A TRIBUTE TO EMIL OBERHOFFER ORGANIZER OF THE MINNEAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Emil Oberhoffer, founder of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, was born in Munich, Bavaria, August 10, 1867. The son of a musical family, his father was an organist and composer.

Under his father's teaching, Emil, at age 10, showed real ability on the pipe organ and the violin and was soon placed under the direction of a well-known teacher, Cyril Kistler. Later he was sent to Paris to study under Isador Phillipp.

Completing his musical education, Mr Oberhoffer came to the United States and soon came to the Twin Cities. He became the originator and leading spirit of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, which he did not leave until it was ready to take its place as one of the leading organizations of its kind in the United States as well as in the world. He also held church positions as organist in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, and did much in developing a number of choirs and musical organizations, including the Philharmonic Club and the Apollo Club.

Following his resignation as leader of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1922, he did a[[ear as guest conductor sever seasons with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and similar musical organizations in Detroit, los Angeles, Hollywood, and San Francisco.

Mr. Oberhoffer had many interests outside of music. At his home "The Towers" at Orchard Lake, which he started soon after coming to Minneapolis, he loved to don old clothes and build cement walks and drives, or work in his extensive garden which covered almost half an acre. He did all his own plumbing and built the electric plant which lighted the home, the batteries for which were salvaged from an American naval destroyer. Here he studied music, literature, and philosophy, and prepared for concerts which he was to conduct.

Mr. Oberhoffer. Who died May 22, 1933, was truly great, and is well remembered bu early residents of Orchard Gardens. His love in others is cherished by those who knew him........

"We used to go down by Orchard Lake and sit on the bank by the Oberhoffer home, just sit and listen to him practice on the piano. Oh, it was enjoyable--he'd play for hours," many of the old-timers have told us.

One person remembers stealing his watermelons and this made him "sort of unhappy."

Another remembers that Emil bought a brand new Dodge and brought it home. When he got to the top of his driveway the car stalled. Mr. Oberhoffer didn't set the brakes right when he got out to see what was wrong and the Dodge went backwards down the hill and into Orchard Lake. Mr. Oberhoffer then called up Allen's garage in Savage and immediately ordered another one.

From a former student, now a music teacher in New York: "He was the inspiration of most of my musical life--and if I have a good background he gave it to me. Most sincerely, Ethel M. Alexander."

Emil Oberhoffer House