Descriptive Summary
Steinfeldt, John MathiasJohn M. Steinfeldt Family Papers, 1819-1993
1819-1993
Materials are in English.MS 35
9.5 linear feet (about 7,100 items)
Archives, The University of Texas at San Antonio Library
John Mathias Steinfeldt, known as the Dean of Texas Pianists, was a composer, pianist and organist and a Master-teacher. In San Antonio, he served as organist at the First Baptist church, San Fernando Cathedral and at Temple Beth-El. Steinfeldt gave lessons and encouraged the study of music throughout his career. He was president of the San Antonio College of Music, which he founded in 1920. He had four children with wife Vivia May Steinfeldt: Cecile, John Jr., Robert and Eric. Cecile and John Jr. were also accomplished musicians and taught for a few years at the San Antonio College of Music.
Music scores, correspondence and scrapbooks, which contain clippings and other ephemera. The material, most of which dates from 1900-1954, documents events in the career and personal life of John M. Steinfeldt. The collection includes some of his musical compositions, including published works, drafts, sketches and fragments of his work. Some material also concerns the activities of his wife and children, particularly those of his daughter Cecile.
Biographical Note
John Mathias Steinfeldt, known as the Dean of Texas Pianists, was born in August 1864 near Hanover Germany. His family came to the United States when he was 10 years old and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied in both the United States and Europe under some of the great musicians of the day including Isidor Philipp and Rafel Joseffy. He moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1887 and called the city home for the rest of his life. He married the former Vivia May Ripley in July 1893.
Mr. Steinfeldt's musical talents were substantial and varied. He was a composer, pianist and organist and a Master-teacher. In San Antonio, he served as organist at the First Baptist church, San Fernando Cathedral and at Temple Beth-El. In 1893, he became the organist at St. Mary's Catholic Church, a position he held for over 50 years. In October 1943, Mr. Steinfeldt received an Apostolic Benediction, a blessing from his Holiness Pope Pius XII for his half century of service as organist of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He also performed as a soloist with the San Antonio Symphony as well as with the Chicago and Cincinnati orchestras.
He composed and arranged a large amount of liturgical and secular music and won many awards for his efforts. Missa Maria Immaculata, a Mass written in 1924 for the dedication of a new building for St. Mary's Catholic Church, and The Fountain were particularly well received pieces. Mr. Steinfeldt gave lessons and encouraged the study of music throughout his career. He was president of the San Antonio College of Music, which he founded in 1920. He taught Piano, Organ, Harmony, Composition and Theory there. In his career, he offered private lessons and was the head of the music department of the Mulholland School.
John M. Steinfeldt and his wife Vivia May had four children Cecile, John Jr., Robert and Eric. Cecile and John Jr. were also accomplished musicians and taught for a few years at the San Antonio College of Music. Mrs. Steinfeldt died on February 9, 1936 in San Antonio. Mr. Steinfeldt died on February 28, 1946 in San Antonio.
Scope and Content Note
The John M. Steinfeldt Family papers are composed principally of music scores, correspondence and scrapbooks, which contain clippings and other ephemera. Some photographs and record albums are also in the collection. This collection helps to document how music was performed, taught and composed in the first half of the 20th century and how music contributed to the cultural life of San Antonio during this period. The material is divided into five series: Correspondence, Programs and Clippings, Scores, Scrapbooks and Photographs, and Topical Files.
Correspondence contains both personal and professional correspondence to and from John M. Steinfeldt and members of his family. Most of the Programs and Clippings series material provides information about the musical performances of Mr. Steinfeldt, his family or his pupils. Some of the clippings, however, reveal information about Mr. Steinfeldt's personal rather than professional life.
The musical Scores are the bulk of the collection. This series contains copies of works by John M. Steinfeldt including final copies of finished compositions as well as some drafts, sketches and fragments of his work. Works by other composers that were given to the Steinfeldts or which were used as teaching material. Some of these scores predate Mr. Steinfeldt's birth. There are approximately four linear feet of commercially produced music scores that have not been processed. These scores were owned by the Steinfeldt family but have no distinguishing marks. This material is open to researchers.
The Scrapbooks and Photographs series contains material such as programs, clippings, and other items about the Steinfeldt family. Some of this material was collected during the family's travels abroad. Most of the material concerns John M. Steinfeldt.
The Topical Files contain material which does not fit into the other four series. It contains some biographical material about John M. Steinfeldt. Material relating to his teaching, including material from the San Antonio College of music and recordings of his music can be found here. Some information about the musician Walter Dunham, which was given to the library by the Steinfeldt family is also included. A selection of books from Mr. Steinfeldt's personal library has been separated from the collection, however a list of the titles is available.
Arrangement
- Series 1. Correspondence, 1879-1946
- Series 2. Programs and Clippings, 1903-1968
- Series 3. Scores, 1819-1949
- Series 4. Scrapbooks and Photographs, 1895-1993
- Series 5. Topical Files, 1900-1989
Access RestrictionsResearchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.
Usage restrictions
Permission to publish from the John M. Steinfeldt Family Papers must be obtained from the UTSA Archives.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], John M. Steinfeldt Family Papers, 1819-1993, MS 35, Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.
Acquisition Information
The bulk of the materials in this collection were donated in 1980 (Acc. 1980-001); an additional photograph album was transferred from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library in 1993.
Processing Information
Eric Hartmann, Processing Archivist, July 1998.
Index Terms
Personal Names
Steinfeldt Family.
Dunham, Walter.
Steinfeldt Marshall, Cecile.
Steinfeldt, John M., 1864-1946.
Organizations
San Antonio College of Music.
Subjects
Composers--Texas--San Antonio.
Music--Texas--San Antonio.
Music teachers--Texas--San Antonio.
Musicians--Texas--San Antonio.
Locations
San Antonio (Tex.)--History.
Genres/Formats
Scores.
Correspondence.
Photographs.
Scrapbooks.
Detailed Description of the Collection
1. Correspondence, 1879-1946
Incoming and outgoing correspondence with the Steinfeldt family. It includes personal as well as professional activities. John M. Steinfeldt is the principal correspondent in this series. A small amount of the correspondence is written in German and French. John M. and Vivia Steinfeldt wrote a long succession of postcards from all over the world to Erma Shulper.
Arranged by correspondent and organized chronologically.
1Steinfeldt, John Mathias11Contracts, 1914-194012Family, 1896-1942 and undated13Personal, Undated14Personal, 1889-194515Professional, Undated16Professional, 1896-193217Professional, 1933-194421Steinfeldt, Vivia, 1902-193222Condolence, 1936-194623Shulper, Erma, undated
2. Programs and Clippings, 1903-1968Programs from concerts in which John M. Steinfeldt or his family and pupils played. Newspaper clippings which mention John M. Steinfeldt and his family and friends. Some of these clippings also mention pupils of the Steinfeldts.
Arranged by type of item and topic and organized chronologically.
2Programs24Family, 1924-193425John Mathias, 1896-194326Pupil, 1900-19422Clippings27Family, 1910-1968 and undated28Friends, 1932-1935 and undated31John Mathias, Undated32John Mathias, 1903-1946
3. Scores, 1819-1949 and undatedIncludes compositions by John M. Steinfeldt, including drafts, sketches and fragments of musical manuscripts, as well as works by other composers. Some of these other works have been autographed by the composers, some have notations made by the Steinfeldts or their pupils. Others have been inscribed by the Steinfeldts, in some cases with personal notes. There are four additional feet of unprocessed scores that were owned by the Steinfeldt family.
Arranged by type of score and organized by composer.
3John Mathias33Index and Notes, undated34Adagio, undated35Appreciation, 193736At the Old Chateau, 190537Ave Maria, 1903-1940 and undated38Aveu (Confession), 1940 39Ballad (dedicated to his wife), undated310Barcarolle/Impromtu Minuetto, 1896 and undated 311Berceuse et Revere (dedicated to his wife), 1900 312Brinnerung an Nordwalde, 1903313Chanson D'Amore, 1907314Chasing Butterflies, undated315A Cheerful Fancy (Why Worry?), 1930316Dance from Spain (Danza Espanol), 1928317Le Desir (Longing), 1906318Dreaming by the Brooklet, 1928319Echoes from Vienna, 1928320Eight Miniatures,1928321Ensuenos de San Antonio (Dreams of San Antonio), 1907322Etude Poetique, 1934323An Evening at the Grand Canal in Venice, 1939324Evening Song, 1929325A Fairy Tale, 1928326Fondayne, 1944327The Fountain, 1905328Four Miniatures, 1904329A Forest Violet, 1909330A Fragment, 1938331Furl Your Sail, My Little Boatie, 1913332Gavottina (dedicated to Bruno Klein) and La Graciosa, undated333General Wheaton's March, 1895334Gloria and Go to Sleep, undated335Grave, undated336Haec est Domus Domini, undated337Handel's Largo,
undated338Happy Go Lucky, undated339A Haunted Place in the Forest, 1928340Hodie Chritus Naturs est (Christmas Anthem), undated341Homage to MacDowell, 1929-1969342Hymn to the Incarnate Word, 1939343I Think of Thee and Tubal Cain, undated41In an Old Feudal Garden, undated42J.S. Bach: Das WohlTemperiate Klavier43Jesu Redemtor Omnium, undated44Jesus in the Manager, undated45Le jeu de la Fontaine, undated46Jli es Sacredos, undated47Kyrie, 192448Leaves are Dancing, 192849A Legend, undated410A Little Reverence to Papa Bach, 1928 411Die Lotusblume, undated412Lupita, 1905413Madre Hummoreque, undated414March (dedicated to Lola Stone-Evans), undated415March Armistice, undated416Marzurka Caprice, undated417Melancolia and Melancolie, 1933 418Memorare, 1936 419Minuet, undated 420Missa in Honorum Sti Thomae Apostoli, 1934421Missa Maria Immaculuta, 1924422Minuet, undated423Moose Lullaby and Ox424Morning Prayer, undated425The Nightblooming Cereus, 1933-1938426“Nita” Valse de Salon (dedicated to Anita Schlathey), undated427O Saving Victim, undated428Panis Angelieus, 1940429Un Pensee Merreilleuse, 1933430Le Petit Moulin, 1929431Petite Champion and a Portrait, undated432Porque me abondeste?, 1942433A Prelude (dedicated to Bernhardt Kalthoff), 1938434Recollection of Switzerland, 1929435Recurerdos De San Antonio,436Red Roses, 1935437Reverie d' Amour, 1904438Reverie at Twilight, 1928439Romance Triste dedicated to Viva Steinfeldt, 1942 440Romantic San Antonio, 1926-1927441Romanza in E flat and Romance Sans Paroles, undated442Le Ruisseau, 1905443Salve Pastor Joseph and Salve Regina, undated444Sanctus,
undated445Scherzetto, 1940446Scherzo Caprice, 1940447The Serenade, undated448Sernata Mexicana, 1927449Since we Parted Yestereve, 1928450The Soilders are Coming, undated51Die Sotusblume, undated52Song of the Blessed Sacrament, undated53Song of the River, 192054Squirrels at Play, 192855Studies by A. Henselt and TH. Dohler, 188856Supplication, 194157Sur le Sac, 192658The Swallow, undated59Tendresse, 1941510Tensamientos, 1933-1935511Texas Liberty, undated512Thee I've Ever Loved, 1912513Thinking of you, undated514Three Minatures, undated515Three Twilight Moods, 1934516Twenty Third Psalm, undated517Tristesse, undated518Untitled or uncertain, 1881 and undated519Valse d'Armor, 1924520Valse Lent on the Musical Name La-Re-Do, 1927521Valse Miniature andVere Domimus est loco isto, undated522Water Hyacinths (dedicated to Supita Martinez), 1933523Where the Waters Rush and Sing, 1926524Wind and Stream and A Winter Violet, undated525The Word of God and Wehmuth, 1934 and undated526Yolanda, 1941527The Young Musicians Waltz, 528Zwei Klavierstuecke (dedicated to Viginia Gillette)61Autographed, 1891-19566Inscribed6John Mathias or Cecile62A, 1907-193263Bach, 1913-1930 and undated64Beach-Boston, 1914-193165Brahms, 1915-1922 and undated66Cademan-Chopin, 1913-194967Cole-Cui, 1906-192468Diabelli-Dvorak, 1903-193869Falla-Gurlitt, 1906-193171Hambourg-Huss,1902-193172Jensen-Lichtner, 1908-192973Litz, 1915-1925 and undated74Loomis-Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, 1913-193075Modern Russian Piano Music, 191581Moszkowski-Raff, 1913-192682Ravel-Scharwenka, 1887-1935 and undated83Schubert-Seeling,1892-1927 and undated84Siloti-Viril,1912-193085Weber-The Young American Artist, 1907-1935Others91B-M, 1854-193692N-T, 1819-1965Notated93Arensky-Buck,1890-193994Chopin-Dohnanyi, 1881-1917 101Egghard-Joseffy,
1879-1929 and undated102Lind-Litz, 1903-1908 and undated 103Marzials-Mozart, 1898-1943 and undated111Parker-Pierne, 1905-1928 and undated112Rimsky-Korsakov- Rubenstein, 1879-1912 and undated113Schubert, 1875114Scarletti-Simmons, 1887-1939 and undated121Social-Strauss, 1850-1936 122Untitled123Thome-Wood, 1925 and undated
4. Scrapbooks and Photographs, 1895-1993 and undatedScrapbooks that were put together by the Steinfeldt family. They contain clippings, programs and other ephemera. The photographs include family and tourist pictures as well as photographs given to the Steinfeldts by pupils. One photograph album was transferred from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library in 1993 and has been indexed. This series includes oversized material kept at the end of the collection (OVS 1-4).
Arranged chronologically.
ScrapbooksOVS 111895-1915 1241900-1920 and undated1251911-19161261911-19201311919-19341321919-19381331920-1925OVS 121920-1929 OVS 131922-1938 1341924-1936 OVS 211927-19331351934-1935OVS 221939-1944 OVS 231946-1947 OVS 311950OVS 321951-1952 OVS 331953-1954 141Cecilia, 1925-1936142Cecilia, 1945143Robert H., 1916-1943 and undated14Photographs14Albums144Europe, undatedOVS 41Album, [1890-1910]OVS 42Index of Album, 1993145Family146Miscellaneous, undated14Publis147Identified, 1924-1932148Unidentified, undated
5. Topical Files, 1900-1989This series contains administrative and teaching material from the San Antonio College of Music. It also contains family biographical information as well as other topics of interest to Steinfeldt family members. Recordings of some John M. Steinfeldt's compositions are in this series. Material relating to San Antonio musician Walter Dunham is also here.
Arranged alphabetically and organized chronologically.
149Biographical Material14Books1410The Homophonic forms of Musical Composition151Music: An Art and a Language, 1920152Shawmut: or The Settlement of Boston by the Puritan Pilgrims, 184515Dunham, Walter153Correspondence, 1930-1942154Miscellaneous, 1941-1989 and undated155Photographs, 1923-1928 and undated156Programs, 1922 - 1940 and undated157Honors for John M. Steinfeldt, 1925-1934158Music Associations, 1901-1979159Notes for Texas Composers and Their Compositions by Cecile Steinfeldt Marshall.15San Antonio College of Music1510Programs and Announcements,
1511Teaching Materials, 1896-1942161Teaching Materials, undated16Ledgers162Ledgers, 1921-1922163Ledgers, 1922-1923164Ledgers, 1925-1927165Ledgers, 1921-1929166Ledgers, 1927-194216Mapping Materials171Maps, 1887-1976 172Manuals, 1956-196917Music Recordings of John M. Steinfeldt Compositions173Chanson d' Amor Serenata Mejioana174The Fountain 175The Fountain with other pieces176The Fountain (played by John Steinfeldt)177Star Chart, undated17Notebook, undated