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Peter Meremblum, Founder

Born, September 22, 1890 - Batoum, Georgia, Russia

Passed Away, July 2, 1966 - Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.

Peter Meremblum, Founder and and former conductor of the Orchestra, had two ideas in mind. First, to make an opportunity for his own talented students to perform their concertos and other concert music with the accompaniment of a full symphony orchestra. Second, in appreciative gratitude to his adopted country - The United States of America - he wanted to give to its talented musical youth training in the traditions of the European and American Conservatories similar to which he had received in his native Russia. He also determined that there would be no distinction of race, creed, or color and that all talented young people were eligible for this training. The high standard of the newly created Junior Symphony won the immediate admiration and friendship of many internationally known artists and musicians.

This is a copy of Peter Merembum's last message to his orchestra, the California Junior Symphony, written a few days before he passed away on July 2, 1966. It was read to the orchestra on July 9th.

As I am leaving you (toward the unkown shores of eternity) I would like to leave a few words with every one of you. I have enjoyed being with you (or your fathers and mothers before you came into the Orchestra, at which they have started first) and teaching you the best Music could give to every one of us and to you especially.

As you all know, I had no children of my own, but I loved children all my life, since I came from a family where there were nine children, papa and mama and several uncles and cousins, etc.

I consider myself very fortunate that I have received a first class musical education, studying first in Tiflis (which is the capital of Caucasus in Russsia) and graduating from the most brilliant Conservatory of Saint Petersburg later on. I was lucky to associate with the most outstanding Musicians of that time: Leopold Auer for my teacher for 4 years; Alexander Glazounoff was Director of my Conservatory where Rimsky-Korsakoff was teacher of composition and contrapoint. Famous pianists were on the staff of the Conservatory and we, students, played ensembles with Prokofiev, Tcherepnin and many many outstanding pianists. Russia at that time was the the height of development of Arts, Music, Theatare,and Ballet and Opera. I was very close friend with many Artists of Bolshoi Theratre as well as Moscow Art Theatre under Stanislavsky and Nemerovich-Dantchenko. Poets, ballerinas, actors and musicians were my circle. Upon graduating from the Conservatory I was appointed as Conceert master for Riga Symphony, later playing as such in Yalta Symphony and Rostoff-on-Don. I was Lucky to play under first class Conductors as well as, sometime, not such as a first class. Nickish, Safonoff and Koussevitsky were among them and in United States I played under Stokowsky. I organized m own, very fine, Petrograd String Quartet,  which made tremendous impact in Russia, and started Joseph Roisman, in later years, to go and get into Buda-Pest Quartet as first violinist. I helped Nathan Milstein at his first Concert in Russia, during the raging Revolution. I have played on Concert Stage, besides Solo Reciatals, a cycle of Trio music and a cycle (in historical order) of all Violin Sonatas.

I tell you all this not to brag about myself but to show you what a temendous Wealth of Musical Education, Culture and wonderful Associations with outstanding men of the Century I was privileged to be. I loved my native country, Russia, and I still admire its Art and Culture. But I did not like the cruel Red Regime of Comunization of everything there. So I consider I never have deserted my Old Country, I simply fled away from intolerant "Dictature of Proletariat" as it was called. When I was lucky to come, after almost two years in Europe, to the United States, I came with my violin, two handkerchiefs and 10 dollars in my pocket, with atrocious primitive knowledge of English complete and ignorance of business-like life in America; I went directly to Musicians Unions in New York; in two days I received a position, A "job" of Assisting Concertmaster of a Wagnerian Opera.

Many young people in New York came to me (as they have heard from their musician parents or relatives) to take lessons and learn something of the famous Leopold Auer School of Violin. I was appalled to find then among them so many potential talents with the cheapest interpretation and faulty technique, atrocious fingering and bowing, poor repertoire and very bad musical taste. Right then and there, I made a vow to pay my debts to my country, a new Mother-land that gave me shelter and normal, human life, though I certainly did not agree with many obvious things. But I wanted to give to every American boy and girl, who have some talent towrd the music, the maximun of what I could and what I have stored it the inner sides of my being.

Do you remember the stories about the old Millionaire, John D. Rockefeller who loved to give dimes from his pockets, hoping to alleveiate the poor guys around Him. My wealth, and considerable oe, was my music, my knowledge, experience and erudition, so I gave whiat I could to every one who was in needof it. Some asked even for money. But I have none. Just enough to live with my wife and companion for many years, as well as my constant help and inspiration.

I wish you would accord her every respect and consideration. She has never deserted me in anything, though many times she did not agree on things. She is modest, intelligent and very helpful. She knows my line, my ideals and my taste and I have asked her to be my successor in continuing My Orchestra in the way it has been continued all these 30 years. I have been always proud of My Orchestra and of the hundreds and hundreds of young girls and boys who were in it, before and since you became its members. I never had salaries, glories and publicities, etc. I did not have My Orchestra  for that. It was for my soul; For my love and my principles and, remember, for the vows I have given immediately after I arrived here. My health was my only undoing.I gave up unhesitantly the Santa Monica Symphony where, as you know, more than twenty-five of my former and present members are playing.

I gave up the Doctors Symphony, despite their requests to last one more year. But My Own Orchestra, meaning You, which I created really with my two hands, without any help nor assistance from outside, financing it for the first two and a half years from my own pocket - I could not give up until the very last difficult days. Zina promised to do the best and continue it as if I were still with you. And maybe I will. No great philosophers, wise men nor thinker opened up the secrets of life and death yet. And I know, it is not only the "chemistry"........

I wish you the greatest success in music to each and everyone of you and much personal happiness; and try to be the better boys and the better girls you could be. I send you my blessings and love. Peace be with you.
                                                                    

Your musical Father, teacher and conductor
Peter Meremblum