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Eugene Gruenberg

Austrian violinist Eugene Gruenberg was born in Lemberg on October 30, 1854 and died in Boston on November 11, 1928.

At the Vienna Conservatory, Gruenberg studied violin with Heissler, ensemble playing with Hellmesberger, and composition with Bruckner and Dessoff. From Vienna, Gruenberg moved to Leipzig where he played in the Gewandhaus Orchestra.

Gruenberg emigrated to the United States, joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1891. He remained with the BSO until 1898. In addition, Gruenberg joined the violin faculty of the New England Conservatory, where he taught until his death in 1928. His compositions include a symphony which he conducted in Leipzig, the Suite in Antiken Stil, a violin sonata, and studies for violin. In 1897, Gruenberg published The Violinist’s Manual which was revised in 1919 under the title Violin Teaching and Violin Studies with a preface by Fritz Kreisler.

Source: Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. 1992

Portrait image of ormer NEC violin faculty member, Eugene Gruenberg

Archival Collection

The Eugene Gruenberg Papers consists of 1 flat box ; 77 items.

This is a collection of letters and other personal memorabilia (ca. 1873-1930) that belonged to NEC violin faculty member, Eugene Gruenberg. It was most likely donated to NEC by Gruenberg himself or a family member.

Access to the Eugene Gruenberg Papers is granted by the Archivist. Appointments must be scheduled in advance. There are no restrictions pertaining to this collection.

All copyrights to this collection belong to the New England Conservatory. Permission to publish materials from this collection is granted by the Archivist. For further information about Gruenberg and an itemized list of the contents of this collection, see this index compiled by Deborah A. Devine, 1992. This collection should be cited as: NECA 19.13. Eugene Gruenberg Papers, New England Conservatory Archives, Boston, MA.

This collection is organized into the following 11 series:

  1. Letters/telegrams (Items #1-49)
  2. Notes/Writings (Items #50-51)
  3. Business/calling cards (Items #52-62)
  4. Official Government Documents (Items #63-64)
  5. Engagement Announcements (Items #65-66)
  6. Newspaper Clippings (Items #67-68)
  7. Music Journal and Journal Articles (Items #69-71)
  8. Petitions (Items #72-74)
  9. Autographed Cover page of score (Item #75)
  10. Invitations (Item #76)
  11. Concert programs (Item #77)

The letters/telegrams are organized alphabetically by the last name of the sender. Correspondents include: Carl Faelten, Philip Hale, Henry Lee Higginson, Louis Krasner, Franz Kneisel, Fritz Kreisler, Arthur Nikisch, and Horatio Parker.  The business/calling cards are also organized alphabetically. 

For further information about Gruenberg and an itemized list of the contents of this collection, see this index compiled by Deborah A. Devine, 1992.