I'm An American -- Efrem Zimbalist

Recorded Sound | Digitized | RG Number: RG-91.0071

Overview

Description: On September 7, 1941 Efrem Zimbalist spoke with Ugo Carusi, Executive Assistant to the Attorney General, about what democracy means to him. Zimbalist shares his immigration story. He confesses he never felt oppressed in Russia and did not initially come to America for opportunities. He explains the pioneering spirit of immigrant musicians. Zimbalist declares the American life we once knew is gone and we, as well as the rest of the world, are in transition. He points out the opportunities America offers talented artists. The professor talks about the history of America’s national music. Zimbalist admits studying abroad is not necessary to become a professional artist, because America is producing wonderful musicians. He shares his feelings on the current war and the mass emigration of intellectuals from Europe. The program ends with the scholar stating, “Making peace after the war is going to be more difficult to win than the war and a greater test of our quality.”

Efrem Zimbalist was born on April 21, 1889 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia to Jewish parents. His father was a conductor and by age 9 Efram was first chair in his orchestra. He graduated from the St Petersburg Conservatory in 1907. At the age of 21, Efrem Zimbalist was considered one of the greatest violinists in the world. In 1911, Zimbalist toured the United States for the first time, eventually emigrating a few years later. He is credited with popularizing the performance of early music. In 1928, Zimbalist began teaching music at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He went on to be the director from 1941 to 1968.
Date: Broadcast: 1941 September 07
Format: WAV

Physical Details

Language: English
Genre/Form: Radio broadcasts.

Rights & Restrictions

Conditions on Access: This archival media can only be accessed in a Museum reading room or other on-campus viewing stations.
Copyright: NBC Universal
Conditions on Use: Contact NBC Universal at www.nbcuniarchives.com for permission to duplicate and use this film or sound recording.

Administrative Notes

Legal Status: In process
Recorded Sound Provenance: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum purchased digital copies of these sound recordings from the Library of Congress in March 2018.
Recorded Sound Notes: More information about Efrem Zimbalist:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efrem_Zimbalist
https://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/23/arts/efrem-zimbalist-violinist-dies-at-94.html
http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-efrem-zimbalist-20140503-story.html
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1328531/
http://articles.latimes.com/1985-02-23/news/mn-1048_1_violinist-efrem-zimbalist

More information about I’M AN AMERICAN:
https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/historians-mailbox/im-american
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/16/557338355/im-an-american-radio-show-promoted-inclusion-before-world-war-ii
Recorded Sound Source: Library of Congress - Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS)
File Number: Source Archive Number: RWB 6672

Record last modified:: 2024-02-21 07:27:12
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn621021

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I’M AN AMERICAN premiered in 1940 on the eve of WWII. The NBC radio broadcast was spearheaded by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the U.S. Department of Labor to foster a “deeper consciousness of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship and more tolerance for fellow american of all birthplaces”. The weekly program featured distinguished foreign-born citizens discussing their naturalization process, the meaning of “democracy” and reminding all Americans of the value/privilege of U.S. citizenship. Sound recordings of I’M AN AMERICAN are available from the NBC Radio Collection in the Library of Congress.

Date: 1940-1944

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I'm An American -- Efrem Zimbalist

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