Jan Hambourg

Jan Hambourg (8 September 1882 – 29 September 1947) was a violinist, a member of a famous musical family, who made his career in Europe during the early 20th century.

Jan Hambourg was born in Voronezh, Russian Empire, the middle brother between the famous pianist Mark Hambourg (b. 1879) and the distinguished cellist Boris Hambourg (b. 1884), the sons of pianist Michael Hambourg (1855-1916). Jan studied first in London with August Wilhelmj and Émile Sauret in London, then in Frankfort-am-Main with Hikeerman, in Prague with Otakar Ševčík and in Brussels with Eugène Ysaÿe, who also gave instruction to his brother Boris.

He made his debut in Berlin in 1905. In 1911 he co-founded the Hambourg Conservatory of Music with his father and his brother Boris. Jan and Boris succeeded their father as co-directors of the school in 1916. In 1916 he married Isabelle McClung, the daughter of Judge Samuel McClung of Pittsburg. In 1920 he moved to Europe where he was active as a concert violinist. He died in Tours, France during a concert tour.

Hambourg was the owner of the Vesuvio Stradivarius violin, made by Antonio Stradivari in 1727, subsequently owned by Antonio Brosa and then by Remo Lauricella.