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Bat-Yaacov (Dena) papers
PASC-M.0057
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Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Dena Bat-Yaacov papers
Creator:
Bat-Yaacov, Dena
Identifier/Call Number: PASC-M.0057
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear Feet
(2 boxes and 1 oversize box)
Date (inclusive): 1948-1981
Abstract: Dena Bat-Yaacov (1932-1981) was a concert pianist specializing in the work of Jewish composers, particularly Charles Alkan.
Born in Denver, Colorado, she relocated to Los Angeles in her twenties and spent the rest of her life in that city. The collection
includes biographical and promotional materials, including publicity photos, some correspondence, and recital programs spanning
her performance career.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
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Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other 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
Bequest of Dena Bat-Yaacov, 1985.
[Identification of item], Dena Bat-Yaacov Papers (Collection PASC-M 57). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young
Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
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UCLA Catalog Record ID:
9942303623606533
Dena Bat-Yaacov was born Dena Heller in Denver, Colorado, on September 9, 1932. She began piano lessons at age seven, the
same year she entered Hebrew school, and made her public debut at thirteen. After attending the University of Colorado, where
she studied under Howard Waltz, Bat-Yaacov transferred to the Music Academy of the West in Montecito, California, where she
studied with Sarah Compinsky. Later in her career, she studied with Bernardo Segal, Alvin Davis, Edward Auer, and Earle Voorhies.
In 1952 she married Arnold Shevitz in Los Angeles, and the couple had two daughters before divorcing. In 1965 she married
again, to Jerome Millman, a Los Angeles physician. The Millmans divorced in 1972.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Bat-Yaacov performed with various chamber music ensembles, as a soloist with orchestras, and
in solo recital. She also gave private lessons. After a trip to Israel in 1972, she adopted the name Bat-Yaacov and focused
primarily on the work of Jewish composers. Her commentary-recitals were popular with Jewish community groups and at Temple
services in Southern California, but she also performed for wider audiences at UCLA and El Camino College. In 1976 she was
introduced to the work of French-Jewish composer Charles Alkan, and spent the remainder of her life devoted to mastering Alkan's
compositions and raising his public profile through concerts of his work. She began performing all-Alkan recitals in 1979,
including concerts at Steinway Hall in Los Angeles and California State University in Fullerton, among others.
Dena Bat-Yaacov died in Los Angeles in 1981, at the age of 49.
Collection materials primarily pertain to Bat-Yaacov's performance career, including biographical and promotional materials,
publicity photos, and programs. Programs span three decades and include Bat-Yaacov's early student performances, as well as
adult ensemble and solo performances. There is a small amount of correspondence, much of it devoted to arranging concert dates.
Also included is Bat-Yaacov's research into Jewish heritage and music, and the composer Charles Alkan, which she related as
commentary during her recitals. There is a small amount of personal material including high school yearbooks, a scrapbook,
and a few family photographs.
Collection arranged alphabetically by subject.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pianists -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives.
Bat-Yaacov, Dena -- Archives
Alkan, Charles-Valentin