Danz Family papers
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains programs, photographs, scrapbook materials, publications, clippings, and correspondence about Frank Danz, Jr.There is a small amount of material about Frank J. Danz, from whom the collection was received.
There are many historical photographs and programs from the late 19th century from the Philharmonic and the Danz Band and Danz Orchestra. The original photographs have been frequently used by the publicity department at the Minnesota Orchestra when reviewing the early history of the Orchestra and its origins.
The remaining materials are copies of magazine and newspaper articles that document the history of Frank Danz, Jr.and his orchestra activities. Correspondence relates to research done by Frank J. Danzabout his father’s early work; copies of early Philharmonic programs, among others, are included in the collection.
One notable item is a journal from 1895 in which Danz recorded engagements that he arranged around the Twin Cities, in hotels and in private homes including those of prominent families in the area.
Important memorabilia include the membership certificate of Frank Danz in the Philharmonic Society of New Yorkand 2 batons belonging to Danz.
Dates
- Creation: 1873-1958
Language of Materials
English
Restrictions on Access
The collection is open and available for use by researchers in the Andersen Library Reading Room.
Restrictions on Use
The family retains copyright to any items in the collection that are not in the public domain.
Biographical Note
Frank Danz, Jr.was the first concertmaster of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestraand director of the Danz Bandand the Danz Orchestraupon the retirement of his father, Frank Danz, Sr., in 1884. Frank, Jr. had been a noted violinist with the Theodore Thomas Orchestraand the New York Philharmonicbefore his return to the Twin Cities. His father had longed wished that Frank, Jr. would return home and finally accomplished his goal by “bribing” him with the gift of a rare Stradivarius violin.
In 1891 Danz founded a series of band concerts at the Lake Harriet pavilion that became very popular. His orchestra ended their performances during 1902-03. The following season found Danz and most of his men playing in the newly formed Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Emil Oberhoffer.
Frank Danz, Jr. was married to Susan Hoffmanand they had eight children, including twin sons Frank J. and Eugene. Frank Danz, Jr. died in 1911.
Extent
2 boxes
Abstract
The collection contains programs, photographs, scrapbook materials, publications, clippings, and correspondence about Frank Danz, Jr, first concertmaster of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and director of the Danz Band and Danz Orchestra. There is a small amount of material about Frank J. Danz (his son), from whom the collection was received.
Organization of the Collection
The collection is organized by type of material and by size.
Physical Location
Zone B, R6, D5, R16
Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Orchestra by members of the Danz family in 1973. It was transferred to the archives in 1996.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and the finding aid written by Leslie Czechowski, September 2002.
Subject
- Danz, Frank (Person)
- Danz, Frank, Jr. (Person)
- Danz Family (Family)
- Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (Organization)
- Danz Orchestra (Organization)
- Danz Band (Organization)
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Danz Family papers
- Author
- Finding aid created by Leslie Czechowski
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Performing Arts Archives Collecting Area
