Peter Pindar Stearns music manuscripts, 1948-2013 MP.0017.01 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit November 17, 2017 Describing Archives: A Content Standard Performing Arts Collections November 16, 2017 66 5th Avenue lobby New York, New York, 10011 212.229.5942 archivist@newschool.edu
Table of Contents Collection Overview... 2 Biographical Note... 3 Scope and Contents note... 4 Organization and Arrangement... 4 Administrative Information... 4 Related Materials... 5 Keywords for Searching Related Subjects... 5 Collection Inventory... 5 Series I. General... 5 Series II. Compilations and unnumbered compositions... 5 Series III. Compositions... 6 Collection Overview Repository Performing Arts Collections Creator - Composer Stearns, Peter Pindar Title Peter Pindar Stearns music manuscripts Date [inclusive] 1948-2013 Extent 6 linear ft: 2 large white boxes and 5 small flat boxes Language of Materials English Preferred Citation note - Page 2 -
[Identification of item], [date (if known)], [name of collection], [collection number], box, folder, New School Archives, The New School, New York, New York. Biographical Note Peter Pindar Stearns was a composer of sacred music who produced over 300 compositions that include seven symphonies, six string quartets, and many other orchestral and chamber works, as well as numerous organ and choral pieces. He taught in the Composition Department at Mannes College of Music from 1957 to 1989. Pindar Stearns was born in New York City on June 7, 1931 to opera conductor, composer, and teacher Theodore Pease Stearns and the lyric soprano Marguerite Lamar. He grew up in Los Angeles, where he began to study music composition and theory with Leonard Stein. He later studied under Bohuslav Martinu, Felix Salzer and Julia Fox at Mannes, where he graduated in 1952. He returned, briefly, to Los Angeles after graduation to work in Hollywood, composing film scores, and to study under Miklos Rozsa. In 1954, Stearns moved back to New York, where he began to compose in earnest. In 1957, he joined the Mannes faculty. Over the next 30 years, he developed the composition curriculum and chaired the composition department. He taught courses in composition, orchestration, theory, ear training, and also graduate seminars in music history. At various times he also served as director of Mannes Prep, and taught courses at Yale University and the Wykeham Rise School in Connecticut. Stearns also worked as an organist and choral director for various churches, an editorial assistant at Carl Fischer Inc., and director of publications for Coburn Press Music Publishers, and an organ builder under Charles B. Fisk and Robert Noehren. Throughout his career, Stearns kept a studio in Vermont, and later in life resided in Stowe, Vermont. He was, throughout his life, active in the Episcopal Church and in the Quaker community, and a volunteer in 12-step recovery programs. Stearns's family includes his wife, Marcia Bush Stearns, a composer, singer, and music publisher; children Gloria Stearns-Bruner, a violinist/music therapist; Ethelyn Friend, a theater artist/voice teacher; and Thomas MacKenna Lamar Stearns, an organic seed farmer. Stearns passed away on October 15, 2016, at the age of 85. Bibliography "Peter Pindar Stearns." American Composers Alliance. Accessed Oct. 9, 2017. https://composers.com/ peter-pindar-stearns. "Peter Pindar Stearns." Selah Publishing Co. 2017. https://www.selahpub.com/selahpeople/stearns.html. "Peter Pindar Stearns." Stowe Reporter. Nov. 3, 2017. http://www.stowetoday.com/stowe_reporter/ community/obituaries/peter-pindar-stearns/article_4f467af4-a1f3-11e6-98b8-37fb2127cb0a.html. - Page 3 -
Scope and Contents note This collection consists primarily of manuscripts of Stearns's scores from the length of his career from the 1950s to the 2000s. These scores reflect his musical development from his early career in New York City up to his residence in Vermont at the end of his life. Stearns wrote music in a wide variety of genres, including string quartets, sonatas, sonatinas, symphonies, cantatas, and song cycles. These works are both secular and, in his later life, religious and Christian. The material herein includes early notes on and drafts of scores; manuscript versions with holograph corrections; and the published versions. Finally, this collection contains a small amount of correspondence related to publishing as well as a scrapbook of press clippings and ephemera, including programs of performances. Organization and Arrangement Arranged in three series. I General, 1949-2012 II Compilations and unnumbered compositions, 1948-2007 III Compositions, 1949-2013 Administrative Information Publication Information Performing Arts Collections November 16, 2017 Access Restrictions Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment. Use Restrictions To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives and Special Collections. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu. Immediate Source of Acquisition Donated by the family of Peter Pindar Stearns in 2017. - Page 4 -
Related Materials The New School Archives contains several other collections pertinent for researchers interested in the history of Mannes during Stearns's time on the faculty. These collections include: Mannes School of Music course catalogs (MM.05.01.01), Mannes clippings collection (MA.03.02.01), and Mannes School of Music photograph collection (MA.0.01.01). Additionally, The New School Library holds Stearns's published work. Keywords for Searching Related Subjects Function(s) composer Genre(s) Books. scores Subject(s) Music x Instruction and study. Collection Inventory Series I. General 1949-2012 Contains correspondence regarding the publication of several of Stearns's scores, as well as a scrapbook pertaining to his performances and publications. Correspondence and publishing agreements, 2008-2012 1 Contains correspondence between Stearns and Christopher Snyder of Adoro Music Publishing, as well as four publishing agreements made between Stearns and Paraclete Press. Scrapbook, 1949-1992 OSx-1 Consists of a bound scrapbook with newspaper clippings, programs, flyers, and photographs related to performances and reviews of Stearns's compositions. Series II. Compilations and unnumbered compositions 1948-2007, undated Arranged alphabetically by title, this series is comprised of manuscript, typescript, and published versions of compilations of different scores, as well as scores bearing no evident opus number. Box - Page 5 -
By The Waters of Babylon: No opus number, 2007 1 Fanfare for Trumpet and Organ: No opus number, 2008 1 Four Pieces by Edward MacDowell, arranged for Orchestra by Peter Pindar Stearns: No opus number, undated Fourteen Selected Songs, 1948-1958 6 Fourteen Songs: Ops. 55, 60-63, 1956 OSx-1 Seventeen Songs: Ops. 2, 14, 20, 27, and 28, 1950-1954 6 Solo Unison Anthems: No opus number, undated 6 Thirteen Songs: Ops.37, 41, and 45, 1955 6 Thirty Songs: Ops. 66, 73, and 76, 1957 OSx-1 Three Songs after Donne: No opus number, 1953-1954 1 Various Short Chamber Works: Ops. 39, 40, 44, 48, 51, 54, 56, 69, and 71, 1955-1957 Series III. Compositions 1949-2013 Arranged numerically by opus number, this series contains manuscripts, typescripts, and published versions of single pieces. Unless specifically indicated in the below inventory, the manuscript version is not present in the collection. 6 6 Box Duo No. 1 for Violin and Viola: Op. 1, Nov 1949-Feb 1950 1 Three Songs after Anthony Winner: Op. 2, 1950 1 Sonatina No. 1 for Piano: Op. 3, Jan 1951 1 String Quartet No. 1: Op. 4, 1950-1951 1 Sonatina No. 2 for Piano: Op. 5, 1951 1 Duo No. 2 for Violin and Viola: Op. 6 (manuscript and typescript), 1 1951 First Little Symphony for Strings and Piano: Op. 7, 1951 1 Trio Sonata for Flute, Clarinet and Piano: Op. 8, 1951 1 Divertimento No.1 for Two Clarinets, Violin, Two Violas, Violoncello, 1 Pianoforte: Op. 9, 1952 Quartet No. 2 in G, for Strings: Op. 10, May 1951-Feb 1952 1 Canzona in G minor for Strings: Op. 10a, 1951, 1955 1 Toccata for Orchestra: Op. 11, Apr 1952 1 Sonata No. 1 for Violoncello and Piano: Op. 12, 1952 1 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: Op. 13, Summer 1952 1 Box - Page 6 -
Break, Break, Break and Crossing the Bar--Two Songs after Tennyson: 3 Op. 14, Summer 1952 Tre Canzone for Two Clarinets and Bassoon: Op. 16 (manuscript and 1 typescript), 1953 Divertimento No. 2 in G minor for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, 1 Violin and Cello: Op. 17 (manuscript and typescript), 1953 Symphony No. 1 in F minor: Op. 18, 1953 3 Second Little Symphony for Three Oboe, Bassoon and Small String 1 Ensemble: Op. 19, 1953 Three Songs for High Voice--The Wild Flower's Song, The Funeral, 1 Song On May Morning: Op. 20, 1953-1954 Sinfonia, Canzona e Toccata: Op. 21, 1954 1 The Last Invocation: Op. 22, 1954 1 Six Madrigals for Women's Voices: Op. 23, 1954 1 Three Songs after Tennyson for Tenor and Chamber Orchestra: Op. 24, 1 1954 Divertimento No. 3 for Clarinet, Horn, Guitar, Viola and String Bass: 1 Op. 25 (manuscript and typescript), 1954 Capriccio in Piccolo for Small Orchestra: Op. 26, 1954 1 The Ecstasy: Op. 27, 1954 1 Whitman Cycle I--Six Whitman Songs: Op. 28, 1954 1 Five Songs for Voice with Guitar and Bass Clarinet: Op. 29, 1954 1 Four Lyrics from the Book of Tao: Op. 30, 1954 1 Six Short Pieces for Clarinet and Piano: Op. 31 (manuscript and 1 typescript), 1954 Quartet for Violin, Clarinet, Horn and Cello: Op. 32, 1954 1 Serenata de Camera (Blake): Op. 33, 1954 3 Psalm XXIV--Cantata for Solo Alto and Tenor, Mixed Chorus, Three 1 Trumpets, Three Trombones, Timpani and Strings : Op. 34, 1954 Four Songs About Cats for Voice and Two Clarinets: Op. 36, 1954 1 Whitman Cycle II for High Voice and Piano: Op. 37, 1955 1 Psalm XIII: Op. 38, 1955 1 The Sick Rose (Blake) for Soprano and Oboe: Op. 42, 1955 2 Whitman Cycle III ("Sea Drift"): Op. 45, 1955 1 String Quartet No. 3 in A minor: Op. 46, 1955 1 - Page 7 -
A Song of Joys (Walt Whitman)--Cantata for Mixed Chorus with 3 Trumpets, Timpani and Organ: Op. 47, 1955 Concerto da Camera for Violoncello and Orchestra: Op. 49, 1955 1 The Circle (Luzzi): Op. 50, 1955 1 Fantasy for Strings: Op. 52, 1956 1 Third Little Symphony for Flute, Clarinet, Harpsichord and Strings: Op. 1 53, 1956 Symphony No. 2 in D major: Op. 57, 1956 1 Concertino for Violin and Strings: Op. 58, 1956 2 Symphony No. 3 in Bb major: Op. 59, 1956 2 Fog (Sandburg) for Soprano and Bassoon: Op. 64, 1957 2 Scenes from the Foothills: Op. 65, 1957 2 Aubade and Dance No. 1 for Flute and Strings: Op. 67, 1957 2 Aubade and Dance No. 2 for Oboe and Strings: Op. 68, 1957 2 Little Suite for Tower Music: Op. 69, 1957 2 Symphony No. 4 in F# Minor: Op. 70, 1957 4 Fanfare, Chorale and Finale: Op. 71, 1957 2 Concerto for Violin and Orchestra: Op. 72, 1957 OSx-1 Three Songs after James Joyce: Op. 73, 1957 2 Variations and Fugue on a theme by Arnold Schönberg for Woodwind 2 Quartet: Op. 74, 1957 Aubade and Dance No. 3: Op. 75, 1957 2 Music for Soprano and Brass: Op. 77, 1958 2 Chamber Set I: Op. 78, 1958 2 Three Chorale Preludes for Organ: Op. 79, 1958 2 Two Fantasies for Orchestra: Op. 80, 1958 2 Concertino for Two Pianos and Strings: Op. 81, 1958 2 Invention for Solo Clarinet: Op. 82, 1958 2 Hymn for Violoncello and Orchestra: Op. 83, 1958 4 Passacaglia for Orchestra: Op. 84, 1958 4 Serenade for Fifteen Winds: Op. 85, 1958 2 From Montauk Point (Whitman): Op. 86, 1958 2 String Quartet No. 4: Op. 88 (manuscript and typescript), 1958 2 Interlude for String Orchestra: Op. 89, 1958 2 - Page 8 -
Three Pieces for Clarinet and Piano: Op. 90 (manuscript and typescript), 1958 Three Love Songs for Soprano and Eight Instruments: Op. 92, 1959 2 Three Sacred Songs for Soprano, Oboe, Horn and Cello: Op. 93, 1959 4 Three Short Pieces for Bassoon and Piano: Op. 95, 1959 4 Includes both English and German versions. Septet for Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Horn, Violin, Viola, Violoncello, String Bass: Op. 96, 1959 Variations for Solo Viola: Op. 97 (manuscript and typescript), 1959 2 Chamber Set II for Violin, Trumpet, Alto Saxophone and String Bass: Op. 98, 1959 Reminiscence: Op. 99, 1959 2 Whitman Cycle IV: Op. 100, 1960 2 Five Songs after "The Prophet" : Op. 101, 1960 2 String Quartet No. 5: Op. 102, 1960 2 Nocturne for Flute and Clarinet: Op. 103 (manuscript and typescript), 1960 Partita for Piano: Op. 105, 1960-1961 2 Symphony No. 5: Op. 106, 1958-1961 OSx-1 Canonic Suite for Organ: Op. 107, 1961 2 Five Short Pieces for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon: Op. 108, 1961 2 Theme and Variations for Chamber Orchestra: Op. 109, 1961 2 Toccata for Piano: Op. 111, 1961 2 Sonata No. 2 for Violoncello and Piano: Op. 112, 1962 4 Octet for Woodwinds: Op. 113 (manuscript and typescript), 1962 4 Six Paintings of Claude Monet: Op. 116 (manuscript and typescript), 1963 Trio--Variations for Trumpet, Viola and Bass Clarinet: Op. 121, 1965 2 4 2 2 2 OSx-1 Symphony No. 6: Op. 125, 1966 OSx-1 Fantasia for Organ on Christ, Unser Herr, zum Jordan Kam: Op. 126, 1967 Elegy for Flute and Organ: Op. 127, 1968 2 Five Episodes in the Lives of Jacob and Joseph, for Organ: Op. 128, 1969 Toccata for Organ: Op. 129, 1971 2 2 2 - Page 9 -
2 Passacaglia and Fugue on Hyfrydol for Organ: Op. 133, 1973-1975 2 Pastorale for Five Violins, Cello, Vibes, Organ: Op. 134, 1975 2 Music for The Holy Eucharist: Op. 136, 1974 2 Music for the Holy Eucharist--Rite II (Second setting--unison Choir): 2 Op. 137, 1977 Music for the Holy Eucharist--Rite II (Third setting): Op. 137a, 1977 2 Two Pieces for Organ--Communion and Arioso: Op. 138, 1976 5 Meditation for Solo Violin: Op. 139 2 Variations in Miniature for Violin and Piano: Op. 143, 1978 2 A Mass for the Order of the Holy Cross for Unison Male Voices and 2 Organ: Op. 146, 1978 Music for the Holy Eucharist--Rite II (Setting five): Op. 147, 1981 2 The Lord's Prayer for Solo Voice and Organ: Op. 148, probably 1981 2 Phos Hilaron: Op. 149, 1977 2 Unto Thee, O Lord, Do I Lift Up My Soul (Psalm XXV)--An Anthem for 2 Mixed Voices and Organ: Op. 150, 1981 I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes (Psalm 121)--An Anthem for Mixed Voices and 2 Organ: Op. 151, 1980 String Quartet No. 6: Op. 155, 1977 2 Antiphons on Magnificat for the Ordinary of Advent--A Plainsong Suite 4 for Solo Guitar: Op. 156 (manuscript and typescript), 1981 He That Dwelleth in the Secret Place (Psalm 91)--An Anthem for Mixed 2 Voices and Organ: Op. 157, probably 1981 Becoming Perfectly One--Two Meditations for Chamber Orchestra: Op. 2 158, 1981 Trio for Strings: Op. 159 (manuscript and typescript), 1982 2 Quartet for the Annunciation for Violin, Clarinet, Violoncello and 3 Piano: Op. 160, 1982 There is a River Whose Streams Make Glad the City of God (Psalm 3 46)--Aubade for Flute, Viola and Guitar: Op. 162, 1982 Cathedral of the Incarnation--A Song for Soprano anf Violin after a 3 Poem by Robert Kelly: Op. 163, 1982 Symphony No. 7: Op. 164, 1983 OSx-1 - Page 10 -
Concertino da Camera for Solo Guitar, Violin, Horn, Bass Clarinet and 3 String Bass: Op. 165, 1983 Arioso for Trumpet anf Organ: Op. 167, 1981 3 Sonata for Guitar and Piano: Op. 168, 1983 3 Sounding Solitude--A Tone Poem for Clarinet, Bells and Guitar: Op. 3 169, 1984 Fresh Springs--A Tone Poem for Two Pianos: Op. 171 (manuscript and 3 typescript), 1984 Almighty God, Your Word is Cast--An Anthem for Mixed Choir: Op. 3 172, undated Hosanna to the Living Lord--A Festival Anthem for SATB Choir, Brass 4 and Organ: Op.173, undated Two Nocturnes for Shinobue and Guitar: Op. 175, 1985 4 A Seaside Suite for Two Guitars: Op. 178 (manuscript and typescript), 5 1985 O Lord, Our Governor: Op. 183, undated 5 O Little Town of Betlehem (SATB): Op. 189, 1988 5 Alleluia Fanfare: Op. 192, undated 5 Two Choral Hymn Arrangements--Amazing Grace and What Wondrous 5 Love is This?: Op. 193 (manuscript and typescript), undated Father, We Thank Thee--A Communion Anthem (SATB and Organ): Op. 5 197, undated Matins-- An Aubade for Violoncello and Guitar: Op. 198 (manuscript 5 and typescript), undated Sonatina for Solo Guitar: Op. 201 (manuscript and typescript), 1988 5 I Have Seen the Lord (The Witness of Mary Magdalene) for Baritone 5 Solo, Trebles and Mixed Choir with Organ : Op. 205, undated Of the Father's Love Begotten (Two-part Choir with Organ): Op. 221, 5 undated Pouring Out a Thousand Graces...--A Tone Poem for Organ and 5 English Horn: Op. 232, 1992 Introduction and Fugue on "Ein' Feste Burg ist unser Gott, for Organ: 5 Op. 233, undated I Will Give Thanks to the Lord with My Whole Heart (SATB with 5 Organ): Op. 237, undated - Page 11 -
Pastorale No. 2 for Organ: Op. 243 (manuscript and typescript), 1994 5 Sing to God--An Anthem for Mixed Voices and Organ: Op. 246, undated Four Quiet Canticles for Organ Based on Psalm Tones, Book I: Op. 249, undated Canticles for Organ Based on Psalm Tones, Book II: Op. 260, undated 5 Four Antiphons to the Blessed Virgin Mary for Soprano and Organ (Based upon Plainsong Propers): Op. 262 (manuscript and typescript), undated Four Latin Motets: Op. 263, undated 5 Fantasy Fugue on "Lobe den Herren" for Organ: Op. 266, undated 5 Missa Brevis (Music for the Holy Eucharist-VI): Op. 270, 2002 5 Copy of published version. Anima Christi (SATB a cappella): Op. 280, undated 5 O God, Unknown, Invisible, Secure (SATB with Organ): Op. 289, undated The Great Thanksgiving ('Cello and Organ): Op. 290, undated 5 Creator of the Stars of Night (SATB with Organ): Op. 293, undated 6 Chorale and Variations for Brass Quintet: Op. 297, undated 6 Two Sacred Pieces for Trombone and Organ: Op. 298, undated 6 Sonatina for Horn and Organ: Op. 299, undated 6 Thou, Who at Thy First Eucharist Did'st Pray (SATB and Organ): Op. 304, undated Two Little Motets for Advent (SATB, a cappella): Op. 305, undated 6 May God Be Merciful and Bless Us, for a cappella Men's Voice and O Lord, You Are My Portion and My Cup, for Women's Voices, a cappella : Op. 307, undated The Jesus Prayer (SATB a cappella): Op. 312, undated 6 I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes (SATB a cappella): Op. 312, probably 2013 6 5 5 5 5 6 6 - Page 12 -