This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
Prof. Richard
Hardege
Musician and composer
1853 - 1922
Was a Noted Violinist and Teach of Piano
and Violin
Studied Music in Leipsig,
Germany
Hardege, Richard b.
Hardege, Richard 1913,
103 E Main, music teacher
The death of Prof.
Richard Hardege, noted musician and musical composer
and teacher of music for many years in Watertown, occurred in the family home,
Richard Hardege first saw the light of day at Haverstraw, N.Y., where
he was born
He became widely known as an artist of great merit and a musical composer of considerable talent and he appeared in some of the best appointed orchestras of the country. But he cared little for the plaudits of the world and preferred the quiet life of his studio and the teaching of his pupils. Music was with him a passion to which his whole life was devoted and he was always the apt student.
His compositions for violin and piano were many, but few of them were published. His compositions also included orchestra numbers and an operetta, but never allowed but one to be published as he cared little for the publicity which his cherished art would bring him. He was heard on several occasions in Watertown and delighted his audiences who were enraptured with the melodies with which he favored them when prevailed upon to do so.
During his early career he served as director of the old Concordia Society, and the Harmony Singing society and was also director of the musical department of the Turner Society.
Mr. Hardege was possessed of a fine character and was endowed with many fine attainments. To those who knew him best he was a friend and adviser whose friendship was of the kind that lasts. He possessed a genial disposition which was ever in evidence when with friends and was kindhearted and charitable to a remarkable degree. But his whole soul was wrapped up in music, which developed in the cradle and lasted until the whisper of the angel of death.
He is survived by his mother, 93 years of age and an invalid, one sister, Miss Emma Hardege, at home and two brothers, Arthur and Eugene Hardege, at home.
The funeral will
take place on Sunday afternoon from the chapel of the Schmutzler
Furniture Co. at
The burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
