Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann
Encyclopedia
Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann (c. 1855 – 30 March 1946) was a Canadian
composer
of operetta
s, conductor
and educator, and violin
ist best known for his operetta
Leo, the Royal Cadet
.
He was born in Mengeringhausen
(now part of Bad Arolsen
), Hesse
, Germany
, and at an early age emigrated with his parents to Kingston, Ontario
. He began his musical studies in Canada. In 1882, with his sibling
s, he formed the Telgmann Concert Party, a touring ensemble. He founded, in 1892, the Kingston Conservatory of Music and School of Elocution of which he was principal for over 25 years. In 1914, he founded the Kingston Symphony Orchestra
, which he conducted until his retirement in 1936. Alida Jackson (Telgmann) was his wife. Their daughter Mignon Telgmann (b. 1898) was a violin teacher.
He composed three operettas, The Miller and the Maid, King of Siam and Leo, the Royal Cadet. The latter achieved over 1,700 performances between its premiere in 1889 and 1925 and has recently been revived in a revised version. Other compositions included marches such as Boo Hoo's Queen's Dominion Victory March (1922) and The Mascot: Boo Hoo's March to Queen's Rugby Team. He composed songs such as The Nutcracker Mazurka, Mr. Craig, The Laird of Glenburne, and Scotch Country Dance.
Telgmann died in Toronto
in 1946 at the age of approximately 91. A music bursary
established by his family in his memory and that of his daughter Mignon (born 1898) was subsequently established at Queen's University
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
of operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
s, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and educator, and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist best known for his operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
Leo, the Royal Cadet
Leo, the Royal Cadet
Leo, the Royal Cadet is a light opera with music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann. The libretto was by George Frederick Cameron. It was composed in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1889. The work centres on Nellie's love for Leo, a cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada who becomes a hero serving...
.
He was born in Mengeringhausen
Mengeringhausen
Mengeringhausen is a village and a municipal district of Bad Arolsen in Waldeck-Frankenberg, in Hesse, Germany. Its population is estimated at 3,800.First time mentioned as a town 'Stadt Mengeringhausen' in 1234...
(now part of Bad Arolsen
Bad Arolsen
Bad Arolsen is a small town in northern Hesse, Germany, in Waldeck-Frankenberg district. From 1655 until 1918 it served as the residence town of the Princes of Waldeck-Pyrmont and then until 1929 as the capital of the Waldeck Free State...
), Hesse
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and at an early age emigrated with his parents to Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. He began his musical studies in Canada. In 1882, with his sibling
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
s, he formed the Telgmann Concert Party, a touring ensemble. He founded, in 1892, the Kingston Conservatory of Music and School of Elocution of which he was principal for over 25 years. In 1914, he founded the Kingston Symphony Orchestra
Kingston Symphony Orchestra
The Kingston Symphony Orchestra was a Canadian orchestra based in Kingston, Ontario that was active from 1914 to 1936. It was founded by composer and cnductor Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann who served as the ensembles only conductor. When he retired in 1936 the orchestra disbanded....
, which he conducted until his retirement in 1936. Alida Jackson (Telgmann) was his wife. Their daughter Mignon Telgmann (b. 1898) was a violin teacher.
He composed three operettas, The Miller and the Maid, King of Siam and Leo, the Royal Cadet. The latter achieved over 1,700 performances between its premiere in 1889 and 1925 and has recently been revived in a revised version. Other compositions included marches such as Boo Hoo's Queen's Dominion Victory March (1922) and The Mascot: Boo Hoo's March to Queen's Rugby Team. He composed songs such as The Nutcracker Mazurka, Mr. Craig, The Laird of Glenburne, and Scotch Country Dance.
Telgmann died in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1946 at the age of approximately 91. A music bursary
Bursary
A bursary is strictly an office for a bursar and his or her staff in a school or college.In modern English usage, the term has become synonymous with "bursary award", a monetary award made by an institution to an individual or a group to assist the development of their education.According to The...
established by his family in his memory and that of his daughter Mignon (born 1898) was subsequently established at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
.
Works
- The Boo Hoo the BearBoo Hoo the BearBoo Hoo the Bear is the mascot of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Boo Hoo wears a vest and tam in the Royal Stewart tartan.- History :...
mascot [music] Boo-Hoo's march for piano / composed by Oscar Telgmann Toronto: Whaley, Royce, [s.d.] - Leo, the Royal CadetLeo, the Royal CadetLeo, the Royal Cadet is a light opera with music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann. The libretto was by George Frederick Cameron. It was composed in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1889. The work centres on Nellie's love for Leo, a cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada who becomes a hero serving...
, Ho! Ho! My Airy Fairy Maid, Ho! Ho! My Pretty Maid, I met him in the far away from Opera and Operetta Excerpts Composer: Oscar Telgmann Words: George Frederick Cameron - Farewell, O Fragrant Pumpkin Pie from Leo, the Royal CadetLeo, the Royal CadetLeo, the Royal Cadet is a light opera with music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann. The libretto was by George Frederick Cameron. It was composed in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1889. The work centres on Nellie's love for Leo, a cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada who becomes a hero serving...
Composer: Oscar Telgmann Words: George Frederick CameronGeorge Frederick CameronGeorge Frederick Cameron was a Canadian poet, lawyer, and journalist, best known for the libretto for the operetta Leo, the Royal Cadet.-Life:... - KlondykeKlondike, YukonThe Klondike is a region of the Yukon in northwest Canada, east of the Alaska border. It lies around the Klondike River, a small river that enters the Yukon from the east at Dawson....
march and two step [microform] / [music by] Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann Kingston: Music Emporium, c1897 - The British Whig march [for piano] / by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann Kingston, Ont. c1900
- Our Premier [music] / words by George Frederick CameronGeorge Frederick CameronGeorge Frederick Cameron was a Canadian poet, lawyer, and journalist, best known for the libretto for the operetta Leo, the Royal Cadet.-Life:...
; music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann Kingston, Ont. : C.J. Cameron, c 1885 in honour of John A. MacdonaldJohn A. MacdonaldSir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century... - Scotch Country Dance for piano and violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann Kingston, Ont. - The Usual way for medium voice and piano by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann Kingston, Ont.
See also
- List of Canadian composers
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...