Guide to the Leonard Berkowitz Collection

Special Collections & Archives

University Library

California State University, Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330-8326

URL: https://library.csun.edu/SCA

Contact: https://library.csun.edu/SCA/Contact

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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives

Title: Leonard Berkowitz Collection

Creator: Berkowitz, Leonard, 1919-2007

Identifier/Call Number: SC.LBC

Extent: 10.38 linear feet

Date (inclusive): 1914-2000

Date (bulk): 1963-1969

Abstract: The Leonard Berkowitz Collection documents Berkowitz's musical and academic career during his tenure at California State University, Northridge, from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. The collection includes musical scores and audio recordings composed and produced by Berkowitz, as well as works by other composers.

Language of Material: English

Biographical Information:

Leonard Berkowitz was born on February 8, 1919 in Woodbury County, Iowa, to parents David and Anna (neé Kozberg) Berkowitz who emigrated from Russia to the United States in the first decade of the twentieth century. Sometime between 1927 and 1930, his father passed away, and Leonard, his mother, and sister relocated to Southern California, where he attended Los Angeles High School, graduating in 1936. Following high school, Berkowitz attended Yale University, and completed a bachelor's degree in music.

Berkowitz enlisted in the United States Army on October 9, 1941 and served until discharged on September 12, 1945. After a brief visit to the Los Angeles area, he returned to Yale and studied under famed German composer, musician, and conductor, Paul Hindemith. In 1948, Berkowitz completed a master's degree in Music Theory and Composition, and began teaching at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1961, Leonard Berkowitz and his wife, Lucille, moved to the Southern California area and settled in the San Fernando Valley, where he accepted an Associate Faculty position, in the Department of Music at San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN). In addition to teaching, Berkowitz composed many musical scores and performed his works at CSUN and various venues throughout Southern California. Following retirement in 1984, Berkowitz and his wife relocated to the Seattle, Washington area where he continued to perform locally and pursued an interest in fine art photography. Leonard Berkowitz passed away on September 16, 2007.

Scope and Contents

The Leonard Berkowitz Collection documents Berkowitz's musical and academic career during his tenure at California State University, Northridge, from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. The collection includes musical scores and audio recordings composed and produced by Berkowitz, as well as works by other composers. The collection has been divided into three series: Series I, Musical Scores by Leonard Berkowitz (1956-1973, 2000), Series II, Musical Scores by Other Composers (1914-1982), and Series III, Audio Recordings by Leonard Berkowitz (1962-1998).

Series I, Musical Scores by Leonard Berkowitz, has been divided into three subseries. Subseries A, Ensembles of Six or More Instruments (1963-1967), consists of conductor's scores and instrumental parts. His works are characterized by dense harmonies and instrumentation to create dramatic textural contrasts. Berkowitz uses free 12-tone compositional style and bimodality, as well as passages derived from the octatonic scale and other non-diatonic scales. Subseries B: Ensembles of Five or Less Instruments and Solo Works (1956-1973, 2000), consists of largely contrapuntal works, with strong rhythmic motives and disjunct melodies reminiscent of Paul Hindemith's style. Subseries C: Vocal Works (1964-1969), consists of compositions influenced by Renaissance madrigals and the chorales of J.S. Bach. The syllabic melodies of Berkowitz's vocal works are much more conjunct than those of his instrumental works. Each subseries is arranged chronologically, with instrumental parts in score order. Undated compositions are arranged alphabetically by composition title, and placed at the rear of the series.

Series II, Musical Scores by Other Composers, contains a small selection of music with notes on compositional styles, harmonic and structural analysis, and rehearsal notations penciled by Berkowitz. This series is arranged alphabetically by composer.

Series III, Audio Recordings, consists of the compositions of Leonard Berkowitz in eight volumes. Dates in this series reflect the date of recording and are arranged by volume number.

Arrangement of Materials:

Series I: Musical Scores by Leonard Berkowitz, 1956-1973, 2000

Subseries A: Ensembles of Six or More Instruments, 1963-1967

Subseries B: Ensembles of Five or Less Instruments and Solo Works, 1956-1973, 2000

Subseries C: Vocal Works, 1964-1969

Series II: Musical Scores by Other Composers, 1914-1982

Series III: Audio Recordings, 1962-1998

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Lucille Berkowitz, February 23, 2010.

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.

Processing Information:

Holli Teltoe, 2015

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Documents

Audiovisual materials

Series I: Musical Scores by Leonard Berkowitz, 1956-1973, 2000

Ensembles of Six or More Instruments, 1963-1967

Box 1, Folder 1

Toccata, Theme and Variations for Symphonic Band, full score, 1963

Box 1, Folder 2

Toccata, Theme and Variations for Symphonic Band, full score, 1963

Box 1, Folder 3

Toccata, Theme and Variations for Symphonic Band, full score, 1963

Box 1, Folder 4

Divertimento for Symphonic Winds, full score, 1965

Box 1, Folder 5

Divertimento for Symphonic Winds, full score

Box 1, Folder 6

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, full score, 1 of 2, 1967

Box 1, Folder 7

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, full score, 2 of 2, 1967

Box 1, Folder 8

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, full score, 1967

Box 1, Folder 9

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, full score, 1967

Box 1, Folder 10

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, full score, 1967

Box 2, Folder 1

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, full score, 1 of 2, 1967

Box 2, Folder 2

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, full score, 2 of 2, 1967

Box 2, Folder 3

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Piano, 1967

Box 2, Folder 4

Music for Orchestra, full score

Box 2, Folder 5

Music for Orchestra

Box 2, Folder 6

Music for Small Orchestra, full score

Box 2, Folder 7

Music for Winds, full score

Box 2, Folder 8

Three Movements for Chamber Orchestra, full score

Box 4, Folder 1

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Piccolo, 1967

Box 4, Folder 2

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Flute I, 1967

Box 4, Folder 3

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Flute II, 1967

Box 4, Folder 4

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Oboe I, 1967

Box 4, Folder 5

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Oboe II, 1967

Box 4, Folder 6

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Clarinet I, 1967

Box 4, Folder 7

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Clarinet I, 1967

Box 4, Folder 8

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Clarinet II, 1967

Box 4, Folder 9

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Clarinet III, 1967

Box 4, Folder 10

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Bass Clarinet, 1967

Box 4, Folder 11

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Bassoon I, 1967

Box 4, Folder 12

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Bassoon II, 1967

Box 4, Folder 13

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Horn I in F, 1967

Box 4, Folder 14

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Horn II, 1967

Box 4, Folder 15

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, 1967

Box 5, Folder 1

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, F-Horn IV, 1967

Box 5, Folder 2

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Bb Trumpet I, 1967

Box 5, Folder 3

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Bb Trumpet II, 1967

Box 5, Folder 4

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Trumpet III, 1967

Box 5, Folder 5

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Trombone I, 1967

Box 5, Folder 6

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Trombone II, 1967

Box 5, Folder 7

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Trombone III, 1967

Box 5, Folder 8

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Tuba, 1967

Box 5, Folder 9

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Percussion, 1967

Box 5, Folder 10

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, String Bass, 1967

Box 5, Folder 11

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, Timpani, 1967

Box 5, Folder 12

Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, folders, 1967

Box 5, Folder 13

Three Movements for Chamber Orchestra, Wind Parts

Box 5, Folder 14

Three Movements for Chamber Orchestra, Violin

Box 5, Folder 15

Three Movements for Chamber Orchestra, Viola, Cello, and Bass

Box 5, Folder 16

Music for Orchestra, Bassoon I and Violin I

Box 6, Folder 1

Music for Small Orchestra, Parts

Box 6, Folder 2

Music for Winds, Parts

Ensembles of Five or Less Instruments and Solo Works, 1956-1973, 2000

Box 2, Folder 9

Duo for Clarinet and Cello, full score

Box 2, Folder 10

String Trio, full score, Violin, Viola, Cello, 1956

Box 2, Folder 11

Trio for Piano, Violin, and Clarinet, 1973

Box 2, Folder 12

Three Pieces for Three Tenor Recorders, 2000

Box 3, Folder 1

Trio for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon

Box 3, Folder 2

Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Full score

Box 6, Folder 3

Pieces for Solo Clarinet

Box 6, Folder 4

Derivations for Piano Solo

Box 6, Folder 5

Sonata for Piano

Box 6, Folder 6

Three Pieces for Piano

Box 6, Folder 7

Duo for Violin and Piano, 1965

Box 6, Folder 8

Sonata for Cello and Piano, 1969

Box 6, Folder 9

Divertimento for Piano and Percussion, Full Score

Box 6, Folder 10

Duo for Flute and Cello

Box 6, Folder 11

Sonata for Clarinet and Piano

Box 6, Folder 12

Sonata Piano Duet, Full Score

Box 6, Folder 13

Sonata for Saxophone and Piano, Full Score

Box 6, Folder 14

Sonata for Viola and Piano

Box 7, Folder 1

Quintet for Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Horn, and Bassoon, Full Score, 1966

Vocal Works, 1964-1969

Box 3, Folder 3

Chamber Music for Women's Voices, Violin and Viola, or Piano

Box 7, Folder 2

Two Songs of Age and Youth for Voice and Piano, 1964

Box 7, Folder 3

Chamber Music for Women's Voices, Violin and Viola, or Piano, 1968

Box 7, Folder 4

Four Songs on Poems of Emily Dickinson, 1968

Box 7, Folder 5

Four Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson for Mixed Chorus

Box 7, Folder 6

Four Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson for Mixed Chorus

Box 7, Folder 7

Four Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson for Mixed Chorus

Box 7, Folder 8

Four Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson for Mixed Chorus

Box 7, Folder 9

The AMP Contemporary Choral Collection, 1969

Box 7, Folder 10

Sim Shalom, 1969

Box 7, Folder 11

Songs from Thoreau's Walden for Baritone Voice and Piano, 1969

Series II: Musical Scores by Other Composers, 1914-1982

Box 8, Folder 1

Bach, Johann Sebastian. A Second Book of Chorals. Boston, Massachusetts: E.C. Schirmer, 1932

Box 8, Folder 2

Beethoven, Ludwig van. Trio in B flat major - Opus 11. New York City, New York: International Music Company., 1952

Box 8, Folder 3

Beethoven, Ludwig van. Trio in E flat major - Opus 38 . New York City, New York: International Music Company.

Box 8, Folder 4

Brahms, Johannes. Quintet. London, England: Ernst Eulenburg Ltd., 1982

Box 8, Folder 5

d'Indy, Vincent. Trio in B flat major - Opus 29. New York City, New York: International Music Company.

Box 8, Folder 6

Dvorak, Anton. Slavonic Dances - Opus 46, nos. 1-4 . Melville: Belwin Mills Publishing Corp.

Box 8, Folder 7

Hindemith, Paul. Kleine Kammermusik für fünf Bläser . London, England: Schott., 1949

Box 8, Folder 8

Hindemith, Paul. Sonatas for Piano, Second Sonata. New York City, New York: Associated Music Publishers. 1936 Sonata Piano Duet. London, England: Schott., 1939

Box 8, Folder 9

Khachaturian, Aram. Trio. New York City, New York: International Music Company., 1948

Box 8, Folder 10

Kuhlau. Three Duets Opus 81, Arranged for Two Clarinets by P. Buys. New York City, New York: Carl Fischer, Inc., 1914

Box 8, Folder 11

Lasso, Orlando di. 12 canciones duarum vocum, TB . New York City, New York: Edwin F. Kalmus.

Box 8, Folder 12

Milhaud, Darius. Suite for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano. Paris, France: Éditions Salabert., 1937

Box 8, Folder 13

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. Trio in E flat major - K. 498. New York City, New York: International Music Company., 1953

Box 8, Folder 14

Reinecke, Carl. Trio in A major - Opus 264. New York City, New York: International Music Company.

Box 8, Folder 15

Schumann, Robert. Fairy Tales Opus 132. New York City, New York: International Music Company.

Box 8, Folder 16

Soderlund, George Fredric, and Scott, Samuel. Examples of Gregorian Chant and Sacred Music of the 16th Century. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1971

Box 8, Folder 17

Stravinsky, Igor. L'Histoire du Soldat. New York City, New York: International Music Company.

Box 8, Folder 18

Weber, Carl Maria von. Quintet in B flat major - opus 34. New York City, New York: International Music Company., 1958

Series III: Audio Recordings, 1962-1998

Box 9, Folder 1

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, Volume 1

Box 9, Folder 1, Item 1

Divertimento for Piano and Percussion, Ian Alvarez, percussion, and Joel Salsman, piano, 1992 April 5

Box 9, Folder 1, Item 2

Sonata for Four Hands (1st movement), Joel Salsman and Beverly Statter, piano, April 1989

Box 9, Folder 1, Item 3

Piano Trio #2, Salsman Trio, 1998 June 30

Box 9, Folder 1, Item 4

Sonata for Viola and Piano, G. Savage, viola, and Joel Salsman, piano

Box 9, Folder 1, Item 5

Duo for Flute and Cello, and John Heitman, flute, and Peter Rejto, cello

Box 9, Folder 2

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, Volume 2

Box 9, Folder 2, Item 1

Piano Sonata, Adrian Ruiz, piano

Box 9, Folder 2, Item 2

Sonata for Saxophone

Box 9, Folder 2, Item 3

Divertimento for Winds, CSUN Winds- C. Wiggins, conductor

Box 9, Folder 2, Item 4

Piano Concerto, Doris Stevens, piano, CSUN Winds- Kessner, conductor

Box 9, Folder 3

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, Volume 3

Box 9, Folder 3, Item 1

String Quartet (Washington, D.C.)

Box 9, Folder 3, Item 2

Trio for Clarinet, Flute, and Bassoon, Campo, clarinet, Heitman, flute, and Kibbe, bassoon

Box 9, Folder 3, Item 3

Trio for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano, Emanuel Compinsky, violin, Donald Fera, clarinet, and Sarah Compinsky, piano

Box 9, Folder 4

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, Volume 4

Box 9, Folder 4, Item 1

Music for Winds, CSUN Band - C. Wiggins, conductor, 1962

Box 9, Folder 4, Item 2

4 Dickinson Songs, CSUN Group- Lawson, conductor

Box 9, Folder 4, Item 3

Frost Piece - For Women's Voices, Violin, Viola, CSUN Group - Lawson, conductor

Box 9, Folder 4, Item 4

Toccata, Theme, and Variations, CSUN Band- C. Wiggins, conductor

Box 9, Folder 4, Item 5

Three Movements for Chamber Orchestra, CSUN Chamber Orchestra, Lawrence Christianson, conductor

Box 9, Folder 4, Item 6

Clarinet Pieces, Campo, clarinet

Box 9, Folder 5

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, Volume 5

Box 9, Folder 5, Item 1

String Trio, CSUN Trio

Box 9, Folder 5, Item 2

Woodwind Quintet, Westwind Quintet

Box 9, Folder 5, Item 3

Duo, Moderato - Fantasia - With Vigor, Matthew Weiss, violin, Joel Salsman, piano, 1965

Box 9, Folder 5, Item 4

Derivations, Joel Salsman, piano

Box 9, Folder 6

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, Volume 6

Box 9, Folder 6, Item 1

Music for Small Orchestra, CSUN Orchestra, Lawrence Christianson, conductor

Box 9, Folder 6, Item 2

Songs from Walden, David Murray, baritone, Helen Murray, piano

Box 9, Folder 6, Item 3

Piano Trio #1, Salsman Trio

Box 9, Folder 7

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, Volume 7

Box 9, Folder 7, Item 1

Three Pieces for Piano, Joel Salsman, piano

Box 9, Folder 7, Item 2

Cello Sonata, Kessner and Heerema, piano

Box 9, Folder 7, Item 3

Cello Sonata, Terry King, cello

Box 9, Folder 8

Compositions of Leonard Berkowitz, In Memoriam

Box 9, Folder 8, Item 1

In Memoriam, 41st Division, 1991