Bio of OBERHOFFER, Emil Johann (b.1867), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 763-764
EMIL JOHANN OBERHOFFER
For nineteen years, or throughout the entire period of its existence Emil Johann
Oberhoffer has been the conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and has
long been regarded as one of the leading musicians of the Northwest. There are
many reasons why Minneapolis may point with pride to her history, inasmuch as
she has gained a commanding position or a point of leadership in connection with
American or world-wide interests but in no particular may she be more justly
proud than in what has been accomplished in her musical development and no
agency has been more potent in this connection than the symphony orchestra. As
its leader Emil J. Oberhoffer has endeared himself in an unusual measure to his
fellow citizens. He was born near Munich, Bavaria, Germany, in 1867. His father
was a well known organist, composer and musical conductor in the Bavarian
provinces. The mother also came of a family possessed of notable musical talent
and a brother and two sisters of E. J. Oberhoffer became well known in musical
circles.
At an early age Emil J. Oberhoffer displayed musical ability and when a child of
but ten years could play the organ and the violin with wonderful skill. In
addition to his father's teaching he enjoyed at this time the assistance and
instruction of Cyril Kistler, since renowned as the composer of a number of
operas. During his pursuit of a six years' course of study in a literary college
Mr. Oberhoffer also continued his musical studies under the best private
teachers obtainable in pianoforte, organ, violin, voice and also in an excellent
school and church orchestra. Thus he not only became acquainted with all
orchestral instruments but had ample opportunity to test his talent as a
conductor, which thus early was recognized. About the same time he pursued a
thorough course in theoretical study under the Rheinberger regime, specializing
as a pianist. He later spent some time in Paris as a student under the famous
technique expert, Isadore Philip, and following the completion of his study he
crossed the Atlantic to New York, but remained in the eastern metropolis for
only a short period, leaving the musical directorship of a prominent eastern
college to establish himself in the west.
Professor Oberhoffer first came to Minnesota and located in St. Paul, where he
soon obtained a prominent position as a teacher, lecturer, concert performer and
conductor. In 1897 he spent seven months in Europe in further study and
observation and in the fall of the same year he was called to the position of
conductor of the Apollo Club of Minneapolis. At the same time the Schubert
Choral Association and the Schubert Orchestra were organized in St. Paul under
his direction. In 1901 he became conductor of the Minneapolis Philharmonic Club,
which soon attained a leading position among the choral societies of the
country. All through this period his con­tribution to progress along musical
lines in the Twin cities was notable. The neces­sities of the development of
musical life and culture here soon brought about the suggestion of Mr.
Oberhoffer that an orchestra be formed and with the assistance and support of
the leading men of Minneapolis his plan took shape in the Minneapolis Symphony
Orchestra, which was organized in 1903 and has since become the most prominent
musical, society in the Northwest. The phenomenal success of the club and
orchestra under his direction led to the engagement of his services for a term
of years, resulting in the practical perpetuation of the musical progress which
has made
Minneapolis the center of musical education in this section of the country and
won for the city a reputation for musical culture quite unprecedented in the
east. Mr. Oberhoffer was for some years organist and director of music at the
Church of the Redeemer and for a considerable period held the chair of music in
the State University but in recent years has confined his attention to the
direction of the orchestra, which is practically the expression of his service
and high ideals in connec­tion with societies of this character. For nineteen
years he has given his time, efforts and talents to building a great symphony
concert organization, the fame of which is today not limited by the borders of
this land, for the highest developed talents of its members under the direction
of Mr. Oberhoffer is known widely abroad as well. At the present writing Mr.
Oberhoffer is preparing for a year's vacation abroad and in this connection a
Minneapolis journal said: "One of the greatest surprises in recent years was the
announcement a few days ago that Mr. Oberhoffer would not be here to conduct the
orchestra next year. It was not an announcement that concerns itself merely with
musical affairs, it has a direct interest for everybody in the city. That Mr.
Oberhoffer has earned a holiday will be admitted by all who have followed his
progress since the organization of the orchestra. His position is unique in
orchestral history, at least in America, for during the nineteen years of the
orchestra's existence he has been director general of its musical destinies. To
him is very largely due the credit for the successful attempt to establish a
permanent organization that should place Minneapolis well up in the list of
fortunate civic communities-fortunate in the sense of possession and fortunate
in the opportunities for musical culture offered not only by the orchestra
itself but also by all the musical privileges that have followed in its wake.
Unlike some of the ancient institutions in Europe the ensemble of the local
orchestra has never been static. Year after year a new group of players had to
be worked into the organization and that has taken time, patience and skill of
the highest order. But year after year it has been done to the satisfaction of
the patrons of the symphony concerts, and the credit belongs to the man who has
worked unceasingly from its inception to the present, to realize the ideals and
visions implanted in his heart and mind more than a score of years ago. Mr.
Oberhoffer is a part of the Northwest. He understands our problems and has met
them one by one as they happened. His labors have been labors of love. His
achievements have developed out of this love. Prom a very meager beginning, with
a guarantee of but ten thousand dollars and an orchestra of between forty and
fifty men, has grown the present organization. It has been an uphill fight all
the way, the conductor and Orchestral Associa­tion working toward the same end.
No conductor in the country could have accom­plished so much with raw material
as he has done. His readings of certain schools of composition have become
authoritative. Some of the concerts he has given us are memorable in our musical
experiences and he has not yet reached the apex of his career."