Cohen (Larry) Bernard Herrmann It's Alive collection, 1973, 2004

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Summary

Title:
Larry Cohen Bernard Herrmann It's Alive collection
Dates:
1973, 2004
Creators:
Cohen, Larry, 1936-2019 and Timpone, Anthony
Abstract:
Collection of Bernard Herrmann material belonging to director Larry Cohen, including the complete original manuscript score to It's Alive by Herrmann, as well as Herrmann's sixty-three page music cue sheet, twelve photographs from the score recording sessions for the 1974 film, one concert program, and a letter (2004) to Cohen from horror author, editor, and producer Tony Timpone.
Extent:
1.67 Linear Feet (1 oversize flat box)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Larry Cohen Bernard Herrmann It's Alive, collection, PA Mss 263. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection of Bernard Herrmann material belonging to director Larry Cohen, including the complete original manuscript score to It's Alive by Herrmann, as well as Herrmann's sixty-three page music cue sheet and twelve photographs from the score recording sessions for the 1974 film.

The score is signed on the first page, signed and dated "Dec 1973" on the last page, and stamped "Composed by Bernard Herrmann" at the top right of the first page, with holograph annotations by Herrmann in red and magenta marker and pencil throughout, as well as amendments on overlayed labels.

The manuscript includes two variants of the first page. The first is missing a line for Moog synthesizer, with the annotations "+ Moog," below Solo V. D'amore, and "Copy V. da + Moog together." The second variant includes the line for Moog synthesizer and has the right side of the page overlayed by an annotated xerographic duplication of the first, stapled to the page. The score, written for horns, winds, harps, viola d'amore, Moog synthesizer, electric bass, organ, and percussion, is composed in 38 parts, with reel and cue numbers noted.

Herrmann's 63-page music cue sheet contains three holograph annotations by Herrmann in red pencil and black marker.

The twelve black-and-white photographs are from the 1973 (December 24, 27) score recording sessions at St. Giles Cripplegate Church in London. Six photographs include Herrmann and Cohen, two with annotations on the back, one in Cohen's hand. Two photographs are of Herrmann at the mixing board, one with Cohen and three crew members, and the second, a blue tinted vertical enlargement of the same photograph featuring just Herrmann and Cohen.

Three photographs are close up shots of Herrmann conducting, one of which has the annotation on the back, in Cohen's hand, noting the session was "during power shortage / blackout - Xmas 1974. Freezing cold - orchestra + conductor / wearing coats." Lastly, a photograph of Herrmann and orchestra mid-performance, annotated on the back in Cohen's hand.

The inscribed concert program is from the "Byron Concert," which commemorated the 150th anniversary of the death of Lord Byron, and was conducted by Herrmann at the Theatre Royal on April 21, 1974.

The autograph letter from Timpone, dated October 28, 2004, on Starlog Entertainment letterhead, thanks Cohen for participating in the Bravo television special "The 100 Scariest Scenes of All Time," and an upcoming Fangoria convention.

Acquisition information:
Library purchase, 2022.
Physical location:
Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Special Research Collections staff, 2022.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-06-03 09:04:54 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.

All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB 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. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Larry Cohen Bernard Herrmann It's Alive, collection, PA Mss 263. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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