Research Catalog

Title

Frederick C. Schreiber papers, 1901-1985.

Author

Schreiber, Frederick C.

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Broadway Presbyterian Church (New York, N.Y.)

Description

7.71 linear ft. (31 boxes)

Summary

This collection documents the work of Frederick C. Schreiber, a composer, choir director, and organist.

Subjects

• Composers > United States > 20th century
• Choral conductors > United States > 20th century
• Scores
• Composers > Austria > 20th century
• Schreiber, Frederick C
• Broadway Presbyterian Church (New York, N.Y.)
• Correspondence
• Photographs
• Church music > New York (State) > New York
• Organists > United States > 20th century

Genre/Form

• Correspondence.
• Photographs.
• Scores.

Biography (note)

• The composer, choir director, and organist Frederick C. Schreiber was born in Vienna, Austria on January 13, 1895.

Indexes/Finding Aids (note)

• Finding aid available in repository and on Internet.

Processing Action (note)

• Cataloged

Call Number

JPB 02-8

OCLC

NYPT04-A2

Author

Schreiber, Frederick C.

Title

Frederick C. Schreiber papers, 1901-1985.

Biography

The composer, choir director, and organist Frederick C. Schreiber was born in Vienna, Austria on January 13, 1895. Schreiber first studied the piano at the age of eight. He attended the Humanistic High School, followed by Vienna University and the Vienna State Academy of Music, which culminated in a diploma for mastery of composing, conducting, piano, and violoncello. Schreiber actively composed music throughout his life, beginning at the age of ten and continuing well into his late 80s. In 1927 he became a Professor of Composition, Music Theory and Instrumentation at the Vienna Conservatory of Music. Conditions preceding the outbreak of World War II caused Schreiber and his wife to move to New York City in 1939. They became naturalized U.S. citizens in 1945. Schreiber continued to teach composition and piano while working as the organist and choirmaster at the East Sixty-eighth Street Reformed Evangelical Church. He held the position until 1958, when he became music director for the Broadway Presbyterian Church (located at 114th Street), where he remained until his retirement in 1972. In the remaining years of his life he composed a large number of short pieces of music, particularly vocal works. He died on January 15, 1985.

The highlights of Schreiber's career include the ten first prizes he received in international competitions for various compositions. These awards occurred between the years 1945-1956, and usually led to the premiere performance of the winning piece. The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Eugene Ormandy, and the Chicago Symphony under Fritz Reiner sponsored two of the more notable contests that Schreiber won. Apart from the contests, it appears that very few of his 400-plus compositions were ever publicaly performed. At least two of Schreiber's early works were performed in Europe; this information is noted on the score. As a church music director he likely used his own arrangements of anthems and hymns; in 1972 the Broadway Presbyterian Church's orchestra performed one of Schreiber's larger works, Magnificat. In 1977 an article in the New York Times used him as an example of prolific composers who are not widely known. He also wrote and selected the music played at his own funeral.

Indexes

Finding aid available in repository and on Internet.

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Finding Aid

Added Author

Broadway Presbyterian Church (New York, N.Y.)

Research Call Number

JPB 02-8