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Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Creator:
Asch, Moses  Search this
Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this
Folkways Records  Search this
Names:
Courlander, Harold, 1908-1996  Search this
Guthrie, Woody, 1912-1967  Search this
Jenkins, Ella  Search this
Leadbelly, 1885-1949  Search this
Ramsey, Frederic, 1915-1995  Search this
Seeger, Pete, 1919-2014  Search this
Extent:
841 Cubic feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Business records
Correspondence
Phonograph records
Photographic prints
Audiotapes
Date:
1926-1986
bulk 1948-1986
Summary:
This collection, which dates from 1926-1986, documents the output of Moses Asch through the various record labels he founded and co-founded, and includes some of his personal papers. The Asch collection includes published recordings, master tapes, outtakes, business records, correspondence, photographs, and film.
Scope and Contents:
The Moses and Frances Asch Collection measures 841 cubic feet and dates from 1926-1987, with some contemporary, relevant correspondence, clippings, and ephemera added after 1987.

Most of the collection consists of audio recordings (commercial 78 rpm and long-playing records, open reel tapes, acetate discs, and test pressings), correspondence with recording artists and producers, artwork, photographs, ephemera, clippings, record production materials, writings, and business papers relating to Folkways Records. Materials relating to Folkways Records can be found primarily in the Correspondence, Folkways Production, Business Records, Photographs, Artwork, Sound Recordings, and Film series.

The collection also contains some biographical materials and personal correspondence, including materials related to Asch's first business, Radio Laboratories, located in the Biographical Materials series. Correspondence, ephemera, photographs, record production materials, business papers, and recordings relating to Asch's record labels before Folkways Records (Asch Recordings, Disc Company of America, Cub Records) are located in the Early Label Materials series as well as the Audio Recordings and Photographs series.
Arrangement note:
The collection is arranged in 10 series:

Series 1: Correspondence, 1942-1987

Series 2: Folkways Production, 1946-1987

Series 3: Business Records, 1940-1987

Series 4: Woody Guthrie papers, 1927-1985

Series 5: Early Label Materials, 1940-1949

Series 6: Biographical Materials, 1926-1987

Series 7: Photographs

Series 8: Artwork

Series 9: Audio Recordings

Series 10: Film

At this time, the collection is partially processed. Please contact rinzlerarchives@si.edu for more information.
Biographical/Historical note:
The son of Yiddish writer Sholem Asch, Moses Asch was born in Poland in 1905. His childhood was spent in Poland, France, Germany, and New York. While young, Asch developed an interest in radio electronics, which ultimately lead him to his life's work, recording the music and sounds of the world. He established several record labels in succession, sometimes partnering with other record companies. Two of his fist record companies, Asch Recordings and DISC Co. of America, went bankrupt. They were followed by his best-known label, Folkways Records, which was founded in 1948 with Marian Distler (1919-1964). He was still working on Folkways recordings when he died in 1986.

Folkways Records sought to document the entire world of sound. The 2,168 titles Asch released on Folkways include traditional and contemporary music from around the world, spoken word in many languages, and documentary recordings of individuals, communities, and current events. Asch's business practices revolved around the commitment to keep every recording issued by Folkways in print, despite low sales. Asch stayed afloat by cutting costs where he could (such as color printing) and offering a high-quality product, meticulously recorded and accompanied by extensive liner notes. In doing this, he could charge a slightly higher price than other commercial outfits. Despite a tenuous relationship with financial solvency, Folkways grew to be not only one of the most important independent record companies in the United States in the 20th century, but also one of the largest and most influential record companies in the world.

Moses Asch's record labels featured famous and lesser known American writers, poets, documentarians, ethnographers, and grass roots musicians on commercial recordings. American folk icon Woody Guthrie recorded on the Asch, Disc, and Folkways labels, and the Asch Collection includes some of his correspondence, lyrics, drawings, and writings. The collection also includes correspondence with other notable musicians and artists such as John Cage, Langston Hughes, Margaret Walker, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Ewan MacColl, Alan Lomax, Henry Cowell, and Kenneth Patchen. Also in the collection are ethnographic field notes and photographs by as well as correspondence with Béla Barók, Sidney Robertson Cowell, Harold Courlander, Helen Creighton, Laura Boulton, and Samuel Charters. Asch hired various prominent artists and graphic designers including David Stone Martin, Ben Shahn, John Carlis, and Ronald Clyne to create album cover art for his recordings. Much of the original art and designs for these covers can be found in the Asch Collection.

Asch's output of recordings on various labels, including published recordings, open reel master tapes, outtakes, and acetate disks, in addition to his business papers, correspondence, photographs, and other files were acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1987. The collection came to the Smithsonian with the understanding that all 2168 titles under the Folkways label would be kept available in perpetuity.
Shared Stewardship of Collections:
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage acknowledges and respects the right of artists, performers, Folklife Festival participants, community-based scholars, and knowledge-keepers to collaboratively steward representations of themselves and their intangible cultural heritage in media produced, curated, and distributed by the Center. Making this collection accessible to the public is an ongoing process grounded in the Center's commitment to connecting living people and cultures to the materials this collection represents. To view the Center's full shared stewardship policy, which defines our protocols for addressing collections-related inquiries and concerns, please visit https://doi.org/10.25573/data.21771155.
Provenance:
Ralph Rinzler arranged the Smithsonian's acquisition of the Moses and Frances Asch Collection in 1987, beginning with Asch before his death in 1986 and continuing with extensive discussions between Rinzler and the Asch family. Since its acquisition, archivist Jeff Place and others have added contemporary, relevant correspondence with Folkways artists and related individuals.
Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Topic:
Folk music  Search this
Folk dance music  Search this
Electronic music  Search this
Oral interpretation of poetry  Search this
Oral interpretation of fiction  Search this
Music -- 20th century  Search this
Music -- 19th century  Search this
Music -- 18th century  Search this
Jazz  Search this
Folk music -- United States  Search this
World music  Search this
Sounds  Search this
Vocal music  Search this
Popular music -- 20th century -- United States  Search this
Genre/Form:
Business records
Correspondence
Phonograph records
Photographic prints
Audiotapes
Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
CFCH.ASCH
See more items in:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection
Archival Repository:
Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk533b8a927-559a-44ac-98d2-f32d871058b4
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-cfch-asch
Online Media:

The Irish literary tradition by Frank O'Connor

Producer:
O'Connor, Frank, 1903-1966 (poet, reader)  Search this
Author:
Gregory, Lady, 1852-1932  Search this
Hyde, Douglas, 1860-1949  Search this
Joyce, James, 1882-1941  Search this
Synge, J. M. (John Millington), 1871-1909  Search this
Yeats, W. B. (William Butler), 1865-1939  Search this
Cover designer:
Clyne, Ronald, 1925-2006  Search this
Collection Creator:
Asch, Moses  Search this
Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this
Folkways Records  Search this
Extent:
1 Phonograph record (analog, 33 1/3 rpm, 12 in.)
Culture:
Irish  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Phonograph records
Place:
Ireland -- In literature
Ireland
Date:
1958
Track Information:
101. Introduction.

101. A Lovely Church ; The Scholar & the Cat / by Frank O'Connor.

102. My Grief on the Sea / by Douglas Hyde.

103. Twenty Golden Years Ago / by James Clarence Mangan.

104. On Baile's Strand / by W. B. Yeats.

105. Riders to the Sea / by J. M. Synge.

106. The Gaol Gate / by Lady Gregory.

201. Playboy of the Western World / by J. M. Synge.

202. A Prayer for My Daughter / by W. B. Yeats.

203. A Portrait of the Artist / by James Joyce.

204. Ulysses / by James Joyce.

205. Finnegans Wake / by James Joyce.
Local Numbers:
FW-COMM-LP-09825

Folkways.9825
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York : Folkways, 1958.
Participant or Performer Note:
Read by Frank O'Connor.
General:
Notes with text of recording and readings in booklet (8 p. : ill.) inserted in original container.

Cover design by Ronald Clyne.
Related Materials:
Related materials may be found in the Moses and Frances Asch Collection, also held by this repository. Related materials may include correspondence between the studio, producers, and/or performers; original cover art designs; original production materials; business records; and audiotapes from studio production.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed. Listening and viewing for research purposes only. Need Permission.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Topic:
English literature -- Irish authors  Search this
Oral interpretation of fiction  Search this
Oral interpretation of poetry  Search this
Literature  Search this
English literature -- Irish authors -- History and criticism  Search this
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-COMM-LP-09825
See more items in:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection
Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / LP
Archival Repository:
Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk59bf95650-446a-4e66-9746-9da7da2ceeab
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref24623

François Dufrêne : affichiste, poeta sonoro = affichiste, poète sonore = affichiste, sound poet / [comisariado/commissaires/curators, Guy Schraenen, João Fernandes]

Author:
Dufrêne, François 1930-1982  Search this
Schraenen, Guy  Search this
Fernandes, João  Search this
Museu Serralves  Search this
Subject:
Dufrêne, François 1930-1982  Search this
Physical description:
250 p. : ill ; 27 cm. + 1 sound disc (4 3/4 in.)
Type:
Exhibitions
Date:
2007
C2007
20th century
Topic:
Art, French  Search this
Art and literature  Search this
Art and music  Search this
Oral interpretation of poetry  Search this
Found objects (Art)  Search this
Call number:
N6853.D825 A4 2007
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_896093

Recent researches into the scansion of Somali oral poetry

Author:
Johnson, John William 1942-  Search this
Smithsonian Libraries African Art Index Project DSI  Search this
Type:
Articles
Place:
Somalia
Date:
1984
Topic:
Oral interpretation of poetry  Search this
Epic poetry, Somali  Search this
Somali oral tradition  Search this
Call number:
DT401.13 .I57 1983X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_750567

Bum rush the page : a Def Poetry Jam / edited by Tony Medina and Louis Reyes Rivera

Author:
Medina, Tony  Search this
Rivera, Louis Reyes  Search this
Physical description:
xxxiii, 282 p. ; 24 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
2001
C2001
20th century
Topic:
American poetry  Search this
Oral interpretation of poetry--Competitions  Search this
Poetry--Competitions  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_766722

Moccasins and Microphones [sound recording] : Modern Native storytelling through performance poetry / Santa Fe Indian School Spoken Word Team

Author:
Eskeets, Nolan  Search this
Shorty, Santana  Search this
Antone, Ariel  Search this
Natonabah, Clara  Search this
Coriz, Davin  Search this
Chavez, April  Search this
Morningdove, Althea  Search this
Chavez, Stuart  Search this
McLaughlin, Timohty P  Search this
Santa Fe Indian School Spoken Word Team  Search this
Subject:
Santa Fe Indian School Spoken Word Team  Search this
Physical description:
1 sound disc (73 min., 49 sec.) : digital ; 4 3/4 in
Type:
Sound recordings
Poetry
Folklore
Audiobooks
Place:
Southwest, New
Date:
2010
Topic:
Poetry  Search this
Poetics  Search this
Oral tradition  Search this
Language and culture  Search this
Performance art  Search this
Sound poetry  Search this
Oral interpretation of poetry  Search this
American poetry  Search this
Poets, American  Search this
Indian mythology  Search this
Storytelling  Search this
Call number:
disc 000773
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1000210

Rhythm and metre in Yoruba oral poetry / Ọlátúndé Ọlátúnjí

Author:
Ọlátúnjí, Ọlátúndé O  Search this
Smithsonian Libraries African Art Index Project DSI  Search this
Type:
Articles
Date:
1973
Topic:
Yoruba language--Rhythm  Search this
Yoruba poetry  Search this
Oral interpretation of poetry  Search this
Call number:
PL8821 .Y657
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_1044093

Schematic representations of mnemonic patterns in Zulu oral poetry

Author:
Koopman, Adrian  Search this
Smithsonian Libraries African Art Index Project DSI  Search this
Type:
Articles
Date:
1988
Topic:
Mnemonics  Search this
Folk poetry, Zulu  Search this
Oral interpretation of poetry  Search this
Poetics  Search this
Call number:
GR359 .C35 1988
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_534148

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