A DISTINGUISHED CAREER

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22727, 3 June 1939, Page 3

A DISTINGUISHED CAREER

MR H. HOLENBERGH MUSICIAN ARRIVES IN CITY The extent to which music was appreciated in New Zealand, as compared with New South Wales, was favourably commented on by Mr Haagen Holenbergh, a Danish pianist, who after spending several years in Sydney has come to live in Christchurch. “They are much more interested in sport in Australia,” he said. “I remember when I was in Christchurch before (about 12 years ago) I went round several of the secondary schools, giving lectures. Considerable interest was shown, but in New South Wales very few schools would have shown such an interest.” Mr Holenbergh is a distinguished European pianist, who has played before the King of Denmark. For some

years he was Professor and head of the Piano Department at the McGill University Conservatorium of Music. Montreal. He played in the United States under Henry Hadley, who is now at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York. He came to Australia in 1920 and settled in Sydney. He played as soloist at symphony concerts with the New South Wales Orchestra. under such distinguished men as Henri Verbrugghen, Andre Skalski, and Dr. Edgar Bainton. He has given more than 20 recitals in Sydney, including a lecture recital before the British Music Society, Sydney, and various musicales under the auspices of the Queen Victoria Club, the Millions, Lyceum, and other Sydney clubs. He has also made several tours of New Zealand and of Western Australia and Tasmania. Born in Copenhagen. Mr Holenbergh had his musical education with Otto Mailing (Professor and Director of the Royal Conservatorium of Music, Copenhagen) and at the Royal Saxon Conservatorium of Music, Dresden. He studied the piano later with Franz Neruda. He conducted a choral society in Denmark, and has made tours of England, Canada, and the East.