Gerhard Samuel Collection, 1940-2007

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Summary

Creators:
Samuel, Gerhard
Abstract:
Papers and recordings from American conductor and composer Gerhard Samuel (1924-2008), particularly from his years conducting the Oakland Symphony, Minneapolis Symphony, and University of Cincinnati.
Extent:
104 boxes : 695 reels ; 889 audiocassettes ; 10 DATs ; 13 phonogram discs ; 5 compact discs ; 19 CD-Rs ; 11 videocassettes ; 1 DVD-R ; 26 computer discs ; approximately 5 boxes of photographs, film, microfilm, and slides. Remainder are paper files.
Language:
Multiple languages
Preferred citation:

Gerhard Samuel Collection, ARS-0049. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

The conductor and composer Gerhard Samuel (1924-2008) was born in Bonn, Germany, and immigrated with the Samuel family to the United States in February 1939. Exhibiting remarkable musical ability from an early age, Samuel received training with Paul Hindemith at Yale and Serge Koussevitzky at Tanglewood, and studied composition with Howard Hanson at the Eastman School of Music. Following a short time working on Broadway and in France, Samuel rose to prominence in the late 1940s under Antal Doráti and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.

The Gerhard Samuel Collection documents his career both as composer and conductor, the latter especially during his tenures with the Oakland Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Philharmonia Orchestra and Contemporary Music Ensemble at the University of Cincinnati, and, as associate conductor, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Minneapolis Symphony. In particular, the collection demonstrates Samuel's commitment to contemporary music, as with his programming of a great many living composers (many of whom corresponded with Samuel regularly), and his involvement as a founder and musical director with the Cabrillo Music Festival. The Oakland Symphony under Samuel offered the West Coast debut for works by Karlheinz Stockhausen, Terry Riley, Lou Harrison, Darius Milhaud, and many others.

This collection contains original recordings of performances, rehearsals, auditions, and lectures, as well as recordings of Samuel's own compositions. In addition, the Samuel Collection features archival materials from throughout his life and career, including business and personal correspondence; concert programs, posters and handbills; photographs; publicity, press clippings and scrapbooks; business records; lecture and teaching materials, and Samuel's entire library of musical scores including original musical manuscripts.

Acquisition information:
The Gerhard Samuel Collection was donated to the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound by Erica Wilhelm in 2009.
Processing information:

This finding aid was produced with generous financial support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Rules or conventions:
Prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research; material must be requested at least two business days in advance of intended use. Contact the Archive for assistance.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with repository. Publication and reproduction rights reside with the creators or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Head Librarian of the Archive of Recorded Sound.

Preferred citation:

Gerhard Samuel Collection, ARS-0049. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3076, US
Contact:
(650) 723-9312
soundarchive@stanford.edu
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