Luigi Zaninelli Collection

Collection

Identifier: M346

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of a variety of materials concerning the music and career of Luigi Zaninelli, from his high school days in 1945 through his tenure as a USM Professor of Music in 2000 and beyond. The collection is divided into six series, and wherever possible, Mr. Zaninelli’s system of arrangement has been retained.

Music scores and parts make up a large portion of the collection and represent the great majority of the composer’s publications. Zaninelli also wrote in the realm of popular music under the pseudonym Lou Hayward. As Hayward, he arranged many works including traditional songs, sacred pieces, songs from musicals, and other popular songs. At least one score was published under the pseudonym Gian Luigi.

Dates

Creation: circa 1945-2016

Creator

Zaninelli, Luigi, 1932- (Composer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Noncirculating; available for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. Code). Reproductions can be made only if they are to be used for "private study, scholarship, or research." It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials, other than that noted above.

Biographical / Historical

The music of Luigi Zaninelli is known to performers and audiences around the world for work that excites the senses and stimulates the mind. He has become known as a composer of great craft and powerful emotional statement.

Mr. Zaninelli was born in Raritan, New Jersey in 1932. At the age of 17, he played his music for renowned composer Gian-Carlo Menotti, who then accepted him as a student at the Curtis Institute of Music. Two years later, the Curtis Institute sent Mr. Zaninelli to study composition with the legendary Rosario Scalero, the teacher of Menotti and Samuel Barber. Upon graduation, Zaninelli joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute and in 1958 began his long relationship with Shawnee Press as composer, arranger, pianist, and conductor. Zaninelli returned to Rome, Italy in 1964 to compose film music for RCA Victor Italiana. In 1968, he was appointed Composer-in-Residence at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Returning to the United States in 1973, he became Composer-in-Residence and Professor of Music at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Mr. Zaninelli's honors include a Steinway Prize and numerous awards from The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Zaninelli is the first five-time recipient of the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Music Award. With over 300 published works to his credit, he has received commissions to compose for virtually all mediums including opera, ballet, chamber music, orchestra, band, chorus, and solo voice. He has created several movie and television scores, including scores for the major Italian motion picture Una moglie Americana (An American Wife), and PBS documentaries The Islander, Passover, and The Last Confederates.

Zaninelli's operatic works include the one-act opera Mr. Sebastian, first performed in 1995, and his first full-length opera Snow White, which premiered in March 1996. In 1999, Mr. Zaninelli's composition A Crown, A Mansion, and A Throne for solo soprano voice and symphonic wind ensemble was performed in Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C., commemorating the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington. As his music evolves, Zaninelli continues to find an ever-enlarging audience for his work.

"His music has the rare quality of being listenable and original."

--Valadimar Sokoloff, The Curtis Institute of Music

"His music is haunting, beautiful, and powerful. The sounds are mystical and magical and touches the listener deeply."

-- The Hattiesburg American

"The appeal of Zaninelli's work lies in a successful integration of intellectuality and emotion. So often contemporary works seem almost scientific, but in this case, honest sentiment was compatible with the contemporary idiom."

--Madeleine Bernier, The Tribune, Montreal

"Zaninelli's music is always original and provocative . introspective, ethereal, and at times, elusive. Free of pretensions, it is very personal music. Long, sustained, unhurried melodic lines with the sense of other things happening inside, outside and all about."

--Jamie Portman, Calgary Herald

"Luigi Zaninelli's compositions are unique among those of the 20th century composers writing for bands and wind ensembles. The originality of his musical language had its beginnings in his Italian heritage, his Catholicism, the church's centuries of music, and his remarkable skill at the keyboard. While he studied with many composers, his work belongs solely to him, demonstrating a continued growth through the constant avoiding of the familiar."

--Thomas Fraschillo, The University of Southern Mississippi

Extent

10.5 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Scores and other material created by noted American composer and USM professor of music.

Arrangement

Series I: Published Music Scores, arranged alphabetically, consist of items published under the names of Luigi Zaninelli, Lou Hayward, and Gian Luigi.

Series II: Manuscript Music Scores contain common size and oversize scores by Luigi Zaninelli. Many of these materials are the inked or pencilled originals by Mr. Zaninelli and are unique. The manuscripts encompass score working drafts, polished drafts, unpublished pieces, orchestra full scores, music for PBS documentaries and Mississippi ETV series, film scores and parts, and works completed as a student.

Series III: Video Recordings include authorized VHS videocassette copies of PBS and Mississippi ETV programs in which Zaninelli wrote the television scores, as well as at least one televised interview with the composer, an awards acceptance speech, and a symphony orchestra performance of his selected works.

Series IV: Biographical and Personal Materials are comprised of numerous print items and images which document the career and musical life of Luigi Zaninelli. Within this series are several subseries. Subseries 1 covers career-related correspondence sent to Zaninelli each year from 1955 onward, and includes business-related letters from Shawnee Press, work contracts, commissions, USM correspondence, letters from performers, and other materials. Subseries 2 contains copies of correspondence replies from Mr. Zaninelli covering nearly every year from 1962 onward. Hundreds of printed concert programs spanning more than 40 years of performances of the composer’s works can be found in Subseries 3, as well as concert announcements and reviews. In keeping with the donor’s original order, the reviews are interspersed with concert programs, all grouped by date where possible. The subject files in Subseries 4 hold periodical articles, biographical sketches and interviews with Zaninelli, newspaper clippings, publication lists including pamphlets and advertisements, several professional vitae of the composer, various manuscript writings by Zaninelli, and photographs. Also included is a copy of Mr. Zaninelli’s instructional text for his university course in non-functional twentieth century harmony.

Series V: Scholarly Works include university dissertations that concentrate on certain aspects of Zaninelli’s music, with some of the research providing in-depth biographies of the composer and extensive work lists.

Series VI: Sound Recordings hold performances of selected compositions by Zaninelli on compact discs. One CD features the composer himself performing jazz-style improvisations of popular songs on piano.

Provenance

Materials in this collection were donated by Luigi Zaninelli between 2000 and 2003.

Related Materials

AM85-2, Joe Berryman Collection, 1945-1980

M90 unprocessed Gower (Albert) Music Scores, 1969-1973

M91, William Presser Original Music Scores, 1969-1978

Photograph Log

M346-1 James Best 8 ½ x 11 b & w undated Posed photograph of actor, James Best, during the filming of “The Islander.” (Box 14, Folder 10)

M346-2 Luigi Zaninelli and Pianist Karmun Woo (center) at Kennedy Center 3 ½ x 5 color 1990 (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-3 Rehearsal at Kennedy Center 3 ½ x 5 color 1990 (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-4 Rehearsal at Kennedy Center 3 ½ x 5 color 1990 Rehearsal at the Kennedy Center, with Karmun Woo, Congressman Tom Foley, and others. Photo Features: Sharon L., Pattie M., Congressman Tom Foley, John B., and Karmun Woo (Box 21, Folder 18) Inscription: Rehearsal Kennedy Center 1990 Sharon L. Pattie M, Tom Foley, John B., Karmun Woo

M346-5 Rehearsal at Kennedy Center 3 ½ x 5 color 1990 Rehearsal at the Kennedy Center, with Congressman Tom Foley doing a narration. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-6 Rehearsal at Kennedy Center 4 x 6 color 1990 USM musicians rehearsing for an upcoming performance at the Kennedy Center, with Luigi Zaninelli conducting. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-7 Karmun Woo at the Kennedy Center 3 ½ x 5 color 1990 Karmun Woo performing on the piano at the Kennedy Center. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-8 USM Faculty Winds and Percussion 4 x 6 color 1990 Group photo taken outside the Kennedy Center. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-9 Karmun Woo and USM Musicians 3 x 5 color 1990 Group photo taken after the Kennedy Center performance. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-10 Rehearsal at Kennedy Center 4 x 6 color 1990 Luigi Zaninelli, Patricia Malone, Wilbur Moreland and John Bivins during a rehearsal at the Kennedy Center. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-11 Party After Kennedy Center Performance 3 ½ x 5 color 1990 Karmun Woo, Luigi Zaninelli, John Bivins and others enjoying a party after the Kennedy Center performance. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-12 Luigi Zaninelli at Achievement Award Banquet 5 x 7 b & w 1972 Zaninelli is shaking hands with an unidentified man at the Awards Banquet in Edmonton, Alberta. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-13 Luigi Zaninelli in Group Discussion 5 x 7 b & w 1972 The photo was taken in Alberta, Canada. Several members of the group are identified on the back of the photo. Photo Features: Luigi Zaninelli, Quentin Doolittle, Peggy Leighton, J.W. Searchfield, Richard Johnston, M. Sasonkin (Box 21, Folder 18) Inscription: Luigi Zaninelli, Quentin Doolittle, Peggy Leighton, J.W. Searchfield, Richard Johnston, M. Sasonkin

M346-14 Luigi Zaninelli Conducting at USM 8 ½ x 11 b & w 1974 Zaninelli appears to be conducting a rehearsal. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-15 Luigi Zaninelli and Others at Constitution Hall 5 x 7 color Feb. 28, 1999 Pamela Jones (now, Mrs. Luigi Zaninelli), Zaninelli, Mrs. Lowell Graham, and Colonel Lowell Graham at Constitution Hall, in Washington, D. C. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346- 16 Luigi Zaninelli and Others at Constitution Hall 5 x 7 color Feb. 28, 1999 Colonel Lowell Graham, Connie Stevens, (the actress), and Zaninelli at Constitution Hall. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-17 Luigi Zaninelli and Others at Constitution Hall 5 x 7 color Feb. 28, 1999 Colonel Lowell Graham, Connie Stevens, (the actress), Luigi Zaninelli, and Pamela Jones (Mrs. Luigi Zaninelli) at Constitution Hall. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-18 Luigi Zaninelli and Colonel Lowell Graham at Constitution Hall 5 x 7 color Feb. 28, 1999 (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-19 Philadelphia Festival Chorus 8 x 10 b & w undated The Philadelphia Festival Chorus singing "The Star Spangled Banner" at a ’76-er’s game in Philadelphia, PA. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-20 Peter Rabbit Costume 8 x 10 b & w undated. Choreographer Muna Tseng wearing the Peter Rabbit Costume used in "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", a dance piece with music by Luigi Zaninelli designed to capture the original Beatrix Potter illustrations for the program for children and youth production of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, a dance piece with music by Luigi Zaninelli. (Box 21, Folder 18) Photographer: David Rohn Inscription: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Programs for Children and Youth. Choreographer Muna Tseng tries on the costume of Peter Rabbit

M346-21 Square Dance Night at Shawnee Inn on the Delaware 8 x 10 b & w 1964 An unidentified woman and a man, performing a comedy routine, with Lou Hayward (a pseudonym used by Luigi Zaninelli) at the piano. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-22 “A Lexicon of Beasties” 8 x 10 color Dec. 3, 1983 Luigi Zaninelli (3rd row, extreme right) with Kathy Dodge and students at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-23 Luigi Zaninelli Conducting the United States Navy Band 8 x 10 b & w Feb. 14, 1964 Zaninelli as guest conductor of the U.S. Navy Band on Valentine’s Day, in Washington, D. C. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-24 Luigi Zaninelli Conducting the United States Navy Band 8 x 10 b & w Feb. 14, 1964 Zaninelli was guest conductor for the United States Navy Band on Valentine’s Day, in Washington, D.C. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-25 Luigi Zaninelli Bows to the Audience 8 x 10 b & w Feb. 14, 1964 Zaninelli bows after conducting the United States Navy on Valentine’s Day, in Washington, D. C. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-26 United States Navy Band 8 x 10 b & w Feb. 14, 1964 The United Stated Navy Band onstage at the Departmental Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Lt. Anthony A. Mitchell, USN, is the conductor. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-27 Luigi Zaninelli in a Contemplative Pose 5 x 7 b & w 1964 (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-28 Luigi Zaninelli 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1963-1964 Head and shoulders pose of Zaninelli with his right hand on his head. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-29 Luigi Zaninelli Sitting in a Car 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1963-1964 Zaninelli is looking out the window of a car. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-30 Luigi Zaninelli at Jazz Club 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1965-1966 Zaninelli, performing as Lou Hayward, is seated at a piano in a Rome, Italy, jazz club. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-31 Luigi Zaninelli and Musical Group 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1963-1964 The picture shows Zaninelli (performing as Lou Hayward) with Dave Lantz, Bob Jenny and Gene Tettamonte at the Shawnee Inn’s Cartoon Room. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-32 Luigi Zaninelli, Loyd Bell, and an Unidentified Woman 8 x 10 b & w 1966 Zaninelli is at the piano, and the others are standing nearby. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-33 Luigi Zaninelli Conducting in Rome 8 x 10 b & w 1966 Zaninelli conducts, while Loyd Bell and an unidentified woman look on. (Box 21, Folder 18)

M346-34 Luigi Zaninelli in USM Choral Room 8 x 10 b & w 1978 Zaninelli is seated at the piano in the Choral Room of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the University of Southern Mississippi campus. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-35 Luigi Zaninelli in USM Choral Room 8 x 10 b & w September, 1978 Zaninelli is seated at the piano in the Choral Room of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the University of Southern Mississippi campus. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-36 Working on “Ave Verum” at Court Street House 8 x 10 b & w 1979 Luigi Zaninelli working with the sheet music of “Ave Verum” for "Nina's wedding." (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-37 Working on “Ave Verum” at Court Street House 8 x 10 b & w 1979 Luigi Zaninelli working with the sheet music of “Ave Verum.” (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-38 Luigi Zaninelli at the Piano 8 x 10 b & w 1979 Zaninelli playing the piano at his Hattiesburg, Mississippi home on Court Street. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-39 Luigi Zaninelli at Court Street House 8 x 10 b & w 1979 Zaninelli playing the piano at his Hattiesburg home. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-40 Luigi Zaninelli Working with Sheet Music 8 x 10 b & w 1979 Zaninelli with sheet music at his Hattiesburg home on Court Street. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-41 Luigi Zaninelli Working with Sheet Music 8 X 10 b & w 1979 Zaninelli working with sheet music at his Hattiesburg home on Court Street. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-42 Luigi Zaninelli 8 x 10 b & w 1982 Head and shoulders portrait. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-43 Luigi Zaninelli 8 x 10 b & w 1982 Head and shoulders portrait. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-44 Luigi Zaninelli 8 x 10 b & w 1982 Head and shoulders portrait. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-45 Luigi Zaninelli Seated on a Couch 5 x 7 b & w 1982 (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-46 Luigi Zaninelli 3 ¾ x 5 color ca. 1985 Zaninelli with a big smile on his face. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-47 Luigi Zaninelli Playing the Piano 5 x 7 b & w 1982 Zaninelli playing the piano at his Court Street home. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-48 Luigi Zaninelli at 1992 Arts and Letters Awards 8 x 10 b & w 1992 Zaninelli is the fifth person from the left in a group of unidentified people, at the 1992 Arts and Letters Awards. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-49 Luigi Zaninelli in Pensive Pose 8 x 10 b & w undated Head and shoulders image of Zaninelli, with his right hand on his forehead. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-50 Luigi Zaninelli and Others at Curtis Institute 3 ½ x 5 color 1992 Zaninelli (6th from left) at the Curtis Instiutue with Gary Graffman and the Debussy Trio. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-51 Luigi Zaninelli Holding Sheet Music 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1990s (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-52 Luigi Zaninelli 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1970s Head and shoulders portrait of Zaninelli. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-53 Luigi Zaninelli 5 x 7 b & w ca. 1970s Formal head and shoulders portrait of Zaninelli. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-54 Luigi Zaninelli 3 ½ x 5 b & w ca. 1970s Formal head and shoulders portrait of Zaninelli. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-55 Luigi Zaninelli, Vernon Raines, and the Meridian Symphony 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1990s Zaninelli shaking hands with Vernon Raines during a taping of the Meridian Symphony on ETV in Jackson, Mississippi. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-56 Luigi Zaninelli at Hampshire College 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1970s Zaninelli at a Resident Camp for Ballet at Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts, when he was the resident conductor for the Ballet. (Box 21, Folder 19)

M346-57 Luigi Zaninelli in Mannoni Performing Arts Center 8 x 10 b & w ca. 1970s Zaninelli sitting in the auditorium of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the University of Southern Mississippi campus. (Box 21, Folder 19)