UBC Reports | Vol. 48 | No. 6 | April
4, 2002
He died in 1971, but the loves, life and music of 20th century
icon Igor Stravinsky will live on in the UBC library’s special collection
stacks, thanks to a generous gift.
The Colin H. Slim Collection, named for its donor, contains more
than 130 items that once belonged to the great Russian-born composer
including a signed edition of his ballet Petrushka, autographed
sketches of his piano works Divertimento and Les Noces, love letters,
photos and drawings. It is the largest collection of its kind in
Canada.
A UBC graduate and well-known musicologist, Slim’s fascination
with Stravinsky began when he was a young music student. In April
1952, Slim participated in a concert held at UBC in which two of
Stravinsky’s works – Concerto for Two Pianos and Les Noces – were
premiered in Canada, the latter of which Slim conducted.
The concert promptedthe composer himself to come to Vancouver
to conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra where Slim had the chance
to meet him. That encounter spurred him to become an enthusiastic
collector of the composer’s personal belongings. Slim donated his
collection to UBC’s Library in 2000.
The Stravinsky collection makes its public debut the weekend of
April 5-7 in the Ridington Room of UBC’s Main Library. Several events
are planned to celebrate, including re-staging the 1952 concert
of Stravinsky’s works.
For more information on the exhibit, visit www.library.ubc.ca
or call 604-822-2874. For more information on the concert, call
604-822-9161. Tickets available through Ticketmaster at 604-280-3311
or www.ticketmaster.ca.
