Collection Summary
Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight Collection on Luigi Dallapiccola
1936-1995
(bulk 1951-1975)
1936-1995
(bulk 1951-1975)
ML31.D33
Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1904-1975
Dwight, Margaret
1,150 items
12 boxes
6 linear feet
English
French
German
Italian
Collection material in
English, French, German, and Italian
Music Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Luigi Dallapiccola (1904-1975) was an Italian composer known for his twelve-tone compossitions. The collection contains Dallapiccola's correspondence with Margaret (Peggie) Dwight, including more than 300 letters (written mostly in French) as well as postcards and telegrams. In addition, there are more than 200 articles and programs relating to Dallapiccola's career, most of them collected during those years. The collection also includes a few of Dallapiccola's holograph music manuscripts, most notably his opera Ulisse (Ulysses), excerpts or sketches of his works, and published editions of two full scores for Requiescant and Sex Carmina Alcaei.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1904-1975--Correspondence.
Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1904-1975.
Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1904-1975.
Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1904-1975. Liriche greche. Carmina Alcaei.
Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1904-1975. Requiescant.
Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1904-1975. Ulisse.
Dwight, Margaret--Correspondence.
Dwight, Margaret.
Subjects
Choruses, Sacred, with orchestra.
Composers--Italy--Correspondence.
Musical sketches.
Operas--Scores.
Songs with instrumental ensemble.
Titles
Dallapiccola / Dwight collection
Form/Genre
Articles.
Autographs (Manuscripts)
Clippings (Information artifacts)
Excerpts.
Musical sketches.
Operas.
Personal correspondence.
Programs (Publications)
Scores.
Writings.
Provenance
Gift; Margaret Dwight; 1988-1995
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
The Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight Collection on Luigi Dallapiccola was processed in 1995 by the Library of Congress. In 2003, Michael A. Ferrando coded and edited the finding aid.
Transfers
A reel-to-reel audio recording of Dallapiccola's
Preghiere
(Prayer)
composed in 1962, was transferred to the Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound (MBRS) Division.
Other Repositories
The Claire Falkenstein Papers at the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, contains correspondence with Dwight, circa 1959-1991. The Papers of Edward Joseph Dent at the King's College Archive Centre, Cambridge University, and the Robert E. Middleton Papers at Vassar College include letters from Luigi Dallapiccola.
Related Material
The [Luigi Dallapiccola Correspondence with Rudy Shackelford, 1969-1973] contains a small amount of correspondence with Dallapiccola, and letters from Dallapiccola can be found in other Music Division special collections.
Copyright Status
The Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight Collection on Luigi Dallapiccola is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
Commentary prepared by the donor and all correspondence are restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola. The rest of the Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight Collection on Luigi Dallapiccola is open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Performing Arts Reading Room before visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use. Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, container number], Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight Collection on Luigi Dallapiccola, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Sketch
Luigi Dallapiccola was born to Italian parents in Pisano d'Istria, Austria, (now Pazin, Croatia) on February 3, 1904. During his youth, Dallapiccola earned diplomas in both piano and composition from the Cherubini Conservatory in Florence. He began his career as a piano teacher at the conservatory, where he remained until his retirement in 1967. He also taught music courses at several American colleges and summer music programs.
As a composer, Dallapiccola was greatly influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, evident in his use of serial methods. He achieved distinction for composition using the twelve-tone scale, and his oeuvre encompasses dramatic works (operas and ballet) as well as choral, solo vocal, and instrumental compositions. His opera
Ulisse
(Ulysses)
with his own libretto based on Homer's
Odyssey
was his last large-scale work and took eight years to complete.
Several of his vocal works were considered to be "protest pieces," relating to his ever-present concern with the political situations of his time. Among these,
Il Rigioniero
(1944–1948) is likely the best known. He died in Florence, Italy, on February 19, 1975.
Margaret (Peggie) Dwight was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on December 2, 1909. She was an American artist who lived much of her life in Paris. She correspondended with Dallapiccola from the time she met him at Tanglewood in 1951, where she was a student, until his death in 1975. She died November 20, 1996.
Scope and Content Note
Dallapiccola's correspondence with Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight during the years of their association from 1951 to 1975 constitutes the bulk of this collection. The correspondence includes more than 300 letters (written mostly in French) from Dallapiccola, as well as postcards and telegrams. In addition, there are more than 200 articles and programs relating to Dallapiccola's career, most of them collected by Dwight during those years.
The collection also includes a few of Dallapiccola's holograph music manuscripts, most notably his opera
Ulisse
(Ulysses),
as well as short excerpts or sketches of his works. Also included are print editions of two full scores,
Requiescant
and
Sex Carmina Alcaei
.
The writings in this collection consist mainly of 200 pages of "Recollections" written by Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight, which chronicle her 24-year friendship with Dallapiccola. The first version, divided into sections by year, contains references to letters and other materials in the collection. A revised and corrected final version of "Recollections" was received from Peggie Dwight in 1995. There are also several speeches and other miscellaneous notes written by Dallapiccola.
Organization of the Margaret ("Peggie") Dwight Collection on Luigi Dallapiccola
The collection is arranged in five series:
-
[
Correspondence, 1951-1975
](CL1001)
-
[
Music, 1943-1972
](CL1002)
-
[
Programs and Clippings, 1951-1989
](CL1003)
-
[
Writings, 1951-1995
](CL1004)
-
[
Miscellany, 1936-1988
](CL1007)
Container List
Box
Contents
1-3
Correspondence,
1951-1975
1951-1975
Correspondence from Luigi Dallapiccola to Margaret (Peggie) Dwight during the years of their association from 1951 to 1975: more than 300 letters written mostly in French, postcards, and telegrams, with several enclosures such as flyers, ticket stubs, or clippings laid-in. Many letters are annotated by Peggie Dwight to clarify content or context.
All correspondence is restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
Arranged chronologically.
1/1
1951-1958 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
1/2
1960 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
1/3
1961 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
1/4-5
1962 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
1/6
1963 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
1/7-8
1964 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
1/9-10
1965 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
2/1-2
1966 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
2/3-5
1967 (Restricted)
Also includes letters from Cherubini Conservatory, others
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
2/6-7
1968 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
2/8-9
1969 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
3/1-2
1970 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
3/3-4
1971 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
3/5-6
1972 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
3/7-8
1973 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
3/9
1974-1975 (Restricted)
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
9, 12
Music,
1943-1972
1943-1972
Holographs of Dallapiccola music manuscripts, short excerpts or sketches, and printed editions.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
9/15
12-tone lesson notes,
1960?
[
See also "Recollections" page 45
](mu003007_Writings_by_Peggie_Dwight_CL10041001_D3_2)
1960?
Holograph sketch/notes in ink; 1 page
9/1
Cinque Canti,
1956
1956
Holograph full score in pencil; 5 pages
Inscribed 1963
9/2
Commiato,
1972
1972
Holograph piano-vocal score in pencil; 10 pages
9/3
Requiescant,
1957-1958
1957-1958
Printed full score; 57 pages
Inscribed 1966
9/4
Requiescant,
1957-1958
1957-1958
Printed piano-vocal score; 47 pages
Inscribed 1960
9/5
Requiescant,
1957-1958
1957-1958
Bound holograph sketchbook in pencil; 26 pages
Note: Also contains scenario list for Ulysses and unidentified notes
9/6
Sex Carmina Alcaei,
1943
1943
Printed full score; 32 pages
Inscribed 1951
9/7
Sicut Umbra,
1969-1970
1969-1970
Holograph sketch in pencil; 2 pages
Inscribed 1972
9/8
Ulysses,
1967
1967
Holograph condensed score in pencil for Act II, scene 3; 10 pages
Inscribed 1967
9/9
Ulysses,
1962
1962
Holograph score in pencil; 2 pages
Scène de l'enfer
9/10
Ulysses,
1966
1966
Holograph condensed score in ink; 2 pages
Nausicaa scene, final two pages. Inscribed 1966
9/11
Ulysses,
1965
1965
Holograph sketches for Ulysses and Circe, Act I, scene 3; 2 pages
Inscribed 1965
9/12
Ulysses,
1960
1960
Holograph piano-vocal sketch in ink; 1 page
Calypso scene
9/13
Ulysses,
1968
1968
Holograph sketches in pencil; 2 pages
Note: Also includes sketch labeled Michaelangelo the Younger
12/1
Ulysses,
1966
1966
Facsimile score for Act I; 1 page
Inscribed 1966
12/2
Ulysses,
1968
1968
Holograph sketches in pencil; 2 pages
Prologue, Calypso scene
9/12
Unidentifed,
1956
1956
Holograph sketch in pencil; 1 page
Illustration of choral "thinking in numbers"
5-8
Programs and Clippings,
1951-1989
1951-1989
Print material documenting the career and life of Luigi Dallapiccola, sent to Dallapiccola: performance programs, invitations and announcements, newspaper articles and features, and journal articles. Some items are annotated by Dallapiccola or Dwight. Several articles and publications are in German or Italian.
Arranged chronologically.
5/1
1951-1953
5/2
1956-1959
5/3
1960
5/4-5
1961
5/6
1962
5/7
1963
6/1-3
1964
6/4
1965
6/5
1966
6/6
1967
7/1-3
1968
7/4-5
1969
7/6
1970
7/7
1971
8/1
1972
8/2
1973-1974
8/3
1975
8/4
1975
Obituaries
8/5
1976-1979
8/6
1980-1982
8/7
1984-1989
4, 10-11
Writings,
1951-1995
1951-1995
The writings in this collection consist mainly of 200 pages of "Recollections" written by Margaret (Peggie) Dwight, which chronicles her 24-year friendship with Luigi Dallapiccola. Additionally, there is a small amount of Dallapiccola's writing and notes on music theory.
Writings by Margaret (Peggie) Dwight restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
Arranged into two subseries by author.
4/1-9
Writings by Margaret (Peggie) Dwight, circa 1951-1995
circa 1951-1995
Draft and corrected versions of Dwight's memoir.
Writings by Margaret (Peggie) Dwight restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
Arranged by sections created by the author.
4/1
Recollections, 1951-1958, pages 1-28
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/2
Recollections, 1959-1961, pages 29-55
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/3
Recollections, 1962-1963, pages 56-84
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/4
Recollections, 1963-1965, pages 85-117
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/5
Recollections, 1966-1967, pages 118-156
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/6
Recollections, 1968-1970, pages 157-201
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/7
Recollections, 1971-1976, pages 202-end
Includes appendices
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/8
Recollections,
notes,
1988
1988
Index to correspondence as sources for memoir; 8 pages
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
4/9
Recollections, 1995
1995
Complete manuscript, revised and corrected; 227 pages
Note: Materials restricted until 2025 or until the death of Luigi Dallapiccola's daughter Anna L. (Annalibera) Dallapiccola.
10/2-5, 11/5
Writings by Luigi Dallapiccola,
1959-1971
1959-1971
Libretto, UNESCO address, and notes by Dallapiccola.
Arranged by title.
10/2
"Birth of
Libretto,"
1967
1967
Lecture; 25 pages
12/3
"Message à la jeunesse,"
1966
1966
Published transcript of lecture to UNESCO; 2 pages
10/3
"Ulysses,"
1964
1964
Typed libretto; 24 pages
10/4
Notes,
1971
1971
Five pages
Includes: Goethe Lieder, Greek Songs, and Prisoner
10/5
11/5
Miscellaneous notes,
1963-1966, 1971
1963-1966, 1971
10-11
3
Miscellany,
1936-1988
1936-1988
Resources and ephemera
Arranged by format.
10/1
Book,
1967 January
1967 January
Nencini, Franco.
Firenze i giorni del diluvio
In Italian
11/6
Champagne cork,
1969
1969
Autographed
11/1
Catalogue,
1978
1978
McDonald, Calum. Luigi Dallapiccola, A Complete Catalogue
21 pages
11/2
Index,
circa 1988
circa 1988
Collection contents list created by Peggie Dwight; 2 pages
11/3
Photographs,
1968
1968
Ulysses, Berlin production
3/5
Poster,
1979
1979
Concert in honor of Dallapiccola given by Maggio Musicale, Florence
11/4
Program,
1936
1936
New York Philharmonic, farewell program autographed by Arturo Toscanini