Averdieck, H

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Averdieck, H

Portrait of Herman Averdieck born Hamburg March 18th 1822, came to Manchester 1840, then to Bradford 1863.

Sowden's note in notebooks -
'Mr Averdieck was born at Hamburg in 1822 and after spending five years in a commission house joined the business of his brother in Manchester. Musical enthusiasm brought him into contact with Mr Otto Hochmayer of Manchester and in 1845 Mr Averdieck became a partner in his business. In 1861 this partnership was dissolved and Mr Averdieck then joined the firm of Kessler & Co of Manchester and Bradford in which he was a partner up to the time of his death. In 1863 the head of the Bradford house of the firm was burnt to death in a fire at a London hotel and Mr Averdieck came to Bradford as his successor.

He was one of the founders and a valiant supporter of the German Church in Horton Road. His artistic temperament was strongly marked and it is not too much to say that to him as much as to anyone Bradford owes its present high position in the English musical world. In Bradford Mr Averdieck soon came into contact with the musical community. He was a prominent member of the committee of the Bradford Subscription Concerts, Mr Samuel Smith being Chairman and Sir Jacob Behrens as Treasurer. The first concert was given on Nov. 24th 1865, Mr Averdieck's lifelong friend Sir Charles Halle conducted his famous band at this concert and the principal vocalists were Miss Edmonds and Mr Sims Reeves. Mr Averdieck was appointed Vice-President of the Festival Choral Society and on the death of Mr Saml. Smith in 1873 he was appointed President. His sound musical judgement, his amiable temperament, his great enthusiasm and his intense devotion to the Society's interests made him an ideal President and his resignation caused sincere regret. He remained up to the time of his death a Vice- President. He had been a devoted friend and patron (from) the formation of the Society to the time of his death, a period of more than 40 years. He also took a great interest in the Royal Infirmary and the Eye and Ear Hospital and in the latter furnished and maintained two of the wards at his own cost. He died in 1900 leaving a son and a daughter.'

Year

1890

Creator

Sowden

Image filename

sowden-159