Some time around the turn of the century, Albert brought a violin home. Self-taught, the boys had an aptitude for music, and all learned to play the violin, cello and mandolin.
Albert/Cully, worked once with Sam as a musician on the passenger ship to Buenos Aires in 1923, and on other occasions throughout his life, but he made his living as a carpenter. Interestingly, on his death certificate, his occupation is listed as “Musician”.
Ralph made his living as a professional Cellist, playing in music halls, hotels, passenger ship salons, and Broadway orchestra pits.
Rube played cello and mandolin, but did not do so professionally, except for one trip with Sam on the USS Vauban, to Buenos Aires from New York in 1923. His creativity manifested itself in various art forms: dressmaking, painting, sculpting, whittling, kite-making, tatting and crochet.
I have found no evidence that Rose was musical or showed an interest in any art form.
Lou played Clarinet, and did work as a professional musician at least one time. I have found documents listing Lou as a member of the cruise ship’s orchestra on one of Sam’s Buenos Aires’ engagements.
Nora was said to have the perfect “ear”, and the brother’s would often pawn Ralph’s cello to pay for a single opera or musical revue ticket for Nora. She would return and entertain the family, singing all the music she had heard. They had to scramble to get the cello out of the pawn shop before Ralph had to go to work the next night!
Sam became a professional violinist, playing on passenger ships as a young man, and later in Hollywood’s orchestras. He served as the supervisor of music for the RKO Theater Corporations Symphony Orchestra in Denver, Co in 1932. He was a bandmaster, composer, arranger, and concertmaster of the Opera of South America.
Music, art and literature were an integral part of the household dynamic. Attending films, concerts and talent shows when they could scrape up the money, playing music for their own enjoyment, and reading and discussing contemporary and classic literature borrowed from the New York Public Library, provided the intellectual stimulation and the capacity of the Freeds to embrace the joy of living.
Even though the family struggled daily to survive, the house was full of music, good food and conversation.
They loved card games, crap games and they were all horseplayers! Young people from the neighborhood found their way to this apartment full of interesting and charming Hungarians.