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Mathews (Max V.) Papers
SC1107
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
Undetermined
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Max V. Mathews papers
creator:
Mathews, Max V.
Identifier/Call Number: SC1107
Physical Description:
20.5 Linear Feet
(16 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1953-2011
Abstract: Correspondence, articles, lab
notebooks, musical scores, audio recordings, computer files, and other materials related to
the professional work of computer music pioneer Max V. Mathews.
Physical Location: Special Collections and University
Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36-48 hours in advance. For more
information on paging collections, see the department's website:
http://library.stanford.edu/spc .
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
This collection was given to Stanford University, Special Collections, by Marjorie Mathews
in April 2012.
Computer files are closed pending processing; otherwise the materials are open for research
use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to
a digital use copy.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must
be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
University Libraries, Stanford, California 94305-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special
Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright
owner, heir(s) or assigns. See:
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
[identification of item], Max V. Mathews Papers (SC1107). Dept. of Special Collections and
University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Max V. Mathews, often cited as "the father of computer music," was born in Columbus, NE on
November 13, 1926. After training as a radio technician in the Navy, he attended the
California Institute of Technology, where he received a bachelor's degree in electrical
engineering in 1950. He received a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in
1954.
Mathews joined the Bell Labs acoustical and behavioral research department in 1955. While
there, he developed a computer program that allowed an IBM mainframe to compose and play a
17 second composition. Subsequent versions of this program, called Music, led to the
development of popular computer music software such as CSounds and CMix, as well as MAX, a
programming language for music named in his honor. Mathews was also the inventor of the
Radio Baton, an electronic device for control of music in Midi format, and several electric
violins. His collaborators included composers John Cage and Pierre Boulez. In the 1970s, he
assisted Boulez in establishing the Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique
in Paris.
Mathews directed the acoustical and behavioral research center at Bell Labs from 1962 to
1985, at which time he accepted the position of Professor of Music (Research) at Stanford
University. While at Stanford, he was affiliated with the Center for Computer Research in
Music and Acoustics. Following his retirement as Professor Emeritus in 2005, he remained
active in the electronic music field until his death on April 21, 2011.
The collection includes correspondence, articles, lab notebooks, musical scores, audio
recordings, computer files, and other materials related to the professional work of computer
music pioneer Max V. Mathews. Correspondents of note include Jean-Claude Risset and Pierre
Boulez. Also included are several films by Lillian Schwartz with music by Mathews.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Music -- Acoustics and physics.
Slides.
Computer music.
Electronic musical instuments
Audiotapes.
Videorecordings.
Electronic music
Audiovisual.
Mathews, Marjorie
Stanford University. Center for Computer Research in
Music and Acoustics
Schwartz, Lillian F. (Lillian Feldman)
IRCAM (Research institute : France)
Risset, Jean-Claude
Bell Telephone Laboratories
Cage, John
Boulez, Pierre
Mathews, Max V.
Knowlton, Kenneth C.
Stanford University. Department of Music