Matthew de Lacey Davidson Music and Papers, 1920-2024

Collection Overview

Title: Matthew de Lacey Davidson Music and Papers, 1920-2024

Predominant Dates:1983-2015

ID: 26/20/249

Creator: Davidson, Matthew de Lacey (1964 -)

Extent: 2.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Materials are arranged in three series: Series 1) Music Compositons and Research, Series 2) Writings and Visual Art, and Series 3) Personal Papers. Series 1 is further arranged into two subseries: Sub-Series 1) Original Music Recordings and Scores and Sub-Series 2) Music Research and Manuscript Scores by Other Composers. CDs in Series 1 have been arranged first by a three-digit numeric code assigned by Davidson and alphabetically thereafter. Series 2 and 3 have been arranged alphabetically by subject.

Date Acquired: 06/26/2023

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of recordings and scores of original compositions, recordings of collected LPs, correspondence with composers, original research, poems and visual art, and family records documenting the life and career of Matthew de Lacey Davidson.

Biographical Note

Mathew de Lacey Davidson (b. 1964) is a composer and performer. Davidson was educated at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand; at the University of Toronto; and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied composition with Salvatore Martirano. His oeuvre includes works in musical theater, chamber music, solo piano music (notably rags), as well as orchestral and electronic music. He has also published articles on ragtime and early jazz, and he is a contributor to The Syncopated Times. Davidson’s interests go beyond just music, he has written poetry, novels, short stories, as well as a non-fictional novel on his experiences in social work. His cartoons have been published in New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

Administrative Information

Accruals: An additional box of CDs and two scrapbooks were received from Davidson on July 20, 2023. A box of music compositions, programs, CDs, DVDs, books, unpublished short stories, and aticles were received from Davidson on March 28, 2024. An additional box of music compositions, programs, CDs, cartoons, correspondence, and contracts were received from Davidson on November 26, 2024.

Acquisition Source: Matthew de Lacey Davidson

Acquisition Method: gift.

Related Materials: Salvatore Martirano Music, Personal Papers, and Sal-Mar Construction

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Music Compositions and Research, 1975-2022

Consists of original music scores and recordings, research conducted by Davidson, programs featuring performances of Davidson's music, correspondence with composers including Stephen Sondheim and William Bolcom, and biographical information on Davidson, documenting his career as a pianist, composer, and researcher. Materials are arranged into two subseries: 1) Original Scores, Recordings, and Programs and 2) Biography, Correspondence, and Research.

Sub-Series 1: Original Music Recordings and Scores, 1975-2016

Consists of recordings and scores of original music by Davidson. Materials are arranged by material type. Recordings are arranged first using a three digit-code assigned by Davidson and then alphabetically. NOTE: The dates listed for the burned CDs frequently correspond to the last modfied date of the file on the CD, which may or may nor correspond to the work's publication date or of the performance date. Scores are arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 1

Item 1: 001 - The Graceful Ghost, CD, 1994
Item 2: 002 - Voodoo Queen, CD, 1995
Item 3: 003 - Sugar's Nightmare, CD, 1996
Item 4: 004 - I Had 5 Long Years, CD, 1994
Item 5: 005 - Quatre mélodies québécoises, CD, 1994
Item 6: 006 - KGNU Interview, CD, 1992
Item 7: 007 - Symphony No. 1 in 20 Keys, CD, 1994
Item 8: 008 - The Singing Lesson, CD, 1994
Item 9: 009 - Le poème inattendu, CD, 1994
Item 10: 010 - Quartetto dell'Arte, CD, 1994
Item 11: 011 - R. Schumann, Quintet for Piano and Strings, orchestrated by Davidson; Music for Viola and Orchestra by Davidson, CD, 1994
Item 12: 012 - Trois œuvres de Rameau; Menuet; Nicklettes; and Music for Piano with Orchestra, CD, 1994
Item 13: 013 - Trio Sonata for Flute, Violin, and Harp; and Bergamasques, CD, 1994
Item 14: 014 - Davidson Performances, CD, 1994
Item 15: 015 - Dekalb, IL Concert, CD, 1991
Item 16: Études, CD, 1994
Item 17: The Graceful Ghost: Contemporary Piano Rags, CD, 1994: Recorded by Mastersound.
Item 18: The Graceful Ghost: Contemporary Piano Rags, CD, 2007: Recorded by Capstone Records.
Item 19: I Had 5 Long Years, world premiere, CD, 2009
Item 20: New Zealand Music and Early Works, CD, 1994
Item 21: On the Highwire: Piano Rags, Waltzes and Tangos by Donald Ashwander, performed by Davidson, CD, 2000: Recorded by Capstone Records.
Item 22: Pianoforte Anachronisms, CD, 1994
Item 23: Quatre mélodies québécoises, CD, 1994
Item 24: Space Shuffle and Other Futuristic Rags, CD, 1992: Recorded by Stomp Off Records.
Item 25: Stolen Music: Chamber and Electronic Music, CD, 1996: Recorded by Mastersound.
Item 26: Stolen Music, CD, 2000: Recorded by Capstone Records.
Item 27: Sugar's Nightmare: Piano Rags to Jazz, 1898-1995, CD, 1996: Recorded by Mastersound.
Item 28: Syncopated Lady, CD, 1999: Recorded by Capstone Records. Featuring Tomoko Deguchi on piano. Tracks include Davidson's Etude Book 1.
Item 33: Talencourt: Music for Voice, Piano, and Strings, CD, 2008: Recorded by Capstone Records.
Item 31: Voodoo Queen: Piano Rags, Jazz and Blues, CD, 1995: Recorded by Mastersound.
Item 32: Whippin' the Keys: 75 Years of Novelty Piano Ragtime, CD, 2001: Recorded by Capstone Records.

Box 2

Folder 1: 5 Vignettes for Piano, 1982-1984
Folder 2: After Brahms: Nine Concert Tangos, for one piano-four hands, 2000
Folder 3: Aliens Disguised as Elvis Kidnapped by Grandmother's Appendix..., Theater Piece for Seven Performers, 1990: Full Title: Aliens Disguised as Elvis Kidnapped my Grandmother's Appendix in a Previous Life After Having Been Sucked Through a Black Hole Singularity on a Sunday Afternoon Picnic in the Park with Aunt Jemima Puddleduck While Discussing the Simultaneity of States of Sub-Atomic Particles, K. 666
Folder 4: Deux Plaisenteries, for Eb Alto Sax and Piano, 1989-1993
Folder 5: Etudes Book I, for Piano Solo, 1993
Folder 6: Etudes Book II: A Ragtime Odyssey, five rags for Solo Piano, 2022
Folder 7: Fragments for Woodwind Quintet , 2020: American Composers Edition (BMI).
Folder 8: I Had Five Long Years, 1991
Folder 9: In the Land of Wonderful Dreams: A Suite of Five Piano Rags, 2021
Folder 10: Magyar Rondo, for Solo Viola, 1985
Folder 11: Á la manière de Borodine, by Maurice Ravel, arranged for Woodwind Quintet by Matthew Davidson, 2020: American Composers Edition (BMI).
Folder 12: Menuetto from Symphony No. 5 in Bb Major D. 485, by Franz Schubert, arranged for piano by Matthew Davidson, 2008
Folder 13: Millet Music , 1992
Folder 14: Music for Viola and Piano, 2006
Folder 15: Nicklettes: A Children's Suite of Seven Piano Pieces, 1996
Folder 16: Nonsense Music: Five English Songs, for Mezzo Soprano and Piano, 2006
Folder 17: One for Max, piano rag, 2021: Dedication: For Max Morath on the occasion of his 95th birthday.
Folder 18: The Owl and the Pussy Cat, 2007
Folder 19: A Rag Suite for Piano Solo: Three Elusive Rags, 1989-1990: Manuscript Score
Folder 20: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, 2019

Box 5

Folder 1: Sonatine Pastorale, pour le piano, 2008
Folder 2: Six Chorale Preludes, for Piano Solo, 2002
Folder 3: Stolen Music, for a Flute Player, 1993
Folder 4: String Quartet: Im Stil von Haydn, 2022
Folder 5: Sylvan Catch, 1987
Folder 6: Three Elusive Rags, 1989-1990
Folder 7: Trois Oevres de Rameau, arranged for Orchestra by Matthew Davidson, 1999
Folder 8: Winnsboro Cottonmill Blues, by Frederic Rzewski, arranged for One Piano-Four Hands by Matthew Davidson, 2016

Box 6

Item 1: 4 CD Projects - Data Disc, CD, 2024: Contains audio recordings and liner notes.
Item 2: 4 CD Projects - Data Disc, DVD, 2024
Item 3: Davidson - Music Videos, CD, 2020-2024: Contains video files for performances of: Magyar Rondo; Twin Muse After Brahms; Papillons III, VI, X, XIII, XV; Prelude No. 2; Prelude No. 6; Schubert Menuetto; Schumann; Sonatina.
Item 4: De Lacy Davidson Music Scores, CD, 2024: Contains PDF, MP3, and WAV files of the following original compositions: After Brahms, Etudes Book I, Five Vignettes for Piano, Menuetto, Nicklettes, Papillons, Sonatine Pastorale, Three Elusive Rags, Etudes Book II, In the Land of Wonderful Dreams, One for Max, Six Chorale Preludes for Piano Solo, Rzewski Arrangement, Clarinet Sonata, Lithuanian Melodies for Flute and Guitar, String Quartet im Stil von Haydn, Serendipity, Ravel a la maniere de Borodine, Wind Quintet, Rameau for Orchestra, The Singing Lesson, Chamber Works, Deux Plais, Le Poeme Inattendu, Nicklettes for Orchestra, Robert Schumann Symphony, I Had Five Long Years, Music for Viola and Orchestra, Music for Viola and Piano, The Owl and the Pussy Cat, Quatre Melodies Quebecoises, Zwei Motetten, Nonsense Music, Quartetto Dell-Art, Symphony No. 1, and Three Songs.
Item 5: Ghost Disc 1, Master CD, 1994
Item 6: Ghost Disc 2, Master CD, 1994
Item 7: Grand Piano Radio Program CD and DVD Performance, 2001: Includes a CD "The Grand Piano" radio program about the music of Davidson by Leslie Gerber for WMHT-FM, and a DVD of performances of music by Davidson that are played by himself and Rudolf Haken that can obly be viewed at the Sousa Archive.
Item 8: On the Highwire, Master CD, 1994
Item 9: Sugar's Nightmare, Master CD, 1994
Item 19: Davidson PDF Scores, DVD, Undated: A DVD data-disk with original Davidson scores enclosed in digitgal PDF.
Item 20: Stolen Music: Acoustic and Electronic Works, Disc One, CD, 2024
Item 21: Stolen Music: Disc I, CD, Undated: Master CD
Item 22: Stolen Music: Disc II, CD, Undated: Master CD
Item 23: Stolen Music: Disc III, CD, Undated: Master CD
Item 24: The Graceful Ghost: Contemporary Piano Rags, CD, 2025: Recorded by Rivermont.

Box 9

Folder 6: Das Polytonale Klavier, for Piano Solo, 2024
Folder 7: Deux Plaisanteries, for Alto Saxophone and Piano, 2024
Folder 8: Duos for Violin & Viola, 2024
Folder 11: Lithuanian Melodies, for Reed Quintet, 2024
Folder 12: Menuet for String Quartet, 2024
Folder 13: Moonlight Song Cycle, for Soprano, Flute, Oboe, and Guitar, 1984: Facsimile copy. Setting of poems "The Dream" (1980), "Moonlight" (1979), and "Stuck" (1981) by Peter King.
Folder 14: Music for String Trio, Revised, 2024
Folder 15: Nonsense Music, for Mezzo-soprano and Piano, 2006
Folder 16: Original Notes for Stolen Music, 2024
Folder 18: Song Written For and Rejected by a Victoria University School Revue in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1983, Restricted, 1983: Sealed until January 3, 2034.
Folder 19: Stolen Music, For Solo Flute/Piccolo, 2024
Folder 20: Three Little Waltzes, for Glass Harmonica, 2019

Sub-Series 2: Music Research and Manuscript Scores by Other Composers, 1982-2022

Consists of original research (which includes sound file examples on CD and written drafts), correspondence with major composers, and manuscript scores sent to Davidson by other composers. Materials are arranged by material type. Recordings are arranged first by a three-digit numeric code that was assigned by Davidson and then alphabetically. Paper records and scores are arranged alphabetically.

Box 1

Item 32: 016 - Swanee Smiles, CD, 1994
Item 33: 017 - Aunt Hagar, CD, 1994
Item 34: 018 - Stomp Off, CD, 1994
Item 35: 019 - Stardust, CD, 1994
Item 36: 020 - 78 RPM Record Collection, CD, 2017-2018
Item 37: 78 RPM Record Collection, CD, 2017-2018
Item 38: Aunt Hagar's Children Blues, 78 RPM Reord Collection, CD, 1994
Item 39: Stardust etc, 78 RPM Record Collection, CD, 1994
Item 40: Stomp Off, Let's Go, etc., 78 RPM Record Collection, CD, 1994
Item 41: Swanee Smiles, etc., 78 RPM Record Collection, CD, 1994

Box 3

Folder 1: Research - The Effort Before the Prize, 2022
Folder 2: Research - Moonlight Memories: Brunswick Hot Dance Bands on the Early 1920s, c. 2022
Folder 3: Research - "The Remarkable Robert I. Pinsker Meets the Extraordinary Lemuel Fowler", 2022
Folder 4: Research - Society of Composers, Inc., 2012
Folder 5: Research - The Syncopated Times, 2021-2022

Box 5

Folder 9: Compositions - Ashwander, Donald, 1971-1988: Compositions by Donald Ashwander include "Empty Porches;" "Mobile Carnival rag-tango;" "Perdido Bay Moon Rag;" "Waterloo Rag;" "On The Highwire;" "Saratoga Rag;" "Summer Garden;" "October;" "Old Streets;" "Forgotten Ballrooms." Used by Davidson for recordings and performances at the University of Illinois.
Folder 10: Compositions - Ashwander, Donald - The Brooklyn Stop and Start and Sunday Night, Manhattan, 1975-1984
Folder 11: Compositions - Ashwander, Donald - Daybreak in Alabama, Phases of the Moon, The Locust, and Yardsale Rag, 1962-1992
Folder 12: Compositions - Bolcom, William - Epithalamium: A Rag, 1993
Folder 13: Compositions - Morath, Max - In Seperate Rooms (An American Song Cycle), 1990: This score was the first performance given by Davidson (piano) and Rebecca Toon (soprano) at the University of Illinois in 1992.
Folder 14: Compositions - Rzewski, Frederic - Winnsboro Cottonmill Blues for two pianos, undated: Arranged by composer Frederic Rzewski and sent to Davidson in 1992. May only be viewed at the Sousa Archives.
Folder 15: Correspondence - Ashwander, Donald, 1991-1994
Folder 16: Correspondence - Morath, Max, 1992-1994
Folder 17: Correspondence - Sondheim, Stephen, 1982
Folder 18: Concert Program from Max Morath's Stage Show, 1993
Folder 19: Research - The Syncopated Times, 2023-2024

Box 6

Item 10: Moonlight Memories, CD 1, 1994
Item 11: Moonlight Memories, CD 2, 1994
Item 12: Brunswick I and II, CDs, 1994: Two Discs.
Item 13: Davidson - Book, CD Project, and Scores, CD, 2023: Contains digital records for research projects Moonlight Memories, The Effort Above the Prize, and Lemuel Fowler Article

Series 2: Creative Writing and Visual Art, 1929-2022

Consists of original poetry, novels, short stories, cartoons, and stop-motion animation by Davidson. Materials are arranged alphabetically.

Box 3

Folder 6: Book - A Barren Stage: Collected Poems, Essays, Short Stories, and Novels, 2021: Signed by Davidson.
Folder 7: Book - Please Don't Forget Me Poems, 2017: Signed by Davidson.
Folder 8: Book - What Souls Might Bear Poems, 2017: Signed by Davidson.
Folder 9: Poems - "Ars Longa, Vita Brevis," "Serendipity," and "Portrait of the Poet as a Young Man," in Open Heart Forgery Journal , 2018-2022
Folder 10: Poem - "Reluctance" in Grammateion, St. Michael's College Journal of the Arts, 1990
Folder 11: Poem - "Empty Resturants," in Open Heart Forgery: 10th Anniversary Anthology, 2020: Signed by Davidson.
Folder 12: Short Story - "A Day in the Life of 960-43-xxx", 1987
Folder 13: Short Story - "Mute Inglorious Milton", 1992
Folder 14: Stage Play - Waiting for Beckett, a consumate irritation in one complete act, 2023: Originally written in 1983, revised in 2023.
Folder 15: Visual Art - Advertisement for His Reputation Precedes Fun by Ephraim Kishon, Cartoon Sketches by Matthew Davidson, 2009

Box 6

Item 14: Cinéma d'animation amateur, 2006: Contains a collection of stop-motion animation videos by Davidson.

Box 9

Folder 3: Cartoons by Matthew Davidson and Zak Reddan, 1984-2003

Series 3: Personal Papers, 1920-2024

Consists of biographical information on Davidson, including memoirs and family photographs; correspondence; concert programs, reviews, and publishing catalogs of Davidson's music; digital surrogates of biographical materials, research, creative writing, visual art, and master sibelius files of Davidson's original music compositions; and CDs from Davidson's personal collection.

Box 4

Folder 1: Biographical Notes, Concert Programs, Business Card, and Reviews, 1983-2011
Folder 2: Concert Programs, 1983-2014
Folder 3: Correspondence with William Bolcom, 1983-2002
Folder 4: Davidson's Elementary and High School Report Cards, 1969-1976
Folder 5: General Correspondence, 1990-2009
Folder 6: Letters of Recommendation, 1992-2008
Folder 7: Honeyrock Publishing Catalog, 1992: Contains an entry for Davidson's Millet Music.
Folder 8: The (New) Graceful Ghost - CD Track Listing and Liner Notes, 2021
Folder 9: On the Highwire - CD Tracklist and Liner Notes, 2022
Folder 10: Reviews of Davidson's Books and Poems, 2018-2020
Folder 11: Reviews of Davidson's CDs and Performances, 1983-2006
Folder 12: Scrapbook of Album Covers and Correspondence, 1992-2015
Folder 13: Sugar's Nightmare - CD Tracklist and Liner Notes, ca. 1997
Folder 14: Tracklists for CDs, 2023: Includes tracklists for all CDs assigned a three-digit item code in Series 1 Sub-series 1 and 2.

Box 6

Item 15: Biography and Other Sundry Archival Materials, 2014

CD Data disc with master folder labeled "Davidson Memoirs," containing Finale files of original compositions; digital master files of compositions; digital master files of original research and writing, including memoire "My Time Has Come;" and digital surrogates of biographical memoires, photographs, and family papers.

Finale files include: Rzewski arrangement, 4 Dances 4 String Quartet, After Brahms, Bergamasques Violin Solo, Das Lied Ohne Worte, Etudes Book 1, Five Vignettes, Le Poeme Inattendu, Magyar Rondo, Menuetto, Music for Piano with Orchestra, Music for Viola and Orchestra, Nicklettes, Nicklettes (orchestra version), Papillons, Quartetto Dell-Arte, Quatre Melodies Quebecoises, Rameau, Schumann Symphony No. 5, Six Chorale Preludes, Sonatina Pastorale, Symphony No. 1, The Singing Lesson, Three Elusive Rags, Trio for Flute Viola and Harp, Trois Melodies Quebecoises, Zwei Moteten, and Love or Money.

Item 16: Doorways: The Entertainer, vol. 1. by Jeff Barnhart, CD, 2012

Item 17: Thanks for the Melody, Jeff Barnhart and Spats Langham, CD, 2017

Item 18: We Wish We Were Twins, Jeff Barnhart and Spats Langham, CD, 2015

Box 7

Folder 1: Book of Family Photographs Taken in New Zealand, ca. 1920-1984
Folder 2: Concert Programs, 1983-1999
Folder 3: Family Papers - Lew Davidson's Acting Career, 1953-2002
Folder 4: Family Photographs, 1929-1999
Folder 5: Production Photographs from Don't Let's Have a Revolution Today, V.U.W. Music Society Music Theater Work by Davidson, 1982

Box 8

Folder 1: Photo of Maternal Grandmother, ca. 1920
Item 1: Pewter Photo Frame, ca. 1920: Accession No. 2024.2620249.001.

Box 9

Folder 1: Anne de Lacey Davidson Autobiography, 2004
Folder 2: Articles, Posters, and Programs, 1981-2017
Folder 4: Contacts, 1985-2012
Folder 5: Correspondence with Friends, Relatives, and Colleagues, 1985-2019
Folder 9: Lew Davidson Autobiography, 2003
Folder 10: List of Residences, Restricted, 2006: Sealed until January 3, 2039.
Folder 17: Political Activism Correspondence, 2002-2024