Finding Aid for the Mortimer Wilson Collection of silent film music compositions and arrangement, 1883-1930, bulk 1910-1930

Processed by Peggy Alexander, March 2013; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.

UCLA Library Special Collections

Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575

Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/

Descriptive Summary

Title: Mortimer Wilson Collection of silent film music compositions and arrangement

Date (inclusive): 1883-1930, bulk 1910-1930

Collection number: 54-M

Creator: Wilson, Mortimer, 1876-1932.

Extent: 21 boxes (10.5 linear ft.)

Abstract: This collection consists of manuscripts, with some photocopies, sketches, and scores.

Language: Finding aid is written in English.

Language of the Material: Materials are in English.

Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.

Los Angeles, California 90095-1575

Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections for paging information.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections for paging information.

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mortimer Wilson, Jr., 1984.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Mortimer Wilson Collection of silent film music compositions and arrangement (Collection Number 54-M). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Biography/History

Wilson was born on Aug. 6, 1876 in Chariton, IA; studied in Chicago with Jacobsohn, Gleason, and Middelschulte (1894-1900); taught theory at University School of Music in Lincoln, NE (1901-7); spent 3 years in Leipzig, Germany, studying with Sitt and Reger; was at the Atlanta Conservatory in 1911 and conducted the Symphony Orchestra; taught at Brenau College, Gainesville, GA (1916-18); was consulting editor for the National Academy of Music in NY; wrote The rhetoric of music (1907); composed 5 symphonies, chamber music, and many songs and piano pieces; wrote music for silent films produced by Douglas Fairbanks, including The thief of Bagdad (1924), Don Q., son of Zorro (1925), and The black pirate (1926); died on Jan. 27, 1932, in New York.

Scope and Content

Collection consists predominantly of manuscripts, with some photocopies, sketches, and scores (short and full). Includes original compositions, transcriptions and arrangements created to accompany silent films, such as Don Q., son of Zorro, The thief of Bagdad, and The black pirate. Also includes some published music, miscellaneous material, and music for piano, organ, chamber groups, and orchestra.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Wilson, Mortimer, 1876-1932--Archives.

Composers--United States--Archival resources.

Silent film music.

Music--Manuscripts.

Genres and Forms of Material

Scores.

Container List

Wilson Compositions

Box 15

Annie Laurie

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript score.

Box-Folder 1,9

Bagatelles for Piano, op. 12 1910

creator: Composer's Music.

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript and published copy (1920).

Box 8

Chimes at Uletide (opus extra)

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box-Folder 1,3

Dandelion, Op. 1

Scope and Content Note

Published.

Box 6

Don Q., Son of Zorro

Scope and Content Note

Piano sketches. Manuscript copy.

Box-Folder 1,6

Echoes From Childhood, op. 4 1906

creator: Theodore Presser Co..

Scope and Content Note

20 songlets.

Box 4

Euterpean Lyrics for String Orchestra, op. 28 1916

creator: J. Fischer.

Box-Folder 1,2

Evening, Op. 1 1901

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript

Box 2

Fantasy on Pan-American Tunes

Scope and Content Note

Incomplete manuscript short score.

Box 8

Four Songs for Medium Voice, op. 59 1918

Scope and Content Note

Carpe Diem -- A Ditty -- to Daffodils -- String.

Box 5

From My Youth, op. 5 1910

Scope and Content Note

For piano trio. Manuscript and published copy.

Box 4

In Georgia (op. 25, no. 1) 1916

creator: Bryant Music Co..

Scope and Content Note

Contents: Uncle Ned's Story -- Who's Afraid -- As the Sun Sets -- On the Chatahoochee. Manuscript and published copy (1917). Includes notations for correction of printing, piano/conductor parts for orchestration, and a manuscript full score and set of parts.

Box 8

In Palestine, op. 58, no. 3

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 8

Interpretative Dances, op. 54, no. 1 1918

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript parts and partitur.

Box-Folder 1,1

Princess Nocturn, op. 1

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 4

Psalm 150, op. 27 1916

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript

Box-Folder 1,5

Romance for Violin and Piano 1905

Box 6

Songs of the Sea

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box-Folder 1,4

Symphonic Suite no. 3, op. 2: Country Dance 1905

creator: J. Fischer.

Box-Folder 1,7

Seven Preludes for the Organ, op. 7 1910

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript and published copy (1916).

Box 3

Sonata in C Major, op. 17 1920

creator: Composers Music.

Scope and Content Note

For the organ.

Box 8

Sonatilla for piano, op. 52 1918

creator: Composers Music.

Box 4

Sonatinas for string quartet, op. 45, nos. 1-2 1917

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 8

Suite Petite for Violin and Piano, op. 57 1918

creator: Composers Music.

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript and published copy (1919).

Box 4

Suwanee Sketches for violin and piano, op. 39 1917

creator: Composers Music.

Box-Folder 1,8

Symphony no. 1, op. 8: The Sun is Sinking Fast 1910

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box-Folder 1,10

Symphony no. 2, op. 13: Quintette in D minor 1910

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 9

Symphony no. 2 Concerto Grosso in D minor, op. 13

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 7

Symphony no. 3, op. 18 "The Quaker" 1912

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 6

Thief of Baghdad op. 74, nos. 1 & 2

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript piano conductor's score and parts.

Box 3

Trio in G minor, op. 15 1910

creator: Composers Music.

Box 4

Trio in C Major, op. 35 1917

Scope and Content Note

For violin, cello and piano. Manuscript.

Box 2

To the Evening Star

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 2

Twelve Military Marches 1883-1901

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 2

Violin Sonata no. 1 in D, op. 14 1910

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript. Transcribed for strings and harp.

Box 3

Violin Sonata in E, no. 1 and 2, op. 16 1914

creator: Boston Music Co..

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript and published score.

Box 3

Violin Sonata in F minor, no. 3 (Dixie Sonata), op. 19 1913

Scope and Content Note

Manuscript.

Box 8

The Young Virtuoso, Travel Pictures for piano, four hands, op. 58 1918

Scope and Content Note

No. 1 In Britanny -- No. 2: In Egypt -- No. 3: In Palestine -- No. 4: In China -- No. 5: In Armenia -- No. 6: In Spain -- No. 6: In Norway -- No. 7: In Ireland.

Transcriptions

Box 14

Choral Theme

creator: Franck

Box 14

Erotik

creator: Grieg

Box 18

Unprocessed Manuscript Materials

Correspondence

Box 15

Letter to J. Fischer and Bros. 1920 July 16

Scope and Content Note

Re: Manuscript Euterpean lyrics, Scenes from a Marionette, operetta for violin and piano, Solo Hymns for medium voice.

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