Giese, Fritz (b. The Hague, Holland, January 2, 1859; d. Boston, August 5,
1896); No. 111 ( January 1887). Although honored with the position of solo
cellist to his Royal Highness the king of the Netherlands, Giese had a great
desire to come to this country, and we may with pride speak of him now as
"Our Fritz." He is a native of Holland, having been born at The Hague on
January 2, 1859. His father was a cellist and early decided that if instruction
could bring about the result, his son should follow in his footsteps. When but
a little over four years of age, Fritz began to study music, using at first a viola,
for the cello was too large for him. When eleven years of age, the king, a great
lover of music, offered him out of his own private funds the means for further
advancement. He continued his studies under Friedrich Grützmacher in Dresden
and later under Jacquard in Paris.

After his studies were completed, he was called to Göteborg, Sweden,
where he spent one season, after which he traveled with Maurice Dengremont,
the Brazilian violinist, throughout Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. At the
close of this very brilliant tour Giese was summoned by his sovereign to play at
the Court of Holland. His playing gave such satisfaction that he was made solo
cellist to His Majesty the king of the Netherlands. He was also employed as
first cellist at Amsterdam, and while there he received an offer from Mr. Thomas
Ryan of Boston to join the Mendelssohn Quintette Club on its tour through the
United States. We have heard him in connection with this club, and it may
safely be said that Americans never heard more perfect cello playing than his.
Surely we never saw a greater or a more perfect technique on this instrument
than that of Fritz Giese. He traveled with this club not only through the United
States but also through Canada, Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Next
he traveled for some time with Christine Nilsson and then went to Europe,
where he remained for six months. Returning to New York he played in most
of the concerts there and finally settled in Boston as soloist. His success there
is simply immense, he being recognized by all as a master of his art. He is now
employed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, giving at the same time private

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