Document Type
Oral History
Publication Date
5-23-2006
Interview Number
BCOH 047
Abstract
Frank Glazer was born in the town of Chester, Wisconsin on February 19, 1915 to Lithuanian parents Benjamin and Clara Glazer, the sixth of nine children. He lived in Chester and then Fond du Lac, Wisconsin before finally settling in Milwaukee where he graduated from high school. Glazer grew up in a musically talented family (his brother David was a renowned clarinetist and performed with the New York Woodwind Quintet for 35 years) and got started on the piano with the help of his sister Blanche, who died when she was 14 years old.
Glazer made a career that revolved around playing the piano. Some of his accomplishments included playing Carnegie Hall (debuting there in 1949); having his own television show; composing numerous songs; playing with the Boston Symphony and other prestigious orchestras and groups around the world; teaching at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, the University of Indiana, and Bennett College; and a long period as artist-in-residence at Bates College. He and wife Ruth co-founded the Saco River Festival Association in 1976, and he maintained an active performance schedule for the remainder of his life.
Glazer was married to Ruth Gevalt from 1952 until her death in 2006. Glazer died in January, 2015, at the age of 99.
Use Restrictions
Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018, or via email at muskie@bates.edu.
Recommended Citation
Schiff, Chris and L'Hommedieu, Andrea, "Glazer, Frank oral history interview (#3)" (2006). Bates College Oral History Collection. 3.
https://scarab.bates.edu/bcoh/3
Scope and Content Note
Traveling to Lake Como; Frank’s “worst lesson” with Schnabel; Schnabel’s impatience; Contradictory advice in lessons; Exploring caves around Lake Como; A trip across Lake Como; Schnabel as an athlete; Walks with Schnabel; Going to Cambridge; Traveling through Italy; Meeting Nicola Romeo; Studying Italian; Playing the organ; Acquiring and donating an incunabulae of Flavius Josephus; Varying opinions of Mussolini; Performing in Italy; Second trip around Italy; Friends in Italy; Hitler’s rise to power; Inflation; His sponsor’s prediction of the failure of communism; Taking courses at Harvard extension division; Avoiding a nervous breakdown; Performing in Cambridge; Al Capp; Hosting students; Experience with speech and languages; Speech lessons; Conlon Nancarrow manuscript; Seeing the Boston Symphony.