HAMBOURG CONSERVATORY
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Watch video of the evening

On April 4, 2011, the Arts and Letters Club celebrated the centenary of the Hambourg Conservatory of Music, founded in Toronto in 1911.  Over 90 club members and their guests were in attendance.

Author and social historian Margaret McBurney acted as host for the evening. Over dinner guests were able to view a revolving slide show which included photos of the Hambourg family, the Hart House Quartet, distinguished musicians of the era, programs and paintings.

Guest speakers who had been students of the Conservatory were Toronto soprano Elizabeth Elliott and the well known Canadian violinist, Morry Kernerman. A program featuring violinist Klement Hambourg, cellist Laura Jones and pianist-composer Boyd McDonald included J.S. Bach’s “Be Thou With Me,” by Jan Hambourg, often performed by his brother Boris.

Special guests included Ms. Leonie Hambourg and her brother, Dr. A.P. Lang, Edward and Marion Hausmann, Peter Solty, father and son, who are close relations of Geza deKresz, Alice Waldman, daughter of Milton Blackstone with her son Nathan, and Mr and Mrs Walter Pitman. Club members George Hume, whose painting of the Conservatory hangs in the St. James Town Library and Eric Koch, author of “The Brothers Hambourg,” were also present.

Download concert program

Leonie Hambourg, Klement Hambourg with Morry Kernerman

Edward and Marion Hausmann

Klement Hambourg, Leonie Hambourg, Peter Solty, father and son

Klement Hambourg and Betty Elliott holding "The Brothers Hambourg

Klement Hambourg, Boyd McDonald, Laura Jones

Margaret McBurney and Eric Koch