Alfred Cortot Collection: Handwritten Manuscripts

Abstract

The Alfred Cortot Collection: Handwritten Manuscripts (dated 1718-1782, undated; 375 0.23 cubic feet; 1 box) consists of the handwritten manuscripts collected by pianist and music educator, Alfred Cortot. As a pianist and music educator, Alfred Cortot actively collected materials relevant to his study of the history and theoretical structure of music and music performance. His larger book collection is cataloged in UK's catalog, infokat. This collection contains primarily theoretical and historical treatises from the 15th to the 19th centuries that were once owned by Cortot.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Alfred Cortot Collection: Handwritten Manuscripts
Date
1718-1782, undated (inclusive)
Extent
0.23 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Music -- Instruction and study
Musical instruments -- Early works to 1800
Music -- History and criticism
Music -- Theory -- Early works to 1800
Finding Aid Author
Revised by Ida Lucille Mangum, 2020 August 7
Preferred Citation
2011ms069 : [identification of item], Alfred Cortot Collection: Handwritten Manuscripts, 1718-1782, undated, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Alfred Denis Cortot was born in Nyon, Switzerland, September 26, 1877 and died in Lausanne, Switzerland, June 15, 1962. However, he lived most of his life in Paris. Cortot was a well-known pianist both as a soloist and in a trio he formed with Jacques Thibaud (violin) and Pablo Casals ('cello). As an educator, he was Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatoire and founded, with violinist Adolphe Mangeot, the Ecole Normale de Musique where he served as director until his death. Cortot wrote three books on French piano music and published more than eighty editions of piano music of various composers. He recorded extensively and is regarded as one of the outstanding pianists of the twentieth century. Cortot was also an avid collector of musical autographs, literature, first and early editions, letters portraits, coins and postage stamps, and he published a catalog of his early books on music theory and history. A large percentage of the books in this collection are listed here.
Scope and Content
The Alfred Cortot Collection: Handwritten Manuscripts (dated 1718-1782, undated; 375 0.23 cubic feet; 1 box) consists of the handwritten manuscripts collected by pianist and music educator, Alfred Cortot. As a pianist and music educator, Alfred Cortot actively collected materials relevant to his study of the history and theoretical structure of music and music performance. His larger book collection is cataloged in UK's catalog, infokat. This collection contains primarily theoretical and historical treatises from the 15th to the 19th centuries that were once owned by Cortot.. The materials consist of monographs, pamphlets, scores, and manuscripts dealing with the theory and history of music composition, performance, aesthetics, and philosophy.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials belong to University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

ANGELINI, Giacomo, 1718

  • Box 1, folder 1
Scope and Contents

Angelini Giancomo | Manoscritto che tratte | delle regole del Contrappunto | (ferm e dat. 1718)

manuscript: 62 pp. + 6 ff.; not in Cortot catalog

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[ANONYMOUS], circa 1750

  • Box 1, folder 2
Scope and Contents

Dictionaire | des mots | Italiens & Latins | Employés | Dans la | Musique française. ¦ [ca. 1750.]

manuscript: 19 pp.

+ problême. | trouver le mode et la tonique | d'une pièce de Musique | Donnée?

manuscript: pp. 21-22.

+ Valeur des Notes | Relativement à la mesure.

manuscript: p. 23.

not in Cortot catalog

(signature on front end sheet: "Zoe Vinet"?)

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[ANONYMOUS], 1729

  • Box 1, folder 3
Scope and Contents

Examen de la conférence sur la Musique inserée dans | Le deuxieme volume du Mercure de juin 1729 page 1281.

manuscript: 4 ff.

+ Conference sur la Musique

manuscript: 3 ff.

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[ANONYMOUS], undated

  • Box 1, folder 4
Scope and Contents

Plan abregé d'une Methode | nouvelle d'accompagnement | pour le Clavecin.

manuscript: 7 ff.; not in Cortot catalog.

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[ANONYMOUS], 1782

  • Box 1, folder 5
Scope and Contents

Principes ou Regles pour apprendre facilement | L'accompagnement de la Basse Continüe | Sur Le Clavecin. ¦ (at end): P.A.D. | fecit | 1782

manuscript: 12 pp.; not in Cortot catalog.

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CASTEL, R.P. [Louis-Bertrand], 1688-1757, 18th century

  • Box 1, folder 6
Scope and Contents

Demonstration | Geometrique du Clavecin pour les | yeux et pour tous les sens, avec | l'Eclaircissement de quelques | difficultez, et deux nouvelles | observations, par le R.P. Castel, jesuite. ¦ [18th century].

manuscript: 9 ff.; not in Cortot catalog.

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LIROU, Jean Francois Espic de Lirou, Chevalier de (1740-1806), undated

  • Box 1, folder 7
Scope and Contents

Memoire | Sur la Musique | joint a un Livre imprimé ayant pour titre | Explication du Systeme d'harmonie | présenté au Connours indiqué pour juger, | et choisir, les ouvrages destinés a l'enseignement | de la musique, pour les Eleves de l'Ecole, | de l'institution nationale. ¦ L'an 2eme de la Republique une et indivisible | pr (possibly 12r) Thermidor

(at end): Epic Lirou | ... | auteur et proffesseur de Musique en Requisition | par le Commite de Salut public

manuscript: 35 pp.; not in Cortot catalog.

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SOUMILLE, Bernard Laurent (d. 1774), undated

  • Box 1, folder 8
Scope and Contents

Observations adressées à M Boëry | Chamoine de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, touchant | la Machine proposée pour regler les airs de | Musique.

manuscript: 14 pp.; not in Cortot catalog.

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.