Mendel, Arthur, 1905-1979

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After graduation from Harvard University (B.A. 1925), Mendel went to Paris, where he studied with Nadia Boulanger (1925-1927). He was music critic of THE NATION (1930-1933), literary editor for G. Schirmer (1930-1938), editor of the American Musicological Society's journal (1940-1943), and editor for Associated Music Publishers (1941-1947). He was also an active translator. From 1936 to 1953 he conducted the Cantata Singers, one of the first groups in the USA to give authentic performances of Baroque music. He taught at the Dalcroze School of Music and the Diller - Quaile School in New York (1938-1950), serving as president of the former (1947-1950). In the late 1940s Mendel gained recognition as a musicologist. He was appointed professor of music at Princeton University (1952), where he was departmental chairman (1952-1967), and held the Henry Putnam University Professorship from 1969 until his retirement in 1973. He was a member of the editorial boards of the Neue Bach - Ausgabe and the new Josquin edition. Mendel published studies on the history of musical pitch and the rhythmic structure of Renaissance and Baroque music. His editions and studies of Bach's life and works, most notably the documentary biography THE BACH READER (1945, with Hans T. David), and his practical and critical editions of the ST. JOHN PASSION (1951, 1974), brought him recognition as the foremost American Bach scholar of his generation. In his later years he investigated the music of Josquin and possible applications of computer technology to musicological problems. A Festschrift in his honor, STUDIES IN RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE MUSIC, was published in 1974 (edited by Robert L. Marshall).

From the description of Arthur Mendel papers, 1937-1981 (bulk 1950-1979). (Peking University Library). WorldCat record id: 156029194

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Gustave Reese papers, 1855-1978, 1930-1977 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Edward and Clara Steuermann Collection, 1922-1981, (bulk 1930-1980) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Cantata Singers records, 1936-1971 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn The John Kirkpatrick Papers, 1836-1993 (inclusive) Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
creatorOf American Musicological Society. Records, 1934-1992. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Grout, Donald Jay. Donald Jay Grout papers, 1929-1989. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Yaddo records, 1870-1980 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Cantata Singers (New York, N.Y.). Cantata Singers records, 1936-1971. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Kirkpatrick, John, 1905-1991. The John Kirkpatrick papers, 1836-1993 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Grout, Donald Jay. Donald Jay Grout papers, 1929-1989. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Reese, Gustave, 1899-1977. The Gustave Reese collection, 1855-1978 (bulk 1930-1977). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Hall, Thomas. The Thomas Hall collection, 1932-1979 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Howe, Winifred Bliss. Winifred Howe Papers, 1922-1986. California Digital Library
referencedIn Julius Gold Collection, 1858-1924, (bulk 1920-1955) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Donald Jay Grout papers, 1929-1989. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Bolster, Caitriona. Paul Hindemith oral history, 1951-1976 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Mendel, Arthur, 1905-1979. Correspondence with American Musicological Society, 1964-1976. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Mendel, Arthur, 1905-1979. Arthur Mendel papers, 1937-1981 (bulk 1950-1979). Princeton University Library
creatorOf Mendel, Arthur, 1905-1979. La cinquantaine : cauchemar* angelique. Library of Congress
referencedIn Lyonel Feininger papers, 1883-1960. Houghton Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith All Soul's Church (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith American Musicological Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Cantata Singers. corporateBody
associatedWith Cantata Singers (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Engel, Carl, 1883-1944. person
correspondedWith Feininger, Lyonel, 1871-1956 person
correspondedWith Gold, Julius, 1884-1969 person
associatedWith Grout, Donald Jay. person
associatedWith Grout, Donald Jay. person
associatedWith Hall, Thomas. person
associatedWith Howe, Winifred Bliss. person
associatedWith International Josquin Festival-Conference New York) corporateBody
associatedWith Josquin, Des Pres, 1440?-1521 person
associatedWith Kirkpatrick, John, 1905-1991. person
associatedWith Princeton University. Dept. of Music corporateBody
associatedWith Reese, Gustave, 1899-1977. person
correspondedWith Steuermann, Edward person
associatedWith Yaddo (Artist's colony) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)--New York
New Jersey
Subject
Birthdays
Music
Music
Musical pitch
String quartets
Occupation
Conductor
Conductors (Music)
Princeton University
Activity

Person

Birth 1905-06-06

Death 1979-10-14

Americans

English

Information

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Ark ID: w63b5x3m

SNAC ID: 18873762