Meyer Kupferman papers

id
4285
origination
Kupferman, Meyer, 1926-2003
date statement
1946-2003
key date
1946
identifier (local_mss)
18421
org unit
Music Division
call number
JPB 03-01
b-number
b19074764
total components
655
total series
2
max depth
3
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2013-04-01 15:05:00 UTC
updated
2026-01-20 20:58:56 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"18421", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"JPB 03-01", "type"=>"local_call"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1946-2003", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1946/2003"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Meyer Kupferman papers"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"85 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"23.25 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}], "supress_display"=>true}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Music Division</span>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"Meyer Kupferman was a composer and professor of music. He was a prolific writer, penning several concertos, chamber and solo pieces, operas, ballets, symphonies. He taught at Sarah Lawrence College for over 40 years and was known as a composer of both jazz and 12-tone techniques."}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"English"}
origination
{"value"=>"Kupferman, Meyer, 1926-2003", "type"=>"persname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>Meyer Kupferman was a composer and professor of music. He was a prolific writer of concertos, chamber and solo pieces, operas, ballets, and symphonies. He taught for over 40 years at Sarah Lawrence College. Stylistically his music included both jazz and 12-tone techniques.</p> <p>Kupferman was born in New York City, on July 3rd, 1926, the first child of Elias and Fanny Kupferman. The family moved around frequently when he was young. At age five he began violin lessons, but did not show any musical inclination. However, by age ten he as exposed to the clarinet, an instrument that opened the world of music to him. He took lessons, taught himself to compose and play the piano and started to compose pieces and arrangements for friends. Kupferman was primarily self-taught, although he did take classes in theory and composition at the High School of Music and Art and Queens College.</p> <p>In order to provide an avenue through which to perform his compositions, Kupferman founded the Composers Workshop. Several individuals who played with him in these early years, moved on to become composers in their own right.</p> <p>In 1951, Meyer Kupferman was offered a professorship in both composition and chamber music at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. He taught there for 43 years and retired in 1993. During his time at the College, Kupferman conducted the orchestra and chorus, taught classes in music theory, and founded the Sarah Lawrence Improvisation Ensemble.</p> <p>Kupferman received grants from the Guggenheim Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Ford Foundation. He also received composition awards from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters and ASCAP.</p> <p>He married Pei Fen in 1973 (2nd marriage). They have one daughter, Lisa Pitt. He was also father to three stepsons: Fung Chin, Sung Chin and Yun Chin.</p> <p>Meyer Kupferman died on November 26, 2003, in Rhinebeck, New York.</p> <p>Sources:</p> <p>Fabian, Valentine, Meyer Kupferman biography</p> <p>Anderson, Martin, Obituary, financial Times Information, 2004</p> <p>Kozinn, Allan, Meyer Kupferman, Composer In Many Forms, Is Dead at 77, New York Times, 2003 Dec 3</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Meyer Kupferman Papers contain his professional papers and scores. The professional papers include awards, biographies and obituaries, clippings, correspondence, contracts, date books, financial material, grants, photographs, programs, resumes, royalty statements, lecture notes from courses taught at Sarah Lawrence College, and drafts of writings. They are arranged alphabetically. The scores are arranged in chronological order. They include almost all of his work beginning in 1946 and continuing through until 2002. Many are pencil sketches, although the majority are printed and published works. Some have accompanying notes.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The Meyer Kupferman papers are arranged in two series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18421#c111097'>Series I: Professional Papers</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1949-2003</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>Series I consists of awards, biographies and obituaries, clippings, correspondence, contracts, date books, financial material, grants, photographs, programs, resumes, royalty statements, lecture notes from courses taught at Sarah Lawrence College, and drafts of writings by Kupferman.</p> <p>The material is arranged alphabetically. The contracts are concerned with recordings, concert performances (both as a performer and conductor), teaching and new commissions. The correspondence is related to professional performances and classes at Sarah Lawrence. Photographs are of Kupferman performing, conducting and teaching. His writings consist of articles for journals and scripts for his operas. The programs are of his performances, award ceremonies and concerts where his work was performed.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18421#c111151'>Series II: Scores</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1946-2002</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The scores are an almost complete run of his compositions beginning in 1946 and continuing through until 2002. Many are pencil sketches, although most are printed and published works. Some scores have accompanying notes. Of interest is a series of full-length concert works evolving from the same 12-tone row begun in 1962. These works are jazz-based compositions, and comprise a part of his Cycle of Infinities series. During the 1960s, Kupferman composed several film scores, that are also included here. The scores are arranged in chronological order.</p></div></li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Donated by Meyer Kupferman, 2000</p>"}
processinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Compiled by L. Reyman.</p><p>Professional papers are arranged alphabetically. Scores are arranged chronologically.</p>"}
userestrict
{"value"=>"<p>For permission to publish, contact the Chief, Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts</p>"}
relatedmaterial
{"value"=>"<p><span class=\"archref\">Meyer Kupferman Faculty File. Sarah Lawrence College Archives.</span></p>"}
date_start
1946
keydate
1946
date_end
2003
date_inclusive_start
1946
date_inclusive_end
2003
extent_statement
23.25 linear feet (85 boxes)
prefercite
{"value"=>"Meyer Kupferman papers, JPB 03-01. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts"}

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