Frederick E. Hahn

Frederick E. Hahn (March 23, 1869, New York City – November 25, 1942, Philadelphia) was an American violinist, composer, and music educator. He was longtime director of the Philadelphia Music Academy (later renamed the University of the Arts).

Life and career The son of Henry Hahn and his wife Clara Hahn (née Mayer), Frederick E. Hahn was born in New York City on March 23, 1869. In his youth he was educated at the Eastburn Academy in Philadelphia. His early music lessons were from his father who taught him violin.

Hahn went to Germany to train as a musician at the Leipzig Conservatory; His teacher in violin was Hans Sitt. He graduated there in 1890 and was awarded 1st prize for violin. He made his debut as a solo concert violinist in Leipzig in 1890 performing Louis Spohr's Violin Concerto No.11, Op.70.

Hahn gave a concert tour of the United States in 1890-1891. His solo repertoire on this tour included Henryk Wieniawski's Polonaise brillante, Op. 21 and Spohr's Violin Concerto No.9, Op.55. In 1892 he was appointed first violinist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO).

In 1902 Hahn founded the Hahn Conservatory of Music in Philadelphia.

Hahn composed orchestral music, art songs, and works for solo violin. He never married. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.