Previous Owners

Maurice Eisenberg

Eisenberg was born in Königsberg, Germany, now Kaliningrad, Russia, and moved to the United States at the age of two. He started on violin, switched to cello, and studied cello at the Peabody Institute. In 1918, he was named the principal of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 1921, Eisenberg played with Pablo Casals, who urged him to continue his studies in Europe. During his European studies, he worked with Julius Klengel, Hugo Becker, and Nadia Boulanger. He also studied with Casals during this time. Throughout his career, he taught at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Cambridge Longy School, the University of Southern California, and the Juilliard School of Music.

Dr. Robert Hladky

Robert Hladky, professor of cello, joined the University of Oregon faculty in 1961.  Born in Oklahoma, he began music study with his father at the age of four.  As a professional cellist, he appeared as soloist with the Rochester Philharmonic Symphony, soloist and principal cellist with the Columbus Ohio Symphony, Eastman Chamber Orchestra, Oklahoma City Symphony, Eugene Symphony, Peter Britt Festival Orchestra, and the University of Oregon Summer Festival Symphony. Other solo appearances have included the Oregon Symphony, Cascade Symphony, Boise Philharmonic, Billings Symphony, and the Red Lodge Music Festival as well as numerous community and university symphonies.  Dr. Hladky received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University, and his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees, including the coveted Performer’s Certificate, from the Eastman School of Music.  He studied with artist cellists Luigi Silva of Julliard School of Music, Gabor Rejto, and Ronald Leonard.  Before coming to Oregon in 1961, he was a member of the faculties of the Eastman School of Music and Ohio Wesleyan University.  His accomplishments as a soloist, chamber music performer, and teacher of outstanding cello students have given him widespread recognition.  In addition to his solo activities he frequently appears as guest conductor, artist clinician, and adjudicator for festivals and competitions.  Dr. Hladky owns a rare old Italian cello crafted by David Tecchler in Rome in 1712 which he first heard as a 12 and then 14 year old child in Oklahoma.  As a boy, Dr. Hladky heard Maurice Eisenberg play the Tecchler in two separate concerts in Oklahoma, never dreaming that he would eventually own it.