Background
Mayer was born in Mannheim, Germany. His father was a brewer. His father however insisted that Mayer go into business.
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Robert Mayer
Edit Profilephilanthropist private sector banker
Education
From the age of 5 Mayer attended the Mannheim conservatoire, where, at the age of 11, he played a piano ballade by Brahms before the composer. He also studied under Felix Weingartner.
Career
Initially he worked in the lace trade, and then, moving to London in 1896, became a banker, whilst continuing his piano studies with Fanny Davies and others Mayer became a citizen of the United Kingdom in 1902, and joined the British army in the First World War. In 1932, Mayer was one of the founders of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and he also helped found the London Schools Symphony Orchestra in 1951.
He was also involved, with Egon Wellesz, with the founding of the ISCM.
His 100th birthday was a national celebration that included a gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall which was attended by Queen Elizabeth World War II The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Keeffe played music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Arnold and Jean Sibelius, the most requested works as the result of a poll.
Although Chaim Weizmann referred to him as "an assimilated Jew", Mayer replied "I am a man, not a Jew or a non-Jew". Mayer published an autobiography titled My First 100 Years in 1979.
He was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen in 1979.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
January 9, 1985 (aged 105) -
Nationality
Germany -
Ethnicity