Recordings of Creative Associates Recitals 1964-1980, 1964-1980

Summary

Creator:
State University of New York at Buffalo. Center of the Creative and Performing Arts
Abstract:
The collection contains 172 original reel to reel tape recordings of 113 recitals containing approximately 613 works. The works range from the Renaissance to music created for the concerts, even improvised at the events. The reels are accompanied by audio cassette recordings created as service copies and a hard drive containing digitally reformatted preservation and access files.
Extent:
12.5 linear feet (172 reel to reel tapes 15 cartons, 324 audio cassettes 6 boxes 1 external hard drive)
Language:
Collection material includes spoken word recordings in English.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains recordings of approximately 613 works performed on 113 of the 127 recitals presented 1964-1980 by the Creative Associates of the Center of the Creative and Performing Arts. A complete listing of all the concerts, including works and concerts not recorded, can be seen in the original inventory online.

The music of more than 200 composers is represented in the collection. Due to the eclectic nature of the progamming, a wide range of composers is included, from the 14th to 20th centuries. Music from the 20th century spans a diverse spectrum of musical styles from more traditional to avant garde. Composers whose works were performed include Crumb, Berio, Wuorinen, Carter, Copland, Bussotti, Scelsi, Feldman, Cage, as well as lesser-known figures whose representation here may be rare. Performers included some of the most skilled practicioners of contemporary music. There are also many instances of composers either performing or directing performances of their own works.

Of the new music performed, there are works that were presented in what amounted to draft versions. Upon examination, some works no longer appear on the works lists of their composers. As a result, these recordings could represent the only surviving documentation of some of the compositions performed. Close to 20 premieres were performed. Some recordings require more research to fully describe due the practice of performing multiple works simultaneously or other factors that make clear definition challenging.

Biographical / historical:

The Creative Associates Recitals were a product of the Center of the Creative and Performing Arts, established to give young professional performers and composers the opportunity to focus on the production of new music. Lukas Foss, Music Director for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra 1963-1971, approached Gordon Smith, director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery 1955-1973, to develop ideas for a Center of New Music in Buffalo. In discussions with Allan Sapp, Director of the University at Buffalo Music Department, and the Rockefeller Foundation, a proposal was submitted to the Foundation for the development of the Center. Modeled after the Evenings-on-the-Roof concert series in Los Angeles, the Center of the Creative and Performing Arts was “founded on notions of providing performing ensembles, of making definitive renditions of new and complicated music feasible, of bringing composers and performers into the closest working relationships, of developing a corpus of recordings and privately-held scores, of establishing a central locus for the study of new techniques of composition notation and performance practice.” The proposal was accepted and the Center of the Creative and Performing Arts began operation in 1964.

Directors of the Center of the Creative and Performing Arts included the founders, Lukas Foss and Allan Sapp, who acted as Co-Directors from 1964-68; Lejaren Hiller, Co-Director with Lukas Foss from 1968-74; Jan Williams, Co-Director with Renée Levine from 1974-76; Renée Levine, Center Coordinator from 1964-74 and Co-Director from 1974-78; and Morton Feldman, Music Director from 1976-1980. Performers and composers selected to be fellows at the Center were given the title of Creative Associate.

There were two main concert series produced by the Center of the Creative and Performing Arts: Evenings for New Music concerts and Creative Associate Recitals. Evenings for New Music concerts were performed in Buffalo and also performed, often with changes in programs, at various other venues. Creative Associates Recitals were performed within Buffalo, most often on the campus of the University at Buffalo. The Recitals were the programmed by the Creative Associates themselves as supplements to the Evenings for New Music concerts. The Associates were free to program whatever works they wished. As a result, the programs include a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance through new music composed expressly for the recitals.

Acquisition information:
Gift of State University of New York at Buffalo Music Department.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in three series according to format.

  • I. Reel to reel tapes
  • II. Cassettes
  • III. External hard drive
Physical description:
in in ,
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard ).

Access and use

Location of this collection:
112 Baird Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
716-645-2924