Leonard Burkat Collection Span: 1955-1965 Bulk: [195-] English collection 1 ft. 1 boxes Leonard Burkat (born Boston, MA, 1919; died Danbury, CT, 1992) began his career as a librarian, holding administrative positions at the Boston Public Library and at the Berkshire Music Center, and was later appointed as the Boston Symphony Orchestra's assistant music librarian, a position that was created for him by conductor Serge Koussevitzky. Burkat later served as assistant to conductor Charles Munch (1953-57) and then as the Boston Symphony Orchestra's artistic administrator. In 1963 Burkat became director of Columbia Masterworks, and eventually served as vice-president of Columbia Records and CBS/Columbia Records Group. During his career, he also wrote music reviews and articles for several major newspapers and musical journals, and in his later years he established a service that provided his program notes for thousands of works, to which hundreds of orchestras and soloists subscribed. Working drafts, typescript, publishers’ proof containing numerous annotations in Burkat’s hand. Leonard Burkat Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress Burkat, Leonard Working papers relating to Burkat’s English translation of conductor Charles Munch’s autobiography. Researchers wishing to work with special collections are advised to inquire in advance about availability of material since many special collections are stored off-site. Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply. Conductors Munch, Charles Burkat, Leonard Boston Symphony Orchestra Performing Arts Encyclopedia scdb Music Division, Library of Congress IHAS 120821 loc.natlib.scdb.200033801