Michigan State University Libraries (MSU) in East Lansing (Mary Black, Head, Fine Arts Library). (Notes for Notes).

Martin, Morris

Michigan State University Libraries (MSU) in East Lansing (Mary Black, Head, Fine Arts Library) reports that composers James Niblock and Wallace De Pue and choreographer Forrest W. Coggan have established their archives there. In addition, the family of pianist Ernst Victor Wolff has donated a substantial collection of materials relating to his career. These donations join the ongoing collections of H. Owen Reed, Jere Hutcheson, and the Verdehr Trio, as well as several dance band donations, to form the MSU Music Manuscripts Collection.

Niblock studied composition with Roy Harris and Paul Hindemith, violin with Jascha Brodsky and Josef Gingold, and musicology with Willi Apel. He holds the B.A. from Washington State University, M.A. from Colorado College, and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He taught theory and composition at Michigan State University from 1948 until his retirement in 1985, and served as chairman of the Music Department for fifteen years. Niblock remains active as a violinist and composer. His recent works include the opera Ruth, premiered at Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp in 2001, and commissions for the Verdehr Trio.

De Pue received bachelor degrees in music education and music composition from Capital University, the M.A. from Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in music composition and theory at Michigan State University, where H. Owen Reed served as his major professor. De Pue taught at Bowling Green State University from 1966 through 1998. He has composed in many genres and has recently completed a work for violin and orchestra entitled The Fiddler's Contest. He is well-known as a choral composer and has written four operas, including one based on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, an opera for barbershop chorus, an opera for children, and a new opera concerning the environment.

Forrest W. Coggan has donated significant collections related to MSU faculty and programs and, in particular, to H. Owen Reed. Coggan and Reed collaborated in both the American Mythic Theater and Teatro Internacional to produce a number of works based on North and South American traditional cultures. The new acquisitions include papers relating to the theatrical companies, photographs, sketches of costumes, correspondence, newspaper clippings and other materials. Scores by Reed with choreography notated by Coggan are of special interest; these are Living Solid Face, Earth-Trapped, Che Ba Kunah (Road of Souls), and scenes from La fiesta Mexicana. The annotated score used by Frederick Fennell for the first recording of La fiesta Mexicana is also included. Coggan has established archives throughout the country to represent his work at various institutions during his long career; MSU is proud to be among these.

Ernst Victor Wolff (1889-1960) was a German-born pianist of great renown. He played with many of the great orchestras, was a solo recitalist, and accompanied Dorothy Maynor, Alexander Kipnis, Elena Gerhardt, and many other singers and instrumentalists. His career covered Europe and the United States, where he emigrated in 1935. In 1955, he began a teaching career at Michigan State University while continuing to concertize. The family has donated correspondence, programs, scores, and many of his recordings. His diary from his student years at the University of Berlin, his autobiography, and a charcoal portrait of him by an unidentified artist are also among the treasures.

For additional information, contact Mary Black, Fine Arts--Music Library (517-432-3363 or blackma@msu.edu) or visit the Web site at www.lib.msu.edu/coll/main/spec_col/music.htm.