Louise Steiner Elian papers
Scope and Contents
The Louise Steiner Elian papers consist of photographs, letters, programs, music, sound recordings, motion pictures, and personal memorabilia that document both the life of Elian, her husband Max Steiner, and their son Ronald Steiner.
Dates
- Creation: 1919-1986
Creator
- Elian, Louise, 1906-2002 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Please direct any questions to Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.
Biographical / Historical
Louise Elian was born June 3, 1906, in Buchanan, Missouri to Edward Klos and Mary Francis Seick. Louise married famous film music composer Max Steiner in 1936, and they had one son, Ronald, who died at age 22. Max and Louise divorced after ten years of marriage, and Louise eventually remarried to floral designer Frederick Elian.
Louise was a well-known harpist, featured in original film music scores of "Gone With the Wind" and "Casablanca." She played harp in symphonies into her 80s. Louise died in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 7, 2002.
Extent
7 cartons (7 linear ft.)
4 oversize boxes (13.66 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
These papers document Elian's life and career as a harp soloist from the 1910s onward, her year as a musician in Hollywood studio orchestras (1926-1954), and significantly her marriage (1936-1946) to film composer Max Steiner. Also covered is Elian's concert career as a member of symphony orchestras and ballet companies as well as soloist appearing worldwide (1950-1986).
Arrangement
Arranged in four series: 1. Louise Steiner Elian assorted papers, undated; 2. Louise Steiner Elian home movies, undated; 3. Louise Steiner Elian phonographs, undated; and 4. Louise Steiner Elian restoration prints of home movies, undated.
Other Finding Aids
A more detailed finding aid is available in print in the repository.
Other Finding Aids
File-level inventory available online. http://files.lib.byu.edu/ead/XML/MSS2166.xml
Custodial History
Donated by Louise Steiner Elian.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Louise Steiner Elian.
Appraisal
Film Music Archives.
Documents the history of music composed and recorded for motion pictures.
Processing Information
Processed; James V. D'Arc and John N. Gillespie; 2002.
Subject
- Steiner, Max, 1888-1971 (Person)
- Steiner, Ronald (Person)
- Title
- Register of the Louise Steiner Elian Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- James V. D'arc and John N. Gillespie
- Date
- 2002
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States