… a Johns Hopkins pharmacologist who was also an amateur violinist and totally dedicated to chamber music believed that Baltimore should have its own first-rate chamber music series. His name was Dr. Ernst Bueding, and the idea was not new for him: he had already successfully initiated series in both Ohio and Louisiana.
The plan to locate the new series at The Johns Hopkins University seemed natural. The original Chamber Music Committee was composed of Johns Hopkins professors, mostly in medicine, all of whom loved music. As Dr. Donald Brown wrote in 1965, “There has been an increasing awareness of the imbalance between the rapid growth of the natural and medical sciences and the relative stagnation of the humanities and the arts in our present society.
A proposal was drawn up that “ … the University could improve the environment of the campus with the development of special music programs.”
And so a chamber music series was born in Baltimore. The first five years were administered by the University through the Office of Special Events. Dr. Bueding was the first president and acknowledged founder. During the first few years, the concerts were divided into two series—'A' and 'B.' Artist fees (almost the only expense) were totally paid by ticket sales. The 1967-68 season sold every seat by subscription, bringing in an equal number of student and non-student subscribers.
After the first five years, the Series became an independent organization, no longer part of the University but very much a partner with it and still resident on the Homewood campus. Jeanne Feinberg was named Managing Director and served fifteen years. During this time, she, in collaboration with Dr. Bueding, did everything it took to run the series—balancing budgets, working-out schedules, developing audiences, and much more. She was a determined champion of the arts, dedicated not only to the music but also to the musicians. Jeanne took it upon herself to nurture the Series as a mother might care for her own family.
When now-world-renowned pianist Murray Perahia first played for the series in 1971, he was already a remarkable artist, yet still a boy. Jeanne and her husband Harry looked after him—good meals, a clean shirt, probably even tucked him into bed on-time. This kind of devotion and attention to detail is part of what made Shriver Hall Concert Series so special!
The list of artists who have performed for the Series on the Shiver Hall stage is most impressive—Rampal, Horszowski, Serkin, Beaux Arts Trio, Guarneri Quartet, Kronos Quartet. The list also includes many artists who were young and still developing when they first appeared here, such as Dawn Upshaw, Yumdi Li, Jacqueline Du Pre, and the Emerson Quartet to mention only a few. The repertoire presented has also been vast, including composers from Bach to Tan Dun, from pre-classical to the present.
Dr. Bueding served as president of the series until 1982, when he was succeeded by Dr. Albert I. Mendeloff, who had served as vice president for a number of years. Dr. Bueding remained as Chair of the Music Committee until his death in 1986. Under Dr. Mendeloff, the Series continued its tradition of presenting only the finest artists and music. It was not, however, until the last few years of his life that Shriver Hall Concert Series started to feel the need to develop an image and expand its visibility.
Shriver Hall Concert Series thanks sponsors
Maryland State Arts Council
Hecht-Levy Foundation
Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts