Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/perform.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2013568043
Collection material in English
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.
Gift; Jill Totenberg, Amy Totenberg, Nina Totenberg; 2013. Additional materials received from Elizabeth Wilk in 2014.
No further accruals are expected.
The Roman Totenberg Papers were processed by JungEun Kim and Christopher Hartten in 2013. Christopher Hartten coded the finding aid for EAD format in 2013.
Maya Lerman updated the finding aid to include digital files in 2024.
Sound and video recordings have been transferred to the Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division, where they are identified as part of the Roman Totenberg Collection (MAVIS collection no. 14910). An inventory of this material is available in the Music Division's collection file.
The Sergei Koussevitzky Archive (ML31.K66) and Nicolas Slonimsky Collection (ML31.S6) contain correspondence with Totenberg.
Materials from the Roman Totenberg Papers are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
The Roman Totenberg Papers are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Digital files were received as part of the Roman Totenberg Papers and have been assigned the digital ID number TotenbergR_001. Use the digital ID number to request access copies of the files. Access to this digital content may be available onsite only in the Performing Arts Reading Room and requires advance request. Consult reference staff in the Performing Arts Reading Room for more information.
Digitized images of select materials along with identifying information and a narrative introduction are available through the Library of Congress Web site under the title: Roman Totenberg Papers at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/collmus.mu000024.
The digital files in this collection are primarily .jpg format, but there are also .pdf and .doc files.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, container number], Roman Totenberg Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The Roman Totenberg Papers span the period 1846-2011, with the majority of the materials dating from the 1930s to mid-2000s. The collection includes scores and parts, correspondence, files, photographs, programs, biographical documents, clippings, artwork, sound and video recordings, and other materials. Music materials consist chiefly of printed scores and parts bearing annotations in Totenberg's hand. Beethoven, Brahms, Dvořák, Milhaud, Mozart, Paganini, and Schubert are among those composers with substantial quantities of works present. Notable materials include cadenzas by Totenberg and Soulima Stravinsky for Mozart's violin concerti, a holograph manuscript violin part for Darius Milhaud's
Totenberg's correspondence is sub-divided into two categories: general and family. General correspondence includes public dignitaries, performers, conductors, and other individuals with whom Totenberg had a professional relationship. Acquaintances with substantial amounts of correspondence are Carl Flesch, Darius and Madeleine Milhaud, William Schuman, and Soulima Stravinsky. Totenberg's family correspondence, a mixture of his own letters and those of other family members, is quite striking and illustrates the traumatic hardships endured by individuals of Polish descent in Europe during the Second World War. Many of these letters and supporting documents, such as those of the Ferster family (Totenberg's sister), demonstrate the lengths to which individuals went to escape Nazi persecution. Unfortunately, as these documents attest, several members of the Totenberg family were not successful and lost their lives in Warsaw.
Files in the collection consist of business papers, contracts, financial and travel documents, competition materials, clippings, performer and student resumes, and folders of other subject-related material. These reflect Totenberg's tenure as a violin teacher at the Longy School of Music (1977-1985) and Boston University (1961-1978), as well as his teaching and frequent performances at Aspen, Kneisel Hall, Tanglewood, The Music Academy of the West, Town Hall, and other international venues. The collection also highlights his career contributions as a judge for violin competitions, including the International Tchaikovsky Competition and Menuhin Competition. Totenberg's impressive resume and career are fleshed out further in a small series of biographical materials. Contained within are address books, personal documents, diplomas, performance lists, and essays, as well as a variety of documents related to family members, namely Stanislawa Totenberg. The photographs largely chronicle Totenberg's career as performer and teacher from the 1930s through the 2000s. Notable composers and performers include Carl Flesch, Yehudi Menuhin, Darius Milhaud, Artur Rubinstein, Soulima Stravinsky, Karol Szymanowski, and others.
Totenberg's extensive performing career is well-documented in a chronological run of programs that extends into the late 2000s. The series also contains a variety of programs for concerts and events related to Totenberg, such as for performances by his students. The collection also contains several hundred woodblock prints, drawings, and paintings by artist Ilka Kolsky, with whom Totenberg maintained a close relationship until her untimely death circa 1938. Among these are a print of Totenberg playing violin and a self-portrait in charcoal. The remaining collection materials include financial documents, clippings, inscribed scores and books, posters and brochures, and other assorted items that showcase Totenberg's career.
The Roman Totenberg Papers are organized in eight series:
Chiefly printed scores and parts with annotations by Totenberg. Arrangements are noted where appropriate.
Arranged alphabetically first by composer, then within by title of work.
Letters and other communications between Totenberg and musical personalities, public dignitaries, instrument makers, students, friends, and family members. Includes a small amount of correspondence between Totenberg family members living in Warsaw throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
Arranged alphabetically by organization or last name of correspondent.
Subject-related folders comprised of business papers, correspondence, competition materials, itineraries, performer biographies, recording and instrument information, and other items.
Arranged alphabetically by subject or last name of individual.
Bios, address books, diplomas, essays, performance lists, personal documents, writings, and materials related to family members. The latter reflect Totenberg's protracted efforts to assist his mother, Stanislawa Totenberg, and his sister, Janina, as well as other family members and friends, to escape Europe in the years surrounding World War II. Included here are Janina's accounts of her years in hiding in Warsaw.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Images of Totenberg alone, in performance, and with musical personalities, friends, and family members. Includes a variety of inscribed photographs and digital images from Totenberg's 100th birthday concert.
Principle file formats: .jpg, .pdf, .doc
Arranged chronologically by subject.
Chiefly performances by Totenberg.
Arranged by subject and chronologically by decade therein.
Chiefly woodblock prints and sketches by artist Ilka Kolsky, a close family friend of the Totenbergs. Also includes works on a variety of other media: conté crayon, watercolor, oil, charcoal, ink, and pencil.
Arranged by size and type of media.
Clippings, financial documents, inscribed items, publicity materials, and realia.
Arranged by subject.