Kur-Zhene (Massard) papers, 1920-1989

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Summary

Title:
Massard Kur-Zhene papers
Dates:
1920-1989
Creators:
Kur Zhene, Massard
Abstract:
This collection consists of manuscript papers, music scores, scripts, and audiovisual materials of Iranian American composer Massard Kur-Zhene. This collection contains work produced by Massard under various spellings of his last name- Kur Zhene, Kur-Zhene, Kurzhene, and Kurzen; as well as his pseudonym, Guido Vandt.
Extent:
12.50 Linear Feet (9 cartons, 3 flat boxes, 1 oversize record box, 40 discs, 55 audiotape reels)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Massard Kur-Zhene papers, PA Mss 261. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of manuscript papers, music scores, photographs, scripts, personal papers, a painting of Guido Vandt, and audiovisual materials of Iranian American composer and lyricist Massard Kur-Zhene. Also included are 24 original orchestral scores- "Near and Far" and "Peopledom," a United Nations march by Guido Vandt. Audiovisual materials consist of 55 audio reels and nine 16" Vitaphone discs. Many of the audio reels are recordings of his compositions for "Due East." The Vitaphone discs and a photograph of Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance were from the 1930 silent film, The Silent enemy : an epic of the American Indian which Massard composed.

Biographical / historical:

Massard Meir Kur-Zhene was born on March 15, 1900 in Shiraz, Iran. He graduated from a Russian conservatory and begun touring Europe at the age of 12. Massard found voice in the New York City vaudeville circuit. He became a well known violonist composer and lyricist, composing for films and musicals. Some of his popular work included: "Begone" and the 1930 silent film Silent Enemy. Massard also wrote and composed under the name Guido Vandt. Some of his work under Guido included: "Due East - Near and Far", "Good Neighbor: Buen Vecino Bom Vizinho", and "Happy Little Island."

Massard died January 16, 1989 in a fire at his residence in New York City.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Karen Altlast, Executrix of the Estate of Aaron Kurzen, 2023.
Processing information:

This collection has not been fully processed due to the condition of the materials.

Arrangement:

This collection has been arranged at the box level with the following series: Artifacts, audiovisual materials, manuscripts, musical scores, personal materials, photographs, and scripts.

Physical location:
Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Holly Snyder, 2024.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-09-24 09:50:30 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Materials in the collection are fragile and may require special handling. Please contact the Department of Special Research Collections in advance to request access.

Audiovisual materials must be reformatted for access. Please contact the Department of Special Research Collections in advance to request access.

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 requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB Library at special@ucsb.edu. Credit shall be given as follows: Copyright, Regents of the University of California, acting through the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB Library.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Massard Kur-Zhene papers, PA Mss 261. 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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