Full Name Hugo Kortschak Citizenship United States Name Hugo Kortschak | Nationality Austrian - American Occupation Violinist Children Hugo P. Kortschak | |
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Born February 24, 1884 ( 1884-02-24 ) Graz, Austria Spouse(s) Alice Plaut (1884–1972) Died September 19, 1957, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Organization | ||
Hugo Kortschak (28 February 1884 Graz, Austria – 19 September 1957), was an Austrian-born American violinist who was a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1907 until 1914 (serving as assistant concertmaster from 1910 until 1914), founding member of the Berkshire String Quartet, and Dean of Music at Yale University.
The Berkshire String Quartet was founded when music patroness Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge persuaded Kortschak to move his quartet from Chicago to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where its members could focus exclusively on chamber music. In his youth Kortschak was a member of the Pozniak-Trio founded by the Polish Pianist Bronislaw Pozniak (de). Kortschak was an owner of several fine violins, including:
Kortschak was a key figure in organizing the Berkshire Chamber Music Festival founded by Coolidge. The original Berkshire String Quartet disbanded sometime after 1941.
Honors
Kortschak is a recipient of the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Medal for "eminent services to chamber music."