33. | Moritz Georg "George" von Beschwitz (14.Wolf3, 4.Hans2, 1.Christoph1) was born 31 Jan 1867, Alt-Hörnitz, Hörnitz, Sachsen, Germany; died 8 Mar 1945, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; was buried 12 Jul 1945, Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Cook County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: Majestic Theatre, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Concertmaster
- Residence: 1888/1892, Schmochtitz, Sachsen, Germany; Schmochtitz knight estate purchased for 298.000 Marks sold for 314.000 Marks
- Census: 1910, 2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
- Naturalization: 13 Feb 1919, Illinois
- Census: 1920, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
- Census: 1930, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri
- Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Notes:
Born in knight estate Alt Hörnitz 2 miles West of Zittau, Sachsen, Germany.
Georg performed Felix Mendelssohn's violin concerto in a command performance before the King of Saxony at the age of 12.
While in Vienna studying under the Hungarian violinist and composer Joseph Joachim (28 June 1831 - 15 August 1907), Georg was asked if he would like to join Joachim in a visit to the home of a close friend. The two descended steps to a basement apartment where they were greeted enthusiastically by Joachim's friend. The friend, in excited voice, asked the two to please be seated so he could play for them something he had just composed. The friend went to the piano and played "Brahms Lullaby". Thus Georg was presented a unique introduction to Johannes Brahms, one of the great classical composers of Europe during the latter part of the 19th century.
Purchased Schmochtitz for 298.000 Marks in 1888. Was sold in 1892 for 314.000 Marks.
http://www.benno-haus.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=84
At the age of 24, Georg migrated to the middle of the United States to the booming railroad city of Chicago. The reason for his migration is unknown but many at this time left for the new world to seek their fortune.
George, as he was known in the U.S., was an accomplished violin and violist. He was first chair viola and one of the founding members of First Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also played for the Chicago Opera Orchestra. George was a pupil of the famous violin master, Pablo de Sarasate (10 Mar 1844 - 20 Sep 1908) and performed as a concert violinist in tours all over the world.
During the interim between concert seasons, George was concertmaster at the Majestic Theatre in Chicago (now the Bank of America Theatre). The Majestic played vaudeville. George felt a great challenge in playing vaudeville since all music direction was in accordance to what the performers were doing on stage rather than from the music score. Every performance was unpredictable, particularly those involving animals. This presented a real challenge to the concertmaster, a challenge George enjoyed.
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References:
Chicago Federation of Musicians letter.
Chicago Sun obituary, 9 March 1945.
Moritz married Maude Eleanor Elizabeth Wheeler 22 May 1901, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Maude (daughter of Edmund Lyon Wheeler and Eleanor Elizabeth Sarah Smith) was born 29 Aug 1873, Spencer Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; died 3 Sep 1961, Mercer Island, Washington; was buried 8 Sep 1961, Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Cook County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]
Children:
- 49. Milton Miles Beckwith
was born 27 Sep 1901, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; died 25 Aug 1981, Dunedin, Pinellas County, Florida; was buried 10 Oct 1981, Elmhurst Memorial Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois.
- 50. Willard Francis von Beschwitz
was born 23 Nov 1903, Illinois; died Jun 1976, Washington; was buried Fern Hill Cemetery, Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington.
- 51. George Lester Beckwith
was born 22 Oct 1907, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; died 6 Mar 1989, Redmond, Washington; was buried 16 May 1989, Skokie, Cook County, Illinois.
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