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John Sebastian papers
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Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
John Sebastian (1914-1980), who graduated from Haverford College in 1936, was a harmonica virtuoso and composer. Born in 1914 in Philadelphia, né Pugliese, Sebastian helped make the harmonica a classically-oriented instrument and advocated for composers see it as a serious instrument. He performed in many concerts on the harmonica. Sebastian died in France in 1980.
Sebastian's papers consist of musical scores, many in manuscript form, and some letters. Musical composers include: Anthony Burgess, Luciano Chailly, Norman Dello Joio, Alan Hovhaness, Darius Milhaud, Alexander Tcherepnin, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and others. Letters writers include: Donald Martino, Tom Scott, and Alexander Tcherepnin.
The scores are arranged alphabetically by composer within six series:
I. Works Written for Harmonica
II. Arrangements for Orchestra and/or Instruments Including Harmonica
III. Manuscript Scores Not for Harmonica
IV. Fragments and Unknown Manuscripts
V. Works Transcribed for Harmonica or Transposed to a New Key
VI. Other Scores Belonging to John Sebastian.
Finding aid arranged alphabetically by series, but not by physical location, which is noted by instance.
The John Sebastian papers were donated to Special Collections, Haverford College in 1986 by John Ferguson.
Processed by Diana Peterson and Janela Harris; Completed 2013.
- Publisher
- Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
- Finding Aid Author
- Diana Peterson and Janela Harris
- Finding Aid Date
- 2013
- Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
-
Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (US. Title 17). Please contact the Archives with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce the material.
Collection Inventory
Score. MS. 1 copy.
Harmonica part. MS. 1 copy.
Score. Printed, bound. 1 copy.
Reduction for Harmonica and Piano.
For John Sebastian.
MS. 1 copy.
For John Sebastian.
MS. 1 copy.
Printed. 2 copies.
Full score. Printed. 1 copy. MS. 1 copy.
Harmonica part. Printed. 1 copy.
1st Violin. Printed. 7 copies.
2nd Violin. Printed. 6 copies. MS. 1 copy.
Viola. Printed. 4 copies.
Cello. Printed. 3 copies.
Bass. Printed. 2 copies.
Flute. Printed. 1 copy.
Percussion. Printed. 2 copies.
Score. Printed, bound. 1 copy.
Flute solo. Printed. 1 copy.
Full score. Bound, annotated. 1 copy.
Harmonica part. MS. 2 copies.
Orchestral parts. MS.
"La Morte Meditata" di ["The Death Meditation" by] Guiseppe Ungaretti.
"La Madre del Bimbo Martire" di ["The Mother of the Child Martyr" by] Aurelio Prudenzio (4th Cenruty).
MS. 1 copy.
Full score. MS, bound. 1 copy.
Harmonica part. MS. 3 copies.
[Movements] include:
I. Carnival
II. Mirror Pool
III. Little Trolley Car
IV. Public Auction
Copyright 1954 by C.F. Peterson Corp. New York, NY.
Three movements:
I. Adagio
II. Andante-Allegro-Andante
III. Allegro
(First Version:)
Full score. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Harmonica and Piano. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Harmonica solo. MS. 1 copy.
Violin I. MS. 1 copy. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Violin II. MS. 1 copy. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Viola. MS. 1 copy. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Cello. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Bass. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
(Final version:)
Full score. Duplicated MS. 2 copies.
Harmonica and Piano. Duplicated MS. 2 copies.
N.B., the revisions over the 1953 version are:
Addition of an opening "Andante and Senza Misura" section.
A "Senza Nisura" at the end of the first movement.
A "Senza Misura" before the final andante of the second movement.
Additions to the Harmonica part.
Changes in the strings parts.
Parts for the wind instruments were added as substitute for Harmonica.
Copyright 1968 by C.F. Peterson Corp. New York, NY.
Full score. MS. 1 copy.
Harmonica and Piano. Duplicated MS. 4 copies.
Violin I. MS. 4 copies. Duplicated MS, annotated. 1 copy. Printed. 1 copy, 3 photocopies.
Violin II. MS. 4 copies. Duplicated MS, annotated. 1 copy. Printed. 1 copy, 2 photocopies.
Viola. MS, annotated. 1 copy. MS. 2 copies. Printed. 1 copy, 1 photocopy.
Cello. MS, annotated. 1 copy. MS. 2 copies. Printed. 1 copy, 1 photocopy.
Bass. MS, annotated. 1 copy. MS. 2 copies. Printed. 1 copy, 1 photocopy.
The Dances:
I. Hassapiko
II. Selybrian Syrtos
III. Sweet Basil Green
IV. Karagouna
V. Tsaconian Dance
VI. Pastoral
VII. Sousta
Published by Joseph Williams, Ltd., London. Copyright 1957.
Printed. 2 copies.
Published by Joseph Williams, Ltd., London.
Harmonica Solo, Printed 1 copy.
Pieces:
I. Caprice
II. Cradle Song
III. Russian Dance
IV. Threnody
V. Country Song
(a.k.a. Street Corner Concerto and Street Walker Concerto)
Published by Chappell and Co., Inc. Written for John Sebastian. (*According to composer)
Three movements:
I. Dance of the City Kids.
II. Sleeping City
III. Hustle Bustle (the city awakens)--not included.
Piano Reduction for Accompaniment for Clarinet or Sax. 1 copy.
Orchestral Parts:
Horn 1st. MS. 1 copy.
Horn 2nd in "F". MS. 1 copy.
Trumpets in "B Flat". MS. 1 copy.
Trombones 1st. MS. 1 copy.
Trombones 2nd. MS. 2 copies.
Percussion. MS. 1 copy.
Harp. MS. 3 copies.
Violin 1st. MS. 1 copy. MS. and duplicated MS. 6 copies. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Violin 2nd. MS. and duplicated MS. 5 copies.
Viola. MS. and duplicated MS. 4 copies.
Cello. MS. 1 copy. MS. and duplicated MS. 4 copies.
Bass. MS. 1 copy. MS. and duplicated MS. 3 copies.
Score. Bound. 2 copies.
Little Concerto: Box 1, Folder 5-11
Harmonica Concerto: Box 4, Folder 10-11
1958. Not clear for whom it is written. Could have been Larry Adler but something went wrong for his name is crossed out.
Full score, duplicated MS., bound. 1 copy.
Written for and dedicated to John Sebastian. Signed by composer. Publisher not known.
Full score. MS. 1 copy.
Three movements, the second marked "In memoriam Felin H. Deyo".
Scored for full orchestra. Score indicates orchestra of: flutes (3) plus piccolo, oboes (2), English horn/oboe, Clarinets (2) plus bass clarinet, bassoons (2) plus contra bassoon, horns in "F" (4), trumpets in B Flat (3), trombones (3), tuba, timpani/percussion, celesta and harp, solo harmonica, 1st and 2nd violins, viola, cello and double bass.
From A Collection of Solo Pieces to be Played in Public. 1955. Written for John Sebastian.
Concert Etude. MS. 1 copy.
N.B., Attached letter from the composer to John Sebastian, [states pieces should be considered as an exercise or Etude: if last movement impossible to play, will rewrite it]. Nov. 8, 1955.
Published by Boosey & Hawkes. Copyright 1942.
Solo. MS. 1 copy.
Written "specially for John Sebastian".
MS. 1 copy.
MS. 1 copy.
1940.
Harmonica Solo part only, MS.
I. Overature
II. Aeietta
III. Finale
Published by Leeds Music Ltd., U.K. and MCA Music Inc., New York. 1941.
Harmonica Solo part only, MS.
1974.
MS. 1 copy.
Written for John Sebastian.
Two movements only, both in Harmonica & Orchestra form:
I. Coney Island
II. Gettysburg
Duplicated MS. 1 copy (dated 1956?).
In a typed letter to John Sebastian dated Feb. 9, 1957, Tom Scott states ["three further movements to come." Scott also says arrangements had been made for summer '57 to premiere this work, also mentions music for movies and television.] No sign of "further movements." Mrs. Scott says the work was never finished.
Publisher not known. Final version written out by J.M. Ferguson.
Full score. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Harmonica solo. Duplicated MS. 2 copies; cover on one copy.
Four movements:
I. Allegro
II. Lento
III. Presto
IV. Poco Sostenuto-Allegretto
N.B., From a letter to John Sebastian, 19.XI.53, from the composer it is clear Tcherepnin wrote the solo part first in 1953 (date of letter) saying he would have the orchestration ready by the "next February," presumably 1954. The work was first performed in 1956 (Letter included).
1955. Written for and dedicated to John Sebastian. Final version written out by J.M. Ferguson.
Publisher: Associated Music Pub., Inc.
Three movements:
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro
Full score, duplicated MS. 2 copies, annotated.
Piano Reduction, duplicated MS. 1 copy. Signed by composer.
Orchestral parts:
Flute, duplicated MS.
Oboe, duplicated MS.
Clarinet in B flat, duplicated MS.
Bassoon, duplicated MS.
Horn in "F" 1st, duplicated MS.
Horn in "F" 2nd, duplicated MS.
Bass trombone, duplicated MS.
Timpani, duplicated MS.
Harp, duplicated MS.
Harmonica solo, duplicated MS.
Violin 1st, duplicated MS.
Violin 2nd, duplicated MS.
Viola, duplicated MS.
Cello, duplicated MS.
Bass, duplicated MS.
Published by De Wolfe, London. 1953.
Piano reduction. Printed. 1 copy.
Published by De Wolfe, London. 1954.
Solo. Printed, annotated. 1 copy.
MS. 1 copy.
MS. 1 copy.
Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Printed. 1 copy.
MS. 1 copy. Printed. 1 copy.
Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
MS. 1 copy.
MS. 1 copy.
N.B., the solo parts in the arrangements are single note lines, there is no indication of how or if John Sebastian had a special way of playing them.
Piano. MS. 1 copy.
Flute solo. Printed. 1 copy.
Two movements:
I. Andante
II. Largo e dolce
Flute solo. Printed.
Piano solo. Printed.
Flute & Piano. Printed.
Full score. Printed.
Orchestral parts:
Violin 1st. MS. 1 copy. Duplicated MS. 7 copies.
Violin 2nd. MS. 1 copy. Duplicated MS. 5 copies.
Viola. MS. 2 copies. Duplicated MS. 4 copies.
Cello. MS. 1 copy. Duplicated MS. 2 copies.
Bass. MS. 1 copy. Duplicated MS. 1 copy.
Printed, 1 copy.
Autograph dedication, signed.
or Bird Calls (Roumanian Folk Tunes). Publisher not known.
Gypsy aire, Hungarian. Could be an arrangement of a folk tune?
Full score, MS. 1 copy.
Orchestral parts:
Violins (3 parts), MS. 12 copies
Bass. 1 copy.
Drums. 1 copy.
Flute. 1 copy.
Clarinet. 1 copy.
Ten Sax. 2 copies.
Trumpet. 1 copy.
Control. 1 copy.
No solo part as such; but no harmonica part.
MS., fragment. 1 copy.
Also titled New York City Dawn.
Duplicated MS. Unattributed. 1 copy.
MS., fragment. 1 copy.
MS., fragment. 1 copy.
MS., fragment. 1 copy.
MS., fragment. 1 copy.
Printed, annotated. 1 copy.
MS. 1 copy.
Published. Copyright 1937.
Voice & Piano.
Harmonica part, n.d.
Transcription, MS. 1 copy.
Printed. 1 copy.
Transcribed by William Daly. Published with transposed MS.
Piano solo. Printed, annotated. 1 copy. Inserts.
Published with transposed MS.
Flute solo. Printed. 1 copy.
Piano. Printed, annotated. 1 copy.
from Sonata 16 in A. Published, n.d.
Harmonica part. MS. 1 copy. Printed. 1 copy.
Published, n.d.
Transposed MS. inserts.
1969.
Duplicated MS. transcription. 1 copy.
1958.
Duplicated MS., annotated. 1 copy.
from Bachianus Brasilieras #2.
Harmonica part. MS. transcription and title page. 1 copy.