Oral Histories

Interview of Manuel Compinsky

Violinist, film composer, and conductor of the Los Angeles Pops Orchestra.
Subtitle:
The Compinsky Trio
Series:
Z: Orphan Interviews pre 1999
Topic:
Music
Biographical Note:
Violinist, film composer, and conductor of the Los Angeles Pops Orchestra.
Interviewer:
Bertonneau, Thomas
Interviewee:
Compinsky, Manuel
Persons Present:
Compinsky and Bertonneau.
Place Conducted:
Compinsky's apartment in Sherman Oaks, California.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Interviewer Background and Preparation:
The interview was conducted by Thomas Bertonneau, UCLA Oral HistoryProgram; General student of music history,particularly contemporary; B.A., Scandinavian languages, UCLA.
Processing of Interview:
Teresa Barnett, editorial assistant, edited thetranscript. She checked the verbatim transcript against the original tape recordings and edited for punctuation, paragraphing, spelling, and verified proper nouns. Words and phrases inserted by the editor have been bracketed.In September 1985, the edited transcript wasgiven to Compinsky along with a list of queries and names requiring identification. He returned the approved transcript in December of the same year.Jacqueline Wester, editorial assistant, prepared the front matter and index.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Abstract:
Compinsky's father; the Compinsky children's musical background; studying with virtuosos at Trinity College of Music; effects of World War I on music in England; importance of music under stressful war conditions; coming to America from London; differences between English and American audiences; greater cultural background of English people; traveling for performances; moving to Los Angeles and founding the Pacific Institute of Music and Fine Arts with the help of John Allan Hancock; teaching and performing; affiliation with the University of Southern California; involvement with film music proves very destructive; playing with the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini; Toscanini's conducting style; going back to Los Angeles; effects of playing in an orchestra over time on solo performance skills; forming the Los Angeles Pops Orchestra; military induction.