Louis Crowder Collection
Abstract
Louis Crowder (1907-1998) was a pianist, music teacher, and music writer. He wrote many published and unpublished books and articles, including books on Anatomy of the Hand, Bones, Muscles, and Keyboards, and articles for Clavier magazine. Crowder also performed a variety of concerts in Europe and taught both piano pedagogy conferences and music at various schools, including Northwestern University, Iowa State Teachers College, and the University of Connecticut. The collection consists of published and unpublished writings, correspondence, programs, articles, scores, publicity materials, reports, resumes, photographs, and questionnaires related to Crowders teaching, writing, and performing careers, and his relationships with his friends and colleagues, including Mary Louise Boehm, Kees Kooper, his teacher, Robert Casadesus, and his wives, Naomi West Crowder (a.k.a. Nan), and Carol Odeneal.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Louis Crowder Collection, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Summary: Louis Crowder was born in Springfield, Illinois on July 5, 1907. He performed a series of concerts in European capitals, including concerts in Norwegian cities, and was one of the first pianists to perform in Europe at the end of World War II. Mr. Crowder was a professor at Mount Union College at Alliance Ohio, the Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and University of Connecticut in Storrs. Connecticut. Crowder died on July 22nd, 1998.
Full History: Louis Crowder was born in Springfield, Illinois on July 5, 1907. He graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology School of Fine Arts with a major in piano under Selmar Janson, and was awarded several scholarships for study in Europe. He went on to study in Berlin with Eugen DAlbert, one of the greatest of Liszts pupils, and with Egon Petri, equally famous as pianist and pedagogue. Robert Casadesus, then unknown in this country, drew him to Paris, where he began, under the guidance of the great Frenchman, study that continued through the next two years and intermittently for several years thereafter. Extensive stays in Spain contributed an acquaintance with still another musical culture.
Before returning from his European studies, Mr. Crowder played a series of concerts in European capitals, still in their pre-World War II artistic vitality London, Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Berlin, Leipzig, and others received him with favor, as did many American cities thereafter. Upon the conclusion of World War II, he was one of the first American pianists to perform in Europe. On invitation of the Norway America Association, he gave a series of concerts in a number of Norwegian cities, and in recognition was received by the late King Haakon.
Mr. Crowders teaching career had included appointments at Mount Union College at Alliance Ohio, the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, University of Connecticut at Storrs, Connecticut. He had conducted conferences on piano pedagogy and piano workshops in various cities and colleges. Crowder died on July 22nd, 1998.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Louis Crowder Collection covers the period from 1899 to 2000; the bulk of the materials date from 1934 to 1980. The collection consists of both personal and professional documents including published and unpublished writings, correspondence, programs, articles, scores, publicity materials, reports, resumes, photographs, and questionnaires related to Crowders work as a piano performer, music professor, and music writer, including work on his book, Anatomy of the Hand, his work for Clavier magazine, and his various recitals, orchestra performances, classes he has taught, and piano competitions that he has been involved in.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Gift of Carol Odeneal, the widow of Louis Crowder in 1999.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Elizabeth Mason.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Elizabeth J. Mason, March 2013.
Arrangement of Collection
This collection is organized into five series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Performance Files, 1928-1975, and Undated (null)
This series comprises programs, reviews, scores, publicity materials and articles related to Crowders performances. Materials are arranged chronologically by performance date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs, 1930-1975 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | ||
| Scrapbook, 1928-1949, and Undated | series 1 | box 6 | folder 1 | ||
| Scores, 1963, and Undated | series 1 | box 6 | folder 2 | ||
| Prelude (Mist and Clouds), by Anton Rovinsky, Undated | series 1 | box 6 | folder 2 | item 1.0 | |
| Two Preludes, by Anthony Donato, Undated | series 1 | box 6 | folder 2 | item 2.0 | |
| Selected Pieces ("Little Joe", "Smoke Eyes", "Box Car", "Come Seven"), by Anthony Donato, Undated | series 1 | box 6 | folder 2 | item 3.0 | |
| Piano Sonata No. 3, By Sally A. Sheirer, 1963 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 2 | item 4.0 | |
Series 2: Correspondence, 1953-1999, and Undated (null)
This series consists of correspondence with Clavier magazine, correspondence with publishers, domestic correspondence, foreign correspondence. The files are organized chronologically by date.
Subseries 2.1: Clavier Correspondence, 1961-circa 1983
This subseries contains letters to and from Louis Crowder and to Clavier Magazine editorial staff about Crowder regarding Crowders contributions to Clavier Magazine.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clavier Correspondence, 1961-circa 1983 | series 2.1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
Subseries 2.2: Publishers' Correspondence, 1956-1998
This subseries contains letters between Louis Crowder and publishers about Crowders books and articles and between Robert Crowder and Nan and publishers about Louis Crowders book.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publishers' Correspondence, 1956-1998 | series 2.2 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
Subseries 2.3: Domestic Correspondence, 1954-1999, and Undated
This subseries contains letters between Crowder and friends, editors, students, fans, and colleagues about employment, piano concerts, appointments, personal issues, and Crowders book, as well as letters to Robert Crowder and Nan about Louis Crowders death.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letters -- Northwestern, 1954-circa 1983 | series 2.3 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Letters from Mary Louise Boehm Kooper, 1991-1999, and Undated | series 2.3 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Robert Crowder and Nan Correspondence, 1998-1999, and Undated | series 2.3 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Miscellaneous Domestic Correspondence, 1954-1995, and Undated | series 2.3 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
Subseries 2.4: Foreign Correspondence, 1953-1995, and Undated
This subseries contains correspondence between Crowder and friends, students, and public officers in various countries, including Spain, Germany, and Mexico, about financial issues, recitals, traveling, immigration, and personal issues.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letters from Friends -- Spain and Foreign, 1953-1962, and Undated | series 2.4 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Foreign Correspondence, 1963-1995, and Undated | series 2.4 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
Series 3: Subject Files, 1960-1991, and Undated (null)
This series contains materials related to Crowders teaching and adjudication career, and articles about Crowder in Clavier Magazine. Materials are arranged chronologically by date.
Subseries 3.1: Crowder as Adjudicator, Clinician, Teacher, 1960-1974, and Undated
This subseries contains materials related to the Rhode Island International Master Pianist Competition, materials on Crowders piano literature course, a publicity kit, and advertisements for his piano pedagogy seminar.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piano Rep Course, 1960, and Undated | series 3.1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Material for Lectures, Etc., Undated | series 3.1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Graduate Assistantships, 1973-1974 | series 3.1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Competitions and Seminars, 1973-1974, and Undated | series 3.1 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
Subseries 3.2: Magazine and Newspaper Articles, 1965-1991
This subseries contains articles about Crowder in Clavier Magazine and in The Hartford Times.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles About Crowder, 1965-1991 | series 3.2 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
Series 4: Writings, 1899-1998, and Undated (null)
This series contains published writings, unpublished writings, tracings, and sketch books of published writings on relaxation, composers, musicality, and physical issues to pay attention to when playing the piano. Materials in this series are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Subseries 4.1: Sketch Papers of Published Writings, 1959-1974, and Undated
This subseries contains sketch papers of published writings on composers, relaxation, Baroque and contemporary music, and ornamentation.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles -- Relaxation, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Baroque Articles, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Articles -- Debussy, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Ornamentation, 1969, and Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Classical Album -- Mozart, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Articles -- Rubato, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Couperin Article, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Time Notation, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Articles -- Beethoven, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Hunter and Herz, 1968, and Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Articles -- Chaminade, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 11 | |
| Scarlatti, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 12 | |
| Lectures -- George Sand, 1959, and Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 13 | |
| 20th-Century Article, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 14 | |
| Romantic, Undated | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 15 | |
| Articles -- Valldeimosa, 1974 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 16 | |
| Unknown Notes, and Creative Piano Teaching Article, 1962 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 17 | |
Subseries 4.2: Published Writings, 1960-1990, and Undated
This subseries contains published writings from The Piano Teacher and from Clavier. It also contains reference books for Clavier articles. Materials in this subseries are arranged chronologically by subject.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxation Comes of Age, 1960-1961 | series 4.2 | box 2 | folder 18 | |
| Articles for "Piano Teacher" -- Practicing, 1965, and Undated | series 4.2 | box 2 | folder 19 | |
| Articles -- Bach (Clavier), 1962, and Undated | series 4.2 | box 2 | folder 20 | |
| Clavier -- Piano Tone, 1990 | series 4.2 | box 2 | folder 21 | |
| Reference Articles for Clavier, 1965-1980 | series 4.2 | box 2 | folder 22 | |
| Bibliography for Clavier, 1932-1965, and Undated | series 4.2 | box 2 | folder 23 | |
Subseries 4.3: Commentary, 1899-1984, and Undated
This subseries contains comments that Crowder has made on writings by Amy Fay, Tobias Matthay, Josef Hofmann, and other music writers.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bie -- History of the Pianoforte -- and Ching and Hofmann--Piano Playing, 1899-1946 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Cooke, Amy Fay -- Various Books -- Playing the Piano for Pleasure, 1873-1953 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Matthay -- Act of Touch -- "The Visible and Invisible in Pianoforte Technique", 1926-1978, and Undated | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Ortmann Comments, 1929-1984 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Comments -- Schultz, 1936 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Vantyn--"Modern Pianoforte Technique" -- Eisenberg--"Natural Techniques in Piano Mastery" -- and Schmitz---"The Capture of Inspiration", 1920-1997 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
Subseries 4.4: Tracings, Undated
This subseries contains Crowders tracings of various body parts, including the deltoids, bones, shoulders, and phalanges.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracings -- Bones, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Tracings -- Deltoid, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Tracings -- Forearms, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| Tracings -- Hands, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 10 | |
| Tracings -- Phalanges, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 11 | |
| Tracings -- Shoulder, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 12 | |
| Vibrato Essay, 1904-1932, and Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 13 | |
| The Nature of the Problem, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 14 | |
| Introductory Chapter -- Unknown Book, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 15 | |
| Summary and Comment on the Pianistic Behavior of Muscles, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 16 | |
| Anatomy of the Hand -- Earlier Versions, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 17 | |
| Anatomy of the Hand -- Preface, 1954 | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 18 | |
| Introductory Chapter -- Why Bother With Anatomy, Undated | series 4.4 | box 3 | folder 19 | |
| Preface and Introduction -- Extra Copies, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Introductory Diagrams, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Anatomy of the Hand -- Latest Versions -- Chapters 1 and 2, 1974, and Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| Anatomy of the Hand -- Latest Versions -- Bones of the Hand, Muscles of the Hand, 1974, and Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Anatomy -- Pre-Final Copies, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| Chapter 1 -- The Dubious Science of Piano Playing, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| Chapter 2 -- A Digression Concerning Levers, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| Chapter 2 -- The Case for Anatomy -- Former Name?, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| Chapter 3 -- Joints and their Characteristics -- Notes and Draft, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
| Notes/Bibliography -- Chapters 1-3, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| Chapter 4 -- A Digression on Muscular Behavior, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 11 | |
| Chapter 5 -- Bones of the Hand, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 12 | |
| Chapter 5 -- Muscles Operating Through the Fingers -- Old Version/Name?, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 13 | |
| Chapter 6 -- Muscles of the Thumb and Little Finger, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 14 | |
| Chapter 7 -- Bones of the Shoulder and Arm, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 15 | |
| Chapter 8 -- Muscles of the Shoulder and Upper Arm, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 16 | |
| Chapter 9 -- Muscles of the Shoulder, Upper Arm, and Forearm, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 17 | |
| Part 2 -- Anatomy Related to Piano Technique -- Chapter 11--The Behavior of the Phalanges in Piano Playing--Old Version?, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 18 | |
| Part 3 -- Anatomy Related to Piano Technique -- Chapter 10--The Behavior of the Phalanges in Piano Playing, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 19 | |
| Notes for Chapter 10, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 20 | |
| Introductory Chapter -- Why Bother With Anatomy, 1972, and Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 20 | |
| Chapter 11 -- Ailments of the Hands, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 21 | |
| Chapter 12 -- Muscular Activity in the Arms, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 22 | |
| Chapter 13 -- Behavior of the Phalanges, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 23 | |
| Chapter 14? -- Pages 262-272 -- Playing Actions, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 24 | |
| Chapter 15 -- Rotation, Undated | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 25 | |
| Bones, Muscles, and Pianos -- Elementary Anatomy for the Pianist -- Excerpts from Some Chapters, Other Chapters Complete, 1998 | series 4.4 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Bones, Muscles, and Keyboards -- Elementary Anatomy for the Pianist -- Introduction, 1998 | series 4.4 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Outline of Book on Piano Techniques, 1952, and Undated | series 4.4 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Reference Books for Anatomy -- Levinskaya and Breithraupt, 1984, and Undated | series 4.4 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Reference Books for Anatomy -- Miscellaneous, 1934-1978 | series 4.4 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Bibliography for Anatomy, 1948-1974 | series 4.4 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
Subseries 4.5: Unpublished Writings, 1904-1998, and Undated
This subseries contains copies of Crowders unpublished books on anatomy and piano techniques. It also contains reference books for his unpublished books.
The box inventory for this subseries is not currently available online. Please refer to the subseries description above for a broad description of the materials or contact the department for more information.
Series 5: Miscellaneous, 1931-2000, and Undated (null)
This series contains miscellaneous documents, including recommendation letters, Spanish documentation, reports, resumes, questionnaires, and advertisements. Materials are arranged chronologically by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous -- Academic, 1931-1976, and Undated | series 5 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Miscellaneous -- Geneaology, Reference, Programs, Etc., 1933-2000, and Undated | series 5 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
| Photo Albums, 1972-1997, and Undated | series 5 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
Related Material
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.