Research Catalog

Irving Berlin collection of non-commercial sound recordings

Title
Irving Berlin collection of non-commercial sound recordings [sound recording].
Author
Berlin, Irving, 1888-1989.
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Details

Additional Authors
  • Crosby, Bing, 1903-1977.
  • Clooney, Rosemary.
  • Fisher, Eddie.
  • Jolson, Al, 1886-1950.
  • Merman, Ethel.
  • Smith, Kate, 1907-1986.
Description
555 sound recordings.
Summary
This collection contains non-commercial recordings of Irving Berlin and his music. The recordings are from radio broadcasts, live performances, and private recordings. The performers on the recordings include Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Eddie Fisher, Al Jolson, Ethel Merman and Kate Smith. Some of the gems in the collection include Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" for the first time and the first London performance of "Annie Get Your Gun."
Alternative Title
Berlin (Irving) collection of non-commercial sound recordings
Subjects
Note
  • Some items have been transferred to preservation and service copies. Original items which have not been transferred may require advance notification for use. Refer to item descriptions in the Finding aid for more information.
Access (note)
  • Collection is open to the public. Users never directly handle sound recordings. Listening selections are transmitted through a playback system.
Terms of Use (note)
  • No copying of private, non-commercial material is allowed without the written permission of the proprietary rights holder. For further information contact the Curator, The Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
Source (note)
  • Irving Berlin Estate
Biography (note)
  • Irving Berlin (1888-1989) was one of the great American songwriters of the 20th century.
Indexes/Finding Aids (note)
  • Finding aid available in *L(Special) 91-11 and on Internet.
Call Number
*L (Special) 91-11
OCLC
NYPG02-A6
Author
Berlin, Irving, 1888-1989.
Title
Irving Berlin collection of non-commercial sound recordings [sound recording].
Access
Collection is open to the public. Users never directly handle sound recordings. Listening selections are transmitted through a playback system.
Terms Of Use
No copying of private, non-commercial material is allowed without the written permission of the proprietary rights holder. For further information contact the Curator, The Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
Biography
Irving Berlin (1888-1989) was one of the great American songwriters of the 20th century. In 1907 he published his first song, "Marie From Sunny Italy" and by 1911 he had his first major international hit, "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Over the next five decades, Irving Berlin wrote many ballads, dance numbers, novelty tunes and love songs that defined American popular song for much of the century.
He wrote seventeen complete scores for Broadway musicals and revues, and contributed material to six more. Among the shows featuring all-Berlin scores are "The Cocoanuts," "As Thousands Cheer," "Louisiana Purchase," "Miss Liberty," "Mister President," "Call Me Madam" and "Annie Get Your Gun." Among the Hollywood movies with scores by Irving Berlin are "Top Hat," "Follow The Fleet," "On The Avenue," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Holiday Inn," "This Is The Army," "Blue Skies," "Easter Parade," "White Christmas" and "There's No Business Like Show Business."
Irving Berlin was a co-founder of ASCAP, founder of his own music publishing company, and, with producer Sam Harris, built his own Broadway Theatre, the Music Box. Through many of his foundations, including the God Bless America Fund and This Is The Army Inc. he donated millions of dollars in royalties to Army Emergency Relief, the Boy and Girl Scouts and other organizations.
Indexes
Finding aid available in *L(Special) 91-11 and on Internet.
Connect to:
Finding Aid
Added Author
Crosby, Bing, 1903-1977.
Clooney, Rosemary.
Fisher, Eddie.
Jolson, Al, 1886-1950.
Merman, Ethel.
Smith, Kate, 1907-1986.
Research Call Number
*L (Special) 91-11
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