Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1898-2006, predominant 1938-1997 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
37.5 cm of textual records and other materials (3 boxes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Greta Kraus was a harpsichordist, pianist accompanist, and teacher. Born in Vienna on August 3, 1907, she studied at the Vienna Academy of Music, from where she received her Music Teacher's Diploma (1930). After graduation, her teachers included Hans Weisse (1924-1931) and Heinrich Schenker (1931-1934).
In 1938, Kraus immigrated to Hawkesbury, Ontario, before moving to Toronto in 1939 to teach at Havergal College. From 1943 to 1969, she taught at the Royal College of Music in Toronto, and then at the University of Toronto (1963-1976, part time after 1976). She coached lieder and taught harpsichord, accompanying, and Baroque performance practice. She was also the director of Collegium Musicum (Toronto).
Kraus was a prominent harpsichord player, known for her performances of Bach and twentieth-century composers. She performed as a soloist and in collaboration with many musicians, including Arnold Walter, Robert Aitken (in the Aitken Kraus Duo, 1965-1986), Lois Marshall, and Sir Ernest MacMillan (in performances of the Messiah, St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, and Mass in B Minor, 1942-1956). In 1958, she founded the Toronto Baroque Ensemble (1958-1963) with Elizabeth Benson Guy, soprano; Nicholas Fiore, flute; Donald Whitton, cello; and Corol McCartney, violin.
Kraus received many awards for her contributions to music performance and education, including a citation from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (1973); Outstanding Woman of the Province of Ontario (1975); Toronto Arts Award (1990); the Order of Ontario (1991); and, the Order of Canada (1992).
She was married to chemist Erwin Dentay.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated from the Estate of Greta Kraus Dentay (A2020-09).
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Fonds consists of the personal and professional papers of Greta Kraus, including correspondence, photographs, programs, and some materials relating to the Kraus family.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
- French
- German
Script of material
Language and script notes
Much of the material in this collection is in German.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Other papers and Greta Kraus's harpsichord are held at Library and Archives Canada (LAC).
The A2020-09 accession also included some correspondence sent to Emmy Heim; these letters can be found in the Emmy Heim fonds. Emmy Heim and Greta Kraus taught together at the Royal Conservatory of Music.