SPALDING, ALBERT

born Aug. 15, 1888, Chicago, Ill., U.S. died May 26, 1953, New York, N.Y. American composer and one of the leading violinists of his day. The son of a partner in the sporting-goods firm of A.G. Spalding and Brothers, he began to study the violin at the age of seven, making his debut in Paris in 1905 and in New York City in 1908. He served with the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I. Spalding toured the United States and Europe many times, playing with the leading orchestras. His musical compositions include a suite for orchestra, two violin concerti, and a String Quartet in E Minor. He was the author of an autobiography, Rise to Follow (1943), and of a novel, A Fiddle, a Sword, and a Lady (1953).