VICTOR HERBERT Serenade for Strings , III . Liebes-Scene
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1859 in Guernsey ; died 1924 in New York City , NY
• Herbert was born on the small island of Guernsey , although supposedly throughout his life he believed he was born in Dublin . He grew up studying a variety of instruments , as well as composition .
• Herbert won an orchestral position with several prominent German orchestras . His earliest compositions were met with great success .
• Herbert married opera singer Therese Föster and , shortly afterward , the couple moved to the U . S . where they were invited to join the Metropolitan Opera . Herbert performed as the principal cellist while Föster sang leading roles . The two remained in the U . S ., eventually gaining citizenship .
• Herbert became an active advocate for legal rights of composers . He testified before Congress influencing the formation of the Composers Act of 1909 and won a case against the Supreme Court , which allowed composers to charge for public performances of their work . Herbert also helped found the American Society of Composers , Authors , and Publishers . Today , there is a statue of Victor Herbert in Central Park .
FUN FACT
Herbert is remembered for having written a cello concerto that inspired Dvořák to compose his famous cello concerto .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1884
MUSIC Richard Strauss ’ Symphony No . 2
ART Edvard Munch ’ s Morning
TECHNOLOGY The first espresso machine patent
ABOUT THE PIECE
• Shortly after settling in New York , Herbert wrote this work in 1884 .
• The piece premiered under Herbert ’ s baton at Steinway Hall .
HISTORY The eight-hour workday is first proclaimed in the U . S .
18 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA