Moran (William R.) Sound Recording Collection, 1902-1984

Summary

Title:

William R. Moran Sound Recording Collection

Dates:

1902-1984

Creators:

Moran, William R.

Abstract:

Rare recordings on custom vinyl pressings of opera and Western art music, donated by collector and researcher William Moran.

Extent:

18 boxes: approx. 700 discs (about 280 10" discs and 410 12" discs) ; six open reel tapes ; ten metal parts ; approx. twelve folders of papers

Preferred citation:

William R. Moran Sound Recording Collection, ARS-0075, Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

The William R. Moran Sound Recording Collection consists largely of custom vinyl pressings of rare or unreleased early 20th century vocal art music, donated to the Archive by collector William Moran. There are also some shellac pressings and metal parts (mothers and stampers). The collection numbers approximately 700 discs, many of which are cancelled releases, alternate takes, or otherwise commercially unavailable records. Most recording sessions originally produced by the Victor company, although there are some H.M.V. and Columbia recordings. Many are releases from the International Record Collectors' Club series of limited reissues. A detailed contents list is available.

Biographical / historical:

William Rodes Moran (1919-2004) was a collector, researcher, writer, and discographer, particularly in the field of early sound recordings and vocal art music. His monumental Victor discography with Ted Fagan formed the basis for the on-line Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings (http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/), but he authored or contributed to countless books. Moran was a singular presence at the Archive of Recorded Sound, and this collection reflects only a fraction of the material he donated.

Acquisition information:

The William R. Moran Sound Recording Collection was donated to the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound by William Moran from 1987 to 1993.

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

Related resources

Related material:

Stanford University Archives holds the William R. Moran Collection, BRN-003, which chronicles Moran's occupation as an oil field surveyor. Moran graduated from Stanford with a degree in geology. University of California, Santa Barbara Libraries holds a William R. Moran Collection, PA Mss 57, which contains his writing, music research, and sound recordings.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Operas
Vocal music.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:

Finding aid prepared by Franz Kunst

Date Prepared:

© 2011

Date Encoded:

This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2011-01-10T11:24-0800

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:

William R. Moran Sound Recording Collection, ARS-0075, 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