Deems Taylor collection of broadcast recordings, 1935-1954.

Links

• View catalog record
• View finding aid

Creator

Taylor, Deems, 1885-1966.

Location

Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound

Extent

• 90 sound discs.

Access Restrictions

Access to acetate discs restricted; advance notification required.

Scope/Contents Note

The collection contains acetate and radio transcription disc recordings primarily of Taylor's spoken word radio programs dating from 1935 to 1954. Included are samples of his work on shows such as Information Please, Coronet, Swift's Studio Party, as well as special radio shows such as the ASCAP Cavalcade of Music, and memorial tributes to Stephen Vincent Benet and Jerome Kern.

Biographical/Historical Note

Deems Taylor was an American composer, author, and music critic. Born in New York in 1885, Taylor studied music theory with Oscar Coon. After various jobs in publishing and journalism, he became music critic for the New York World (1921-1925), editor of Musical America (1927-1929), and music critic for the New York American (1931-1932). He served as director and then president (1942-1948) of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers(ASCAP). Taylor worked in radio as a musical advisor and commentator, and published collections of his radio talks in 1937, 1940, and 1949. He composed a number of works for large ensembles, including the opera The King's Henchman and Peter Ibbetson, both commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. He died in 1966.

Controlled Access Terms

• Radio programs -- United States.
• Radio programs, Musical -- United States.

Additional Creator Names

• American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
• Information please (Radio program)
• Swift's studio party (Radio program)
• Coronet (Radio program)
• Cavalcade of music (Radio program)