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Aaron Copland Collection

Aaron Copland leading a band (not pictured)

Aaron Copland rehearsing his Nonet. Library of Congress, 1981.   About this image

|| About the Collection ||

The Aaron Copland Collection consists of published and unpublished musical scores by Aaron Copland and other composers, correspondence, writings, biographical material, datebooks, journals, professional papers including legal and financial material, photographs, awards, art work, and books. The collection spans 1841 to 1991 and covers six aspects of Copland's life -- composer, performer, teacher, writer, conductor and administrator for various organizations -- from about 1911, when he penned his first musical composition I'm On My Way to Mandalay, to 1990, the year of his death.

  • Visit the online collection
  • View the collection finding aid

|| Teacher Resources ||

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|| Collection Details ||

General

Span Dates
1900-1990
Bulk Dates
20th century
Major Language(s)
English, French, Spanish
Repository
Music Division, Library of Congress

Physical Collection

Number of Items
400,000
Number of Containers
566
Linear Feet
306
Contents
196 boxes of music, 140 boxes of writings, 150 boxes correspondence, 120 boxes photographs
Processing History
Processed; finding aid available
Transfers
Sound Recordings transferred to M/B/R/S. List of Materials in RSRR Subject File.
Provenance
The Library of Congress began receiving Copland’s musical works as gifts during the 1940s. The bulk of the collection was acquired through a gift in the fall of 1989. Part of this gift included the photographic collection of Copland’s friend and confidant Victor Kraft.

Access/Copyright

Access Permissions
Permitted, subject to PARR policies and procedures
On Microfilm?
Yes
Copyright Info
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html

Subject(s)

  • Chamber Music
  • Choral Music
  • Dance: Ballet
  • Dance: Modern Dance
  • Film Music
  • Instruments: Piano
  • Orchestra

Names Associated with Collection

  • Bernstein, Leonard
  • Diamond, David
  • Harris, Roy
  • Koussevitzky, Serge
  • Kraft, Victor
  • Piston, Walter

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