Collection ID: Mus. Arc. 46

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Praeger, Ferdinand, 1815-1891
Abstract:
This is the largest collection of Ferdinand Praeger's manuscripts in the world, consisting of approximately 480 works. The majority of the works are for piano, but the collection also includes chamber music for strings, large ensemble works, vocal works, and sketches. The dated works range from 1829-1891, but many works are undated.
Extent:
17 boxes and 484 items
Language:
Collection material in English. Also includes song settings in French and German .

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection consists of 484 items, all but a few of which are manuscript scores. The majority of the works are for piano, but the collection also includes chamber music for strings, large ensemble works, vocal works, and sketches. The dated works range from 1829-1891, but many works are undated. A small number of documents are also included in the collection. This is the largest collection of Praeger's musical manuscripts in the world, and these works have not been included in any previous writings or works lists related to Praeger. Nearly all the scores are in Praeger's own hand.

The manuscripts are in varying conditions. Some are in very good condition, considering their age, while others are close to disintegration. Some pieces have become stuck together, and in some cases, only bits of one page are stuck to another, obscuring the music. These pieces have been scanned digitally to create a composite image of the full page wherever possible, however, some information is inevitably lost.

Praeger used paper inserts to correct or alter his manuscripts. These are small pieces of paper glued over the original passage to replace it with different music. Over time, many of these inserts have become loose or detached from the manuscripts. Effort was made to match the loose inserts to their original places and mark them with measure numbers.

Biographical / Historical:

Ferdinand Praeger was born in Leipzig on January 22, 1815, to a Dutch father and an English mother. As a child, he studied cello, piano, and violin. His father, Heinrich Aloys Praeger (1783-1854) worked as a musician, composer, and conductor. From 1815-1821, he conducted a small traveling opera company called the Joseph Seconda German Opera Company.

In 1831, at the age of 16, Praeger became a music teacher at The Hague and continued to study piano, violin, and composition. He moved to London in 1834, working as a teacher and traveling to give piano recitals, many of which included his own works. Praeger became the London correspondent for Robert Schumann's music journal, Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, in 1842. His contributions included highlights of London musical events, reviews of performances, and general discussions about current musical topics. Praeger held this position until 1890, the year before his death.

Praeger's compositions were performed in cities across Europe, including Paris, Leipzig, Berlin, Hamburg, and Meiningen. In London, his orchestral works were performed in private home concerts as well as larger venues, such as the Crystal Palace. On July 10, 1879, Praeger's students organized and presented a concert of his compositions in his honor.

Praeger is perhaps best known today for his connection with Richard Wagner. Wagner stayed with Praeger during a trip to London and the two apparently remained close friends. Following Wagner's death, Praeger wrote the book Wagner, as I Knew Him, which quickly became controversial and was pulled from publication. Wagner followers disputed the book, claiming that Praeger exaggerated his role in Wagner's life and portrayed Wagner in a negative way. Praeger's other literary contributions include the unpublished textbook, Guide Pratique pour la Composition avec des Illustrations Originales, and a translation of Emil Naumann's Illustrated History of Music from 1886.

Little is known about Praeger's family. He married a French woman named Leonie around 1850. His first son, Henry, was born a year later. In 1855, they had another son named Richard Wagner Praeger, to whom Richard Wagner was godfather; but he is not known to have lived to adulthood.

Ferdinand Praeger died on September 2, 1891, in London.

Acquisition information:
Purchased in London by James Coover, Summer 1984.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in seven series:

  • I. Keyboard works
  • II. Chamber works with piano
  • III. String chamber works
  • IV. Large ensemble works
  • V. Vocal works
  • VI. Sketches and fragments
  • VII. Documents
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard ).

Online content

Access

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
112 Baird Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260, United States
CONTACT:
716-645-2924