Collection Summary
Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other
Papers 1933-1971
circa 1933-1971
Carter, Elliott, 1908-2012
approximately 18,900 items
55 containers plus bound scores
19 linear feet
22 microfilm reels
English
Collection material in English
Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Among other accolades, American composer
Elliott Carter was a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his second and
third string quartets. A student of Nadia Boulanger, his works combined American and
European styles of modernism, and his compositional style, based around collections of
pitches, was later described as musical set theory. Carter was also known for his use of
proportional tempo changes, which is referred to by scholars as metric modulation.
Carter composed in a wide variety of genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber
music, ballets, and choral music. This finding aid collates classed holograph scores,
sketches, and parts by Carter that were donated to the Music Division beginning in the
1960s. Additional music materials, programs, and a small amount of photographs and other
papers will be added to this document in the future.
Provenance
Gifts, Elliott Carter, 1960s-1970s
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
Music Division staff processed the Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other Papers.
Anita M. Weber and Emily Baumgart compiled and coded the finding aid in 2020.
Additional Description
Much of the content within the Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other Papers is
described in Morgan Cundiff's "A guide to Elliott Carter research materials at the
Library of Congress Music Division" in Charles Rosen's The Musical
Languages of Elliott Carter,
[https://www.loc.gov/item/84003851/]
Other Repositories
A substantial number of Elliott Carter compositions can be found in the Archive and
Research Center for Music of the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries of the Paul Sacher
Foundation, Basel, Switzerland. The New York Public Library holds the Elliott Carter
papers, 1945-1995 [bulk 1980-1995].
Related Material
The following collections contain correspondence and other materials related to Carter:
[David Diamond Papers], [Louise Talma Papers], [Oliver Daniel Papers], and
[Lukas Foss Papers].
Copyright Status
Materials from the Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other Papers are governed by the
Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international
copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
The Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other 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.
Online Content
A selection of scores and sketches from the Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other
Papers is available on the Library of Congress Web site at [https://www.loc.gov/collections/elliott-carter/about-this-collection/]
Microfilm
Selected items from the Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other Papers are available
on 22 reels of microfilm that are shelved as 88/20,045; MUSIC-1813, 1813 B, 1813 C, 1813
D; MUSIC-1814 A, 1814 B, 1814 C, 1814 E; MUSIC-1815 A; MUSIC-1816, 1816 C; MUSIC-1817;
MUSIC-1820; MUSIC-1821; MUSIC-1822 A; MUSIC-1824 A; MUSIC-1826; MUSIC-1833 A;
MUSIC-1834; MUSIC-1835; and MUSIC-1836.
Preferred Citation
Materials described in this finding aid should be cited using the following information:
Last name, first name. Title of work, year. Format of material. Music Division, Library
of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1908 December 11
Born in New York City to Elliott Cook Carter Sr., and Florence
Chambers
1924
Met Charles Ives, who exposed him to modern music
1926
Studied piano, oboe, and solfeggio at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge,
Massachusetts
1926
1932
Studied at Harvard University; earned a BA in English and an MA in Music under
the tutelage of Gustav Holst and Walter Piston
1932
1935
Studied music with Nadia Boulanger as a private student and at École
Normale de Musique de Paris
Studied choral conducting with Henri Expert
1935
1940
Music director of Ballet Caravan
1936
Composed
Pocahontas
ballet commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein
1939 July 6
Married sculptor and art critic Helen Frost-Jones (1907 July 4-2003 May 17)
in Cheltenham, Massachusetts
1943 January 4
Son David Chambers Carter born
1943
1944
Worked for the Office of War Information
1945
1946
Received a Guggenheim Fellowship in musical composition; composed
Piano Sonata
1947 March 27
Premiere of the
Minotaur
, a ballet commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein for the Ballet Society
1950
Received a Guggenheim Fellowship in musical composition; composed
String Quartet no. 1
1960
Awarded Pulitzer Prize for Music for
String Quartet no. 2
1961
Awarded Sibelius Medal
1971
Received American Academy of Arts and Letters gold medal
1973
Awarded Pulitzer Prize for Music for
String Quartet no. 3
1985
Awarded the Ernst von Siemens Prize
Received the National Medal of the Arts
1996
Awarded Royal Philharmonic Society gold medal
1998
Inducted into the Classical Music Hall of Fame
Received Prince Rainier Foundation Music Award
2012 October 25
Dialogues II
premiered in Milan
2012 November 5
Died in New York City
Bibliography
Schiff, David and Mark D. Porcaro.
"Carter, Elliott (Cook)."
Grove Music Online. New York: Oxford University Press,
2013. https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2257467
Scope and Content Note
The Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other Papers chiefly contain manuscript scores,
parts, and sketches created by Carter between 1933 and 1971. The works represent a wide
range of his compositional output, featuring materials from his first three string
quartets,
Symphony no. 1
, ballet scores for Lincoln Kirstein, vocal and choral music, and extensive
sketches for the
Double Concerto
and
Piano Concerto
. Also included among the materials are several boxes of programs, a handful of
photographs, and a small quantity of personal papers. A more thorough description of
these items, as well as the other uncataloged music materials, will be added to this
finding aid in the future. All of the materials are classed in ML96.C288.
Arrangement
The Elliott Carter Music Manuscripts and Other Papers are organized in one series:
-
[Music, 1933-1971](musX)
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
Carter, Elliott, 1908-2012--Archives.
Carter, Elliott, 1908-2012.
Carter, Elliott, 1908-2012. Works. Selections.
Subjects
Ballets--Scores.
Chamber music--Scores.
Concertos--Scores.
Madrigals--Scores.
Music--United States--History and criticism.
Musical sketches.
Operas--Scores.
Orchestral music--Scores.
Sonatas (Piano)
String quartets--Scores.
Symphonies--Scores.
Variations (Orchestra)--Scores.
Form/Genre
Arrangements (Music)
Autographs (Manuscripts)
Ballets (Music)
Chamber music.
Concert programs.
Madrigals (Music)
Musical sketches.
Operas.
Parts (Music)
Photographs.
Scores.
Sonatas.
Symphonies.
Variations (Music)
Container List
Music, 1933-1971
1933-1971>
Chiefly holograph scores, sketches, and parts for original compositions by Carter.
Includes extensive sketches for his
Piano Concerto
,
Variations for Orchestra
, and his Pulitzer Prize-winning
String Quartet no. 3
.
A microfilm edition of select manuscripts are available on 22 reels that are
shelved under various call numbers detailed in the container list. To promote preservation of the originals, researchers are
required to consult the microfilm edition.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
[88754185]
6 Pieces for Kettledrums, 1950 November
1950
November
Onionskins of holograph scores; sketches;
fragments
Note: Includes more than one version of most of
the six original pieces
[64033138]
8 Etudes and a Fantasy, 1950
1950
Photocopy of holograph score for flute, oboe,
clarinet, and bassoon; revised holograph score (1961)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1816 C
[88754405]
8 Etudes and a Fantasy, 1949
1949
Sketches for flute, oboe, clarinet, and
bassoon
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1816
[2009547038]
Canonic Suite, 1950s?
1950s?
Holograph score for four alto
saxophones
[2009547037]
Canonic Suite, movement 1, 1954
1954
Onionskin of holograph score for four alto
saxophones with revisions
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1835
[2009547039]
Canonic Suite: Fanfare, 1939?
1939?
Onionskin of holograph score for four alto
saxophones
[2009547040]
Canonic Suite, movements 1 and 3, 1950s?
1950s?
Onionskin of holograph score for four trumpets
with revisions; sketches
[2009547047]
Cello Sonata, 1948
1948
Onionskin of holograph score and part
[2009547048]
Cello Sonata, 1948
1948
Ozalid of holograph score with revisions
(bound)
[2008561148]
Cello Sonata, 1948
1948
Sketches
[88754116]
Concerto for Orchestra, 1969 November 25
1969 November 25
Photocopy of holograph score; holograph score
(rejected pages); diagram; photocopy of sketches
[63050672]
The Defense of Corinth,
1941
1941
Onionskin of holograph score with revisions
[88753677]
Double Concerto, 1961 August
1961
Aug
Onionskin of holograph score for harpsichord,
piano, and two chamber orchestras
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1813 D
[88753679]
Double Concerto, 1961
1961
Photocopy of holograph score for harpsichord,
piano, and two ensembles, with annotations
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1813 D
[88753675]
Double Concerto, 1961
1961
Sketches for harpsichord, piano, and two
instrumental ensembles; holograph score (rejected)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1813 D
[88753674]
Double Concerto, 1961
1961
Sketches for harpsichord, piano, and two
instrumental ensembles (nine boxes)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1813, 1813 B, 1813 C, 1813 D
[63050670]
Elegy, 1944
1944
Title on score: Adagio for Viola and Piano
Holograph score and part; photocopy of holograph
score, with annotations
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1814 A
[63050629]
Elegy, 1961
1961
Holograph score for viola and piano; sketches for
piano
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1814 B
[88754249]
Elegy, 1943?
1943?
Title on score: Prelude for Viola and Piano
Holograph score for viola and piano
[64033139]
Elegy, 1944?
1944?
Title on score: Adagio for Cello and Piano
Onionskin of holograph score for cello and piano;
onionskin of holograph part
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1814 C
[88754246]
Elegy, 1946?
1946?
Holograph score for string quartet
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1814 E
[88754250]
Elegy, 1946?
1946?
Holograph score for string quartet with
revisions
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1814 C
[88754251]
Elegy, 1953?
1953?
Onionskin of holograph score for string
orchestra
[88754248]
Elegy, 1944?
1944?
Onionskin of holograph viola part
[88754247]
Elegy, 1961 September
1961
September
Sketches
[63050623]
Emblems,
1947
1947
Onionskin of holograph score for TTBB chorus and
piano
[88754489]
Emblems,
1947
1947
Sketch for TTBB chorus and piano
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1815 A
[88754031]
Exercises, 1933-1935
1933-1935
Title on box: Counterpoint Exercises with Nadia Boulanger,
1933-1935
Holograph score
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1817
[88754323]
Harmony of Morning,
1944
1944
Text by Mark van Doren
Onionskin of holograph chorus score
[88754320]
Harmony of Morning,
1944
1944
Text by Mark van Doren
Onionskin of holograph piano-vocal score
(incomplete)
[88754319]
Harmony of Morning,
1944
1944
Sketches for SSAA chorus and chamber
orchestra
[88754182]
Heart Not So Heavy As Mine,
1938 Dec
1938
December
Text by Emily Dickinson
Onionskin of holograph score for SATB chorus
[63050616]
Holiday Overture, 1944
1944
Onionskin of holograph score
[88754407]
Holiday Overture, 1960 November 2
1960 November 2
Onionskin of holograph score
(incomplete)
[2015560551]
Holiday Overture, 1944?
1944?
Holograph score for piano, four hands
Note: Labeled as Piano-Duet Score no. 94
[88754408]
Holiday Overture, 1960
1960
Sketches
[89750026]
Let's Be Gay: Act 2, Scene 4, 1937?
1937?
Holograph score (incomplete)
[2009536229]
Minotaur,
1947
1947
Sketches
[88754120]
Mostellaria: Tarantella, 1936
1936
Text by Ovid
Holograph score for TTBB chorus and piano, four
hands
Also available on microfilm, 88/20,045
[89750024]
Mostellaria: Recordatus mult' et diu cogitavi,
1936?
1936?
Text by Ovid
Holograph piano-vocal score
[88754191]
Musicians Wrestle Everywhere, 1948?
1948?
Text by Emily Dickinson
Holograph score for SSATB chorus
[88754187]
Musicians Wrestle Everywhere, 1945 June
1945
June
Text by Emily Dickinson
Onionskin of holograph score for SSATB chorus
[88754189]
Musicians Wrestle Everywhere, 1945?
1945?
Text by Emily Dickinson
Holograph score for SSATB chorus and optional
string orchestra
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1820
[88754494]
Pastoral for Piano and Viola (or English Horn or
Clarinet), 1940
1940
Photocopy of holograph score (pasteovers);
parts
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1822 A
[64059755]
Pastoral, for Piano and Viola (or English Horn
or Clarinet), 1945
1945
Proof of printed score and parts
[88754492]
Pastoral for Piano and Viola (or English Horn or
Clarinet), 1940
1940
Photocopy of holograph score with
annotations
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1822 A
[2016564039]
Piano Concerto, 1965-1966
1965-1966
Two boxes of material: Holograph scores for
orchestra; holograph scores for piano; correspondence; notes
[88753759]
Piano Concerto, 1965
1965
Sketches (15 boxes)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1836
[2009547044]
Piano Sonata, 1946
1946
Onionskin of holograph score
[2009547046]
Piano Sonata, 1946
1946
Manuscript score with annotations
[2009547045]
Piano Sonata, 1946
1946
Blackline of holograph score with pasteovers;
proof of printed score (incomplete)
[2009546682]
Piano Sonata, undated
undated
Sketches
[64033092]
Piano Sonata, 1940s
1940s
Sketches
[88753853]
Pocahontas,
1936
1936
Holograph score for piano
[88753858]
Pocahontas,
1939?
1939?
Holograph score for orchestra
(incomplete)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1821
[88753856]
Pocahontas,
1936?
1936?
Holograph score for piano (incomplete)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1821
[88753863]
Pocahontas,
1939?
1939?
Holograph score for two pianos (incomplete);
photocopy of score cut from ballet
[88753851]
Pocahontas,
1939?
1939?
Sketches
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1821
[88753860]
Pocahontas Suite, 1939?
1939?
Holograph score; rejected leaves; revised
score
[88754412]
Prelude, Fanfare, and Polka, 1952?
1952?
Onionskin of holograph score for orchestra;
sketch of Fanfare
[2009547043]
Sonata for Flute, Oboe, Cello, and Harpsichord,
1952
1952
Sketches
[88754030]
String Quartet no. 1, 1951?
1951?
Holograph score
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1824 A
[62028979]
String Quartet no. 1, 1951
1951
Onionskin of holograph score
[2009547041]
String Quartet no. 1, 1951
1951
Ozalid of holograph score with handwritten
revisions and additional tempo markings
[2009547042]
String Quartet no. 1, 1951
1951
Two Ozalids of holograph scores with handwritten
revisions and additional tempo markings
[88754029]
String Quartet no. 1, 1951?
1951?
Sketches
[63050617]
String Quartet no. 2, 1959
1959
Onionskin of holograph score
[88753760]
String Quartet no. 3, 1970-1971
1970-1971
Sketches (5 boxes)
[2009547072]
Symphony no. 1, 1942
1942
Onionskin of holograph score
[2009547073]
Symphony no. 1, 1942-1954
1942-1954
Ozalid of holograph score with handwritten
revisions
[88754028]
Symphony no. 1: movements 2 and 3, 1942?
1942?
Holograph score for piano
[88753769]
Symphony no. 1, 1942
1942
Holograph score (rejected pages)
[2009547074]
Symphony no. 1, 1942
1942
Sketches
[88753768]
Symphony no. 1, 1942?
1942?
Sketchbook
[88754192]
To Music,
1936
1936
Text by Robert Herrick
Onionskin of holograph score for SATB chorus
Also available on microfilm, 88/20,045
[88753758]
Variations for Orchestra, 1955?
1955?
Sketches (.5 linear feet)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1833 A
[63050620]
Variations for Orchestra, 1954-1955
1954-1955
Onionskin of holograph score
[88754326]
Warble for Lilac Time, 1943
1943
Text by Walt Whitman
Holograph score for soprano and chamber
orchestra
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1834
[88754328]
Warble for Lilac Time, 1955
1955
Text by Walt Whitman
Onionskin of holograph score for soprano or tenor
and chamber orchestra
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1834
[88754404]
Warble for Lilac Time, 1942?
1942?
Text by Walt Whitman from "Autumn Rivulets"
Photocopy of holograph score for voice and piano;
holograph revised score (1955)
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1834
[88754483]
Woodwind Quintet, 1948
1948
Onionskin of holograph score for flute, oboe,
clarinet, horn, and bassoon
[88754485]
Woodwind Quintet: movement 2, 1940s
1940s
Title on score: Piece for W.W. Quintet
Holograph parts for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn,
and bassoon; manuscript score (incomplete)
Note: Early version of second movement
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1826
[88754486]
Woodwind Quintet, 1948?
1948?
Sketches for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and
bassoon
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1826
[88754487]
Woodwind Quintet, 1948?
1948?
Sketches for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and
bassoon
Also available on microfilm, MUSIC-1826