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Guide to the Gerhard Samuel Collection
ARS.0049
ARS.0049
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Title: Gerhard Samuel Collection
Dates: 1940-2007
Collection number: ARS.0049
Creator:
Samuel, Gerhard
Collection size:
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.
Repository:
Archive of Recorded Sound
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.
Language of Material: Multiple languages
Open for research; material must be requested at least two business days in advance of intended use. Contact the Archive for
assistance.
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.
Gerhard Samuel Collection, ARS-0049. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford,
Calif.
The Gerhard Samuel Collection was donated to the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound by Erica Wilhelm in 2009.
This finding aid was produced with generous financial support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
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.
Cabrillo Music Festival.
Cincinnati Philharmonia Orchestra.
Oakland Symphony Orchestra.