MC 62: EINAR HANSEN COLLECTION, 1897-1998, bulk: 1931-1961

Einar Bech Hansen (1890-1976) was born in Copenhagen, Denmark along with at least one sibling – a brother named Armin. Hansen’s musical talent was notable from a young age, which motivated his family to relocate from Denmark to Germany so that he could attend the Hamburg Conservatory of Music. While there, he received a full scholarship and had his first public performance playing violin at the age of ten, which was well received. During his time in Hamburg, Hansen received a first-rate education and studied under prominent musicians including Henri Marteau and Max Fielder. While in Hamburg Hansen married his first wife, Kaethe Schlieman who bore Hansen’s only child, their son Harald. Overtime Einar became one of the most popular soloists in Europe and spent time during his twenties touring the continent. He performed for royal families including those of Denmark, Greece, Germany, and Sweden. Hansen remained in Germany from his youth until he was approximately 35. During his last three years in the country, from 1922-1925, Hansen held the position as the first Concert Master of the Philharmonic Orchestras in Bremen and Dresden.

Hansen moved to Boston, Massachusetts and became a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in April of 1925 as part of the 1st section of violinists. Both his personality and his talent made Hansen a popular figure with colleagues at the BSO and as a violin instructor (1940-1953) and chamber music instructor (1954-1964) at the Tanglewood Music Center at Tanglewood, the BSO’s summer home located in Western Massachusetts. Harald and Kaethe followed Einar to Boston in 1933.

Harald attended Julliard and played clarinet with Einar at the Marshall House in York Harbor. Harald was later a member of the Barnum and Bailey Circus band until 1951 when he joined the Indianapolis Symphony. He retired in 1986 and moved to York Harbor, ME with his wife Norma and daughter Erika in 1995 where he stayed until his death in 2017.

Einar retired from the BSO in 1965. He and Kaethe resided near Boston until Kaethe passed away from cancer in 1968. Following Kaethe’s death, Hansen married his second wife Clara and together they relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Hansen played for the Phoenix symphony from 1968 until retiring shortly before his death in 1976.