Ernest Schelling

Ernest Schelling was an American pianist, conductor, and composer who was known for his performances with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He studied with Theodore Spiering and Xaver Scharwenka at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, and later with Moritz Moszkowski in Paris, France. Schelling's early life was marked by his association with prominent musicians, including Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Sergei Rachmaninoff, and he went on to perform with renowned orchestras such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His musical style was influenced by Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Antonín Dvořák.

● Early Life and Education

Ernest Schelling was born in Belvidere, New Jersey, to a family of musicians, and began his musical training with his father, George Schelling. He later studied at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was a student of Theodore Spiering and Xaver Scharwenka. Schelling's education was further influenced by his time at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied with Moritz Moszkowski and was exposed to the works of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Erik Satie. During his time in Paris, France, Schelling also met and performed with notable musicians, including Gabriel Fauré, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Isaac Albéniz.

● Career

Schelling's career as a pianist and conductor spanned several decades and included performances with many prominent orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was also a frequent performer at the Carnegie Hall in New York City, where he shared the stage with musicians such as Jascha Heifetz, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Leopold Stokowski. Schelling's conducting style was influenced by his work with Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss, and he was known for his interpretations of the works of Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Franz Schubert. He also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony, and was a guest conductor at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

● Compositions and Performances

Schelling was a prolific composer, and his works include piano concertos, symphonies, and chamber music. His compositions were influenced by his studies with Moritz Moszkowski and his exposure to the works of Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Antonín Dvořák. Schelling's music was performed by many prominent musicians, including Vladimir Horowitz, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Jascha Heifetz, and he was a frequent performer at the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg, Austria. His performances were also broadcast on the radio, including on NBC Radio and CBS Radio, and he was a guest on the Ed Sullivan Show.

● Personal Life

Schelling was married to Lucie Howe, a soprano who performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The couple had two children, and Schelling was known to be a devoted family man. He was also a close friend of many prominent musicians, including Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jascha Heifetz, and Leopold Stokowski, and was a frequent guest at the Hollywood homes of Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo. Schelling's personal life was also marked by his love of travel, and he toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia, performing in cities such as London, England, Paris, France, and Tokyo, Japan.

● Legacy

Ernest Schelling's legacy as a pianist, conductor, and composer continues to be felt today, with his music remaining popular among classical music fans. His performances with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra are still remembered as some of the greatest of the 20th century, and his compositions continue to be performed by musicians around the world. Schelling's influence can be heard in the music of Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Samuel Barber, and his legacy extends beyond the world of music to include his impact on the cultural landscape of New York City and Los Angeles, California. He is also remembered for his association with the Juilliard School in New York City, where he taught and performed with students such as Van Cliburn and Itzhak Perlman. Category:American composers