Arthur Berger
Papers
Robert D. Farber
University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis
University Libraries
c. 2005 By Brandeis University Libraries, all rights reserved
Table of Contents
| Creator: |
Arthur Berger |
| Title: |
Papers,
1948-2004, n.d.
|
| Quantity: |
2 cu. ft. (1 record center box and 1 flat box)
|
| Repository: |
Brandeis University Libraries |
| Identification: |
MWalB0294A |
| Language: |
English |
Administrative Information
Access:
Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of
Brandeis University Libraries, Robert D. Farber University Archives
and Special Collections Department.
Copyright:
Requests to publish material from the collection should be
directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special
Collections Department.
Processed by:
Jeremy Naidus
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Arthur Berger Papers,
Robert D. Farber University Archives, Brandeis University
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Biography
Arthur Berger (1912-2003) was an established music composer and
critic before he joined the Brandeis faculty in 1953. He received
his musical education at New York University, Harvard University,
and the Sorbonne in Paris. Through his membership in the Young
Composers Group, Berger befriended Aaron Copland and became
Copland's principal biographer. He also became a prominent
American music critic who received awards from the Guggenheim,
National Endowment for the Arts, and Fulbright foundations, among
many others.
From 1939-1953, Berger worked as a full-time teacher and music
critic until joining Brandeis University's new graduate music
program in 1953. He specialized in teaching orchestra, chamber,
and solo piano music, all areas in which he was renowned as a
critic. Berger retired from Brandeis in 1980, becoming the Irving
Fine Professor of Music Emeritus. He went on to teach at the New
England Conservatory of Music until 1999.
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Scope and Content
Files in this collection were created from 1948-2004. Materials
include books, reprints, reel-to-reel audiotapes, LP records, a
memorial CD, concert programs, photographs, reviews, essays, and
musical compositions. Most of these items were created during
Arthur Berger's tenure at Brandeis, and many of them pertain to his
role as a professor. Of note is his biography of Aaron Copland
published in 1953, as well as a collection of music reviews from
various New York newspapers published by Music Reporter. The latter
contains several reviews by Berger, which are indexed on the last
two pages.
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Series Description
Publications
Inclusive dates: 1953-1966
Box 1
Arrangement: Alphabetical by subseries
This series includes books and reprints related to Arthur Berger. It contains works that analyze his career
as a musician and composer, as well as those that he wrote or edited.
Sound Recordings
Inclusive dates: 1959-1972, n.d.
Box 1
Arrangement: Alphabetical subseries by composer
Files in this series include reel-to-reel audiotapes of performances and discussions of musical pieces pertaining
to Berger and Copland. Also included is a record of the French performance "Carnet de Notes" and a Philharmonic performance
of Berger's "Ideas of Order." Folder labels replicate labels provided on the audiotapes, some of which are vague and nondescript.
Subject Files
Inclusive dates: 1948-2004, n.d.
Box 1
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This series contains programs, photographs, and reviews relating to Berger, as well as a memorial performance
at the New England Conservatory of Music (on CD). It also has a collected volume of New York music reviews, including
several by Berger. Of note are concert programs from the Brandeis University Department of Music, featuring performances
of works by Berger and other Brandeis faculty. Several of these performances were tributes to Berger at birthday milestones,
and after his passing.
Student Compositions
Inclusive dates: 1961-1971, n.d.
Boxes 1-2
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This series includes papers and musical compositions created by students of Arthur Berger and Aaron Copland.
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Container List
| Publications |
| box 1 |
About Berger, 1961-1966 |
|
By Berger
|
| box 1 |
Perspectives of New Music, 1962 [2 copies] |
| Sound Recordings |
|
Berger, Arthur
|
| box 1 |
Ideas of Order (Philharmonic), 1959 |
| box 1 |
Brown, J.--Piano piece, n.d. |
| box 1 |
Copland, Aaron--Bach and Music for Theater, n.d. |
| box 1 |
Jolas, Betsy and Marcel Mihalovich--Carnet de Notes 36, 1972 |
| Subject Files |
| box 1 |
Concert programs--Brandeis University Department of Music, 1989-2004 |
| box 1 |
Music Reporter, New York Reviews, 1948-1949 |
| box 1 |
Nederlands Blazers Ensemble Program, 1987 |
| box 1 |
New England Conservatory Memorial Performance, 2004 [CD] |
| box 1 |
Photographs of Arthur Berger, n.d. |
| box 1 |
"There's Music in Germany," 1963 |
| Student Compositions |
| box 2 |
Cone, E.T.--"Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin," n.d. |
| box 1 |
Essays and Short Musical Compositions, 1971 |
| box 2 |
Farrand, Noel--"Trio," n.d. |
| box 2 |
Herman, Thomas--"How Silent are the Things of Heaven," 1968 |
| box 2 |
Lewis, Peter--"Three Epigrams for Chamber Ensemble," n.d. |
| box 2 |
Randall, Jack--"Pitch-Derived Rhythm, Demonstration I," n.d. |
| box 2 |
Wuorinsen, Charles--"Evolutio Transcripta: Chamber Orchestra," 1961 |
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