PROF. ALBERT HENNIGE--A STRONG BASSOON CLASS AND TRADITION IN GERMANY


Gerald E. Corey
Ottawa, Canada

After hearing many reports about the fine teaching methods of Prof. Albert Hennige at the Hochschule for Music in Detmold, based in large part upon a vocal approach to performance, I determined to learn more about the career of this unusually gifted artist and teacher.

Recently I received a letter from Prof. Helman Jung, who has recently succeeded Prof. Hennige after his retirement at the Detmold Hochschule for Music. The following outline of Prof. Hennige's artistic career shows us that this bassoonist also excelled as a pianist and studied music thoroughly before embarking on a performance career. Such a model could be an excellent guide to many young bassoonists who look upon the instrument alone as the end and the means to the end in music.

It would be very much appreciated if anyone could provide us with copies of recordings of Prof. Hennige's performance either on tape or disc recordings. These could form a valuable addition to the IDRS reference library. The Editor will reimburse all expenses in this endeavor. Thank you.

Prof. Hennige's Curriculum Vitae

1916-1923 and 1946-1949
Piano study with Professors Eduard Jung, Alfred Hoehn, and August Leopolder
1925-1930
Bassoon study with Otto Lenzer, Solo Bassoonist at the Mannheim National Theater
1925-1927
Studies in Harmony, Music Form and Composition with Otto Brückner, Mannheim
1930-1932
Second Bassoonist in Duisburg Opera Orchestra
1932-1940
Solo Bassoonist in the Opera House and Museum Orchestra of the City of Frankfurt-am-Main, conducted by among others:
1940-1945
WW II
1946-1949
Pianist for the Hessian Radio Orchestra in Frankfurt-am-Main
1949-1976
Teacher at the Music Hochschule in Detmold for the following:
1956- .
Given the rank of Professor at Detmold

Concert activities as bassoonist and pianist on many tours in Germany and in foreign countries; among others, two major tours of the Far East.

From Prof. Hennige's master class came the following bassoonists who all secured either a solo position in important orchestras in Germany and abroad or positions as teachers at music conservatories:

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