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Alexander von Zemlinsky Collection, 1887-1939 [collection]

Title

Alexander von Zemlinsky Collection, 1887-1939 [collection]

Date Created

Span: 1887-1939

Language

English, German

Form

collection

Physical Description

8 ft.

30 boxes

Abstract

Composer and conductor Alexander von Zemlinsky was born on October 14, 1871 in Vienna. In 1886 he enrolled at the Vienna Conservatory where he studied with Door, Krenn, and both Robert and J.N. Fuchs. Beginning in 1893 his works were performed at the Wiener Tonkunstlerverein where he also appeared as a pianist and conductor. In 1896 he became Schoenberg's mentor and they had a tempestuous relationship (in part over Schoenberg's 12-note scale) which lasted until Zemlinsky's death. He held various conductor and musical directorship positions in Vienna and Prague, eventually moving to Berlin in 1927 to accept a position with the Kroll Oper. Throughout this time he continued to compose. Forced to leave Germany in 1933 he returned to Vienna later immigrating to N.Y. in September 1938 where his health rapidly declined. He met with little success in the United States and died in Larchmont, N.Y. on March 15, 1942.

The collection consists principally of manuscripts and holographs of Zemlinsky's works, with a smattering of music by other composers, some librettos, his personal papers, and a box of correspondence from Ottilie Blumauer, Oscar Kokoschka, and Bernhard Schuster among others.

Contents Note

Music manuscripts, libretti, correspondence, and other personal papers.

Microfilm available

MUSIC 3260

Preferred Citation

Alexander von Zemlinsky Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress

Access Permissions

Researchers wishing to work with special collections are advised to inquire in advance about availability of material since many special collections are stored off-site.

Copyright

Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.

Subjects

Composers

Zemlinsky, Alexander

Schoenberg, Arnold

Blumauer, Ottilie

Kokoschka, Oskar

Schuster, Bernhard

Call Number

ML31.Z46

Repository

Music Division, Library of Congress

Finding Aid

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu2005.wp.0043

Last Updated: 08-21-2012