J. Louis von der Mehden Papers
1979.0019

Summary Information

Repository
Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries
Creator
von der Mehden, Jr., J. Louis
Title
J. Louis von der Mehden Papers
ID
1979.0019
Date [inclusive]
1894-1955.
Extent
10.5 Linear feet
General Physical Description note
10.5 linear feet.
Language
English
Abstract:
J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. was born 20 July 1873 in San Francisco, California. Von der Mehden held several positions in San Francisco before moving east to New York City after the 1906 earthquake. He was steadily employed as a cellist or conductor with theatrical or commercial bands. Von der Mehden worked for a year as the musical director of Herald Square Theater before becoming involved full time in the recording industry, working at different times for five different phonograph studios: U.S. Phonograph, Pathé Frère, Columbia, Lyraphone and the Victor Talking Machine Company. On some recordings he played cello in the orchestra; more regularly he would conduct performances, often arranging the music the night before the recording sessions. In 1926, the von der Mehden's moved to Old Saybrook, Connecticut, full-time, having purchased a house in 1911. J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. died 27 August 1954 in Middlesex Memorial Hospital and was buried in Cypress Cemetery at Saybrook Point.

Preferred Citation

[Item, Folder #], J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. Papers. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries.

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Biography

J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. was born 20 July 1873 in  San Francisco, California. He entered the  Royal Conservatory at  Leipzig, Germany, on 21 April 1892 and graduated in 1894, having studied music theory and composition, piano and cello. He had no formal high school education, and in 1915 began a high school equivalency correspondence course through the  University of Chicago, which he completed in 1922. In June 1922,  Oskaloosa College in Iowa conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Music Degree. He began studying music composition and history at  Yale University in October 1922 and received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1924. In November 1923, he began correspondence courses at the  Chicago School of Law and earned his law degree in 1927.

J. Louis von der Mehden married  Susan Evelyn Bates (1874-1955) 26 March 1899 in  Palo Alto, California. Susan graduated from the  San José State Normal School. In later years she gave French and music lessons and also tried to publish children's verse. In 1908, Louis composed several series of  Musical Pictures for the Young, piano pieces that were preceded by one of Susan's poems, and in 1909 they worked together in the creation of several sets of children's verses called  Little Bagatelles.

Before the 1906 earthquake, the von der Mehdens lived in San Francisco, where Louis led band concerts at the Presidio. He was first cellist in a San Francisco orchestra for eight years, under the direction of  Fritz Scheel and one year under the direction of  Henry Holmes. After the earthquake, the von der Mehdens moved to  New York City. Louis was steadily employed as a cellist or conductor with theatrical or commercial bands. Every year, from 1907 through 1912, von der Mehden conducted a small orchestra during business hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas at  Hearn's Department Store. For several years, he played cello in  Ahren's People's Symphony, a series of low- admission educational musical programs given in  Carnegie Hall. In November 1908, he went to  Cleveland on a one week tour with the  Russian Symphony Orchestra.

Von der Mehden's early compositions were published by Carl Fischer, Inc. of New York. Several of his compositions were reviewed in the February and April 1909 issues of  Musical Observer. In addition to composing, von der Mehden arranged and orchestrated music of other composers, which was also published by Fisher. Arranging and orchestrating constituted the major part of his work at Fisher after 1910, although several of his own pieces were published that year. In 1911, he began arranging and orchestrating music for the New York office of the Italian publishing house,  Ricordi.

On 8 November 1910, von der Mehden was elected musical director of the Herald Square Theater, where he was conducting operettas. He had several labor disputes during his experience as operetta conductor and a quarrel with the manager of the Theater on 26 May 1911 prompted him to give up his position and move with his orchestra to the  Winter Garden [a  Schubert Theater]. An incident on 5 July 1911 resulted in his resignation from this position as well as his resignation from the musician's union.

Between 1912 and 1918, von der Mehden had virtually a full-time career in the recording industry, working at different times for five different phonograph studios: U.S. Phonograph,  Pathé Frère,  Columbia,  Lyraphone and the  Victor Talking Machine Company. On some recordings he played cello in the orchestra; more regularly, he would conduct performances, often arranging the music the night before the recording session. He also had some of his own compositions recorded.

As an arranger for Ricordi, von der Mehden was brought into close contact with  James Reese Europe in 1915-1916. Europe was the creator of the foxtrot and was a very important transitional figure in the pre-history of jazz on the East Coast. Von der Mehden arranged and orchestrated some of Europe's music at  Ricordi, often taking the music from dictation. Also in 1915, von der Mehden played cello in the production of  George M. Cohan's  Hello, Broadway! At this time, von der Mehden returned to the traditional European models in his compositions, giving up efforts to incorporate the current trends in popular music. Most of the works written in 1915 were composed specifically to be recorded.

In 1911, the von der Mehdens had purchased property in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, where they built a house. Until 1926, they retained both an apartment in  New York City, where Susan was a representative at a toy manufacturing company, and the house in Connecticut. Susan's position was terminated in 1925 and they moved permanently to Old Saybrook. The couple spent a great deal of time working in their garden, which eventually became their major activity and a source of pride. From this time until his death, von der Mehden gave piano lessons to one or two students a year. He no longer composed steadily, and he spent considerable time practicing the piano, having given up the cello.

During the 1920s, von der Mehden was active in the local Republican party, and served for a while as special constable. He was a thirty-second degree mason and was awarded a medal in 1954, commemorating his fifty years of membership in the San Francisco lodge.

J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. died 27 August 1954, in  Middlesex Memorial Hospital and was buried in  Cypress Cemetery at Saybrook Point.  Susan von der Mehden died on 20 June 1955.

[Biographical information provided by the contents of the collection and James P. Pareakilas, "The Life and Works of J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr., 1873-1954" (M.A. thesis, University of Connecticut, 1974.]

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Scope and Content

The papers document the activities of the von der Mehdens from the period of 1908 through 1955. The collection contains diaries, newspaper clippings, correspondence, notes, financial records, photographs, musical manuscripts, scores, publications, and celluloid cylinders.

The entries in the diaries detail daily occurrences with few r eflective comments or notations. A large number of newspaper clippings are fastened to the pages, especially on birthday and wedding anniversaries in the later years. Also included are three dietary diaries kept by Susan von der Mehden between 1923 and 1925.

The second series contains loose materials removed from the diaries: correspondence (primarily 1953-1955), including letters of consolation following the death of J. Louis von der Mehden; notes (1909-1954); financial papers and newspaper clippings (1912- 1955), which include stock information and receipts; and biographical materials, including newspaper clippings of his fifty year membership in the Masons, of relatives and friends, and of his death. Also found in this series are ten photographs of Louis and Susan von der Mehden, von der Mehden's diplomas, and an unidentified scrapbook.

The musical compositions include manuscripts for fifteen works, including symphonies, concertos, quartets, and sonatas written between 1909 and 1924. Except for two of the orchestral works, Achilles and  Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, there is a piano score in addition to the orchestral score. There are also sketches of several smaller works of which there is no final copy. There is also a waltz entitled  Our Golden Anniversary Waltz, written for his fiftieth anniversary in 1949.

The bequest of Susan von der Mehden included three conditions: First, the music was to be made available to students and to be performed if possible; Second, a storage area for the music was to be provided; and Third, the unpublished compositions of  J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. were to be printed by the University. The compositions were published in a facsimile edition by University Publications and were distributed across the country. The six volumes and supplement include two male quartets, two volumes of piano pieces, a march song for solo and chorus, and an intermezzo for piano.

The wax cylinders found in the collection are from von der Mehden's own music collection. Eighteen cylinders are recordings of works either composed by or conducted by von der Mehden. The remaining eighty-six cylinders contain works composed and conducted by others as well as six vaudeville sketches. The identification of the cylinders [Box 18] is questionable because the lids had been separated from the boxes at some point.

In addition to the papers, Mrs. Von der Mehden bequeathed to the University $500,000, with the understanding that the funds would support the construction of a recital hall in memory of her husband.

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Organization

Series I: Diaries (1908-1954) consists of forty-nine diaries written by J. Louis and Susan von der Mehden, Jr. The diaries are arranged chronologically by author.

Series II: Personal Papers (undated, 1909-1955) consists of loose material removed from the diaries and are arranged alphabetically.

Series III: Music Manuscripts (1894-1949) contains hand written manuscripts of fifteen major works and are arranged chronologically by date of composition.

Series IV: Published Works (undated, 1906-1915) consists of individual works which were published during the composer's life time, as well as a facsimile of his collected works printed posthumously by the University of Connecticut. The series is arranged chronologically.

Series V: Wax Cylinders (undated) contains the wax cylinders owned by von der Mehden.

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Arrangement

The materials are arranged by format.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

 Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries September 2002

Revision Description

  February 2012

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Acquisition Information

The J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. Papers were bequeathed to the University of Connecticut by his widow. The collection was originally housed in the Music Library and was transferred to Special Collections [now Archives & Special Collections]in 1975. The photocopies of von der Mehden's 1915 musical arrangements were donated in 2006.

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Related Materials

Related Material

Archives and Special Collections has a growing collection of materials pertaining to music. See especially, the Samuel and Ann Charters Collection of African American Vernacular Music, the Stanley Woodmansee Papers [unprocessed] and the  Walter Ihrke Papers [unprocessed]. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the reference desk.

Separated Material

The following materials have been separated from the collection and cataloged:

US Everlasting 1979-0019.cd1

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

  • Correspondence.
  • Diaries.
  • Financial Records.
  • Manuscripts.
  • Musical scores.
  • Notes.
  • Photographs.
  • Publications.
  • Scrap-Books.
  • Sound recordings.

Geographic Name(s)

  • Old Saybrook (Conn.)

Occupation(s)

  • Cellist.
  • Composer.

Subject(s)

  • Concertos.
  • Freemasons--United States.
  • Music--New York (State)--New York.
  • Quartets.
  • Secret societies--United States.
  • Sonatas.
  • Symphonies.
  • Vaudeville--United States.
  • Violoncello music.

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Collection Inventory

Series I: Diaries, 1908-1954 

Box

Diaries (15 v.), 1908-1922 

1

Diaries (10 v.), 1923-1932 

2

Diaries (7 v.), 1933-1934, 1936-1940 

3

Diaries (4 v.), 1941-1944 

4

Diaries (4 v.), 1945-1948 

5

Diaries (3 v.), 1949-1951 

6

Diaries (3 v.), 1952-1954 

7

Dietary diaries (3 v.), 1923-1925 

7

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Series II: Personal Papers, 1894-1955 

Box Folder

Correspondence, 1925, 1931, 1936, 1953-1955 

8 1

Diplomas 

Box

Royal Conservatory at Leipzig, 1894 

OS

Yale University, 1924 

OS

Chicago School of Law, 1927 

OS
Box Folder

Notes, 1909-1954 

8 2

Financial Records, 1912-1955 

8 3

Financial newspaper clippings, 1933-1954 

8 4

Biographical material, 1946-1954 

8 5

Printed material, 1921, 1926, 1946 

8 6

Photographs 

Box Folder

Susan E. (Bates) von der Mehden (4), [1905-1913] 

8 7

J. Louis and Susan von der Mehden (2), [1915-1920] 

8 8-9

J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. (2), [190-?] 

8 10
Box Folder

Scrapbook, [1906-1920] 

8 11

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Series III: Music Manuscripts, 1894-1949 

Box Folder

"Pilgrim" Symphony, orchestral score, 1909 

9 12

"Pilgrim" Symphony, piano solo, 1909 

9 13

Achilles Symphony, orchestral score and outline of symphony, 1909 

9 14

Sketches of unidentified pieces, 1917-1919 

9 15

Ye Merry Christmas Bells, sketch, 1919 

9 16

24 Preludes and Fugues for Piano, 1920 

9 17

Quartette No. 1, "Motive," individual parts (2 sets), 1921 

9 18

Quartette No. 1, "Motive," score, 1921 

9 19

March Americana, piano score, 1921 

9 20

March Americana, orchestral score, 1921 

9 21

Symphony No. 2, "Orpheus," piano score, 1921 

9 22

Symphony No. 2, "Orpheus," piano score, 1921 

9 23

American Rhapsody, No. 1, piano score, 1921 

9 24

American Rhapsody, No. 1, orchestral score, 1922 

9 25

Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano, 1922 

10 26

Symphony No. 3, "Yale," piano score, 1922 

10 27

Symphony No. 3, "Yale," orchestral score, 1923 

10 28

Paul Revere's Ride, Symphonic poem, piano and orchestral scores, 1923 

10 29

Quintet No. 1 for piano, two violins, viola, violoncello; individual parts, 1923 

11 30

Trio No. 1 for violin, violoncello and piano; individual parts, 1923 

11 31

Halcyone, Symphonic poem, piano and orchestral scores, 1923 

11 32

Quartet No. 1, "Cycle" for violin, viola, violoncello, and piano; individual parts, 1923 

11 33

Concerto for piano and orchestra, piano solo, 1924 

11 34

Book of chorales, fugues [?], 1894 

11 35

Unidentified segment of a composition, undated 

11 36

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Series IV: Published Works, 1906-1915 

Box Folder

Flora,  1906 

12 37

Triumphant America,  1906 

12 38

Twelve Pieces for Pianoforte, Volume I, 1906 

12 39

Twelve Pieces for Pianoforte, Volume II, 1906 

12 40

Bubbles , male quartet, 1909 

12 41

Christmas Light, Behold!,  1913 

12 42

Collected Works of J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr.,  undated 

Box Folder

Collected Works of J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr. 

12 43

Volume II, supplement 

12 44

Volume IV 

12 45

Volume VI 

12 46
Box Folder

Musical Arrangements (photocopies), 1915 

Scope and Contents note

[ Rouge et Noir Walk,  Helter-Skelter (1 p.),  Shy and Sly Trot,  Hi! There! One Step,  The Castle Doggy-Fox Trot,  Monkey-Doodle Cake Walk,  Queen Louise Valse.]

12 47

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Series V: Wax Cylinders, undated 

General note

[Note: length, in minutes, of cylinders indicated in parentheses after title]

Von der Mehden and his Orchestra 

Box

Baby Polka, (2) No. 421 

18

Simplicius Waltz (Danube Maidens), (4) No. 1406 

13

Air by Bach, (4) No. 1443 

13

Whispering Flowers Characteristic, (4) No. 1490 

13

The Butterfly. Morceau Characteristic (Solo for Flute and Clarinet), (4) No. 1620 

13

U.S. Concert Band under the direction of von der Mehden 

Box

The Demon (March), (2) No. 485 

13

Awakening of the Lion, (4) No. 1507 

18

Lustspiel Overture, (4) No. 1508 

13

Ever or Never Waltz, (4) No. 1509 

13

La Serenade and March Carmen (Valse Espagnole), (4) No. 1510 

13

Von der Mehden and Orchestra 

Box

Hungarian Dance No. 1, (2) No. 476 

13

Norwegian Dance No. 2, (2) No. 507 

13

Tancredi Overture, (4) No. 1475 

13

Violets-Waltz, (4) No. 1476 

13

Band under the direction of von der Mehden 

Box

The Mill in the Forest. Idyll, (4) No. 1388 

13

Selections from "Robin Hood", (4) No. 1416 

13

Manhattan Beach March and the Gladiator March, (4) No. 1421 

13

Call of America, J. Louis von der Mehden, Jr., (2) No. 477 

13

U.S. Military Band 

Box

Tenth Regiment March, (2) No. 450 

14

United Empire March, (2) No. 440 

14

Orange Music No. 1, (2) No. 496 

14

Orange Music No. 2, (2) No. 497 

14

Foolish Sammy. Medley March, (2) No. 499 

18

Fete Boheme from Scenes Pittoresque, (4) No. 1477 

15

The Scarf Dance from Ballet "Callirhoe" , (4) No. 1480 

15

U.S. Concert Band 

Box

Sounds from England, (4) No. 1593 

18

Grand Selections of Scotch Melodies, (4) No. 1604 

16

Laurentian Echoes, (4) No. 1614 

18

The Rye Waltzes, (4) No. 1615 

18

Germany I Welcome Thee, (4) No. 1616 

17

Band 

Box

Merry Wives of Windsor. Overture, (4) No. 1491 

15

Czardas from Ballet "Coppelia" , 4) No. 1492 

15

Metropolitan Opera House Chorus 

Box

La Zingarella. Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, (4) No. 21137 

17

Coro Dei Mattadori. From Traviata, (4) No. 21140 

17

Vieni O Guerriero. From Aida, (4) No. 21141 

17

Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, (4) No. 21257 

17

Pilgrim Chorus. From Tannhauser, (4) No. 21258 

17

Deposons Les Armes. Soldiers Chorus from Faust, (4) No. 21374 

17

Peerless Quartette with Orchestral Accompaniment 

Box

March of the Men of Harlech, (4) No. 1486 

18

That Raggedy Rag, (4) No. 1517 

15

I Surrender All, (4) No. 1552 

16

H.L. Spitalny, Violinist 

Box

Legende, (4) No. 1573 

16

Serenade, (4) No. 1574 

16

The Swan. The Bee. , (4) No. 1575 

16

Preislied. From Meistersinger, (4) No. 1576 

16

I. Piroschnikoff, Concertina soloist with piano accompaniment 

Box

Kuyawiak. Second Mazourka, (4) No. 1592 

16

Grand Valse, (4) No. 1617 

17

Dr. Al Popper, Violinist with Mrs. Popper, piano accompaniment 

Box

Boka Ksergoie. Rapsodie Hongroise, (4) No. 1456 

14

Gavotte, (4) No. 1465 

14

Florentine Trio 

Box

Marie. Nocturne, (4) No. 1521 

15

To a Wild Rose, (4) No. 1528 

16

Florentine Quintette 

Box

Idilio, (2) No. 501 

14

Celebrated Menuett and Fairy Tales, (4) No. 1307 

14

Humoreske, (4) No. 1434 

14

Gondoliers and Venetian Love Song from "A Day in Venice", (4) No. 1523 

15

H.H. McClaskey 

Box

The Day is Ended, (4) No. 1405 

14

One Heart Divine, (4) No. 1407 

14

The Homeland (with  Edmund A. Jahn), (4) No. 1487 

15

Scots, Wha Hae Wi' Wallace Bled, (4) No. 1563 

17

Elsie Baker 

Box

Cradle Song, (4) No. 1469 

15

Pickaninny's Lullaby, (4) No. 1499 

15

Will Oakland 

Box

Sweet Genevieve (with William H. Thompson), (4) No. 1484 

15

My Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon (with William H. Thompson) , (4) No. 1485 

15

With All Her Faults I Love Her Still, (4) No. 1446 

14

The Lass from County Mayo, (4) No. 1532 

16

George W. Ballard &  William H. Thompson 

Box

When the Old Oaken Bucket Was New, (4) No. 1547 

16

Fred Van Eps, Banjo &   Albert Benzler, Piano 

Box

Campin' on de Old Suwanee, (2) No. 467 

14

Silver Heels, March-Two-Step, (2) No. 468 

17

John Barnes Wells 

Box

If I Were You;  The Elf Man;  The Dearest Place, (4) No. 1481 

15

Boat Song;  To Lucasta, (4) No. 1511 

15

Collins and Harlan 

Box

Ragtime Soldier Man, (2) No. 510 

17

That Slippery Slide Trombone, (4) No. 1525 

16

Buddy Boy, (4) No. 1580 

16

Others 

Box

Do You Remember the Last Waltz? ,  Henry Burr, (4) No. 1500 

15

Take Me Back to the Garden of Love,  Henry Burr and Chorus with Orchestral accompaniment, (4) No. 1518 

15

Capitol City March-Two Step, (Xylophone Solo).  Albert Benzler with Orchestral accompaniment, (2) No. 481 

14

Return to the Fields, (Polka).  Albert Benzler with Orchestral accompaniment, (2) No. 491 

14

Ay do mi! El Rey que Rabio. , Mame de la Roche, (4) No. 21804 

17

Carmen Il Est Temps encore. , ----- &  Erard, (4) No. 35015 

17

Ainsi Qu'on Voil des Bles.,  Borschneck &  Erard,(4) No. 35016 

17

Seguidille et Duo (Carmen), (4) No. 35017 

17

N'est se plus ma Main (Manon),  Henis &  Erard, (4) No. 35019 

17

Ave Marie (Intermezzo from Cavalleri Rusticana),(4) No. 1461 

14

Scenes that are Brightest (Maritana),(4) No. 1555 

16

Brown October Ale (Robin Hood),(4) No. 1564 

16

Soldier's Farewell Primier Mixed Quartet, (4) No. 1625 

17

Visions of Sunny Italy,  William Edward Foster, (4) No. 1618 

17

Hosanna,  Frank Croxton,(4) No. 1447 

14

When it Rains, Sweetheart,  Manuek Romain,(4) No. 1549 

16

Flora's Holiday,  Frank Croxton Quartette,(4) No. 1562 

16

Bendemeer's Stream,  Albert A. Wiederhold,(4) No. 1468 

15

Ancient Court Whisperings, Gavotte. Bells Solo.  Albert Benzler with orchestral accompaniment,(4) No. 1506 

15

When I'm Big I'll Be a Soldier,  Lilian Homesley,(4) No. 1554 

16

Facilita. Air with Variations,  Bohumir Kryl, soloist with Band accompaniment, (4) No. 1306 

14

Darkies Jubilee,  Fred Van Eps with Orchestral accompaniment, (4) No. 1512 

15

Fafang Onskan (Swedish),  Arvid Asplund,(4) No. 21578 

17

Cantilena(from First Cello Concerto),  Louis Heine with orchestral accompaniment,(4) No. 1503 

15

Take Me Back to Babyland,  Lilian Homesley, (4) No. 1467 

14

Vaudeville Sketches 

Box

Uncle Josh and the Osteopath, (  Cal Stewart), (4) No. 1350 

14

In Jaytown, (  Steven Porter,  Byron G. Harlan), (4) No. 1488 

18

Shipmates, (4) No. 1539 

16

Matrimonial Troubles, (4) No. 1541 

16

Uncle Josh's New Year's Pledge, (  Cal Stewart) (4) No. 1598 

16

Uncle Josh and the Insurance Agent, (  Cal Stewart) (4) No. 1640 

17

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