Jaroslaw de Zielinski Papers, 
ca. 1871-1922; 1963-1976

Immigration History Research Center
University of Minnesota

Abstract | Provenance/Processing | Biographical Sketch | Container List

Zielinski, Jaroslaw de (1844-1922)
Papers, ca. 1872-1922; 1963-1976
Ca. 1 linear foot

Abstract

A pianist and teacher of voice and music, Zielinski was born in Lubycza Krolewska and studied piano in Poland and other parts of Europe.  He was wounded during his participation in the Polish uprising against tsarist Russia in 1863-1864.  In 1864, he came to the United States, enlisting as a bugler in the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry of the Union Army.  After the Civil War, he resumed his musical career, publishing piano music, appearing in concerts, and teaching piano and voice.  He lived in Michigan, New York, and Los Angeles.  In Los Angeles, he founded the Zielinski Trio Club and headed a school of music.

Papers consist of correspondence, handbills, manuscripts, programs, a scrapbook, and photographs.  Also included are research notes of Robert C. Bryant and Edward A. Symans pertaining to Zielinski's life.  Correspondence is predominantly with Zielinski's friend and pupil Edith V. Rann.  Mainly in English; includes some Polish, French, and German.  Preliminary inventory available.

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Provenance/Processing

The Zielinski collection was acquired by the IHRC from Edith Coltman of Manchester, Iowa, by Frank Renkiewicz in February 1977.  A preliminary inventory was then prepared.  This preliminary inventory was prepared for the Internet by Assistant Curator, Heather Muir, in 2001.

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Biographical Sketch

Jaroslaw de Zielinski was born March 31, 1844, in Lubycza Krolewska, near Lemberg, Austria-Hungary (now L'viv, Ukraine).  He was a pupil (pianoforte) of Guniewicz and Mikuli (one of Chopin's most important pupils) at the Lemberg Conservatory.  He continued his studies under Schulhoff (pianoforte) in Vienna and Cerutti (voice) in Milan.  He took an active part in the Polish uprising against tsarist Russia in 1863-1964 and was badly wounded.  De Zielinski came to the United States in 1864 and on September 13th of that year he enlisted as a bugler in the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry of the Union Army, serving with it until the end of the war.

After the Civil War de Zielinski returned to his career in music.  He began to appear in concerts and subsequently he taught pianoforte and voice.  At first he made his home in New York, then in Grand Rapids and Detroit, Michigan.  In 1888 he moved to Buffalo, NY, and finally in 1910 to Los Angeles, where he remained until his death in 1922.  In Los Angeles, he founded the Zielinski Trio Club and headed a school of music.  De Zielinski's library of published works on music was acquired by the Los Angeles Public Library and formed the core of its music collection.

Zielinski published piano music as well (Prelude, At the Spring, Gavotte, Minuet, Bourree, Dreams, and several mazurkas).  In addition, he wrote several articles, including "Poles in Music" in the Century Library of Music, vol. 18.

References:
Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians

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Container List

 
Box Contents
1 Correspondence, 1871-1890; 1963-1976
77 pieces of original correspondence written by Jaroslaw de Zielinski to his pupil and friend, Miss Edith V. Rann, during the period 1871-1890.  The subjects treated are personal matters and de Zielinski's career and philosophy of teaching and music.

Between 1963 and 1976 all 77 letters were typed out by Edward A. Symans to facilitate his research on de Zielinski.  Photocopies of these are also in the collection.
  Handbills, Programs, Photos, etc., ca. 1879-1918
One scrapbook (gathered and assembled by E. A. Symans?) containing fifteen original handbills and programs for de Zielinski's performances and advertisements for his music school.  All are from the period 1872-1889.

One envelope containing four original programs for concerts and recitals given by de Zielinski's pupils during the 1870's.  Also contains several advertisements not related directly to de Zielinski and five photographs: (1) de Zielinski in the 1879's, (2) de Zielinski in 1890, (3) Edith V. Rann, ca. 1870's, (4) E. V. Rann in her 40's, and (5) E. V. Rann about 1918.
  Manuscript Book, 1871
A handwritten and hand-illustrated book of 43 pages entitled, "A Practical Guide for the Study of Pianoforte-Playing," by Jaroslaw de Zielinski.  It was written in 1871 and dedicated to Miss Edith V. Rann on her 17th birthday, September 3, 1871.
  Published Book, 1877
A copy of: Pushkin, Alexander.  Marie: A Story of Russian Love.  Translated from Russian…by Marie H. de Zielinski (Jaroslaw's wife). Chicago, Jansen, McClurg & Co., 1877.  209 p.
  Research Notes and Correspondence, 1963-1976
Approximately five linear inches of correspondence (i.e., circa 300 letters) of Edward A. Symans and Robert C. Bryant, comprised of their inquiries to and answers from libraries, historical societies, university music departments, music schools, churches, individuals, etc., in regard to their research on Jaroslaw de Zielinski, 1963-1976.  It includes also about one liner inch of research notes created by Symans and Bryant during the same time period, as well as several dozen photocopies of such items as de Zielinski's U.S. military (Civil War) records, government pension records, entries from various encyclopedias, and directories containing information on him, and a few of his published articles.

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