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Catherine Pelton Durrell '25: Archives & Special Collections Library

Guide to the Boris Koutzen Papers, ca. 1916 - 1966

Table of Contents

Collection Summary

Repository: Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries
Creator: Koutzen, Boris, 1901-1966
Title: Boris Koutzen Papers
Dates: ca. 1916 - 1966
Quantity: 16 cubic ft. (57 boxes)
Abstract: Materials relating to the life and work of Boris Koutzen.
Forms of Materials: Music manuscripts, correspondence, and recordings

Biographical Note

Boris Koutzen was born in Uman, Southern Russia, 1 April 1901. He began composing and studying the violin as a young child, and launched his career as a concert violinist at the age of eleven. His musical education began under his father's tutelage, but in 1918 the family moved to Moscow so Boris could study with Leo Zetlin and Reinhold Glière at the Moscow Conservatory. While a student at the conservatory, Koutzen won the position of first violin in the State Opera House Orchestra, and played for the Moscow Symphony Orchestra under Serge Koussevitzky. Koutzen graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1921, studied and played in Germany for two years, then moved to the United States in 1923. His career in the U.S. included playing for the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski (1924-1927), heading the violin department of the Phildelphia Conservatory (1924-1961), and playing for the NBC Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini (1937-1945). In 1944 he joined the faculty of Vassar College, where he taught violin and conducted the Vassar Orchestra until June 1966. He also taught at Bard College from 1949-1951. Koutzen died of a heart attack 10 December 10 1966 at the age of 65.

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Scope and Content Note

Music manuscripts, correspondence, recordings and other materials relating to the life and work of Boris Koutzen.

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Access and Use

Access

This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Librarywithout any additional restrictions.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.

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Subject Headings

Organizations:

  • Vassar College -- Faculty
  • Vassar College. Dept. of Music

Subjects:

  • Composers -- United States -- correspondence
  • Violinists -- United States -- correspondence

Document Types:

  • Scores
  • Sheet music

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Encoding Information

Encoded by Laura Streett, March 2010.

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Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Researchers cannot use the original recordings. Use copies must be made at the researcher's expense.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Boris Koutzen Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.

Processing Information

Processed by the Vassar College Music Library. Updated by Sarah Canino, January 2010. Last update by Laura Streett, February 2011.

Acquisition Information

Original gift from Nadia Koutzen with later accessions in 1999, 2002 and 2010.

Custodial History

Transferred from the Vassar College Music Library, 2010.

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Series List

Series I. Musical Manuscripts

Series II. Recordings

Series III. Correspondence, Biographical Material and Miscellany

Series IV. Additional Accessions from Nadia Koutzen

Container List

SERIES I. Musical Manuscripts
Cadenza (for Mozart's "Concerto in G major")
Box 1 proof
Clown's reverie and dance
Box 1 transparencies
Box 1 worksheets
Concert piece for violoncello and string orchestra
Box 1 parts
Box 1 transparencies (score)
Box 1 ink holograph
Box 1 pencil holograph
Concertante for two solo flutes and orchestra
Box 2 part (clarinet only)
Box 2 photocopy of piano reduction
Box 2 transparencies (orchestra score)
Box 2 transparencies (parts)
Box 2 published copy
Box 2 piano-percussion reduction
Box 2 pencil holograph
Box 3 solo parts (photo-positives)
Box 3 solo parts (original ink copies)
Box 3 solo parts (final ink copies)
Box 3 worksheets
Box 3 ink holograph (score)
Box 3 4 letters to Leon Brazin
Concertino for piano and strings
Box 4 transparencies (original score)
Box 4 two bound copies
Box 4 extra parts (not corrected)
Box 4 manuscript of condensed score and worksheets
Box 4 transparencies (parts)
Box 4 Pen and ink score- "Reduction of orchestra for a second piano"
Concerto for five solo instruments and string orchestra
Box 5 parts
Box 5 original pencil score
Box 5 transparencies
Box 5 parts
Box 5 transparencies (score)
Box 5 ink holograph (score)
Box 5 2 bound orchestral scores
Box 5 transparencies (string parts)
Concerto for viola and orchestra
Box 6 transparencies (orchestral score)
Box 6 bound orchestral score
Box 6 transparencies
Box 6 solo parts (2 envelopes and wrapped parts)
Box 6 photo-positives
Box 6 ink holograph (parts for strings, flute, and clarinet)
Box 6 worksheets (for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd movements)
Box 6 solo part and piano reduction (transparencies)
Concerto for violin and orchestra
Box 7 photograph of Eugene Ormandy and Boris and Nadia Koutzen
Box 7 orchestral score
Box 7 transparencies (orchestral score)
Box 8 parts
Box 8 photocopy of solo part
Box 8 correspondence between Denise Koutzen and Robert Parks
Box 8 piano arrangement of the score- sketches and worksheets
Box 9 parts (mimeographed)
Box 10 transparencies (parts)
Box 10 piano reduction (pencil holograph and ink copy)
Box 10 transparencies (solo part)
Box 10 transparencies (solo part and piano reduction)
Box 10 piano reduction/ worksheets and sketches
Box 56 Concerto for chorus and orchestra without lyrics, just a syllable.
Box 56 Pencil score, not completed
Box 56 Divertimento for orchestra
Box 11 parts
Box 11 transparencies (orchestral score)
Box 12 sketches and worksheets
Box 12 program
Box 12 3 bound orchestral scores
Box 12 parts (transparencies)
Box 12 bound volume with sketches for orchestral arrangement and notes regarding instrumentation on score of original version
Dreamland for voice and piano
Box 13 pencil manuscript and worksheets
Box 13 copy of printed sheets
Box 13 copies of printed sheets marked for performance?
Box 13 photocopy
Box 13 transparencies
Duo concertante
Box 13 worksheets
Box 13 ink holograph transparencies
Eidolóns: poem for piano
Box 13 proofs
Box 13 sketches and worksheets
Box 13 transparencies
Box 13 published copy
Elegiac rhapsody for orchestra
Box 14 pencil copy
Box 14 transparencies (orchestra score)
Box 14 transparencies (parts)
Box 14 4 bound orchestral scores
Enigma for piano
Box 14 pencil copy
Fanfare, prayer, and march
Box 15 parts
Box 15 wallpaper bound folder with misc. pencil sketches
Box 15 full score- 2 bound copies
Box 15 manuscript- 21 pages (condensed score) and worksheets- 29 pages
Box 15 individual orchestra parts
Box 15 transparencies
The Fatal oath
Box 16 piano vocal reduction of orchestral score with text revisions
Box 16 pencil holograph (orchestral score) and photocopies of three letters- 2 by Rodzinski, 1 by Mitropoulos
Box 17 libretti: unbound, working copy?
Box 17 libretti: bound with revisions
Box 17 libretti: transparencies
Box 17 libretti: printed
Box 17 libretti:pencil copy
Box 17 libretti: typed with revisions
Box 17 libretti: typed
Box 17 piano vocal score with some revisions
Box 18 orchestral score (bound in two volumes)
Box 18 "Final Version" (with revisions) of piano vocal score
Box 18 piano vocal score (transparencies)
Box 18 piano vocal score with revisions and sketches
Box 19 program (world premier)
Box 19 set design
Box 19 chamber orchestra version (ink copy of orchestral score)
Box 20 sketches
Box 20 worksheets (4 books)
Box 20 proof of orchestral score-wrapped in two groups
Box 21 transparencies (score)
Box 21 pencil holograph (parts- strings, clarinet, and flute)
Box 21 synopsis and program
Box 21 spiral-bound piano vocal score
Box 21 spiral-bound photocopy of piano vocal score
Box 21 spiral-bound mimeograph of full score
Box 22 parts (ink)
Foundation of violin playing
Box 23 ink holograph
Box 23 3 sketchbooks
Box 23 forward and sketches
Box 23 transparencies
Box 23 2 bound copies
From the American folklore
Box 24 ink copy
Box 24 pencil copy and program notes
Box 24 worksheets
Box 24 transparencies (parts)
Box 24 orchestral parts (2 groups)
Box 24 orchestral parts (3 bound volumes)
Holiday mood (See also "Divertimento for orchestra, Mvt. 3")
Box 25 worksheets
Box 25 proofs
Box 25 cover
Box 25 transparencies (score and solo part)
Box 25 mimeograph (score and solo part)
Box 25 published copy
An invocation
Box 26 original pencil copy
Box 26 sketches
Box 26 sketches and worksheets
Box 26 orchestra parts (2 envelopes)
Box 26 text
Box 26 2 mimeograph copies of the full score
Landscape and dance
Box 27 pencil copy
Box 27 sketches and worksheets
Box 27 transparencies (score)?
Box 27 transparencies (parts)
Légende for violin and piano
Box 27 2 published copies
Box 27 pencil holograph
Box 27 1st and 2nd proofs of solo parts
Legende for elementary school band (In the style of a Russian folksong)
Box 27 photo-positives and ink holograph of piano part
Box 27 pencil holograph (score)
Box 27 photo-positives
Box 27 ink holograph (score and parts)
Box 27 clarinet part from Legende for elementary school band- not found
Box 27 "Concertante"- not found
Lethe
Box 27 holograph (pencil)
Box 27 sketches
Box 27 new copy (ink)
Box 27 photo-positive
Box 27 transparencies
Box 27 photocopy
Melody with variations
Box 27 ink holograph (score)
Box 27 proofs (solo parts)
Box 27 proofs (solo clarinet and full score)
Box 27 2nd proof, violin part
Box 27 transparencies (parts)
Box 27 photo-positives
Morning music
Box 31 transparencies (score)
Box 31 ink holograph (parts)
Box 31 worksheets
Box 31 published copy
Box 31 programs
Music for violin alone
Box 32 bound mimeographed copy and transparencies
Box 32 sketches (pencil)
Nocturne for violin and piano
Box 32 proof
Box 32 ink holograph- not found here
Box 32 proof (score)
Octave study
Box 32 transparencies (parts)
Box 32 orchestration
Passacaglia
Box 32 pencil holograph
Pastorale and dance
Box 32 1st proofs (2 clarinet and 2 violin parts)
Box 32 transparencies (score and parts)
Box 32 1st proof of full score- not found here
Box 32 sketches
Box 32 proofs (score and parts)
Box 32 2nd proof (score)
Poem for violin and string quartet
Box 33 manuscript and worksheets
Box 33 transparencies (parts)
Box 33 transparencies (score)
Box 33 photo-positives (2 envelopes)
Box 33 photocopy
Box 33 ink holograph (2 groups)
Retirement concert
Box 33 program, 24 Apr 1966
Quartets, strings, no. 1 (Other title: "Quatuor")
Box 33 mimeograph and pencil holograph
Box 33 photo-positive of copyist's manuscript
Box 33 ink holograph
Quartets, strings, no. 2
Box 57 score (mimeograph)
Box 57 parts (mimeographed original? and copyists)
Box 57 prints
Box 57 worksheets and sketches and pencil holograph
Box 57 programs
Box 57 bound published library copy (no. 2)
Quartets, strings, no. 3
Box 34 transparencies (parts)
Box 34 transparencies (score)
Box 34 corrections
Russian dance
Box 34 published copy
Serenade for saxophone, bassoon, and 'cello (Other title: "Music for saxophone, bassoon, and 'cello")
Box 34 mimeograph of ink holograph (bassoon and cello parts)
Box 34 pencil holograph (score)
Sinfonietta
Box 34 sketches- 26 pages and pencil holograph 3 booklets- 64 pages
Solitude (Other title: Poem nocturne "Solitide")
Box 35 individual orchestra parts- 2 envelopes
Box 35 original pencil holograph of the orchestra score- 43 pages
Box 35 orchestra score- 2 copies
Sonata for piano and violin (1928)
Box 36 ink holograph- solo violin part
Box 36 photocopy- solo violin part
Box 36 pencil holograph (1st and 3rd mvts)
Box 36 3 scores- different versions
Sonata no. 2 for violin and piano
Box 37 ink holograph (score and solo part)
Box 37 sketches, working copy
Box 37 transparencies
Box 37 ink holograph
Sonata for violin and 'cello
Box 38 proof of full score
Box 38 proof of full score (green)
Box 38 transparencies
Box 38 worksheets and sketches
Box 38 special prints for violin part
Box 38 1st proof
Box 38 ink holograph
Sonatina for piano
Box 39 sketches and worksheets
Box 39 published copy
Box 39 bound copy
Box 39 transparencies
Box 39 proofs
Sonatina for two pianos
Box 39 ink copy
Box 39 one page from Sonatina for two pianos
Sonnet for organ
Box 39 pencil copy
Box 39 transparencies
Box 39 sketches and worksheets (26 pages)
Box 39 published copy
Box 39 ink copy
Symphonic movement for orchestra and violin obligato (Other title: "Mouvement symphonique")
Box 40 parts
Box 40 bound orchestral score
Box 40 pencil holographs- 2 envelopes
Box 40 published copy
Box 40 proofs
Symphonic rhapsody for the band (Other titles: "Rhapsody for symphonic band," "Symphonic rhapsody for the band" and "Rhapsody for band")
Box 41 manuscript (condensed score)- 23 pages, worksheets, holograph of the full score in pencil- 43 pages
Box 41 pencil holograph (score)
Box 41 ink copy (parts)
Box 41 2 bound copies of full score
Box 41 individual orchestra parts
Box 41 transparencies
Symphony in C
Box 41 piano score holograph (65 pages)
Box 41 1 unbound photocopy of piano score
Box 41 1 spiral-bound photocopy of piano score
Symphony in C
Box 42 1 unbound ink copy
Box 42 2 spiral-bound ink copies
Box 43 photo-positive
Box 43 parts (1 of 2)
Box 44 parts (2 of 2)
Trio for flute, 'cello, and harp
Box 45 sketches
Box 45 worksheets
Box 45 proofs of score and parts
Box 45 ink holograph (score)- 2 folders
Box 45 ink holographs (parts)
Box 45 photocopy (part)
Box 45 photocopy (score)
Trio for piano, violin and 'cello
Box 45 transparencies (full score and parts)
Box 45 sketches
Box 45 worksheets (for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd movements) 3 envelopes
Box 45 proofs of score and parts- not found here
Box 45 pencil holographs 92 p. full scores- not found here
Valley Forge
Box 46 transparencies of individual orchestra parts
Box 46 letter from congressman
Box 46 pencil holograph
Box 46 sketches and worksheets
Box 46 score (2 copies- one bound, one loose sheets)
Words of cheer to Zion
Box 46 condensed score and worksheets- 37 pages
Box 46 score for mixed chorus with piano accompaniment- not found
Box 46 text
Box 46 transparencies
You never know
Box 46 spiral-bound score
Box 47 holograph-loose leaf binder
Box 47 transparencies
Box 47 libretto (2 envelopes)
Box 48 libretto
Box 48 libretto -transparencies
Box 48 auto-positives
Box 48 libretto-pencil holograph
Box 48 sketches
Box 49 piano reduction with vocal part
Box 49 orchestral score - transparencies
Box 49 published copy of the piano reduction
Box 49 work copy
Miscellaneous
Box 28 sketches and sketchbooks (3 envelopes)
Box 28 newspaper clipping
Box 28 bound sketchbook
Box 28 worksheets (1 envelope)
Box 28 1 loose leaf book
Box 29 miscellaneous photo-positives
Box 29 miscellaneous sketches (2 envelopes)
Box 29 4 sketchbooks
Box 29 miscellaneous transparencies
Box 29 miscellaneous pages 19 and 20
Box 30 miscellaneous worksheets
Box 30 miscellaneous scores
Box 30 miscellaneous scores - envelope titled "Sonata for violin and 'cello" but score for violin and piano

SERIES II. Recordings
Box 52 Chausson, Ernest - Concerto for violin and piano. I, II, III Movements, Boris Koutzen, (violinist), John Crouch (pianist), Vassar College, Skinner Hall, 2/2/56 (reel-to-reel, 2 copies)
Box 52 Chausson, Ernest - Concerto for violin and piano: 2 versions MVMT IV, Boris Koutzen, (violinist), John Crouch (pianist), Vassar College, Skinner Hall, 2/2/56 (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Debussy, Claude - Danse sacrée et [danse] profane (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Fauré, Gabriel- Sonata for violin and piano. (John Crouch and Boris Koutzen), n.d. (reel-to-reel, 2 copies)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - Elegiac Rhapsody, Vassar College Orchestra, 5/1/63 (reel-to-reel, 2 copies)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - Concerto for five solo instruments and string orchestra, Vassar College Orchestra, 5/7/61 (reel-to-reel)
Koutzen, Boris - A concert of compositions by Boris Koutzen, 4/24/66
Box 52 --Tape one: String quartet no. 3 (1944) - Hudson Valley String Quartet (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 --Tape one: Sonnet for Organ (1946) - Kathleen Funk Pearson, organ (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 --Tape two: Trio for flute, 'cello and harp (1933) - Paul Boyer (flute), Sterling Hunkins ('cello), Susan Jolles (harp) (reel-to-reel, 2 copies)
Box 52 --Tape two: Poem for violin solo and string quartet (1963) - Nadia Koutzen (solo violin), Hudson Valley string Quartet (reel-to-reel, 2 copies)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - Fanfare, prayer and march, Vassar College Orchestra, Koutzen, cond. (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - An invocation (rehearsal), Vassar College Glee Club and Orchestra, 5/5/59 (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - An invocation (performance), Vassar, 5/6/59 (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - An invocation for women's' voices and orchestra, Vassar Glee Club and the Chappaqua Chamber Orchestra, Koutzen cond., 5/16/59 (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - An invocation, "Vassar and Phila [Philadelphia?] Orchestra" (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - Morning music for flute and string orchestra, Philadelphia Conservatory Orchestra, Koutzen , cond. (reel-to-reel)
Box 52 Koutzen, Boris - Sonata for violin and cello, Koutzen and Shapiro, 11/13/58 (reel-to-reel)
Box 51 "Sinfonietta" and "Concerto for viola and orchestra" (LP)
Box 51 Recordings (33 1/3 rpm)

SERIES III. Correspondence, Biographical Material And Miscellany
Box 51 An invocation (10 copies)
Box 51 An unidentified performance
Box 53 Typescript of "Journal Boris Koutzen (1944-1955)" (2 copies)
Box 53 "Vassar College Orchestra / Boris Koutzen, Conductor, Presented by the Vassar College Orchestra, May 4, 1966" - Photos, news clippings, and concert programs (Leather 3-hole binder)
Box 53 Letters from Vassar personnel to Koutzen
Box 53 Exhibit Materials - Concert programs, news clippings, and informative exhibit labels, 1961, 1966
Box 53 Exhibit Materials - Poster, Koutzen family attendance, Vassar and family member letters and photos, 2002
Box 53 "The works of Boris Koutzen" (printed pamphlet)
Box 53 Folder from Nadia Koutzen - News clippings, concert programs, letter from Sarah Blanding to Mrs. Koutzen
Box 50 Loose leaf binder regarding Koutzen's works (fragile)
Box 50 Three letters to Koutzen from Sarah Gibson Blanding (fragile)
Box 50 Frame photograph of Koutzen with Sarah Gibson Blanding (fragile)
Box 50 Obituaries (fragile)

SERIES IV. Additional Accessions from Nadia Koutzen
1999
Box 54 Vassar-related letters correspondence 1944-1965 including work contracts
Box 54 A packet of information on "Bastien and Bastienne"
2002
Box 54 Folder of "Pappa's [sic] gift of music to Vassar" - letters, appraisals, 1960-1965
Box 55 "Broadway Rhapsody" by Bernard Kay (Manuscript, pencil)
Box 55 "Broadway Serenade" by Bernard Kay (Manuscript, ink)
Box 55 Black and white photo of Boris Koutzen [in front of Skinner Hall?]
Box 55 "Feuille d'Album" (pencil sketch as well as ink and pencil copy)
Box 55 "Legende" (Ink holograph, published edition marked for performance, and fair copy with subtitle "In the style of a Russian Folk song"
Box 55 "Nocturne for violin and piano" (Pencil "copied by Inez")
Box 55 Cadenza to Mozart's Violin Concerto in G Major "to my little daughter and pupil Nadia" (negative photocopy)
Box 55 2 unidentified pencil sketches
Box 55 2 unidentified pencil and ink sketches
Box 55 Cadenza to Haydn Violin Concerto in C (pencil, ink and blueprint)
Box 55 Kpanca (?) op. 77 1922 (pencil and ink)
Box 55 Cadenza to Bockerini [sic] (3rd mvt.) (pencil)
Box 55 Clarinet quartet score (pencil)
Box 55 1"?? odd sheet" (pencil sketch)
Box 55 "Russian Siberian Folk Song" arrangement for 4 'cellos by Boris Koutzen (pencil)
Box 55 Russian Dance from "The Tsar's Bride" (Rimsky-Korssakoff [sic]) freely adapted for four 'cellos by Boris Koutzen
Box 55 "Rondino" (Vieutemps/Koutzen) for violin and piano (ink)
Box 55 "En Bateau" (Debussy) arranged for violin and piano
Box 55 "Russian Dance" (Tchaikovsky/Koutzen) arranged for violin and piano
Box 55 "Romance Orientale" (Rimsky-Korsakov) arr. B. Koutzen for violin and piano with publication of Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Rose enslaves the Nightengale" ([Boston]: Boston Music Co. : 1916)
Box 55 "Malaguena" Spanish Dance for violin and piano, Sarasete/Koutzen - (Ink, pencil, blueprint of violin part, negative photocopy, reduced photocopy, pencil sketches, and parts (ink) enclosed in Proof copy [?] )
2010
Box 40 Koutzen's diploma from the Philadelphia Conservatory, 1940

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