the "tzar"...
's symphony orchestra.
In 1905, Gaston suggested that his brother join him in the United States, where he was a solo recitalist and the organist of the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. That same year Gaston had also been appointed the head of the organ department at the newly established Institute of Musical Art (later to become the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
). On his arrival in the United States, Edouard gave solo recitals in the United States and Canada, as well as sonata recitals with his brother on the piano. In 1907, he too joined the faculty of the Institute of Musical Art as a violin teacher. For his first eight years in the United States, Dethier toured extensively and was a soloist for both the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
and New York Symphony orchestras as well as the Montreal Symphony. In New York City, he performed Cécile Chaminade
Cécile Chaminade
Cécile Louise Stéphanie Chaminade was a French composer and pianist.-Biography:Born in Paris, she studied at first with her mother, then with Félix Le Couppey, Marie Gabriel Augustin Savard, Martin Pierre Marsick and Benjamin Godard, but not officially, since her father disapproved of her musical...
's Trio pour Piano, Violon et Violoncelle with the composer at the piano (1908) as well as partnering Olive Fremstad
Olive Fremstad
Olive Fremstad was the stage name of Anna Olivia Rundquist, a celebrated Swedish-American opera diva who sang in both the mezzo-soprano and soprano ranges. -Background:...
in a recital at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Academy of Music is a major performing arts venue in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, United States, known as a center for progressive and avant garde performance....
(1912) and Clara Butt
Clara Butt
Dame Clara Ellen Butt DBE , sometimes called Clara Butt-Rumford after her marriage, was an English contralto with a remarkably imposing voice and a surprisingly agile singing technique. Her main career was as a recitalist and concert singer.-Early life and career:Clara Butt was born in Southwick,...
in her first recital at Carnegie Hall (1913). Over the years, he increasingly devoted himself to teaching.
In 1911 Dethier married Avis Putnam (1884–1943), the daughter of Irving Putnam of the famous publishing house G. P. Putnam's Sons
G. P. Putnam's Sons
G. P. Putnam's Sons was a major United States book publisher based in New York City, New York. Since 1996, it has been an imprint of the Penguin Group.-History:...
. The couple had three children — Richard Emile, who died in 1928 at the age of fourteen, a younger son, Charles, and a daughter, Margot. Dethier's second wife was the violinist Christine (Phillipson) Dethier who also taught at Juilliard. Edouard Dethier died in New York City on 19 February 1962 at the age of 76. He was survived by his widow Christine (who died in 1995) and two children from his first marriage, Charles Putnam Dethier and Margot Dethier Fogg.
Students
The following violinists were students of Edouard Dethier:- Giora BernsteinGiora BernsteinGiora Bernstein is a conductor, classical violinist, and Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Colorado. He was the founder of the Colorado Music Festival and its Artistic Director for 24 years.-Biography:...
- Julius HegyiJulius Hegyi-Reviews:John Rockwell wrote in the New York Times "...it can be flatly said that the best performance was Mr. Hegyi's account of Barber's one-movement symphony, which had its premiere in 1936, was revised in 1944 and championed by Artur Rodzinski and Bruno Walter...
- Robert MannRobert MannRobert Mann is a musician, composer, and conductor.He was a founding member and first violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet for 52 years, and mentor to younger generations of string musicians....
- Paul ZukofskyPaul ZukofskyPaul Zukofsky is an American violinist and conductor known for his work in the field of contemporary classical music.-Career:...
Sources
- Christopher, Robert, Robert and Frances Flaherty: Early Years and the Making of Nanook, McGill-Queen's Press, 2005. ISBN 0773528768
- Crowthers, Dorothy, "Les Frères Dethier", The Baton, Vol. 1, No. 5, May 1922
- Dethier, Vincent, "Curiosity, Milieu and Era" in Donald A. Dewsbury (ed.), Studying Animal Behavior: Autobiographies of the Founders, University of Chicago Press, 1989. ISBN 0226144100
- Hall, Charles J., Chronology of Western Classical Music, Taylor & Francis, 2002. ISBN 0415942160
- Key, Pierre (ed.), "Dethier, Edouard", Pierre Key's Musical Who's Who , Pierre Key Inc., 1931, p. 145.
- Olmstead, Andrea, Juilliard: A History, University of Illinois Press, 2002. ISBN 0252071069
- Pratt, Waldo Selden (ed.), "Dethier, Edouard", Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians (Vol. 6: American supplement), The Macmillan Company, 1920, p. 91