The papers of composer Walther Wilhelm Klein (Walther Klein) were donated to the Music Library in July 1987 by his only son, Gerhard Klein. The papers consist primarily of his music manuscripts, as well as his translations into German of texts set to music by composers such as Honegger and Poulenc. Biographical papers and pedagogical documents and writings also form part of the collection. Correspondence documenting his personal friendships with Giacinto Scelsi, Ernst Toch and Fritz Reiner are included.

A native of Austria and longtime resident of Vienna, Klein immigrated to the United States in 1939. A composer and music theory teacher, Klein obtained his doctorate from the University of Vienna in 1905 and pursued a teaching career with the Vienna State Academy of Music, the American Summer School at Mondsee, the Austro-American Institute and the Hellerau Eurythmics School. On his arrival in the U.S., he settled on the West Coast and obtained a teaching position with Mills College, Oakland and subsequently with The Katharine Branson High School in Ross, California. Among his published works are Zwolf Lieder, published by Breitkopf & Hartel, 1920.

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Music Library.

Collection is open for research.