A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Halle, Charles
HALLE, Charles (originally Carl), born April 11, 1819, at Hagen, near Elberfeldt, where his father was Capellmeister. Began to play very early; in 1835 studied under Rink at Darmstadt. In the latter part of 1836 went to Paris, and remained there for 12 years in constant intercourse with Cherubini, Chopin, Liszt, Berton, Kalkbrenner, and other musicians. In 1841 he married. In 1846 he, Alard, and Franchomme, started chamber concerts in the small room of the Conservatoire. These, though very successful, were rudely interrupted by the revolution of Feb. 1848, which burst out after the second concert of the third series. Halle left for England, and has ever since been permanently settled here [Appendix p.662 "he had visited England before 1848, the date on which he took up his residence here"]. His first appearance was at the orchestral Concerts at Covent Garden (May 12, 48) in the E♭ concerto of Beethoven. He played that season and several subsequent ones at the Musical Union; and at the Philharmonic made the first of many appearances March 15, 52. His connexion with Manchester began soon after his arrival here, and in 1857 he started his orchestral subscription concerts there, which are now so justly famed.
In London Mr. Halle has been closely attached to the Monday and Saturday Popular Concerts since their origin. He is also well known for his annual series of Recitals at St. James's Hall, which began in 1861 with a performance of the whole of Beethoven's sonatas spread over eight matinées. The programmes were illustrated by an analysis of the sonatas with quotations, from the pen of Mr. J. W. Davison, which were as welcome a novelty as the performances themselves. The same programmes were repeated for 2 years, and have since been annually varied through a very large repertoire of classical compositions, including many of the most recent works. Notwithstanding his many public duties Mr. Halle has as a teacher a very large clientèle, both in London and the North. [Appendix p.662 "In July 1888 he received the honour of knighthood and on July 26 of the same year he married Mme. Neruda. Died Oct. 25, 1895."][ G. ]