Louis Crowder Collection
Collection
0014-IPAM
Louis Crowder (1907-1998) was a pianist, music teacher, and music writer. He wrote many published and unpublished books and articles, including books on Anatomy of the Hand, Bones, Muscles, and Keyboards, and articles for Clavier magazine. Crowder also performed a variety of concerts in Europe and taught both piano pedagogy conferences and music at various schools, including Northwestern University, Iowa State Teacher’s College, and the University of Connecticut. The collection consists of published and unpublished writings, correspondence, programs, articles, scores, publicity materials, reports, resumes, photographs, and questionnaires related to Crowder’s teaching, writing, and performing careers, and his relationships with his friends and colleagues, including Mary Louise Boehm, Kees Kooper, his teacher, Robert Casadesus, and his wives, Naomi West Crowder (a.k.a. “Nan”), and Carol Odeneal.
There are no restricted files in this collection.
4.75 Linear Feet
Summary: Louis Crowder was born in Springfield, Illinois on July 5, 1907. He performed a series of concerts in European capitals, including concerts in Norwegian cities, and was one of the first pianists to perform in Europe at the end of World War II. Mr. Crowder was a professor at Mount Union College at Alliance Ohio, the Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and University of Connecticut in Storrs. Connecticut. Crowder died on July 22nd, 1998.
Full History: Louis Crowder was born in Springfield, Illinois on July 5, 1907. He graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology School of Fine Arts with a major in piano under Selmar Janson, and was awarded several scholarships for study in Europe. He went on to study in Berlin with Eugen D'Albert, one of the greatest of Liszt's pupils, and with Egon Petri, equally famous as pianist and pedagogue. Robert Casadesus, then unknown in this country, drew him to Paris, where he began, under the guidance of the great Frenchman, study that continued through the next two years and intermittently for several years thereafter. Extensive stays in Spain contributed an acquaintance with still another musical culture.
Before returning from his European studies, Mr. Crowder played a series of concerts in European capitals, still in their pre-World War II artistic vitality London, Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Berlin, Leipzig, and others received him with favor, as did many American cities thereafter. Upon the conclusion of World War II, he was one of the first American pianists to perform in Europe. On invitation of the Norway America Association, he gave a series of concerts in a number of Norwegian cities, and in recognition was received by the late King Haakon.
Mr. Crowder's teaching career had included appointments at Mount Union College at Alliance Ohio, the Iowa State Teacher's College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, University of Connecticut at Storrs, Connecticut. He had conducted conferences on piano pedagogy and "piano workshops" in various cities and colleges. Crowder died on July 22nd, 1998.
This collection is organized into five series.
Gift of Carol Odeneal, the widow of Louis Crowder in 1999.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library