ContentsOrganization of the Ethel L. Voynich Papers Container List |
Ethel L. Voynich PapersProcessed by the Music Division of the Library of Congress2010
Biographical NoteEthel Lillian Voynich (1864-1960) was a social activist, novelist, translator, and composer. Born May 11, 1864, in County Cork, Ireland, Ethel Lilian Boole was the youngest of the five daughters of George Boole (1815-1864) and Mary Everest Boole (1832-1916). George Boole was an eminent mathematician whose theories (Boolean Logic) were instrumental to the development of modern technologies, including digital recording and the Internet. Mary Boole was an eccentric mathematician, teacher, and writer whose books on teaching mathematics to children became milestones in education. Despite their strong intellectual background, George and Mary lived in acute poverty and sent Ethel to live with her uncle, Charles Boole, in Lancashire. The years of physical abuse from Charles that followed eventually became the basis for her 1901 novel, Jack Raymond. At the age of eighteen, Ethel traveled to Berlin and enrolled in the Hochschule der Musik in an effort to pursue her childhood love of music. Her studies of piano and composition from 1882-1885, however, were overshadowed by her newfound interest in revolutionary literature and political activism. Inspired by the plight of Russian prisoners under Tzarist rule, Ethel moved to St. Petersburg in 1887, where she made ends meet teaching English and music, dedicating any remaining time to helping suffering prisoners and peasants. After two years of committed charitable, revolutionary activity, Ethel returned to London, where she made the acquaintance of Polish patriot, antiquarian, and bibliophile Wilfred Michael Voynich, then a Russian fugitive. The two lived together and worked on various revolutionary endeavors for many years, eventually marrying in 1902. During this period, Ethel established herself as both a writer and a translator of Russian literature into English. Her first published translation, Stories from Garshin, was released in 1893, followed by The humor of Russia (1985), and Nihilism as it is (1895). Her most famous novel, The Gadfly (1897), was later made into a film in the Soviet Union with a score by Dmitiri Shostakovich. Ethel remained musically active as well, becoming a member of the Society of Woman Musicians, an organization founded by composer Marion Scott in 1911. Through Scott, she established a close relationship with composer and war poet Ivor Gurney, an inspirational force behind her literary and musical compositions. Following her immigration to New York City around 1920, Ethel began intensive studies in composition and orchestration. These contributed to her creation of a variety of sacred vocal and instrumental works in the 1920s, including Babylon, Jerusalem, and Epitaph in Ballad Form. In March 1930, husband Wilfred Voynich, by now an established New York bookseller, passed away from respiratory illness. Ethel moved in with his secretary and shop manager Anne M. Nill shortly thereafter, and the pair lived together for nearly thirteen years in Manhattan. Ethel continued to write, translate, and compose. Her last work, Put Off Thy Shoes, was published in 1945. The remainder of her life was spent reaping the rewards of her signature best-seller, The Gadfly, a work that had, unbeknownst to her at the time, single-handedly established Ethel's reputation as an American literary hero in the Soviet Union. Royalties from the novel and its derivative films enabled her to live a robust intellectual life until her death in 1960 at age ninety-six. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Content NoteThe Ethel L. Voynich Papers span the period 1835 to 1948, with the majority of the materials dating from 1928-1948. Voynich's musical compositions, based principally on sacred or poetic texts, are represented by holograph manuscript scores, sketches, lyric sheets, and notes. Works are arranged alphabetically by title, with sources of texts identified if possible. The remaining materials consist of subject files on musicological topics and a handful of programs. Included is documentation of Voynich's studies with musicologist Josef Chominski, work done at the Pius X School of Liturgical Music in New York, research conducted at the New York Public Library, and her associations with notable Gloucester composer-poet Ivor Gurney. Return to the Table of Contents Selected Search TermsPeople
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Return to the Table of Contents Organization of the Ethel L. Voynich PapersThe Ethel L. Voynich Papers are organized in three series: Return to the Table of Contents Container ListMusic, 1916-1948Babylon (voices, chorus, orchestra)Manuscript full scoreManuscript full scorePhotocopied manuscript full scoreManuscript short scoreSketches and notesBlue Bunny's book (voice, piano)Manuscript piano-vocal scoreBlue Bunny's influenza blues (voice, piano)Manuscript piano-vocal scoreBunny dance (piano)SketchCome near (voice, piano)2 manuscript piano-vocal scoresThe crossroads (voices, band)Manuscript full scoreCubby lion's childhood (voice, piano)3 manuscript piano-vocal scoresDesire in Spring (voice, piano)Manuscript piano-vocal score in the hand of I. GurneyEgo sum pastor bonus (voices)Photocopied copyist manuscript vocal scoreEpitaph in ballad form (voices, orchestra)3 manuscript full scoresPhotocopied manuscript full scoreFive Elizabethan songs. Sleep (voice, piano)Printed piano-vocal scoreGive ear, o ye heavens (voices, 8 parts) see also I sing of a maidenManuscript vocal scoreThe golden net (voices) see also Who is this?4 manuscript vocal scores3 photocopied manuscript vocal scoresI sing of a maiden (women's voices, 8 parts) see also Give ear, o ye heavensManuscript vocal scoreI sing of a maiden (women's voices, 16 parts) see also Give ear, o ye heavensManuscript vocal scoreJerusalem (voices, chorus, orchestra)Manuscript full scoreManuscript full scoreManuscript full scoreManuscript full scorePhotocopied manuscript full scorePhotocopied manuscript full scoreManuscript short scoreManuscript piano-vocal scoreSketchesSketchesJerusalem (women's voices, orchestra)Manuscript short scoreLenten is come (women's voices, piano)Printed piano-vocal score proofLittle lamb (voice, piano)Photocopied manuscript piano-vocal scoreLittle suite (woodwinds, harp)Manuscript score and partsManuscript scoreMan octapartite (voices, double chorus, strings)Sketches and lyric sheetsMass in B MinorPrinted scoreO mortal folk (chorus)Manuscript vocal scoreManuscript vocal scoreOn Wenlock Edge (voice, strings, piano)Manuscript vocal score in the hand of I. GurneyOur lady sings (double chorus)Printed vocal scorePinky's Declaration of Independence (song for the 4th of July)Manuscript lead sheetThe riders: symphonic cantata in 4 movementsManuscript full scoreManuscript full scorePartsSaltaire tunesManuscript lead sheetsSo shuts the marigold (voices)3 manuscript vocal scoresThe submerged city: cantata for solo baritone, mixed choir, and orchestraManuscript full scoreManuscript full scoreManuscript full scoreManuscript full scoreManuscript short scoreTollite portas (Lift up your heads) (voices)Manuscript vocal score (English)Manuscript vocal score (French)Unwelcome (voice, piano)2 manuscript piano-vocal scoresVictimae paschali laudes (voices, organ)Manuscript score for voice and organWilfred's birthday songManuscript lead sheetWho is this? see also The golden netManuscript vocal scoreUnidentifiedSketchesSubject Files, 1937-1941Chominski, Josef Michal, 1937-1941Folk songs: CzeckFolk songs: PolishFolk songs: RussianFolk songs: UkranianFolk songs: other than SlavonicMilitary musicMusical diagrams: relationships to intervalsPius X School of Liturgical MusicPolyphony: evolution ofPolyphony: France, Netherlands, Germany, SpainPrimitive, exotic, ancient musicTheoretical studies, nature, primitiveMiscellany, 1835-1946Gurney, IvorProgramsMiscellaneous programs, 1932-1946Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1835 July 3Return to the Table of Contents |
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