William Klenz papers, 1944-1965
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Creator:
- Klenz, William
- Abstract:
- William Klenz was an associate professor in Duke University's Department of Aesthetics, Art, and Music from 1947-1966. Collection contains sheet music and an unpublished manuscript by William Klenz entitled The Elements of Music Theory, 1960. A later addition from Klenz's mentee and collaborator, Geoffrey Simon, contains manuscripts for Pacem in Terris, a cantata for mixed voices and organ (dated 1965), as well as an original performing score for Toccata ("Carillon"), dedicated to Simon (dated 1959 and 1962).
- Extent:
- 2.0 Linear Feet
- Language:
- Material in English
- Collection ID:
- UA.29.02.0123
- University Archives Record Group:
- 29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates
29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates > 02 -- Individuals
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists of manuscript music and sheet music composed by Klenz, as well as supporting materials for some of the performances and some background information and a personal characterization of Klenz. The unpublished manuscript of William Klenz entitled The Elements of Music Theory, 1960, was donated to the Archives by a former student of Klenz.
The 2021 accession contains two additional manuscripts: first, Pacem in Terris, cantata for mixed voices and organ. Texts for Pacem in Terris were selected by Klenz from biblical and rabbinical texts cited by Rabbi Everett Gendler in his The Revolutionary Truism (The Saturday Review, February 13, 1965). The first performance of Pacem in Terris was conducted by Geoffrey Simon at American University (Washington, DC) on November 21, 1965. The material consists of the original manuscript, including an additional Intermezzo not in first manuscript; also contains one performing copy from premiere; one copy (scored in Sibelius) from a later performance; and one copy of program from the premiere.
Also donated in 2021 was an original performing score (copy of manuscript) of Toccata ("Carillon"), for organ, V-19-1959. This score was dedicated to the donor (see final page with Klenz signature, date, and "for G.S."). Its first performance was in Berlin, Germany, at the Neutempelhof Kirche on August 18, 1962.
- Biographical / historical:
-
William Klenz was an associate professor in Duke University's Department of Aesthetics, Art and Music from 1947-1966. He was a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a B.M. and a B.A. respectively. He was on the staff of Music Department of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1938-1942. He made numerous public appearances in North Carolina and has appeared as soloist in the in the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra. During World War II Klenz played public recitals and made radio appearances in London and Paris. Upon his return from Europe he studied with Paul Hindemith at Yale. His compositions have been performed at Smith College, Princeton and New York, as well as abroad. Publications include "G.M. Bononcin" Duke University Press, Oct. 1962, and also entries in "Encyclopedia of Music."
- Acquisition information:
- The William Klenz papers were received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1987. An addition was received as a gift from Geoffrey Simon in 2021.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Sherrie Bowser, November 2006
Encoded by Sherrie Bowser, November 2006
Updated by Sherrie Bowser, June 2008
Updated by Meghan Lyon, April 2021
Accessions A88-0021, UA2008-0034, UA2021-0006 are described in this finding aid.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
-
Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Before you visit:
- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], William Klenz Papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1x134