Loading...
Creator
Mischakoff, Mischa, 1895-1981
Call number
JPB 21-137
Physical description
4.96 linear feet (13 boxes, 1 tube)
Language
Multiple languages; Collection is predominantly in English; some materials in Russian, French and German.
Preferred Citation
Mischa Mischakoff papers, JPB 21-137. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Repository
Music Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

Mischa Mischakoff (1895-1981), a Ukrainian American, was a renowned violinist and concertmaster for several symphony orchestras including the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini. The collection, dated from 1895 to 2011, mostly focuses on Mischakoff's career in the United States with several symphony orchestras in the United States after he emigrated from Russia in 1922. The files include correspondence, certificates, contracts, correspondence, memorabilia, music scores, photographs, posters, programs, and sound recordings.

Biographical/historical information

Mischa Mischakoff (1895-1981), was a renowned violinist and concertmaster for Walter Damrosch, Leopold Stokowski, and Arturo Toscanini. Mischakoff was born in Ukraine, 1895. After emigrating to the United States in 1922, he changed his surname from Fishburg to Mischakoff because their were too many other classical musicians named Fishburg.

His career as a violinist began as a child with a gold medal win at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1913. At the Conservatory, he studied with S. Korguyev. While residing in Europe, he had opportunities to perform including being chosen as the concertmaster of the Warsaw Philharmonic and Bolshoi Opera. In Europe, he used the stage name Michael Fibère.

Once in the United States, Mischakoff had to reestablish his career. After some initial performances, his career moved forward with The New York Symphony Society under Walter Damrosch (1924-1927); followed by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski (1927-1930); the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Frederick Stock (1930-1937); the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini (1937-1952); the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Paul Paray and Sixten Ehrling (1952-1968); and in later years guest concertmaster with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Mischakoff led for many years the Mischakoff String Quartet.

During the summer (1925-1965), Mischakoff served as the concertmaster and soloist at the Chautauqua Symphony in Chautauqua, New York. His teaching credentials include being on the faculty of the Juilliard School (1941-1952), and from 1952, Wayne State University in Detroit. As a concert violinist, he owned an exceptional collection of violins including four Stradivari.

Mischakoff died in Michigan in 1981. He was survived by his wife Hortense, two sons and a daughter.

Scope and arrangement

The Mischa Mischakoff papers, dated 1895 to 2011, documents the career of violinist and concertmaster Mischa Mischakoff (1895-1981). The collection holds correspondence, certificates, legal documents, printed matter, notes, photographs, posters, sheet music, memorabilia and audio recordings.

The collection reflects Mischakoff's career as an internationally renowned violinist and concertmaster in the United States. This is evident in the files such as the performance programs, photographs from concerts, and reviews that consistently demonstrate Mischakoff's influence in the classical world. Complementary material are several posters announcing his performances. The collection also includes letters to Hortense during his touring days with NBC Symphony Orchestra; letters upon the death of Mischa Mischakoff, the publication Mischa Mischakoff, Journeys of a Concertmaster by his daughter Anne Mischakoff Heiles, bills and receipts for the sale of his violins, and recordings that feature Mischakoff at New York City venues along with recordings of the NBC Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Arturo Toscanini.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The collection was donated by Sharon Mischakoff.

Processing information

Processed by Valerie Wingfield in 2021.

Using the collection

Location

Music Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Access restrictions

Inquiries regarding audio materials in the collection may be directed to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound (recordedsound@nypl.org). Audio materials will be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.