User:Jacob.Symalla/Arma Senkrah

Arma Senkrah

"In 1888 she married a Weimar lawyer named D. Adolf Hoffmann, and stopped concertizing. On 3 September 1900, after twelve years of marriage, she shot herself with a revolver."

Adding location of death, via S. Margaret W. McCarthy. “Amy Fay: The American Years.” American Music, vol. 3, no. 1, 1985, pp. 52–62. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3052117

Rearranging

Edited portion:

"In 1888 she married a German lawyer from Weimar named D. Adolf Hoffmann, and stopped concertizing. On 3 September 1900, after twelve years of marriage, she shot herself with a revolver while in Weimar."

Article Draft
Arma Senkrah: American Violinist

Biographical Overview

Arma Senkrah, born Arma Levretta Harkness (6 June 1864 – 3 September 1900), was an American violinist renowned for her performances in Europe during the late 19th century. Her career, although successful, was cut short by her marriage and later, tragically, by her suicide.

Early Life and Education

Arma Harkness was born in Williamson, New York, to a family that recognized her musical talents early. At the age of 3, her family moved to Boston, where her father L. B. Harkness established a newspaper stand. Arma began violin lessons at age 5, and by age 7, she was studying at the Boston Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Julius Eichberg for two years.

In 1873, Arma and her mother moved to Europe for further musical education. She originally intended to study with Ferdinand David in Leipzig, but due to his untimely death, she studied with Arno Hilf. During this period, she attracted attention from influential figures like Otto von Bismarck. Seeking further instruction, Arma moved to Paris and enrolled at the Conservatoire de Paris, where she studied under Lambert Massart and Charles Dancla. Her talent and skill were widely recognized, earning her awards and recognition, including a Guadagnini violin after winning the first prize at the conservatory at age 17.

Professional Career

Arma embarked on a professional career in Europe under the stage name "Arma Senkrah." Her manager, Hermann Wolff, believed that a more exotic name would appeal to audiences, hence the anagram from her original name. She became one of the few female violinists to achieve success during this era, performing across Europe in prestigious venues.

Key performances include:


 * Her professional debut on 25 November 1882 at the Crystal Palace in London.
 * Tours in Denmark and Sweden in 1883, and Germany in 1884.
 * Invitations to perform with esteemed musicians like Hans von Bülow and Franz Liszt in Weimar.

Arma’s association with Liszt played a significant role in her career. She became part of his circle and played with him at various events. Her connection with Liszt was also leveraged for publicity, as she distributed photos featuring them together.

Marriage, Final Years, and Death

In 1888, Arma Senkrah married D. Adolf Hoffmann, a lawyer from Weimar, and ceased her professional performances. After twelve years of marriage, she took her own life on 3 September 1900, reportedly due to a combination of personal and marital issues. Different theories have been proposed to explain her suicide, ranging from infidelity to brain disorders to over-control by her husband. Notable musicians such as Amy Fay and Maud Powell hinted at various reasons, including despair over her husband's behavior or a disdain for the violin. Senkrah left behind a son, and her tragic end cast a shadow over her legacy.

Legacy

Despite her premature end, Arma Senkrah's musical legacy endures. Several notable musicians, including Fauré, Váša Laub, and Gustav Hollaender, dedicated compositions to her. The 1750 Guadagnini violin she won at the conservatory now bears her name, having been played by renowned violinists like Frida Scotta and Isaac Stern. Additionally, the 1685 Stradivarius she once owned is also nicknamed after her.

Arma's influence extended beyond her own career. Cellist Louis Milch, who played in Johann Strauss II's orchestra in Vienna, named his daughter after her. Arma Senkrah Milch became a violinist, performing in a family trio on the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit from 1908-1912, further cementing the legacy of the original Arma Senkrah.