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Paul Vazkén papers

 Collection
Identifier: PIMS-0043

Scope and Contents

The Paul Vazkén papers (1940-1996) contain manuscript scores and personal papers of the musician. Series 1 contains manuscript scores and arrangements written by Vazkén. Subseries A contains manuscript scores with opus numbers, subseries B contains scores without opus numbers, and subseries C contains Vazkén's manuscript arrangements of music by other composers. Series 2 includes drafts, sketches, and fragments of manuscript scores. Subseries A includes fragments with opus numbers and subseries B contains fragments without opus numbers. Series 3 contains personal papers of Vazkén. These include concert programs, correspondence, copyright licenses, and essays. Also included are various photographs of Vazkén’s personal life and performances.

Dates

  • Creation: 1940-1996

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for use at the Peabody Archives. Contact peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or perform materials in this collection must be submitted in writing to the archivist of the Arthur Friedheim Library.

Biographical / Historical

Paul Roland Vacek was a musician and composer under the pen name Paul Vazkén. Born in Armenia in 1927 as Vasken H. Chakmakjian, he changed his name to Paul Vacek when coming to the United States in 1941. He studied violin at an early age, leading him to pursue a degree at Peabody Conservatory of Music from 1946 to 1949, where he studied violin, piano, and composition. He showed a certain passion for composition, with much of his work taking influence from Armenian folk music. Vazkén was also a member of the Knar Ani string quartet, playing with Manasseh G. Sevag, Ronald Hockenberry, and Clarence Carroll.

Extent

5.39 Cubic Feet (15 medium flat boxes, 1 half-size legal box, 1 oversize flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Paul Vacek was a violinist, pianist, and composer (using the pen name Paul Vazkén) who studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Music from 1946 to 1949. His papers contain manuscript scores of his compositions and arrangements, drafts and fragments of manuscript scores, and personal papers.

Other Finding Aids

A detailed inventory of folder contents exists offline. Please contact the Peabody Archives for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Paul Vazkén in 1990 and 1997.

Processing Information

Processed by Scott A. Miller.

Title
Guide to the Paul Vazkén papers
Author
Kerri Sheehan
Date
2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Peabody Archives Repository

Contact:
Peabody Institute
1 E. Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore MD 21202 USA