| Description |
16.78 linear feet (45 boxes) |
|
Series I. Correspondence, 1932-2004 (alphabetical); Series II. Personal papers, 1937-2003 (alphabetical); Series III. Performance materials, 1931-2004 (alphabetical by title of composition); Series IV. Subject files, 1930-1999 (alphabetical); Series V. Writings, 1929-2003 (alphabetical); Series VI. Schoolwork and teaching materials, 1930-1962 (alphabetical); Series VII. Analyses, 1945 (alphabetical); Series VIII. Photographs, ca. 1918-2003 (chronological); Series IX. Scores, 1932-2002 (alphabetical); Series X. Sheet music, 1905-1962 (alphabetical by composer); XI. Oversized materials, 1937-1995. |
| Summary |
The Arthur Berger papers document twentieth century music from both a critic and composer's perspective. Berger's papers contain seven decades of reviews and other writings and files on many developments in the field of classical music. The other significant parts of the collection are scores for Berger's compositions and sheet music that he used throughout his career. Though the collection contains material primarily relating to Berger's professional career, there are some personal items from the first twenty years of his life, notably photographs. |
| Biography |
Arthur Berger (1912-2003) was a critically acclaimed composer, music critic, and professor. He began writing short newspaper reviews while still a student at New York University, where he studied composition and music education. During this period, Berger joined the Young Composers Group, established by Aaron Copland. He would maintain a strong relationship with Copland throughout his life, and, in 1953, he published the first monograph on the composer. Berger continued his studies in Boston and later in France, where he spent two years under the tutelage of Nadia Boulanger and became increasingly interested in the work of Igor Stravinsky. Throughout his schooling, Berger wrote articles for various periodicals. He also edited the journal, Musical Mercury, from 1934-1937. In the 1940s and early 1950s, Berger was a music critic for the New York Herald Tribune, but in 1953 he left the paper to accept a full-time teaching position at Brandeis University, where he was an instrumental figure in the founding of that school's music department. Berger's output as a composer was steady, although not prolific. Many of his works were composed during the 1940s and 1950s; later works from the 1970s-1990s revised these earlier pieces in a process that he called "collages," a term inspired by his friendship with the artist Robert Motherwell. |
| Location of Other Archival Materials |
See also Arthur Berger papers, 1948-2004, in the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University Libraries. |
| Indexes |
Collection guide available in repository and on internet. |
| Subject |
Berger, Arthur, 1912-2003.
|
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Boulanger, Nadia.
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Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990.
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Motherwell, Robert.
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Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971.
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Brandeis University. Dept. of Music.
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Musical mercury.
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New York herald tribune.
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Composers -- United States -- 20th century.
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Music critics -- United States -- 20th century.
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Music teachers -- United States -- 20th century.
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Music -- United States -- History and criticism.
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Musical criticism -- New York (State) -- New York.
|
| Genre/Form |
Clippings.
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Correspondence.
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Manuscripts.
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Photographs.
|
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Scores.
|
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Sheet music.
|
| Occupation |
Composers. |
|
Music critics. |
|
Music teachers. |
| Added Author |
Berger, Arthur, 1912-2003.
Aaron Copland.
|
|
Berger, Arthur, 1912-2003.
Reflections of an American composer.
|
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Boulanger, Nadia.
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Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990.
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Motherwell, Robert.
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Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971.
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Brandeis University. Dept. of Music.
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American Music Collection.
|
| Added Title |
Musical mercury.
|
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New York herald tribune.
|
| Call No. |
JPB 04-38
|
| Research Call Number |
JPB 04-38
|
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