Cataloging of Murnion Music Collection Continues

(l - r) F. William Chickering, dean of university libraries, Mi-Hye Chyun, chair of Talbott Library; Kathleen Murnion and Robert Annis, Westminster’s dean and director

The library staff at the Talbott Library has cataloged 6,000 of the 13,000 CDs that Westminster received through the estate of John P. Murnion last year. When the process is completed, the library’s holdings of LPs and CDs is expected to reach 29,000.

Born in 1936 and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., John Murnion graduated from Fordham University in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts. A successful writer of mystery fiction, he lived in New York City with his wife, Kathleen, until his death on August 16, 2005.

Murnion had a deep love and profound knowledge of music, all self-taught. The John P. Murnion Collection reflects the breadth and depth of his musical tastes. It includes recordings of repertoire from the Middle Ages through the late 20th century and musical genres as disparate as Gregorian chant, symphonies, opera, jazz, film music and minimalism. Westminster was chosen for this honor because of its ongoing commitment to music education.

Among the highlights discovered thus far by the librarians are 50 volumes in Philips Records’ critically acclaimed series Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century and at least 18 recordings of complete operas by Richard Wagner – including seven recordings from The Ring Cycle. Among the recordings featuring Westminster’s choirs is a rare 1943 recording of the Westminster Choir performing Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem with the NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by the legendary Arturo Toscanini.

“This remarkable collection is a valuable resource, not only for our students, but also for our alumni, scholars and others with an interest in choral music – many of whom visit the library to listen to or to study recordings that include our choirs,” said Westminster Dean Robert L. Annis at the collection’s dedication, which was attended by Mrs. Kathleen Murnion and other members of the Murnion family. Mrs. Murnion unveiled a plaque commemorating the collection and honored her husband’s fervent commitment to researching and compiling it, describing it as “a witness to the power, beauty and rich diversity of music.”

Information about the recordings that have been cataloged so far in the John P. Murnion Collection is available through Talbott Library’s online catalog, which can be accessed at www.rider.edu/talbott, keyword “John P. Murnion Collection.”

Submitted on February 29, 2008