Margaret Leng Tan Collection
Collection
0519-IPAM
The Margaret Leng Tan Collection includes papers, recordings, photographs, and an oral history relating to the life and career of pianist Margaret Leng Tan. Tan was the first woman to earn a DMA from the Juilliard School of Music. She is well-known for her avant-garde pianism, and she has been a lifelong advocate of contemporary music. Tan is also the foremost toy pianist in the world, performing frequently on her collection of toy pianos. Tan maintained close relationships with many of the leading contemporary composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including John Cage and George Crumb. For additional information, expand the menus below.
6.00 Linear Feet
English
Margaret Leng Tan, referred to as "a diva of avant-garde pianism" by the New Yorker, is renowned for pushing the parameters of conventional piano. Her work with with the toy piano is particularly notable and has brought her much acclaim. Her first toy piano performance was in 1993 (performing John Cage's "Suite for Toy Piano") and has led other composers to add to the now-broadening repertoire of toy piano compositions. Born in Singapore, Tan now resides in Brooklyn when she is not touring internationally. Tan is also the first woman to graduate with a doctorate in music from the Juilliard School.
A discography and other information on Tan can be found at:
margaretlengtan.com
The collection is arranged into six series:
I. Performance Files
II. Articles
III. Correspondence
IV. Photographs
V. Audio Visual
VI. Miscellaneous
Please see the detailed finding aid under inventories/additional information for an item-level overview of the collection.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library