Inventory of the Compositions of Elinor Armer ARCHIVES ARMER.1
Matthew Weber
Manually re-entered into ArchivesSpace with minor revisions, August 2016.
Music Library
1999
mweber@library.berkeley.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Music Library
Title: The compositions of Elinor Armer
creator:
Armer, Elinor
Identifier/Call Number: ARCHIVES ARMER.1
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1955-1995
Physical Description: Accumulations will require careful sorting and preservation work.
Abstract: This collection was donated to the UC Berkeley Music Library by Elinor Armer in late 1998. The collection includes manuscripts
and printed scores of works by Elinor Armer dating from 1969 to 1990. Numerous sketches and notes relating to her compositions
are also included in this archive, as well as a small amount of personal correspondence relating to her collaborations with
Ursula LeGuin.
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Music Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Compositions of Elinor Armer , ARCHIVES ARMER 1, The Music Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Compositions of Elinor Armer were given to The Music Library by Elinor Armer in 1988. Additions were made on Dec. 7,
1998 and July 29, 2012.
Biographical / Historical
Elinor Armer (b. Oakland, CA, 6 Oct. 1939). American composer and pianist. She studied composition at Mills College (BA 1961),
the University of California, Berkeley (1966-8) and California State University, San Francisco (MA 1972). Her teachers included
Darius Milhaud and Leon Kirchner (composition), and Alexander Libermann (piano). In 1976 she was appointed to teach at San
Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she is head of the composition department. Writing with a rich harmonic vocabulary
and colorful scoring, Armer has developed an individualistic style. Her compositions are often programmatic or include text;
theatrical elements bring pieces to life. She is collaborating with the author Ursula K. Le Guin on an imaginative series
entitled Uses of Music in Uttermost Parts about an archipelago of islands each of which experiences music in an unusual manner,
for example as food, sexual attractant or geologic phenomena. [From The Norton/Grove Dictionary of Women Composers].
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Composers -- United States
Pianists -- United States
Armer, Elinor
Series I : Works for Orchestra
box 2, Folder 3
Pearl
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Includes notes, 50 leaves (photocopies) of the score, and 1 photocopy of the 33-page score in a 3-ring binder.
Series II : Instrumental Works
Box 2, Folder 4
[Film music]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
A collection of loose pieces which includes the following :
1. Opening - Water & land. Recreation ensemble. Snow changes to spring. End (10 p., ozalid, for various combinations of
instruments).
2. Water (Film score - Dam sequence-) (Fr. horn & tymp. & hanging cymbal; 3 p., ms.).
3. Water sequence (Clarinet in B flat and horn in F; 1 p. ms.).
4. Morning sequence (Clarinet in B flat; 1 p. ms.).
5. Film score (B flat clarinet; 2 p. ms.).
Box 2, Folder 6
Mein junges Leben hat ein End
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Folder includes :
1. Ink autograph of the score (9 p.)
2. Photocopy of ms.
3. Photocopy of ms. with corrections in red ink
4. Spiral-bound photocopy of ms.
5. Approximately 25 looseleaf photocopies of various pages of the ms.
Box 2, Folder 7
Mirror, mirror
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Composition for two pianos. Laser-printed score with corrections in red ink (10 p.).
Box 2, Folder 8
Music for beginning violin
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Pedagogical compositions for violin solo, two violins, and three violins. The following pieces are included :
1. Berceuse (2 violins; ms. in pencil with Quiet pool).
2. Breathless melody; Senseless melody; Thoughtful melody (solo violin; ms. in ink).
3. Burrito (2 violins; ms. in ink).
4. Dolphins (2 violins; ms. in ink).
5. Dance until morning (2 violins; ms. in ink).
6. Four tunes in transposed modes (solo violin; ms. in pencil and ms. in ink. The ink ms. is titled Four melodies in transposed
modes).
7. Friction (2 violins; ms. in ink).
8. Fugue (3 violins; ms. in ink).
9. Games (2 violins; ms. in ink).
10. Gentle dance (2 violins; ms. in ink).
11. Ping pong rally (2 violins; ms. in ink).
12. Protest march; Gavotte (2 violins; ms. in ink).
13. Quiet pool (2 violins); Theme and two variations (solo violin; ms. in ink).
14. Royal entrance; Friction (2 violins; ms. in pencil and ms. in ink).
15. Two people remembering something (2 violins; ms. in pencil and ms. in ink).
16. [Untitled fragment] (solo violin); Demons (2 violins); Halos (2 violins; photocopy of ms. with ink addendum on final system).
Box 2, Folder 10
[Piece for flute and piano]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
No title on either copy. Folder includes ms. in pencil (6 p., incomplete) and photocopy (7 p.).
Box 2, Folder 11
Pieces for the mind's eye
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For chamber ensemble (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello and bass). Ms. in ink with corrections
and conductor's notes in blue ink. Also includes photocopy of piccolo part for one movement.
Box 2, Folder 12
Pipe dreams; Poppies
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For flute and piano. Photocopy of ms. (10 p.) and ms. in ink of flute part (3 p.).
Box 2, Folder 13
Recollections; Revel
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For violoncello and piano. Photocopies of ms. (11 p.). Dedicated to Bonnie Hampton and Nathan Schwartz.
Box 2, Folder 16
The secret
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For harp and harpsichord. Photocopy (9 p.).
Box 2, Folder 17
Sonnets I-III
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
1. Sonnet for oboe and bassoon (2 p., ms. in ink).
2. Sonnet for flute and English horn (1 p., ms. in ink).
3. Double sonnet for two B-flat clarinets (3 p., ms. in ink).
Box 1, Folder 5
String quartet
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Corrections in red and blue pencil. Marked "engraver's copy" on cover. Spiral bound ozalid (21 p.).
Box 2, Folder 18
String quartet
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Publisher's first and second proofs (21 p. each). Both proofs are marked extensively in red ink (J. Elkus?) and in blue ink
(E. Armer).
Box 3, Folder 1
String quartet
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
1. Publisher's proof, J. B. Elkus & Son Music publishers (20 p.).
2. Study score (20 p.).
3. Miscellaneous papers pertaining to the production of these scores, including a publisher's announcement, layouts, etc.
Box 3, Folder 2
Thaw
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Photocopy (6 p.) of second proof. Scored for piano solo.
Box 3, Folder 3
[Children's songs]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
1. Clean. Ms. in pencil (2 p.). On the verso of these pages are two sketches in ink for unidentified works.
2. Clean. Photocopy (2 p.) of ms.
3. Each new day. Photocopy (1 p.).
4. I know what to do. Ms. in ink (2 p.).
5. I know what to do (Get help. Give aid). Ms. in ink with notes and corrections in pencil (4 p.).
6. Let's eat! Photocopy (2 p.) of ms.
7. What makes me me? Ms. in ink (2 p.). Verso of first page is a partial ms. (in ink) of two pieces from Music for beginning
violin (v.s.). Verso of second page is a sketch for an unidentified work.
8. What makes me me? Ms. in ink (4 p.) with numerous corrections in pencil. Obverse pages include a number of sketches for
unidentified works.
9. Photocopy of ms. of untitled song (6 p.). First line : "I am how I look." Some material from "What makes me me?"
10. Sketch (ms. in ink, 1 p.) of untitled song. Verso is a short sketch for an unidentified chamber work.
Box 3, Folder 5
Five Indian songs
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Spiral-bound ozalid (51 p.). For voice, flute and percussion. Program notes and texts laid in, including song texts and
program notes for other works.
Box 3, Folder 7
Golden years
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
FIrst page of score only (photocopy of ms.). Text (1 p., typescript) also in folder.
Box 3, Folder 11
Return
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For baritone and piano (text by Robinson Jeffers). Ms. in ink (4 p.).
Box 3, Folder 12
A season of grief
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Text by Alfred Lord Tennyson and Witter Bynner. Publisher's proof of vocal score with corrections (22 p.). Typewritten texts
(7 p.) and photocopy of typewritten texts with program notes (8 p.).
Box 3, Folder 13
[Shakespeare songs]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For girls' chorus (SSA) with flute and bassoon. Photocopy (various paginations), spiral-bound.
Box 3, Folder 14
[Song cycle]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
An untitled song cycle.
1. A song not for now (2 p., ms.).
2. A corner of the circle (5 p., ms.).
3. For the mother of Kathryn Barbara (3 p., ms.).
4. The Prince of Pompadoodle (6 p., ms.).
5. Requiem for an exaggerated obituary (2 p., ms.; also includes photocopy of the first page of a different version of this
song).
In addition to the above, a photocopy of the texts is included (typescript, 2 p.).
Box 3, Folder 15
[Song cycle]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Untitled song collection (80 p., unpaginated, of incomplete ms.). Typescripts and photocopies of texts, with notes in composer's
hand.
Box 3, Folder 16
Spin, earth
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For four-part chorus (SATB) and organ (or piano). Text by Raymond John Baughan. Photocopy (11 p.) of 1977 Lawson-Gould edition.
Series IV : Other Ensemble Works
Box 3, Folder 4
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part I : Eating with the Hoi
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Two incomplete sets of photocopied mss.
Box 1, Folder 7
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part I : Eating with the Hoi
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Ms. in ink (each section paginated separately) and incomplete photocopy.
Box 1, Folder 15
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part II : The seasons of Oling
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For viola, violoncello, piano, and percussion. Ms. in ink (3 p., incomplete).
Box 1, Folder 1
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part III : The great instrument of the Geggerets
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Ms. in pencil.
Box 2, Folder 1
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part III : The great instrument of the Geggerets
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Laser-printed score.
Box 2, Folder 2
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part III : The great instrument of the Geggerets
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Four copies of spiral-bound score.
Box 1, Folder 6
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part IV : Anithaca
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For girls' chorus (SSSAAA). Ms. in pencil (32 p.), proof of printed score (incomplete, only 19 p.) with corrections in ink,
and photocopy of the text with Armer's notes.
Box 1, Folder 2
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part V : Open and shut
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For oboe, clarinet, violin, violoncello and double bass. Incomplete ms. in pencil (first two pages only).
Box 1, Folder 3
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part V : Open and shut
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Ms. in pencil (20 p., final page lacking). Includes title page and a copy of Ursula LeGuin's poem.
Box 2, Folder 9
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part V : Open and shut
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Spiral-bound copy with markings by Jack Vad (recording engineer for Koch International); spiral-bound copy with corrected
poem text and pencilled corrections added to score; spiral-bound copy with corrections in red ink.
Box 2, Folder 14
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VI : Sailing among the Pheromones
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For guitar, marimba, harp and tape. Ms. in ink (11 p.).
Box 2, Folder 15
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VI : Sailing among the Pheromones
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Spiral-bound photocopy (11 p.).
Box 1, Folder 8
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VIII : Island Earth
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For chorus and large orchestra. Incomplete ms. in pencil (73 p.).
Box 1, Folder 9
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VIII : Island Earth
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Ms. in pencil (84 p.). A better copy.
Box 3, Folder 8
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VIII : Island Earth
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
First proofs of printed score (84 p.). Corrections marked in red (Armer) and blue pencil (J. Elkus).
Box 1, Folder 11
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VIII : Island Earth
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Printed full score, spiral bound (84 p.). Stamped "Corrected 1/5/94" and marked with numerous corrections.
Box 1, Folder 12
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VIII : Island Earth
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Ms. (incomplete; p. 1-10 only) and photocopy of ms. (also incomplete; p. 1-11 only) of vocal score.
Box 1, Folder 10
The uses of music in the uttermost parts, part VIII : Island Earth
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Spiral-bound choral score (44 p.).
Box 3, Folder 17
[Juvenile sketches]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Four manuscript notebooks, each with various sketches and pieces, apparently composed during Armer's pre-college and college
years.
Box 3, Folder 18
Post dies octo
December 9, 1966
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Three-voice motet setting (ms. 2 p.). A course assignment; marked with instructor's comments and grade (A).
Series VI : Sketches and Notes
Box 4, Folder 1
[Film music - notes]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Typescript (1 p.) of notes containing ideas for soundtracks for educational films.
Box 1, Folder 13
[Fragments and sketches]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
20 leaves of unidentified fragments and sketches, mostly ms. in pencil. A few are photocopies of mss.
Box 3, Folder 6
The golden ring : Five songs for California
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Title page only (photocopy of ms.).
Box 4, Folder 2
[Letters]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
ALS (4) plus 1 Christmas card from Ursula LeGuin.
Box 4, Folder 3
Lockerbones/Airbones
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Programnotes and texts for Armer's song cycle in typescript (5 p.). Song texts are by Ursula LeGuin.
Box 4, Folder 4
[Materials pertaining to the release of Armer's compact disc]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Invitations to CD release party, proofs of the CD booklet (with corrections in colored pencil), and a mail order form for
the CD.
Box 4, Folder 5
[Miscellaneous texts]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
T.p. of a play by Armer entitled Mowgli and three pages (6-8) of an incomplete stage work.
Box 1, Folder 14
[Notes and texts pertaining to The uses of music in the uttermost parts]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Program notes, spoken and sung texts, and photocopies of the map of the Uttermost Archipelago.
Box 4, Folder 6
Rondino in blue
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
For solo clarinet. Two pages of sketches, in pencil and in ink.
Box 1, Folder 16
[Sketches relating to The uses of music in the uttermost parts]
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Contents
Music sketches and notes. Ms. in ink.
Box 4, Folder 7
[Unidentified texts]
Physical Description: 1 Folder