PA12F Danz Family Collection, 1873-1958 Finding aid created by Leslie Czechowski University of Minnesota Libraries
University of Minnesota Libraries Minneapolis, MN 55455
EAD encoding by Leslie Czechowski, 16 May 2003 English Danz Family Danz Family Collection 1873-1958 University of Minnesota Libraries. Performing Arts Archives, Manuscripts Division [paa] 2 boxes (7 linear inches) The collection contains programs, photographs, scrapbook materials, publications, clippings, and correspondence about Frank Danz, Jr., first concertmaster of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and director of the Danz Band and Danz Orchestra. There is a small amount of material about Frank J. Danz (his son), from whom the collection was received. PA 12 F English Zone B, R6, D5, R16 Restrictions on Access

Materials are open to research without restriction. Permission to examine this collection will be granted to any qualified researcher upon completion of an application form. The original documents do not circulate and may only be used in the Reading Room of the Manuscripts Division.

 Restrictions on Use

The family retains copyright to any items in the collection that are not in the public domain.

 Preferred Citation

Danz Family Collection (PA 12 F), Minnesota Orchestra Archives, Performing Arts Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis.

 Acquisition

The collection was donated to the Orchestra by members of the Danz family in 1973. It was transferred to the archives in 1996.

 Processing Information

The collection was processed and the finding aid written by Leslie Czechowski, September 2002.

 Organization of the Collection

The collection is organized by type of material and by size.

 Biographical Note

Frank Danz, Jr. was the first concertmaster of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and director of the Danz Band and the Danz Orchestra upon the retirement of his father, Frank Danz, Sr., in 1884. Frank, Jr. had been a noted violinist with the Theodore Thomas Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic before his return to the Twin Cities. His father had longed wished that Frank, Jr. would return home and finally accomplished his goal by “bribing” him with the gift of a rare Stradivarius violin.

In 1891 Danz founded a series of band concerts at the Lake Harriet pavilion that became very popular. His orchestra ended their performances during 1902-03. The following season found Danz and most of his men playing in the newly formed Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Emil Oberhoffer.

Frank Danz, Jr. was married to Susan Hoffman and they had eight children, including twin sons Frank J. and Eugene. Frank Danz, Jr. died in 1911.

 Scope and Content Note

The collection contains programs, photographs, scrapbook materials, publications, clippings, and correspondence about Frank Danz, Jr. There is a small amount of material about Frank J. Danz, from whom the collection was received.

There are many historical photographs and programs from the late 19th century from the Philharmonic and the Danz Band and Danz Orchestra. The original photographs have been frequently used by the publicity department at the Minnesota Orchestra when reviewing the early history of the Orchestra and its origins.

The remaining materials are copies of magazine and newspaper articles that document the history of Frank Danz, Jr. and his orchestra activities. Correspondence relates to research done by Frank J. Danz about his father’s early work; copies of early Philharmonic programs, among others, are included in the collection.

One notable item is a journal from 1895 in which Danz recorded engagements that he arranged around the Twin Cities, in hotels and in private homes including those of prominent families in the area.

Important memorabilia include the membership certificate of Frank Danz in the Philharmonic Society of New York and 2 batons belonging to Danz.

 Related Material

The Minnesota Orchestra Association has numerous items belonging to Frank Danz, Jr. including his coat and a violin case cover.

 Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Danz, Frank Danz, Frank, Jr. Danz, Frank J. Danz Family Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra Danz Orchestra Danz Band Conductors (Music)--United States Violinists--United States Minneapolis, Minn. Detailed Contents

The following section contains a detailed list of the materials in the collection.

Danz Family Collection 1873-1958 "A Century of Music in Minnesota" 1

Includes article about Frank Danz, Jr.

 Allen, James. "As a Man Thinketh" 1 Danz, Louis. Dust jacket for book: "It Is Still Morning" 1 Folder: Clippings re Frank Danz, Jr. 1886-1972 1 Folder: Clippings re Frank J. Danz 1950-64 1 Folder: Clippings, photos, etc. from a folder 1

Frank J. Danz in California?; includes cabinet photo of twin boys

Folder: Correspondence 1943-58 1 Folder: Frank Danz, Jr. obituaries and memorial 1911, 1949 1 Folder: Frank J. Danz. Talk at WAMSO meeting 1952 1 Folder: Letters to Mrs. Frank J. Danz ("Brownie" 1943-71 1 Folder: Miscellaneous 1 Folder: Programs 1879-1953 1

Includes original and photocopies of programs

Folder: Scrapbook items 1

Materials were removed from scrapbook and housed in archivally-sound enclosures; items of note include: Danz Band programs from 1800s; St. Paul Musical Society photograph; Prospectus for the Mozart Club, 1900-01; numerous clippings

Interson, Dr. C.A. 1927 1

Autographed to Frank J. Danz; includes article about Ingerson by John Rodenkirchen

Journal 1895 1

Use by Danz to record one-time music appearances

M.S.O. program 1957 1

Includes piece about Frank Danz, Jr.

Packets of photographs, negatives, slides 1930s-60s 1

Found in leather carrying case; none are identified, but are presumed to be of Danz family; two photographs are of twin males

Sherman, John K. "Music and Theater in Minnesota History" 1958 1

Includes photos and information about the Danz family

Symphony magazine 1972 1

Commemorative issue with Danz band photograph on cover

Twin Citian magazine 1963 1 "Die Glocke" (magazine) 1906 2

Includes photo of Frank Danz, Jr.

"The Entertainers," Minnesota Motorist 1972 2

January 1972; aricle includes information about Danz

Baton (ebony) with gold mount (top missing) 2

Small baton of unknown provenance

Baton (ivory and ebony) presented to Frank Danz, Jr. 1884 2

Baton has gold mount; it was presented to Danz by the Minneapolis Philharmonic on March 24, 1884, at a concert which marked his assuming leadership of the Danz Orchestra; in leather case

Baton (ivory and ebony) presented to Frank Danz, Sr. 1882 2

Baton has gold mount; it was presented to Danz by exhibitors of the Minneapolis Exhibition in 1882 (legend is engraved on ivory handle)

Citation to Frank Danz on election to N.Y. Philharmonic Society 1873 2

23 September 1873; removed from frame

Danz Band 2

Mounted on card

Famous Danz band photograph, Lake Harriet bandstand 2

3 different copies; mounted on cards

Frank Danz, Jr. portrait 2

Conducting; mounted on card

Frank Danz, Jr. portrait 2

Head shot; mounted on card

Group portrait of 13 young men, unidentified 2 Newspapers 1950s-70s 2

Articles that include references to Frank Danz, Jr.

Oval portrait of unidentified woman 2 Photograph of brick apartment house (St. Paul?) 2

Danz and infant in window; mounted on card

Photograph of Frank Danz, in rocking chair with twin sons 2

Mounted on card

Photograph of Frank Danz, Sr. and his original band 2

Mounted on card

Photograph of unidentified man 2

Mounted on card

Photograph of unidentified woman 2

Mounted on card