Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1249

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.2 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Dr. Irvin Stein collection of Eugene Ormandy material, 1953-1990, Ms. Coll. 1249, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1953-1990 (inclusive)

Creator:

Stein, Irvin

Form:

Correspondence, Concert programs, and Clippings (information artifacts)

Abstract:

Dr. Irving Stein (1906-2000) was an orthopedic surgeon and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who also served on the board of the Philadelphia Orchestra. This collection documents his relationship with Eugene Ormandy (1899-1985), the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and his efforts to memorialize Ormandy's accomplishments following his death.

Dr. Irvin Stein was born in North Carolina in 1906 and died in Philadelphia on February 3, 2000. At age fifteen, Dr. Stein enrolled in the University of North Carolina and went on to medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Stein completed his intern and resident training at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center and at the University of Pennsylvania. He then went on to work as a surgeon at the Philadelphia General Hospital and to teach orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. In addition, Stein served on the board of the Philadelphia Orchestra and appears to have developed a friendship with Eugene Ormandy, the conductor of the Orchestra. In 1971, Stein operated on Ormandy, correcting a 55 year-old injury during a famously successful hip surgery. An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer quotes Ormandy, "Dr. Stein has become my dearest friend--like a younger brother," (October 12, 1971).

Eugene Ormandy was born on November 8, 1899 in Hungary and died in Philadelphia on March 12, 1985. He became internationally famous for his 44-year role as the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Under his leadership, the Philadelphia Orchestra received three gold records and won two Grammy Awards. At age five, Ormandy began studying violin at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music, giving his first concerts at age seven and graduating with a master's degree at age fourteen. He moved to America in 1921 and became a violinist at the Capitol Theatre in New York City. In 1931, Ormandy served as a substitute conductor for the Philadelphia Orchestra which ultimately led to his first major appointment as a conductor in Minneapolis. In 1936, Ormandy began his work with the Philadelphia Orchestra as associate conductor under Leopold Stokowski. After two years, he became the lead conductor and remained so until his retirement in 1980.

This collection documents Dr. Irvin Stein's relationship with Eugene Ormandy, the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Stein's efforts to memorialize Ormandy's accomplishments following his death through the Eugene Ormandy Memorial of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. In this collection, researchers will find articles and press releases relating to Eugene Ormandy, dating from 1953 to 1988. The majority of articles, however, date to 1971, when Dr. Stein operated on Ormandy's hip, "creating a new joint" and correcting an injury that occurred when Ormandy was playing soccer in Hungary around 1916 and which left Ormandy limping for more than 55 years. Also relating to this surgery is memorabilia from the Lily Ball (benefiting the Easter Seal Society) at which Ormandy was awarded "The Gallantry Award" and Dr. Stein was awarded "The Rehabilitation Physician of the Year Award." Other articles and press releases document the Philadelphia Orchestra following Ormandy's death.

There is a small amount of correspondence between Ormandy and Stein, the bulk relating to Stein's request, on behalf of the board of the Philadelphia Orchestra, that Ormandy conduct a concert of the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra. Ormandy's refusal is documented in several drafts and two personal letters of explanation to Stein. There are also two letters from Ormandy's wife, Gretel, to Stein after Ormandy's death.

Finally, researchers will find documentation of the efforts made to create the Eugene Ormandy Memorial of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Stein served on the founding committee and the collection includes a newspaper article regarding the gift of Ormandy's archival material at Penn in 1988 as well as correspondence relating to meetings, contributions, and benefit concerts and a few programs for the benefit concerts.