Research Catalog

Title

Joseph Schillinger papers, 1918-2000.

Author

Schillinger, Joseph, 1895-1943.

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Cowell, Henry, 1897-1965.
• Gershwin, George, 1898-1937.
• Thérémin, Léon, 1896-1993.

Description

17.6 linear feet (37 boxes)

Summary

The Joseph Schillinger papers consist of Schillinger's music composition texts and lessons, other theoretical writings, personal papers, correspondence, clippings and promotional material, scores, posters, and charts used to illustrate Schillinger's theories.

Donor/Sponsor

Schillinger, Frances Gift 1966.

Subjects

• Thérémin, Léon, 1896-1993 > Correspondence
• Music teachers > United States > 20th century
• Cowell, Henry, 1897-1965 > Correspondence
• Music > Self-instruction
• Composition (Music)
• Composers > 20th century
• Music theory > Instruction and study
• Theremin
• Correspondence schools and courses
• Gershwin, George, 1898-1937 > Correspondence

Note

• Certain items in the collection were previously cataloged as *MNZ-Amer and microfilmed. Please check catalog for listing and call numbers of microfilmed materials, which must be used first, or consult with Music Division for additional information.

Additional Formats (note)

• Available on microfilm as part of the Joseph Schillinger papers (JPB 86-8);

Location of Other Archival Materials (note)

• Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, New York Public Library.

Biography (note)

• Russian-born Joseph Schillinger (1895-1943) was a composer, teacher, and theorist.

Language (note)

• The Writings series contains material in English and Russian.

Indexes/Finding Aids (note)

• Collection guide available in repository and on internet.

Processing Action (note)

• Microfilmed;

Call Number

JPB 86-8

OCLC

144682718

Author

Schillinger, Joseph, 1895-1943.

Title

Joseph Schillinger papers, 1918-2000.

Additional Formats

Boxes 6-8, 10, 13-14 (selected folders) Available on microfilm as part of the Joseph Schillinger papers (JPB 86-8); New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Music Division; service copy classmark: *ZB-4346.

Biography

Russian-born Joseph Schillinger (1895-1943) was a composer, teacher, and theorist. He studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and was also trained in mathematics. After working in Russia as a teacher and conductor he moved to New York in 1928, where he taught in universities and took on private students, usually by mail. Schillinger developed a system of composition that reduced musical elements (and rhythm in particular) to mathematical relationships. Among the many Schillinger students were Tommy Dorsey, George Gershwin, John Lewis, Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis, Oscar Levant and Carmine Coppola. Schillinger was also associated with Henry Cowell, Léon Thérémin (real name, Lev Termen), and the use of the "rhythmicon", an electronic rhythm machine, invented by Thérémin and Cowell, based on Thérémin's earlier theremin. Schillinger's own works incorporated the use of the theremin within traditional orchestrations.

Language

The Writings series contains material in English and Russian.

Location of Other Archival Materials

See also Joseph Schillinger collection of sound recordings (*L(Special) 89-16) in the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, New York Public Library.

Indexes

Collection guide available in repository and on internet.

Connect to:

Request Access to Music & Recorded Sound Division Special Collections material

NYPL Digital Collections

Finding Aid

Added Author

Cowell, Henry, 1897-1965.

Gershwin, George, 1898-1937.

Thérémin, Léon, 1896-1993.

Research Call Number

JPB 86-8

*ZB-4346 [Microfilm]