Mattis (Olivia) Collection, 1988-1990

Summary

Title:

Olivia Mattis Collection

Dates:

1988-1990

Creators:

Mattis, Olivia

Abstract:

Interviews with avant-garde composers by musicologist Olivia Mattis.

Extent:

1 box : 17 10.5" open reel tapes

Language:

Multiple languages

Preferred citation:

Olivia Mattis Collection, ARS-0107. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Interviews with avant-garde composers by musicologist Olivia Mattis, conducted while Mattis was a doctoral student at Stanford University studying Edgard Varèse. Thus, many of the subjects are family and associates of Varèse (many of whom are from the art world rather than music), and his name tends to come up in many of the interviews. Mattis was also the first person to interview Léon Thérémin after he emerged from over fifty years of Soviet seclusion in 1989. While the transcript for this interview has been published, less commonly found is the recording from the same tape of a theremin demonstration played by his daughter Natalia. The number of notable composers represented in the collection is impressive: Cage, Xenakis, Babbitt, Leuning, Schaeffer, Ussachevsky… Captured at the twilight of the twentieth century, there would be few further opportunities to hear the recollections of these brilliant creators. The collection also contains a rare interview with rock musician Frank Zappa, a known Varèse acolyte. Musicians, conductors, and artists are also among the interviewed. Sessions were in English and other languages (French, Russian) with an interpreter, and took place for the most part in Paris and New York City. These first generation copies (most of which have never been played) were dubbed from her original audiocassettes between 1989 and 1990, while Mattis was briefly employed at the Archive of Recorded Sound. Copies also appear to have been deposited at Yale University.

Acquisition information:

The Olivia Mattis Collection was donated to the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound by Olivia Mattis in 1990.

Processing information:

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

Arrangement:

Reels have been numbered 1-17. Many interviews are contained on more than one reel. Approximate duration has been noted when evident.

Rules or conventions:

Prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Avant-garde (Music)
Interviews

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:

Finding aid prepared by Franz Kunst

Date Prepared:

© 2011

Date Encoded:

Produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2011-08-12T16:57-0700

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:

Olivia Mattis Collection, ARS-0107. 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

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