Martha Alter papers, 1923-1942
- Author:
- Alter, Martha, 1904-1976
- Physical Description:
- 90. items
- Additional Creators:
- Bauer, Marion, 1882-1955, Cowley, Malcolm, 1898-1989, Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969, Horn, Edward Newman, 1903-, Kramer, A. Walter (Arthur Walter), 1890-1969, and Rindge, A. M. (Agnes Millicent)
- Restrictions on Access:
- Unrestricted access.
- Summary:
- The collection contains Alter's correspondence, photographs, recital programs, and clippings. Her correspondence, 1926-1942, with F. H. Price (librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Edwin A. Fleisher Music Collection), A. Walter Kramer (music publisher), Hallie Flanagan (director of the Experimental Theatre at Vassar), Agnes Rindge, Claire Leonard, and Marion Bauer (League of Composers) concerns her compositions, "Bill George: March and Song," "Bric-a-Brac Suite," "Anthony Comstock, or a puritan's progress" ballet, and "Blackout," and about teaching positions.
The photographs include one of Alter in 1926, eleven of her Vassar College classmates, and six of men including Juan S. Suarez and Bruce Hogg in 1926. The recital and concert programs include those she attended and performed in as a student of Kate Chittenden at Vassar. An article in Musical America, 10 May 1934, three newspaper clippings, and a program deal with the ballet, "Anthony Comstock," for which she composed the music. Also included are handwritten and typed draft versions of the lyrics to "Bill George" (Malcolm Cowley), "Blackout" (Edward N. Horn), and "Anthony Comstock." - Subject(s):
- Genre(s):
- Provenance:
- Purchased from a local dealer at a Pennsylvania flea market.
- Note:
- In the Alice Marshall Collection, Library, Penn State Harrisburg, 351 Olmsted Drive, Middletown, Pa. 17057-4850 (AKM 91/3).
- Part Of:
- Alice Marshall women's history collection
- Source of Acquisition:
- Harrisburg copy: Gift and purchase of Alice Marshall; 1991.
- Biographical or Historical Sketch:
- Martha Alter (1904-1976) was an American pianist and composer. She graduated from Vassar College in 1925, and received her master's in musicology at Columbia University and master of music in composition at the Eastman School of Music. She taught at Vassar and Connecticut College. Alter composed for orchestra, chamber, harpsichord, piano, vocal, ballet, operetta, and theater.
View MARC record | catkey: 1930237