Peter Schickele Papers, 1874-2013, bulk 1955-2013

Summary Information

Abstract

Peter Schickele (b. 1935) is an American composer, music educator, and satirist. He is best known for his comedy pieces composed by the fictional character P.D.Q. Bach. The collection contains manuscript and engraved scores and parts, sketches, revised and annotated copies of Schickele's work. In addition, the collection contains scripts of dramatic pieces or spoken introductions, correspondence, and memorabilia.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 3 series.

• Series I: Works Composed under Peter Schickele, 1955-2013
• Series II: Works Composed under P.D.Q. Bach, 1966-2012
• Series III: Memorabilia, 1874-1999
• Series IV: Additions to the Collection
• Sub Series IV.1, 2023 Addition

Description

Summary

The collection contains manuscript scores, sketches, and printed scores of works by Schickele composed under his name as well as under the fictional P.D.Q. Bach. Works composed under Schickele's name are arranged in Series I: Works Composed under Peter Schickele, 1955-2013. Pieces by P.D.Q. Bach are presented in Series II: Works Composed under P.D.Q. Bach., 1966-2012. Newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and other materials are found in Series III: Memorabilia, 1874-1999.

• Series I: Works Composed under Peter Schickele, 1955-2013

  Series I: Works Composed under Peter Schickele consists of material related to compositions created by Peter Schickele under his name. It includes manuscript scores, arrangements, annotated, revised, and rearranged versions, engraved parts, sketches (identified and unidentified), and notes. The series also includes correspondence on revisions with Schikele's collaborators in the production of the musical drama The Rivals.

• Series II: Works Composed under P.D.Q. Bach, 1966-2012

  Series II: Works Composed under P.D.Q. Bach consists of material related to compositions created by Peter Schickele and presented as the excavated work of the fictional composer P.D.Q. Bach. The series includes manuscript scores, annotated and revised versions, engraved parts, and sketches.

• Series III: Memorabilia, 1874-1999

  Series III: Memorabilia contains items not related to specific compositions by Schickele. It includes personal correspondence, photographs and printed images (such as book covers, images printed on loose calendar pages, and blank postcards), concert programs, pamphlets, newsletters and brochures, newspaper clippings and copies, tape cassettes (containing music sent to Schickele by other composers and recordings of works by W.A. Mozart and possibly C.P.E. Bach), and scores sent to Schickele by other composers. The series includes two sets of stereograph images dated 1874 and 1903.

• Series IV: Additions to the Collection

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Peter Schickele Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accrual

Additional material is expected

RBML holds an extensive unprocessed addition to this collection. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2015.2016.M119: Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--date.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed by Orit Hilewicz (GSAS 2017), 2016.

Finding aid written by Orit Hilewicz (GSAS 2017), 2016.

Revision Description

2016-10-12 File created.

2016-10-12 xml document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Peter Schickele was born in Ames, Iowa in 1935. In 1945, the family relocated to Washington, D.C., after Schickele's father took a teaching position at George Washington University. In 1946 the family relocated to Fargo, North Dakota, where Peter Schickele attended Fargo Central High School, graduating in 1952, and studied composition with Sigvald Thompson. Following his high-school graduation, Schickele enrolled in Swarthmore College, where he graduated in 1957. He was the first student in the history of the university, and the only student in his class, with a degree in music. Schickele then enrolled in the M.S. of composition program at the Juilliard School.

While at Juilliard, Schickele teamed up with conductor Jorge Mester to perform a humorous concert, which introduced the fictitious character of P.D.Q. Bach, the unknown son of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as the fictitious Professor Schickele of the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople, who discovered P.D.Q. Bach's works and arranged them for performance. The success of the first concert led to an annual event, and in 1965 Schickele moved the concert to New York City Town Hall and opened it to the public. The event became so popular by 1972 that it was moved to Avery Fischer Hall in Lincoln Center. Schickele's P.D.Q. Bach recordings earned him four consecutive wins of the Grammy Award for Best Comedy in 1990-1993.

Schickele composed music by commission under his own name as well as P.D.Q. Bach for the National Symphony, the Saint Louis Symphony, the Minnesota Opera, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, The Audubon and Lark String Quartets, the Minnesota Orchestral Association, and other organizations. He also hosted an educational radio program called Schickele Mix, which was broadcast on many public radio stations in the United States. While the show lasted until the late 1990s, rebroadcasts continued until 2007.