Title: Maurice P. Kessler Collection in Honor of Albert Schweitzer Papers, 1927-1971

ID: RG 30/344

Extent: 2.06 Linear Feet

Maurice Peter Kessler was born Moritz Koessler on July 10, 1889 in Strasbourg Alsace-Loraine, France, the son of Peter Joseph and Florence Mathilda. Kessler wrote of having fourteen years of intensive training in music, specializing in violin, prior to his graduation from the Municipal Conservatory of Music in Strasbourg in 1908. During this time he also attended the Ober Realschule.

After graduation from the Hochschule in Berlin, Germany, Kessler served as the first violinist at the Berlin Royal Opera House. He also played in the orchestra for the Wagner Festivals at Bayreuth during the summers of 1912 and 1914. During this time Kessler worked under such notables as Richard Strauss and Siegfried Wagner.

Kessler immigrated to the United States in 1912, taking the position of first violinist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. On September 4, 1912, Kessler married Juliette Kromer (b.1890) of Strasburg Alsace-Loraine. The couple had two children, Ralph and Fleurette. In 1916, Kessler moved to Oberlin, Ohio, where he joined the Oberlin Conservatory of Music as a Professor of Violin and Ensemble.

In addition to teaching violin and viola, Kessler directed the Musical Union for seventeen years, the Oberlin Conservatory Orchestra for 30 years, and the First Church Choir for more than 20 years. He also served as professor of orchestral conducting and as a chamber music coach, played in the faculty string quartet and toured as a member of the Oberlin Conservatory Trio.

Throughout his time at Oberlin, Kessler conducted extensive research in the world of ancient instruments and their music, spending his sabbatical leave of absence from 1927-28 touring libraries and conservatories throughout Europe. He accumulated a large collection of instruments, many of them African gifts given to him by Albert Schweitzer, a life-long friend of Kessler and his wife. Over the course of his life, Kessler made numerous appearances as a performer and lecturer on his research, pioneering the Oberlin Conservatory’s exploration of old instruments.

During his lifetime Kessler repeatedly served as guest conductor for various orchestras, including the Great Lakes Symphony Orchestra (1936) and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1937). He served as director of the Musical Arts Chorus of Elyria (Ohio) for several years. In 1941 he was awarded the Bruckner Medal of Honor.

In 1954 Kessler retired with his wife to Sarasota, Florida where he continued to play part-time with the Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra. The next year he returned to Oberlin as director of the First United Methodist Church choir, a position he held until he retired again in 1965. In 1970 Kessler passed away at the Elms Convalescent Home in Wellington, Ohio, where he had been living for three years. He was 81 years old.

Author: Caitlin Condell

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Administrative Information

Scope and Contents:

The Maurice P. Kessler Collection in Honor of Albert Schweitzer papers consist of materials related to the life and professional career of Kessler himself, as well as materials pertaining to the career of Albert Schweitzer. The biographical and correspondence files, which include records of immigration, letters to and from Kessler, as well as programs from several of his performances, shed light on Kessler’s career and his time at Oberlin. The bulk of the collection, however, is comprised of photographs, articles, clippings and printed matter pertaining to Kessler’s life-long friend and renowned humanist Albert Schweitzer.

The collection is divided into five series I. Biographical, II. Clippings and Magazine Articles, III. Correspondence, IV. Writings, V. Photographs.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I. Biographical, 1932, 1935, 1938, 1954, 1970, n.d. (3 folders)

This series consists of biographical material concerning Maurice Kessler, including a memorial minute for him that appeared in the Oberlin Alumni Magazine (1970). Also included are immigration records (photostats) and performance programs/releases from concerts given by Maurice Kessler.

Series II. Clippings and Magazine Articles, 1946, 1949, 1951-56, 1959-60, 1965, n.d. (2 folders and loose materials)

This series consists of clippings and magazine articles pertaining to the careers of Maurice Kessler and Albert Schweitzer and to their life-long relationship.

Series III. Correspondence, 1928, 1932, 1937, 1971 (1 folder)

The correspondence primarily consists of letters between Maurice Kessler and William F. Bohn, Oberlin College Assistant to the President. Also included is a postcard written to Juliette Kessler.

Series IV. Writings, 1927, 1931, 1934, 1938, 1946-48, 1952, 1954, 1966, n.d. (4 folders)

This series consists of a published piece regarding Schweitzer’s visit to Ohio written by Kessler’s wife, Juliette, as well as a piece written by Kessler on John Frederick Oberlin. Also included are writings by and about Albert Schweitzer in English, French and German.

Series V. Photographs, 1938, 1951, 1959, 1963, 1965, n.d. (2 folders)

This series is comprised of photographs of Albert Schweitzer over the course of his life. The photographs also include Schweitzer’s family, patients and co-workers, and several include personal notes written by Schweitzer and his daughter Rhena Schweitzer Miller to Juliette Kessler.

INVENTORY

Box 1

Series I. Biographical, 1932, 1935, 1938, 1954, 1970, n.d.

Immigration records, (photostats) 1938

Memorial Minute, 1970

Performances of Maurice Kessler (programs and

release), 1932, 1935, 1954, n.d.

Series II. Clippings, 1946, 1949, 1951-56, 1959-60, 1965, n.d.

Articles re: Kessler and Schweitzer relationship,

1946, 1953, 1965

Articles re: Albert Schweitzer, 1949, 1951-52, 1956,

1959, 1964-65, n.d.

Box 2 (Oversize)

Articles re: Albert Schweitzer, 1949, 1954-55,

1959-60, 1965, n.d.

Box 1 (cont.)

Series III. Correspondence, 1928, 1932, 1937, 1971

Letters to and from Maurice Kessler, 1928, 1932,

1937, 1971

Series IV. Writings, 1927, 1931, 1934, 1938, 1946-48. 1952, 1954, 1966, n.d.

“A Day Always to be Remembered,” by Juliette

Kessler, n.d.

“John Frederick Oberlin” by Maurice Kessler, n.d.

Writings by Albert Schweitzer (in English, French

and German), 1927, 1931, 1938, 1946, 1947

Writings about Albert Schweitzer (in German and

English), 1934, 1938, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1966

Series V. Photographs, 1938,1951, 1959, 1963, 1965, n.d.

Photographs of Albert Schweitzer, 1938, 1951, 1959,

1963, 1965, n.d. (2f)