In the late 1870s, zither players in the US began forming clubs to share music with the public. It was during this period that a Bavarian from Ruhpolding, Max Maier, settled in San Francisco and became established as a leading proponent of the zither. At his studio, Max gave music lessons, sold zithers and provided all the requisites for zither players in his community.

Music has its way of bringing people together. There is the common bond of taste and interest, and sometimes there is romance.

Max Maier and Mary Peace, 1887

In San Francisco, in the late 1800s, a woman was accompanied by her mother to visit a zither teacher at his studio. The zither had its charm for the prospective student, but apparently so did the instructor. After leaving, the young woman turned to her mother and professed, "That's the man I want to marry." The zither teacher later revealed that he too watched the pair leave through his window and, thinking of his new student, dreamed, "That's the girl I want to marry."

And so, on February 8, 1887, Mary Hannah Peace and Max Maier were joined together in marriage at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. By 1893, the family had grown by three, with the births of Lydia, Elsie and Herbert. Mary's mother also lived with the family and with the additional income provided by her dressmaking business, the Maier family lived comfortably.

Max Maier was born to a large Catholic family in Ruhpolding, Bavaria, on August 25, 1849, the 19th of 21 children. Max arrived in San Francisco via a circuitous route. As a teenager he apprenticed at a pastry shop, but abandoned this profession for adventure. At 17, he left his village, zither in tow, living for years in Russia, Italy and France where he earned his living giving music lessons.

In 1877, after his travels in Europe, Max settled in San Francisco and established a zither studio. At his business he sold his zither arrangements and compositions, including all the requisites for zither players in his community. For over four decades he directed a zither club, which assumed different names over the years. Formed in the 1890s as the Columbia Zither Club, it was later known as the San Francisco Zither Club until 1926, when it became the Alpine Zither Club. Through this period, Max's zither clubs gave dozens of concerts at public venues in the city.

Max and Mary in their garden,

Oakland, ca. 1924

No one could have predicted the dramatic events that unfolded on the morning of April 18, 1906. The earthquake proved devastating for the Maier family, as it did for so many of the city's inhabitants. In the multitude of fires that followed, many caused by gas main breaks or exasperated by ineffectual containment efforts, Max's zither enterprise was wiped out, as zithers, manuscripts and other precious documents were lost to the flames. Also lost were letters to Max Maier from Queen Lili'uokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii. Lili'uokalani played many instruments, but it was said that the zither was her favorite. The two started a correspondence after she had ordered zither strings from him, and this exchange lasted for years.

In the days that followed their terrible loss, the Maier family was counted among the city's new refugees. Living in Golden Gate Park, they found relief through support provided by the American Red Cross. Fortunately, the bank where the family kept a significant savings account was not destroyed and they were able to purchase a home in East Oakland. They set about to rebuild their lives at 904 E. 11th St.

Slowly things returned to normal, as family and friends were reunited. Zither students returned and Max gave lessons in the front parlor of their home, while the dining room was used for working out zither arrangements. "Teddy," the family's canary, sang along as Max played.

A treasured part of home life was the family garden. There was a fig tree, and an almond that emitted a wonderful aroma when in bloom. Mary tended her flowers and would draw upon chives, parsley, rosemary and other numerous herbs for her cooking. In the garden were two summer houses, built by Max, equipped with seats and tables for the comfort and enjoyment of family and guests.

Mary is remembered for her cheer and hospitality, as she hosted numerous "Kaffe Klatches" at their home in East Oakland. Max enjoyed humor with friends and the occasional prank, as when he tied a variety of grape clusters to his own vines, leaving his guests deeply impressed with his mastery of the horticultural arts. Or, he would lead into a story from his youth in Bavaria, usually introducing the tale with, "In meiner Heimat…."

San Francisco Zither Club, circa 1912

The following tables provide examples of Max Maier's public performances and sheet music.

Thank you to Phyllis Maier Zagone, Barbara Maier Cheatham, granddaughters of Max and Mary Maier, and to Conni Plath Reid, great-granddaughter, without whom this article would not have been possible. Elements of this story were drawn from the Maier-Peace family history written by Elsie Weiss Plath, granddaughter, in 1988.

Do you have a story of historical interest pertaining to the zither that you would like to share? If so, email dave@zither.us, or use the provided contact form.