Peabody Institute Gustav Klemm collection
Scope and Contents
This intentionally assembled collection contains materials dating from approximately 1919 to 1961 related to composer Gustav Klemm. It includes a collection of Klemm's published musical works in seven bound volumes of printed scores, additional folders of unbound scores, and orchestral parts of three works by Klemm. Also included is one scrapbook from the 1940s documenting Klemm's musical activities and legacy.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1919-1961
Creator
- Klemm, Gustav, 1897-1947 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for use at the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives of the Peabody Institute. Contact peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or perform materials in this collection must be submitted in writing to the archivist of the Arthur Friedheim Library.
Biographical / Historical
Gustav Klemm (1897-1947) was a composer, conductor, and educator. He wrote hundreds of musical works, including orchestral pieces, songs for piano and voice, and piano music. Many of his pieces are for juvenile musicians.
At the Peabody Conservatory he studied harmony with Howard Thatcher, composition with Gustav Strube, and cello with Bart Wirtz. He conducted the City Park Band of Baltimore, 1922-1925, and was program director and assistant manager of WBAL radio, 1925-1938. Klemm was also a music critic for the Baltimore Evening Sun in the 1920s and 1930s, contributed to various national publications in music, and wrote program notes for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, 1942-1944. He served as superintendent of the Peabody Preparatory from 1944 until his death in 1947.
Extent
1.0 Cubic Feet (1 full-size letter box, 1 half-size letter box, 2 medium flat boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Gustav Klemm (1897-1947) was a composer and music educator who studied at the Peabody Conservatory and was the superintendent of the Peabody Preparatory. As a composer, Klemm wrote primarily music for voice and piano, music for piano solo, orchestral music, and choral music. The Peabody Institute Gustav Klemm collection contains printed editions of Klemm's collected musical works and a scrapbook documenting his professional activities.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Bound volumes were donated by the Enoch Pratt Library at an unknown date. There is no known acquisition information for unbound scores. Scrapbook donated by Steven Shriver, great-nephew of Klemm, in 2024.
Existence and Location of Copies
Klemm manuscripts in Arthur Friedheim Library Digital Collections available at https://cdm16613.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16613coll2/search/searchterm/klemm
Processing Information
Processed by Sean Campbell in 2016. Additional scores processed by Matt Testa in 2019 and 2022. Scrapbook processed by Matt Testa in 2024.
Source
- Shriver, Steven (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Peabody Institute Gustav Klemm collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matt Testa
- Date
- 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2024-03-05: Several revisions in 2024 were prompted by the acquisition of the scrapbook. The collection title was changed from "Collection of Gustav Klemm scores." Biographical note revised; the previous note was based on the 1952 ASCAP directory.
Repository Details
Part of the Peabody Archives Repository
Peabody Institute
1 E. Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore MD 21202 USA
peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu