McGill Libraries
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Montreal, Quebec
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Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Montreal Orchestra Fonds
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Level of description
Fonds
Repository
Reference code
CA MUA MG4029
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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1929-1943 (Creation)
- Creator
- Montreal Orchestra
Physical description area
Physical description
50 cm of textual records
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Archival description area
Name of creator
(established 1929)
Administrative history
In 1929 a group of Montréal musicians, thrown out of work by the Depression and by the introduction of sound into motion pictures, approached Douglas Clarke, Dean of McGill's Faculty of Music and asked him to form them into an orchestra and conduct them. Owing to the scores available in the Faculty, Clarke was able to do so, and thus began the Montreal Orchestra, the city's first permanent symphony. Loyal public response and Clarke's devoted leadership helped the Orchestra overcome initial difficulties. Besides their regular series, they also gave children's concerts as well as students' concerts at McGill. Many eminent soloists, including Prokofiev, Bartok and Percy Grainger, were guests of the Orchestra. The Second World War and attendant financial constraints forced the suspension of the Orchestra in 1943.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The correspondence files of Douglas Clarke relating to the Orchestra cover the years 1929-1943, and deal with engagements, scores, guest artists, publicity, the musician's union, and other matters. There is a full run of programmes for the entire period. Further material on Clarke may be found in his papers, M.G. 3016, Section I, University teaching, research and administration.
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