Jacobus Langendoen (BSO cello, 1920-1962, Pops principal cello, 1928-1962) oral history interview: Hawkins, Anita Langendoen, interviewee, 1997-05-15T00:00:00+00:00, 2023-08-10T00:00:00+00:00

Cassette 73: Oral history conducted by Robert Ripley on May 15, 1997, Anita Hawkins is the daughter of Jacobus Langendoen.

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT

Tape 73, Side A

Interviewer: Bob Ripley Interviewee: Anita Langendoen Hawkins Subject: Jacobus Langendoen (BSO cello, 1920-1962, principal cello of Boston Pops, 1928-1962) Note: Anita Hawkins is the daughter of Jacobus Langendoen Date: May 15, 1997 Location: Fairhaven, MA

0:08 INTERVIEW BEGINS

0:33-4:40 early life, born in the Hague in 1890; family was not musical, father was a house painter; family moved to South Africa in the hopes of finding more work, continued to paint houses; saw a German street band while in South Africa and wanted to begin playing too; made his own instrument; parents died suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving him to support his sister, returned to the Netherlands to live with an aunt

4:40-6:19 once back in Netherlands, wanted to continue playing music; found a wealthy patron who sponsored his studies in Germany with Joseph MALKIN

6:50-8:07 studied in Berlin; another patron wanted to make him a soloist, but WWI stopped him

8:07-9:40 was in army service in Netherlands during WWI; hardship in the family, lack of food and fuel to keep warm

9:40-11:51 after the war, played in orchestras in Netherlands and Paris, and in a jazz band; was confronted by a gentleman who said "you sound wonderful, you're hired!"; Pierre MONTEUX was hiring European musicians and confused him with someone else, but invited him to join the BSO regardless

11:51-12:40 Richard BURGIN helped them find an apartment, original apartment was terrible, eventually moved to Jamaica Plain, then Newton

12:40-13:13 moved up from back of the section quickly; like appointed by MONTEUX

13:13-14:46 experience as a composer, something he had always done; was known as a very good teacher, students would travel to work with him;

14:46-20:39 personal life; mother would travel to Holland every two years; mother was involved with an "initial lover" while in Holland; difficult home life even back in Boston and mother was often unkind; challenges of growing up not knowing English

20:39-23:08 support for naval officers returning during World War II

23:08-25:55 music in the family; brother was forced to take cello lessons but did not enjoy them, Anita took piano lessons but also did not enjoy this; World War II distracted parents from pressures on her; more reflections on personal and family life

25:55-27:44 Anita spent time in New York after meeting her husband there

27:44-30:19 did not like KOUSSEVITZKY, nor did he hold him in very high regard; liked MUNCH much more; felt Kousse treated the orchestra like schoolchildren; Langendoen created an orchestration for the BSO, Kousse took it and did not do anything with it

30:32-33:12 did many quartets, with Rolland TAPLEY, performed at the Gardner Museum; played in Ensemble at Wentworth Hotel in Newcastle, NH between Pops and Esplanade seasons

33:12-36:52 relationship with Arthur FIEDLER was positive; had played in the orchestra together; phrase from Arthur FIEDLER was "he who rests, rots"; memories of connection with Todd PERRY

38:09-39:35 memories of MUNCH very positive; felt he was a "marvelous musician" with a "beautiful character"; MUNCH did not want Langendoen to retire; during trip to Japan, Anita's mother asked for Jacobus to be sent back home early

39:35-41:19 story of KOUSSEVITZKY's language errors; Langendoen making notes on scores of Kousse's errors on his music

41:19-43:35 stories of Jacobus being forgetful; memories of Arthur FIEDLER's rehearsals being very "chaotic" and conflict with ZIMBLER

43:35-45:16 skill with his hands and at craftsmanship

45:16-47:10 memories of party for Langendoen's retirement hosted at Tanglewood by the other members of the cello section

49:46 RECORDING ENDS

Tape 73, Side B

0:09 RECORDING BEGINS: ANITA LANGENDOEN CONT'D

0:09-3:18 discussion of Anita's mother's health issues and hospitalization; Jacobus' health issues and Alzheimer's, death in 1973, retirement in 1962

3:18-4:54 memory of mother attempting suicide when father was visiting with Rolland TAPLEY

4:54-6:20 retirement life; parents often visited Anita, she felt that her mother ruined holidays

7:47 INTERVIEW CONCLUDES