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Dana Richardson collection of Constant Vauclain material
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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. 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
Andre Constant Vauclain (1908-2003) was a composer and professor of music who developed a new system of composition that he called, "syntonality." Professionally, he was known as "Constant Vauclain" and by friends as "Connie."
According to Dana Richardson, "Syntonality is a system of composition designed to provide composers with the ability to control the tension/relaxation gradient at will, produce a coherent flow of harmony, and create a satisfying climax/denouement structure, in short, do everything that was possible to tonal composers, while employing all the chromatic resources of post-tonal composition." (1)
Vauclain was born on August 5, 1908 in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania to parents Andrew Constant Vauclain and Margaret Steen. He attended the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, graduating in 1930. From 1930 to 1935, Vauclain worked at the Philadelphia National Bank and studied music with Harl McDonald. Following this, Vauclain went to Italy to study with Rosario Scalero, but after only a few months in Italy, Scalero moved to Philadelphia to take up a teaching position at the Curtis Institute. Vauclain returned to Philadelphia upon obtaining a scholarship at Curtis, where he earned a Mus. B. in 1939 and a Mus. M. in 1940. Vauclain began work on a Ph.D. in music at the University of Pennsylvania, but his progress was delayed by the Second World War.
Constant Vauclain began teaching privately in 1938 and teaching music theory at the Curtis Institute in 1939. In 1941, he helped develop the music theory program at the New School of Music in Philadelphia (Now the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University) and taught there for two years. In 1945, he was asked to assist Randall Thompson at Princeton University, which he did for two years. In 1947, Constant Vauclain completed work on his Ph.D. and accepted an appointment as Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1953 he was promoted to Associate Professor and in 1961 he was appointed a Director of the Theodore Presser Company, a classical music publisher. Vauclain retired from Penn in 1979 and was awarded the position of Emeritus Professor of Music.
Constant Vauclain was married twice. In 1936 he married Lela Marie Maki (1913-1970), who also was a musician and composer. Her work was published under the pseudonym "Leo Marjamaki," due to her work being turned down for performance due to her being a woman. In 1983, Constant Vauclain married Sabine deCarbonnel deCanisy (1931-). Constant Vauclain had three daughters: Lisa, Elizabeth, and Margaret. Constant Vauclain died November 5, 2003.
Dana Dimitri Richardson (1953-), is a composer and music theorist who studied under Constant Vauclain from 1971 to 1976.
Matthew J. Colucci (1928-2017) was a composer and professor of music who taught at Temple University and the Curtis Institute of Music.
Sources cited:
(1) Richardson, Dana Dimitri. "Syntonality: A New System of Harmony." 2001, www.dana-richardson.org/syntonality8.pdf. Accessed March 1, 2024
The Dana Richardson collection of Constant Vauclain material is comprised of sheet music, audio cassettes, essays, notes and analysis of music, correspondence, newspaper clippings, event programs, photographs, poetry and lyrics.
This collection is organized into four series, one for each of the composers whose work appears in this collection.
All material is arranged alphabetically, unless otherwise noted.
I. Constant Vauclain papers
The majority of this collection is made up of materials related to the professional and artistic work of Constant Vauclain. This series is organized into eight subseries.
A. Music
The music subseries is further organized into 1) Musical compositions and 2) Recordings.
Musical compositions contains sheet music for original compositions by Constant Vauclain, most of which are original handwritten manuscripts.
Recordings contains audiocassettes with labels indicating that they are performances of Vauclain's music. It's unclear if Vauclain conducted or performed himself.
B. Writings
This subseries contains essays on music theory and a poem.
C. Teaching
This subseries contains sheet music, exercises, and syllabi for classes taught by Vauclain.
D. Research and notes
This subseries contains notes and research on music, particularly from his time as a student, but also his development of his theory of "Bisclarity."
E. Correspondence
This subseries contains a variety of letters received by Constant Vauclain, the majority of which were for the occasion of his retirement and appointment as an Emeritus Professor by the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. Additional correspondence is between Vauclain and Dana Richardson, which is largely concerned with discussions of music theory and each others work. Also present are some personal letters between Vauclain and his second wife, Sabine deCarbonnel deCanisy, as well as a variety of other letters received by Vauclain, including some from Eugene Ormandy and Leopold Stokowski, which are mainly of a professional nature.
F. Programs, press releases, and news clippings
The material in this subseries is related to performances of Vauclain's music.
G. Personal and family materials
This subseries contains a variety of material from Constant Vauclain's childhood, education, and personal life. It includes children's books, family and personal photographs, mementos, certificates, and biographical information. It does not include any material from his first marriage to Lela Marie Maki.
H. Reference materials
This collection of writing by others covers topics from music theory to the psychology of sound.
II. Dana Richardson papers
The Dana Richardson papers is the second largest series in this collection and is organized into three subseries.
A. Musical compositions
This series contains sheet music for original compositions by Dana Richardson. A handful are dedicated to Constant Vauclain.
B. Writings
This subseries contains a range of writing by Dana Richardson, particularly on music theory and analysis, as well as some poetry.
C. Recordings
Recordings contains audiocassettes and CD-ROM's with labels indicating that they are performances of Richardson's music. It is unclear if Richardson performed on these recordings.
III. Leo Marjamaki (Lela Maki, Lela Vauclain) materials
Lela Maki, who was Constant Vauclain's first wife, published her work under the pseudonym Leo Marjamaki. This series contains handwritten sheet music of original compositions.
IV. Matthew Colucci materials
This series contains sheet music of original compositions by Matthew Colucci.
I. Constant Vauclain papers
a. Music
1. Musical compositions
2. Recordings
b. Writings
c. Teaching
d. Research and notes
e. Correspondence
f. Programs, press releases, and news clippings
g. Personal and family materials
h. Reference materials
II. Dana Richardson papers
a. Musical compositions
b. Writings
c. Recordings
III. Leo Marjamaki (Lela Maki, Lela Vauclain) materials
IV. Matthew Colucci materials
Gift of Dana Richardson, October 2019
- Publisher
- University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
- Finding Aid Author
- Kenneth Cleary
- Finding Aid Date
- 2024 March 1
- Access Restrictions
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The bulk of this collection is open for research use, but some exceptions are noted below.
Use of the original audio media in box 4, folder 15, and boxes 5 and 6 is restricted. If the original does not already have a copy, it may be sent to an outside vendor for copying. Patrons are financially responsible for the cost. The turnaround time from the time of request to delivery of digital items will depend on the nature of the material and is subject to review for condition. Please contact the Kislak Center (kislak@upenn.edu) for cost estimates and ordering. Researchers should be aware of specifics of copyright law and act accordingly.
- Use Restrictions
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Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.