San Francisco County
Biographies
HENRY HEYMAN
HENRY HEYMAN, violinist and musical director, and one of the
most popular members of the musical profession in San Francisco, is a native of
the city of Oakland, California. At quite an early age his great musical talent
began to develop itself, and after having completed his literary course at the
educational institution now known as University of California, he left for
Europe and entered the Royal Conservatory of Music at Leipzig, where he became
a favorite pupil of the celebrated Ferdinand David. He also studied under E. F.
Richter, E. Rontgen , S. Jadassohn and other
celebrated masters; received the Mendelssohn prize and distinguished
himself generally. After graduating, with the highest honors, he accepted and
most creditably filled the position as quartet leader and solo violinist to the
Dutchess of Bernburg.
Returning to San Francisco he at once became a prominent musical factor. He was
one of the principal founders of the old Philharmonic Society. And with Gustav Hinrichs gave during a number of years the most successful
orchestral concerts ever known in San Francisco. He also organized the Henry Heyman String Quartet, and his chamber music recitals
constantly attract great attention. The success of any entertainment under
Henry Heyman` s direction is proverbial. As a teacher
of the violin to which he devotes great attention, he is especially gifted. He
has already produced quite a number of fine artists, and his reputation as a
noted instructor is constantly increasing.
Aside
from his musical abilities he is a public-spirited citizen as well, and has won
for himself an enviable reputation by his connection with social and charitable
institutions. He is also a member of prominent clubs and societies, and has
been for years one of the directors of the San Francisco Art Association and
School of Design. In 1888, upon the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the University of Bologna,
he had the honor of being appointed a corresponding member of the International
Exposition of music. He enjoys the friendship of many European celebrities and
numerous distinguished honors have been conferred upon him. The late King Kalakana created him a Knight of the Royal Order of
the Star of Oceania, which is the oldest decoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a
rare and unusual compliment, and also conferred on him the title of Royal
Hawaiian Solo Violinist. He has given successful concerts all over the Pacific
coast and at Honolulu, Sir Henry Heyman, as he is now
addressed, uses his great ability in the most generous way. He has endeared
himself to the public and his friends not only by his courteous and refined
manners, his constant readiness to help his colleagues, but also by zealous
work in the cause of music and sweet charity, which gives him the very highest
standing.
Transcribed by Kim Buck.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 511, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Kim Buck.