Finding Aid for the Paul Chihara Papers PASC-M.0154

UCLA Library Special Collections
Online finding aid last updated 2005.
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
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Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Paul Chihara papers
Creator: Chihara, Paul
Identifier/Call Number: PASC-M.0154
Physical Description: 3.5 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1965-2005
Abstract: Music manuscripts, published scores, sound recordings, published reviews, and photographs.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Restrictions on Access

Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Paul Chihara Papers (Collection PASC-M 154). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Processing Information

Processed by Peggy Alexander.
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UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 999642473606533 

Biography

American composer, Paul Chihara (b. Seattle, WA, July 9, 1938) studied composition with Robert Palmer at Cornell University (where he received an MA and DMA in English Literature), Nadia Boulanger in Paris, Ernst Pepping in Berlin, and Gunther Schuller at the Berkshire Music Center.
Chihara served as an associate professor of music at UCLA from 1966 through 1976. While at UCLA, he founded and directed the Twice Ensemble, conducted the collegium musicum and was composer in residence for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (1971-1974).
He served as the Andrew Mellon Professor at California Institute of Technology in 1975, and taught at the California Institute of the Arts in 1976. Chihara became the composer in residence for the San Francisco Ballet in 1980. He re-joined the UCLA faculty in 1996, and served as Visiting Professor in 1999.
Chihara has received commissions from many world-renowned performing institutions, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra,the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
His compositional style reflects his interest in asian music, and utilizes shifts in timbral coloring and limited pitch movement.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of music manuscripts, published scores, sound recordings, programs, published reviews, correspondence and photographs.
Highlights of the collection include annotated scores and notes on performance and composition by the composer.
The collection is arranged alphabetically by work title.
The collection is organized into the following series:
  • Series 1. Birds of Sorrow (Symphony No. 2)
  • Series 2. Clarion
  • Series 3. Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra
  • Series 4. Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra
  • Series 5. Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
  • Series 6. Fantasy
  • Series 7. Forest Music for Orchestra
  • Series 8. Forever Escher
  • Series 9. The Infernal Machine
  • Series 10. Lie Lightly Gentle Earth
  • Series 11. Minidoka
  • Series 12. Magnificat
  • Series 13. Mistletoe Bride
  • Series 14. Nocturne for 24 Solo Voices
  • Series 15. Oedipus Rag
  • Series 16. Prince of the City
  • Series 17. Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Violoncello
  • Series 18. Scéne de Ballet (for six instruments)
  • Series 19. Shinju = Lover's Suicide
  • Series 20. Shogun
  • Series 21. Sinfonia Concertante
  • Series 22. String Quartet in One Movement
  • Series 23. Tempest
  • Series 24. Tree Music for Three Violas and Three Trombones
  • Series 25. Trio for Violin, Bass Trombone and Harp
  • Series 26. Miscellaneous Photographs
  • Series 27. Miscellaneous Programs

 

Birds of Sorrow (Symphony No. 2) Series 1.

 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 7, folder 1

Birds of Sorrow (Symphony No. 2) 1981

General Physical Description note: 75 leaves, manuscript

General note

Spiral bound manuscript (photocopy).
 

Clarion Series 2.

Scope and Contents note

Ballet for Lucinda Childs, commissioned by the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
 

Articles and Reviews Subseries 1.

box 1, folder 1

"A Grand Evening of Dance by PNB" April 3, 1986

Scope and Contents note

Seattle Times article written by Carole Beers regarding "Clarion."

General note

Photocopy.
box 1, folder 1

"Pacific Northwest's Triumphant 'Hero'"" April 9, 1987

Scope and Contents note

Washington Times article written by Andrea Grodsky Huber, regarding "Clarion."

General note

Photocopy.
 

Programs Subseries 2.

box 2, folder 1

Arts Line - Pacific Northwest Ballet Edition, vol. III, no. 12 April, 1986

General Physical Description note: 12 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Program for the world premiere of "Clarion."
 

Scores Subseries 3.

box 5, folder 1

Clarion 1985

General Physical Description note: 75 leaves, manuscript

General note

Enclosed in folder.
box 5, folder 1

Clarion 1985

General Physical Description note: 35 leaves, manuscript

Scope and Contents note

Composer's rehearsal piano score with corrections (photocopy).

General note

Enclosed in folder.
 

Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra Series 3.

Scope and Contents note

Written for Pepe Romero and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 7, folder 1

Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra 1976

General Physical Description note: 62 leaves, manuscript
 

Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra Series 4.

Scope and Contents note

Commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra for Harvey Pittel.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 7, folder 1

Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra 1980

General Physical Description note: 53 leaves, manuscript

General note

Spiral bound manuscript
 

Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra Series 5.

 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 7, folder 1

Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra 1980

General Physical Description note: 68 leaves, score

General note

Spiral bound score.
box 7, folder 1

Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra 1980

General Physical Description note: 134 leaves, score
 

Fantasy Series 6.

Scope and Contents note

Collection of Duke Ellington songs arranged by Chihara for string quartet.
 

Programs Subseries 1.

box 2, folder 1

The Lydian String Quartet November 8, 1997

General Physical Description note: 4 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Program regarding a performance of "Fantasy."
 

Forest Music for Orchestra Series 7.

Scope and Contents note

Dedicated to Yuji Takahishi. The 7th work in a series of tone pictures dealing with trees. See also: Series 24, "Tree Music for Three Violas, and Three Trombones."
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 7, folder 1

Forest Music for Orchestra 1969

General Physical Description note: 12 leaves, ozalid
 

Forever Escher Series 8.

Scope and Contents note

Double string quartet for string quartet and saxophone quartet, commissioned by the NEA for the Amhearst Saxophone Quartet and the Cleveland String Quartet.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 6, folder 1

Forever Escher 1994

General Physical Description note: 49 leaves, manuscript
 

The Infernal Machine Series 9.

Scope and Contents note

Began as a ballet after Cocteau's play, as a project for the American Ballet Theater in collaboration with Glen Tetly. Re-worked into "Oedipus Rag." See also, series 15, "Oedipus Rag."
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 4, folder 1

The Infernal Machine 1979

General Physical Description note: 37 leaves, manuscript

Scope and Contents note

Sketches for the work. Includes composer's explanations.
 

Lie Lightly Gentle Earth Series 10.

Scope and Contents note

Vocal score.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 3, folder 3

Lie Lightly Gentle Earth 1973

Material Specific Details: S.A.T.B.
General Physical Description note: 5 leaves, vocal score
 

Minidoka Series 11.

Scope and Contents note

Vocal score.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 3, folder 3

Minidoka 1995

General Physical Description note: 14 leaves

General note

Commissioned by The Esoterics and Tom Baker. Spiral Bound score. Also includes cover sheet of composer's explanation of the origin of the work, as well as a translation of Japanese lyrics.
 

Magnificat Series 12.

Scope and Contents note

Work for 6 part women's chorus.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 3, folder 3

Magnificat 1967

General Physical Description note: 11 leaves, vocal score
 

Mistletoe Bride Series 13.

Scope and Contents note

Ballet in one act, commissioned by the San Francisco Ballet.
 

Articles and Reviews Subseries 1.

box 1, folder 1

"The Adaptable Chihara Leaps From Movies To Ballet"

Scope and Contents note

San Fransico Chronicle article written by Marilyn Tucker, regarding "Mistletoe Bride."

General note

Photocopy.
 

Correspondence Subseries 2.

box 2, folder 4

Philip Semark (General Manager, San Francisco Ballet) to Paul Chihara

Scope and Contents note

Letter of intent for composing, "Mistletoe Bride."
 

Photographs Subseries 3.

box 2, folder 2

Roberta Pfeil, Vane Vest (San Francisco Ballet)

Scope and Contents note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of Pfeil and Vest performing in "Mistletoe Bride." Photograph by James Armstrong.
box 2, folder 2

Susan Magno, Vane Vest (San Francisco Ballet)

Scope and Contents note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of Magno and Vest performing in "Mistletoe Bride." Photograph by Ted Pushinsky.
 

Programs Subseries 4.

box 2, folder 1

San Francisco Ballet Magazine

Scope and Contents note

Program for the premiere of "Misteltoe Bride."
 

Scores Subseries 5.

box 4, folder 1

Mistletoe Bride

General Physical Description note: 140 leaves, manuscript

General note

Manuscript (photostat copy) with composer's corrections.
 

Nocturne for 24 Solo Voices Series 14.

box 2, folder 2

Roberta Pfeil, Vane Vest (San Francisco Ballet)

General note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of Pfeil and Vest performing their roles in "Mistletoe Bride." Photograph by James Armstrong.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 3, folder 3

Nocturne for 24 Solo Voices [1967]

General Physical Description note: 3 leaves, vocal score

General note

Composer/performer edition. Enclosed in yellow cover.
 

Oedipus Rag Series 15.

Scope and Contents note

Also known as, "Love Songs for Two Monsters."
 

Articles and Reviews Subseries 1.

box 1, folder 1

"This Month on WFMT - The Best of Chicago" March, 1979

Scope and Contents note

Chicago Magazine article regarding the premiere of "Oedipus Rag."

General note

Photocopy.
 

Scores Subseries 2.

box 5, folder 2

Oedipus Rag 1979

General Physical Description note: 14 leaves, ozalid piano-vocal score
 

Prince of the City Series 16.

Scope and Contents note

Film score.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 3, folder 2

Prince of the City

General Physical Description note: ozalid copy, 215 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Includes handwritten cue sheet.
 

Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Violoncello Series 17.

Scope and Contents note

Commissioned by David Shifrin.
 

Programs Subseries 1.

box 1, folder 1

David Shifrin at the Y April 22, 1986

General Physical Description note: 3 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Program for the premiere of "Quartet for clarinet, violin, viola, and cello."
 

Scores Subseries 2.

box 6, folder 1

Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Viola, and Cello 1986

General Physical Description note: 55 leaves, manuscript
 

Scéne de Ballet (for six instruments) Series 18.

Scope and Contents note

Composed for the Greitzer Ensemble.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 6, folder 1

Scéne de Ballet 1986

General Physical Description note: 56 leaves, ozalid

General note

Spiral bound manuscript.
 

Shinju = Lover's Suicide Series 19.

Scope and Contents note

Ballet commissioned by the San Francisco Ballet.
 

Articles and Reviews Subseries 1.

box 1, folder 1

"Something Special Afoot" March, 1978

Scope and Contents note

San Fransico Chronicle article written by Heuell Tircuit, regarding the premier of "Shinju."

General note

Photocopy.
box 1, folder 1

"Two Stunning Premieres From the S.F. Ballet" March 22, 1978

Scope and Contents note

San Fransico Chronicle article written by Robert Commanday, regarding "Shinju."

General note

Photocopy.
 

Photographs Subseries 2.

box 2, folder 2

Gary Wahl (San Francisco Ballet)

General note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of Wahl performing his role in "Shinju."
box 2, folder 2

San Francisco Ballet

General note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of dancers performing "Shinju." Photograph by James Armstrong.
box 2, folder 2

Tina Santos, Gary Wahl (San Francisco Ballet)

General note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of Santos and Wahl performing their roles in "Shinju."
box 2, folder 2

Tina Santos, Gary Wahl (San Francisco Ballet)

General note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of Santos and Wahl performing their roles in "Shinju." Photograph by Jacquiline Poitier.
box 2, folder 2

Tina Santos, Gary Wahl (San Francisco Ballet)

General note

8 x 10, b&w photograph of Santos and Wahl performing their roles in "Shinju." Photography by Arne Folkedal.
 

Programs Subseries 3.

box 2, folder 1

San Francisco Ballet Magazine

Scope and Contents note

Program for the world premiere of "Shinju."
 

Scores Subseries 4.

box 4, folder 1

Shinju 1974

General Physical Description note: 28 leaves

General note

Spiral bound manuscript (photocopy), with composer's corrections and markings. Includes 2 leaves of composer's explanations.
 

Sound Recordings Subseries 5.

box 2, folder 3

Shinju

Scope and Contents note

Tape overlays.

General note

Cassette duplicate.
 

Shogun Series 20.

Scope and Contents note

Musical.
 

Articles and Reviews Subseries 1.

box 1, folder 1

"Born To Be Much Better - Shogun Composer Paul Chihara Speaks Out Against The Show" December 31, 1990

Scope and Contents note

Theater Week article written by John Harris.

General note

Two photocopies.
 

[Advertisement] May 6, 1990

Scope and Contents note

New York Times full page advertisement for "Shogun."
 

Programs Subseries 2.

 

Playbill - Marquis Theater November 15, 1990

General Physical Description note: 50 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Program for the opening night of "Shogun."

General note

Original program, and photocopies of program selections.
 

Scores Subseries 3.

box 3, folder 1

Shogun [1980]

General Physical Description note: 280 leaves, piano vocal prints
 

Sinfonia Concertante Series 21.

Scope and Contents note

Commissioned by the NEA for the Boston Symphony Chamber Players.
 

Programs Subseries 1.

box 2, folder 1

Boston Symphony Chamber Players January 20, 1980

General Physical Description note: 2 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Program for the premiere of "Sinfonia Concertante."
 

Scores Subseries 2.

box 5, folder 2

Sinfonia Concertante 1979

General Physical Description note: 100 leaves, manuscript
 

String Quartet in One Movement Series 22.

Scope and Contents note

Dedicated to the Philadelphia String Quartet.
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 5, folder 2

String Quartet in One Movement 1965

General Physical Description note: 8 leaves, score
 

Tempest Series 23.

Scope and Contents note

Ballet written for the San Francisco Ballet.
 

Articles and Reviews Subseries 1.

box 1, folder 1

"'Tempest' Takes Ballet Audience By Storm" May 25, 1996

Scope and Contents note

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article written by Tom Strini, regarding "Tempest."

General note

Photocopy.
 

Scores Subseries 2.

box 4, folder 1

The Tempest 1980

General Physical Description note: 150 leaves, ozalid

Scope and Contents note

Spiral bound ozalid.
 

Sound Recordings Subseries 3.

box 2, folder 3

Tempest 1988

General note

Compact disc.
 

Tree Music for Three Violas and Three Trombones Series 24.

Scope and Contents note

Work is the first in a series of tone pictures dealing with trees. See also: Series 7, "Forest Music for Orchestra."
 

Scores Subseries 1.

box 5, folder 2

Tree Music for Three Violas and Three Trombones 1966

General Physical Description note: 10 leaves, manuscript

Scope and Contents note

Includes cover sheet attached to a card containing composer's notes.

General note

Photocopy.
box 5, folder 2

Tree Music for Three Violas and Three Trombones 1966

General Physical Description note: 10 leaves, manuscript

Scope and Contents note

With composer's notes.
 

Trio for Violin, Bass Trombone and Harp Series 25.

Scope and Contents note

Commissioned by the For The Love of Music Ensemble.
 

Programs Subseries 1.

box 2, folder 1

Merkin Concert Hall February 16, 1988

General Physical Description note: 4 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Program for the world premiere of "Trio for violin, bass trombone, and harp."
 

Scores Subseries 2.

box 6, folder 1

Trio for Violin, Bass Trombone and Harp 1988

General Physical Description note: 32 leaves, manuscript
 

Miscellaneous Photographs Series 26.

box 2, folder 2

Paul Chihara, Yuji Takahishi, Leon Kirchner 1972

Scope and Contents note

Photograph taken at the Ojai Music Festival.

General note

Photocopy.
 

Miscellaneous Programs Series 27.

box 2, folder 1

Carnegie Mellon Music November 6, 1997

General Physical Description note: 2 leaves

Scope and Contents note

Program for the lecture, "Composing for the Movies."