Robert Mayer

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For the physician and physicist, see Julius Robert von Mayer. For the author and Green Beret soldier, see Bob Mayer. For the American politician, see Robert Mayer (Missouri).

Sir Robert Mayer KCVO (June 5, 1879 – January 9, 1985) was a philanthropist, businessman, and a major supporter of music and young musicians.

Mayer was born in Mannheim, Germany; his father was a brewer. From the age of 5 Mayer attended the Mannheim conservatoire, where, at the age of 11, he played a piano ballade by Brahms before the composer. He also studied under Felix Weingartner.

His father however insisted that Mayer go into business. Initially he worked in the lace trade, and then, moving to London in 1896, became a banker, whilst continuing his piano studies with Fanny Davies and others. Mayer became a citizen of the United Kingdom in 1902, and joined the British army in the First World War.

His wife, the soprano Dorothy Moulton (d. 1974), whom he married in 1919, encouraged him to continue his interest in music. Early in their married life, whilst living in the United States, Mayer came across the children's concerts organised by Walter Damrosch, and he was inspired by these to found the Robert Mayer Concerts for Children in 1923 (which later grew into the organisation 'Youth and Music' , founded 1954, and affiliated to Jeunesses Musicales). The first series of concerts were conducted by Adrian Boult and Malcolm Sargent.

In 1932, Mayer was one of the founders of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and he also helped found the London Schools Symphony Orchestra in 1951. He was also involved, with Egon Wellesz, with the founding of the ISCM.

His 100th birthday was a national celebration that included a gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Keeffe played music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Arnold and Jean Sibelius, the most requested works as the result of a poll.

Although Chaim Weizmann referred to him as "an assimilated Jew", Mayer replied "I am a man, not a Jew or a non-Jew".

Mayer published an autobiography titled My First 100 Years in 1979.

He holds the distinction of being the oldest person to be knighted, when on his 100th birthday he was made a Knight Bachelor. He was also later made a KCVO by the Queen.

[edit] References

  • Sadie, Stanley Sir Robert Mayer at 100, Musical Times vol.120 no.1636 (July 1979), pp. 457, 474-5
  • BBC Infax. BBC.
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