Alexander Fried Collection
Finding aid created by Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
2022
2200 Jerrold Avenue
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San Francisco, California 94124
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Title: Alexander Fried Collection
Dates: 1930-1977
Collection Number: 979.001
Creator/Collector:
Fried, Alexander
Extent: 6 Boxes. 6.7 linear feet.
Repository:
Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
San Francisco, California 94124
Abstract: Alexander Fried (1903-1988) was a musical critic writing in San Francisco from the 1920s to the 1970s. He worked for various
publications including “Musical Digest” as a translator and managing editor, “San Francisco Chronicle” as a music editor,
and “San Francisco Examiner” as an art and music editor. This collection consists of news clippings illustrating his career
as a critic from 1930-1977 that provide insight into the growth of the San Francisco performing arts scene, including pieces
on the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, and the San Francisco Ballet, as well as others.
Language of Material: English
Entire Collection is open for research.
Reproduction of these materials can occur only if the copying falls within the provisions of the doctrine of fair use. Copyright
varies by item.
[Identification of item]. Alexander Fried Collection. Collection Number: 979.001. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing
Arts Library
Donated to the Archives for the Performing Arts in May 1979 by Alexander Fried.
Biography/Administrative History
Alexander Fried (1903-1988) was a pianist turned musical critic. At Columbia University, he studied with composer Daniel Gregory
Mason and received a Mosenthal Fellowship and began writing musical criticism and analysis of performances while ushering
at Carnegie Hall. He worked as a translator for “Musical Digest,” where he eventually became a managing editor. With help
from San Francisco Opera director, Gaetano Merola, he became a music editor for the “San Francisco Chronicle” where he worked
from 1926 to 1934 when he took a job as art and music editor at the “San Francisco Examiner” where he worked until 1977.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Alexander Fried Collection consists of news clippings of daily and weekly art and music reviews Fried wrote for the San
Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner. These clippings illustrate almost the entire span of his career as a critic
in San Francisco, dating from 1930-1977. They reveal the rich array of artistic and musical activities which took place in
San Francisco during these forty-seven years. In addition, they provide insight into the growth of the San Francisco Symphony,
the San Francisco Opera, and the San Francisco Ballet, as well as into issues which affected support for the performing arts.
Art critics
Theater critics
Musical Digest
San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Examiner
San Francisco Opera
San Francisco Symphony