Skip to main content

Leopold Godowsky score collection

 Collection
Identifier: MP-0016-01

Abstract

Virtuoso pianist and composer Leopold Godowsky (1870-1938) was noted for piano compositions and arrangements of exceptional difficulty, especially his 53 Studies on Chopin’s Études. The collection includes manuscripts of his works, sketches, corrected print proofs, and published scores with annotations and inscriptions by Godowsky and others related to him.

Dates

  • 1886-1983

Creator

Extent

1.5 Cubic Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

German

French

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of scores composed or arranged by, or related to, the Russian-born American virtuoso pianist and composer Leopold Godowsky (1870-1938). Included are manuscript scores of piano works he composed, sketches, proofs containing handwritten corrections, and published scores containing annotations or inscriptions by Godowsky, or inscriptions by individuals related to him, such as his children, Leopold Godowsky, Jr. and Dagmar Godowsky, and Gertrude Huntly Green, a pianist and assistant to Godowsky.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives and Special Collections. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged alphabetically in four series: 1. Manuscripts; 2. Print proofs; 3. Published scores; and 4. Works by other composers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred from the Harry Scherman Library of Mannes School of Music to the New School Archives and Special Collections, 2015.

Related Materials

The New School Archives holds the David Saperton papers (MP.0010.01), which includes biographical material on Leopold Godowsky. The United States Library of Congress, Music Division holds the Leopold Godowsky collection, which includes manuscripts, correspondence, published scores, and photographs.

Processing Information

Manuscripts and print proofs of Leopold Godowsky's work were separated from papers belonging to his son-in-law, David Saperton, and combined with published scores compiled by the Harry Scheman Library of Mannes College of Music prior to 2015. Published scores with no annotations were deaccessioned; published scores with only minor annotations, or those bearing only inscriptions of individuals other than Godowsky, were deaccessioned. Photocopies of the inscribed pages have been retained with the collection.

  • Composers -- United States (Subject) (Places) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Music -- Manuscripts (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Pianists (Occupation) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Piano music (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Scores (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Title
Guide to the Leopold Godowsky score collection
Status
Completed
Author
Jason Adamo and The New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
Date
March 29, 2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin