Private Music Archives in the National Library of Estonia

Private music collections and archives are an important part of the holdings of the National Library (NL) of Estonia. The article presents an overview of seven private music collections stored in the Library. The author analyses their composition, characterizes the most significant publications and presents biographical information about the creators. The history of the deposited collections is considered in the context of the history of the NL of Estonia and formation of the Music Department. In 1959, based on the existing collection of musical literature in the NL of Estonia, founded in 1918, the Music Department was established and the service of readers was organized. The priority in acquisition of music collections were the works by Estonian composers and recordings of Estonian musicians, as well as retrospective publications. The pride and glory of the Music Department are complete collections and private archives. The NL became the holder of 40 different private collections and archives of organizations, including 14 private collections related to music. These are the private libraries and manuscript collections of six composers, music and recording collections of two opera performers, creative archives of two conductors and one pianist. The collections have reached the NL in different ways: the Library accepted the first two in the 1960s, the next eight came only in the 1990s, and four have been added to the holdings over the last ten years. The author emphasizes the cultural significance of the collections: they enrich the Library’s collections and are important for the Estonian nation. Each collection carries valuable information about its owner, gives joy of new discoveries to researchers and to all who are interested in music. Additional value comes from knowing that a person who completely loved and knew about music has designed that private collection. Emotional influences and personal contacts often play a key role in the decision to give private collection to the library. Thus, cultural exchange and partnership are important areas of library work.

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