Frank Glazer papers
Scope and Contents
In this collection are materials that document much of the life and career of Frank Glazer. These materials include correspondence (both personal and professional); concert and event programs; administrative records documenting various aspects of his performing career; military records from World War II; audio-visual material (including LPs, CDs, audiocassettes, and reel-to-reel tapes); photographs; artifacts; and scrapbooks. The collection documents Glazer's beginnings during his teenage years in Milwaukee, his training in Europe and in New York, his war service, and his long post-war career, culminating in his 30-year relationship with Bates College. Records document his solo career as a performer and teacher, and also his career performing with various ensembles such as the Cantilena Chamber Players, the New England Piano Quartet, the Eastman Quartet, and others, as both an ensemble member and as a guest performer with numerous groups.
Records for individuals groups, topics, and people often can be found across several Series, so patrons are advised to carefully peruse the file lists in various series when researching. This includes when searching in and/or viewing material in the Audio-Visual series, as there are textual records for nearly every group Glazer performed with, as well as records that often document the recording (correspondence, scheduling, payment, travel, etc) of particular album releases or live television/radio performances. In addition, the Correspondence series contains correspondence with many family members and friends (of both Frank and his wife, Ruth) as well as professional colleagues.
Dates
- 1826 - 2014
- Majority of material found within 1930 - 2010
Creator
- Glazer, Frank (Person)
Language of Materials
Mostly English, but also some French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, and Russian.
Access Restrictions
This collection is mostly open for research. At this writing, some series (I and VIII) are not fully processed and are not open to research; please contact Archives staff if unsure of the availability of any part of this collection.
Use Restrictions
The collection is the physical property of Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. Bates College holds literary rights only for material created by College personnel working on official behalf of the College, or for material which was given to the College with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication or other purposes that exceed fair use.
Historical Note
Frank Glazer was born in the town of Chester, Wisconsin on February 19, 1915 to Lithuanian parents. He lived in Chester and then Fond du Lac, Wisconsin before finally settling in Milwaukee where he graduated from high school. Glazer grew up in a musically talented family and got started on the piano with the help of a sister who died when she was 14 years old. Inspired by his high school piano teacher, and assisted financially by two business men, Glazer set off to Berlin in October of 1932 to study the piano under Artur Schnabel. After stopping in Cleveland and New York City he arrived in Berlin. Leonard Shure, a former pupil of Schnabel helped Frank find a place to live. He moved in with the Kuertz's. He began taking lessons with Schnabel and Shure. At the time Germany was in a state of political and financial turmoil. He considered studying composition in Berlin under the supervision of Arnold Schoenberg but was dissuaded by Shure. When the political situation became too dangerous for Schnabel, he decided to move to Lake Como in Italy. At that time Leonard Shure moved to Cambridge, Massachusettes. In 1933, Glazer left Berlin to continue studying with Schnabel on Lake Como. After four months, Schnabel was unsure of where he would be living. After contacting Shure, Glazer decided to move to Cambridge and take lessons from Shure. In Cambridge he also gave piano lessons, took lessons on counterpoint with Schoenberg, took courses at Harvard extension division, and studied Italian. When he was advised by his host mother that he may be doing to much he dropped the courses and the lessons with Schoenberg. In 1935, he traveled back to Lake Como to resume lessons with Schnabel. He once again took lessons there for four months. Frank Glazer has made a career that has revolved around playing the piano. Some of his accomplishments include playing Carnegie Hall, having his own television show, composing, playing with the Boston Symphony, teaching at the Eastman School of Music, the University of Indiana, and Bennett College, and a long period as artist-in-residence at Bates College.
Glazer was married to Ruth Gevalt from 1952 until her death in 2006. Glazer died in January, 2015, at the age of 99.
Extent
74.5 Linear Feet
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into ten series, as follows: I. Administrative files; II. Military records; III. Scores; IV. Concert materials; V. Radio, TV, and Studio recordings; VI. Correspondence; VII. Cantilena Chamber Players; VIII. Photographs; IX. Scrapbooks; and X. Audio-Visual materials. (Currently all but Series I and VIII are open to researchers. Please contact Archives staff for more information.)
Acquisition and Custody Information
Multiple donations from Frank Glazer and the Glazer estate, from 2008 to 2015.
General Physical Description note
Creator
- Glazer, Frank (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Frank Glazer papers, 1826-2014
- Status
- No Finding Aid
- Author
- Kat Stefko
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in: English
- Edition statement
- ©2013
Repository Details
Part of the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library Repository
70 Campus Avenue
Lewiston Maine 04240 United States of America
207-786-6354
muskie@bates.edu