Scope and Content Note
The Mario Davidovsky Papers span from 1933 to 2019, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1950 to 2018. The Music series contains works by Davidovsky as well as works by other composers, including his students. While Davidovsky’s works are primarily represented by holograph manuscripts and sketches, there are also annotated and unannotated Ozalid scores, printed scores, and some parts. The Project Files contain programs, concert reviews, and other publicity materials or notes related to Davidovsky's works. The Correspondence includes letters from individuals, including family members, and organizations such as performing groups or schools and universities, including Columbia and Harvard.
Davidovsky’s long affiliation with Composers Conference, especially at its Wellesley College base, is represented by the files in this series. Although there are some organizational and administrative files from the summer workshops, they are not comprehensive records of the program. Aspects of Davidovsky’s career as an educator are represented in the Teaching Materials by university faculty directories, copies of lectures, and a few files on electronic music. The Business Papers series contains letters and agreements from publishers, royalty statements, and commission agreements, as well as correspondence and other materials relating to foundations for which Davidovsky served as a board member.
The Biographical Materials contain employment files from the City College of New York, Columbia, and Harvard; documentation of Davidovsky's receipt of the Kaske Prize; photographs; passports; writings about the composer and his works; address books; and appointment books. An address database, calendars, documents, and some of the photographs are digital files. Newspaper and journal articles and pamphlets in the Clippings and Articles series provide evidence of Davidovsky’s work as a composer from his early years in Argentina to several years prior to his death. The Programs and Promotional Materials date from Davidovsky’s first experiences in the United States to performances of his works throughout his career. Materials in the Miscellaneous Writings by Others series include a few writings about contemporary music topics, including an article by Harvey Sollberger and an interview with Reinhold Brinkmann.
The Digital Files consist of items on Mario Davidovsky's computer hard drive. The photographs primarily depict his travel to Médanos, Argentina, as well as members of his family. There are also address and telephone lists, legal and financial information, and travel documents. Correspondence, primarily email, comprises a large portion of the professional material, and there are also permission agreements, concert reviews, recommendation letters, and writings by Davidovsky and others. Correspondence and documents pertaining to the Association for the Promotion of New Music (APNM) and the Composers Conference are also present.