Becoming A Musician

About the Book

In this autobiography, George Humphrey recounts his life as a musician from his early beginnings in a small town in Ohio to his position as a violist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for forty-three seasons. Taking inspiration from Fritz Kreisler, a renowned violinist of the time, at the age of nineteen he began his studies. Within eleven years, a period which included the Depression, he became a member of the Symphony. He recounts his experiences during those years, recalling the other musicians he played with and the conductors he played under. He describes in particular what it was like to play under Serge Koussevitzky, the conductor of the Symphony when he joined it, and subsequently, Charles Munch and Erich Leinsdorf. He recalls their idiosyncrasies, their temperaments, and their treatment of the music they played. His book is a backstage view of a musician’s life, remembering a life that took him all over the world, from Russia to Japan to Iceland. He explores the pressures of the musician’s life, the decisions faced, and the risks, accomplishments, and disappointments. He also recounts many of the humorous events that took place while he was a member of the orchestra, some from accidents that occurred during concerts and others due to the clashing temperaments of conductors and musicians. What is most apparent throughout is his dedication to his profession and his appreciation of music as a profound cultural force.

About the Author

George Humphrey was born in Ohio, the son of an engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad. At nineteen, inspired by some early recordings of Fritz Kreisler, he began studying the violin. Subsequently, he attended the New England Conservatory, where he changed to playing the viola. After graduating from the Conservatory in 1929, he was a member of several orchestras and ensembles. In 1934, he became a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, then under the direction of Dr. Serge Koussevitzky. He remained with the orchestra for forty-three seasons, retiring in 1977. During the next year, he wrote this autobiography of his musical life. He died in 1980.