Description

PAUL KEFER (ROUEN, DECEMBER 30, 1875 – ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, MAY 22, 1941)

Paul Kefer studied at the Paris Conservatory, where he was the last student of Jules Delsart and won First Prize in the 1900 Competition. In October 1913, he emigrated to the United States and was hired by the New York Orchestra under the baton of Walter Damrosch. In 1913, he also played with the Tollefsen Trio. He was so fond of this ensemble that, the following year, he decided to create the “Trio de Lutèce” with harpist Carlos Salzedo and flautist Georges Barrère. In 1932, Paul Kefer was succeeded by cellist Horace Britt in the trio. For this trio, André Jolivet composed a trio for flute, cello, and harp in April 1934.

Kefer also played in a string trio with Richard Stell and Adrian Schubert, and the trio made recordings with Victor and Edison. Additionally, Paul Kefer was a member of the Kilbourn Quartet, along with Gustav Tinlot (first violin), Gerald Kunz (second violin), and Samuel Belov (viola). He taught at the Eastman School of Music from 1923 until his death in 1941. Paul Kefer had a daughter, Rose Hobart, born on May 1, 1906, who became a renowned American actress.

TRACKLIST

1. Our Yesterdays (Leslie) with Barbara Maurel (soprano) Columbia A2763 78413
2. Pensée amoureuse (Herbert) Columbia A2157 47098
3. Tollefsen Trio At The Brook  (Rene de Boisdeffre) with with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Victor 17600-B
4. Tollefsen Trio Chant sans paroles (Tchaikovsky) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Edison 2024
5. Tollefsen Trio Extase (Ganne) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Victor 35303
6. Tollefsen Trio Extase rêverie (Ganne) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Edison 914
7. Tollefsen Trio Hungarian dances G minor and D major (Brahms) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Edison 1722
8. Tollefsen Trio Minuet (Beethoven) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Edison 1650
9. Tollefsen Trio Old Black Joe (Foster) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Columbia A1809 78768
10. Tollefsen Trio Pastel-Menuet (Paradis) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Edison 1133 1912
11. Tollefsen Trio Serenade (Kotzschmar) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Victor 17379-B
12. Tollefsen Trio Serenade (Widor) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Edison 1052
13. Tollefsen Trio Song Without Words (Romance sans paroles) with Carl Tollefsen (violin) and Augusta Schnabel-Tollefsen (piano) Victor 17525-A
14. Träumerei (Schumann) Columbia A2157 47097
15. Trio de Lutece Celebre Menuet (Valensin) with Georges Barrère (flute) and Carlos Salzedo (harp) Columbia A1928 46300
16. Trio de Lutece Minuet (Beethoven) with Georges Barrère (flute) and Carlos Salzedo (harp) Columbia A2633 77872
17. Trio de Lutece Orientale (Cui) with Georges Barrère (flute) and Carlos Salzedo (harp) Columbia A3727 78102
18. Trio de Lutece Serenade (Widor) with Georges Barrère (flute) and Carlos Salzedo (harp) Columbia A1907 46232
19. Trio de Lutece Simple aveu (Thomé) with Georges Barrère (flute) and Carlos Salzedo (harp) Columbia A3727 78908
20. Trio de Lutece Spring song (Mendelssohn) with Georges Barrère (flute) and Carlos Salzedo (harp) Columbia A2633 77871