Mark Hambourg Collection
Abstract
Mark Hambourg (1879-1960) was a piano performer who gave numerous recitals and recorded many of his performances on gramophone records for the Gramophone Company (HMV). Hambourg also performed with several orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and gave many concert tours. In addition, Hambourg was an author, writing various books and magazine articles about composers and about how to play the piano. This collection includes concert programs, correspondence, scrapbooks, books and magazine articles, and miscellaneous items related to Hambourgs career as a writer and performer, and related to his relationships with his friends and colleagues, including Theodore Leschetizky, Anton Rubenstein, and his wife, violinist Dorothea Muir Hambourg.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Mark Hambourg Collection, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Summary: Mark Hambourg was born in Russia on May 31, 1879. He gave many recitals (1888-1960) and recorded for the Gramophone Company. Hambourg died in Cambridge, England on August 26, 1960.
Full History: Mark Hambourg was born in Russia on May 31, 1879. He commenced performing in 1888, in Moscow, and soon began performing throughout the major cities of Europe. His principal piano studies were in Vienna with Theodor Leschetizky. Eventually Hambourg settled in London, England and, along with occasional orchestral engagements, he primarily focused on recital-giving. Between about 1909 and 1933, Hambourg recorded copiously for the Gramophone Company (HMV). Reissues of some of Hambourg's recordings have appeared on compact discs from the Pearl and Arbiter labels. Hambourg died in Cambridge, England on August 26, 1960.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Mark Hambourg Collection covers the period from 1890 to 1970; the bulk of the materials date from 1894 to 1961. The materials consist of concert programs, correspondence, manuscripts, books, magazine articles, itineraries, lists, and obituaries related to Hambourgs work as a piano performer and a writer, including his work with Etude Magazine, Theodore Leschetizky, the Gramophone Company, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Gift of Michal Hambourg, daughter of Mark Hambourg. Materials were received through the offices of Allan Evans in 1999.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Max Brown.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Elizabeth J. Mason, January 2013.
Arrangement of Collection
Thecollection is organized as five series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Concert Programs, 1905-1950, and Undated (null)
This series contains programs of Hambourgs and Anton Rubensteins performances. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concert Programs, 1905-1950 and Undated | series 1 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
Series 2: Correspondence, 1896-1961, and Undated (null)
This series contains letters and postcards to the Hambourgs about appointments and publications of Hambourgs courses, lessons, books, and magazine articles. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence -- Miscellaneous, 1896-1961, and Undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence -- Etude Magazine, 1950 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
Series 3: Writings, 1909-1939, and Undated (null)
This series contains Hambourgs manuscripts and published books and magazine articles on Chopin, Bach, Brahms, Schubert, and other composers, as well as on miscellaneous topics such as how to play the piano. Materials are arranged alphabetically by composer. Articles and books not on a specific composer are arranged by subject.
Subseries 3.1: Manuscripts, circa 1920, and Undated
This subseries contains manuscripts on master lessons of well-known piano works and miscellaneous manuscripts on lessons in piano playing.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manuscripts -- Master Lessons -- Well-Known Pianoforte Works, Undated | series 3.1 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Manuscripts -- Schumann -- Papillons, Undated | series 3.1 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Manuscripts -- Miscellaneous, circa 1920, and Undated | series 3.1 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
Subseries 3.2: Published Writings, 1909-1939, and Undated
This subseries contains Hambourgs published books and magazine articles, including those from Etude Magazine.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Books, 1909-1922 | series 3.2 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Articles -- Etude Magazine, 1928-1938 | series 3.2 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Articles -- Etude Magazine, 1924-1939, and Undated | series 3.2 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| Published Writings -- Miscellaneous, 1916-1935, and Undated | series 3.2 | box 3 | folder 10 | |
Series 4: Scrapbooks, 1890-1956, and Undated (null)
This series contains both music scores of various composers and scrapbooks of Hambourg's life that include press cuttings of his concert tours, newspaper articles about childhood music performances, and autograph letters. In addition, it contains books that he wrote. Materials are arranged chronologically by subject.
Subseries 4.1: Scores, 1895-1908, and Undated
This subseries contains scores of piano pieces by various composers, including Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin, among other composers.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scores, 1895-1908, and Undated | series 4.1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
Subseries 4.2: Press-Related Materials, 1905-1961, and Undated
This subseries contains newspaper articles about concerts in Hambourgs adult life, including his Australian and Indian tours, his last concert, and his memorial service. It also contains lists of gramophone records and photos of music events.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Press-Related Materials, 1905-1961, and Undated | series 4.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | ||
| Press, with Lists of Concert Tours, 1905-1907 | series 4.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | item 1.0 | |
| Press Notices, Photographs about Music Events, 1920-1928 and Undated | series 4.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | item 2.0 | |
| Cuttings of Books--Piano to Forte, Etc., 1931-1952 | series 4.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | item 3.0 | |
| Press Cuttings--Australian and Indian Tour, 1932-1933 | series 4.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | item 4.0 | |
| Press Cuttings--1935 Onwards, 1934-1936 and Undated | series 4.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | item 5.0 | |
| Last Concert and Memorial Service, Lists of Complete Records of Gramophone Recordings and Programs, 1913-1961 and Undated | series 4.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | item 6.0 | |
Subseries 4.3: Childhood Scrapbooks, 1890-1897
This subseries contains concert programs and newspaper articles related to Mark Hambourg's childhood.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childhood Scrapbooks, 1890-1897 | series 4.3 | box 1 | folder 3 | ||
| Mark Hambourg Scrapbook--Childhood Newspaper Articles, 1890-1897 | series 4.3 | box 1 | folder 3 | item 1.0 | |
| Mark Hambourg Scrapbook 2--First Press Book, 1894-1896 | series 4.3 | box 1 | folder 3 | item 2.0 | |
Subseries 4.4: Miscellaneous Scrapbooks, 1896-1956, and Undated
This subseries contains autograph letters, Hambourgs book on Tales of an Artists Life, and a scrapbook of concert programs.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Scrapbooks, 1896-1956, and Undated | series 4.4 | box 1 | folder 4 | ||
| Autograph Letters: Sir Alexander Fleming, Sir Henry Woor, Theodore Leschetigky, and Margot Asquith, 1896-1956 and Undated | series 4.4 | box 1 | folder 4 | item 1.0 | |
| Tales of an Artist's Life, Told by Mark Hambourg, 1936 | series 4.4 | box 1 | folder 4 | item 2.0 | |
| Concert Programmes, by Mark Hambourg, 1915-1917 | series 4.4 | box 1 | folder 4 | item 3.0 | |
Series 5: Miscellaneous, 1890-1970, and Undated (null)
This series contains Hambourgs tour itineraries, lists of repertoire, obituaries, and miscellaneous related material, as well as materials unrelated to Hambourg. Materials are arranged by subject.
Subseries 5.1: Itineraries and Lists, 1895-1908, and Undated
This subseries contains itineraries of Hambourgs music tours and lists of Hambourgs repertoire of pieces and gramophone records.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itineraries and Lists, 1895-1908, and Undated | series 5.1 | box 3 | folder 11 | |
Subseries 5.2: Obituaries, 1960, and Undated
This subseries contains obituaries on Hambourg in newspaper articles, a bulletin for his memorial service, and the text for his eulogy.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obituaries -- Newspaper Clippings, Undated | series 5.2 | box 3 | folder 12 | |
| Obituaries -- Memorial Service and Eulogy, 1960 and Undated | series 5.2 | box 3 | folder 13 | |
Subseries 5.3: Miscellaneous Related Material, 1890, and Undated
This subseries contains a copy of To the Sorcerer and the list of The Films of John Baxter.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Related Materials, 1890, and Undated | series 5.3 | box 3 | folder 14 | |
Subseries 5.4: Not Related to Hambourg, 1919-1970
This subseries contains programs, articles, and a Christmas card on various dinners and celebrations that are unrelated to Hambourg, but related to his family and to interesting places that he has been.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not Related to Hambourg, 1919-1970 | series 5.4 | box 3 | folder 15 | |
Related Material
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Hambourg, Mark, 1879-1960
- Pianists -- Great Britain