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Max Donner Collection of Sheet Music

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3979

  • Staff Only

The Max Donner Collection of Sheet Music contains music written and collected by musical artist and composer Max Donner. The collection spans 1873-1947. A few pieces of ephemera are included which document Donner's performance career.

The collection is divided into 3 series: Series I: Music Ephemera includes items in the collection that are not sheet music. This contains a recital poster, a recital program, a magazine article, and the cover of a music book. Series II: Compositions by Donner includes works written by Max Donner, both handwritten and printed. It is arranged alphabetically by title. Series III: Donner's Music Library includes works that Donner collected for performance or practice. Many of these items have performance notes. This series is broken down into eight sub-series following groupings created by Donner. They are then arranged alphabetically by composer within those groupings.

Dates

  • 1873-1947

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact Special Collections.

Extent

5 Linear Feet (14 flat boxes) ; all boxes measure 14.5 x 18.5

Overview

The Max Donner Collection of Sheet Music contains music written and collected by musical artist and composer Max Donner. The collection spans 1873-1947.

Biographical / Historical

Max Donner was born in New York on May 22, 1884. Here, he studied violin and composition under Henry Schradieck. He also studied extensively in Brussels and Berlin, including at the Stern Conservatory, probably at the same time Gottfried Galston taught there. Donner married Angeline [Keijser] around 1908 and had five children. The family moved from New York to Seattle to West Virginia, and finally settled in Pasadena, California. During his life, Donner worked as concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony under the direction of Henry Kimball Hadley, Violin department head and orchestra director at West Virginia University, and a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl. Donner passed away on May 30, 1962 in Los Angeles.

Arrangement

This collection consists of 14 oversize boxes and is arranged in the following three series based on format and topic: I. Music Ephemera, 1908 II. Compositions by Donner, 1901-1940 III. Donner's Music Library, 1873-1947

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480