Rabinov (Irwin) Collection, 1965-1980

Summary

Title:

Irwin Rabinov Collection

Dates:

1965-1980

Abstract:

Rare opera and vocal recordings on open reel tape, from the collection of Irwin Rabinov.

Extent:

23 boxes : 834 open reel tapes (27 5" reels ; 807 7" reels)

Language:

Multiple languages

Preferred citation:

Irwin Rabinov Collection, ARS-0111. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

The Irwin Rabinov Collection consists of over eight hundred reels of opera and vocal performances, built over a period of fifteen years of trading with other collectors around the world. The collection, which features hundreds of obscure composers and works, was donated in 1980 by his son David, following Irwin's passing. At the time of its accession, the Rabinov Collection was considered a massive reference library, constituting (in the words of appraiser Ted Fagan) "a broad-ranging and comprehensive collection of both commercially and privately recorded opera performances from all over the world." While the days of tape trading networks have been superceded by file-sharing, there are undoubtedly many underdocumented rarities hidden here.

A paper contents listing is available at the Archive, listed alphabetically by composer in seven groups. The first list is the largest, and contains (in Irwin's own description) "operas, operettas, musicals, zarzuelas, and special movies." The second list contains "shows and singers on 78 rpm records." The third list contains plays. The fourth list is "oratorios, cantatas, religious and secular specials," the fifth is "poems, songs, song cycles, and vocal specials," the sixth list is all ballet, and list number seven contains "symphonies, concertos, and tone poems." There is also information on the recordings written on tape boxes. No original sources are identified on the tapes or in the contents listing, but at least a portion of the material are dubs from commercial releases.

Acquisition information:

The Irwin Rabinov Collection was donated to the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound by David Rabinov in 1980.

Processing information:

This finding aid was produced with generous financial support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Rules or conventions:

Prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Operas

Names:

Rabinov, Irwin

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:

Finding aid prepared by Franz Kunst

Date Prepared:

© 2011

Date Encoded:

Produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2011-08-25T14:49-0700

Restrictions:

Open for research; material must be requested at least two business days in advance of intended use. Contact the Archive for assistance.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with repository. Publication and reproduction rights reside with the creators or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Head Librarian of the Archive of Recorded Sound.

Preferred citation:

Irwin Rabinov Collection, ARS-0111. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:

Stanford University, Archive of Recorded Sound

Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall

Stanford, CA 94305-3076, US

Contact:

(650) 723-9312

soundarchive@stanford.edu

Website