Ann Blair: Renaissance Writing Tables

Did you know that Houghton Library is also the publisher of Harvard Review, a major American literary journal? In this episode of Houghton75, editor Christina Thompson talks to two contributors to Harvard Review's 50th issue: renowned essayist Phillip Lopate and award-winning novelist Lily King. The conversation, part of the Houghton 75th celebrations, marks Harvard Review's 25th anniversary and the inauguration of our new Harvard Review Salon Series. It was held May 11, 2017, in the Edison and Newman Room at Houghton Library. For more information about Harvard Review, visit us at http://harvardreview.org Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/ Podcast Transcript: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-wP

In this episode of Houghton75 we speak with Joseph Connors, Professor of the History of Art and Architecture, about the historical practice of architectural sketching and how he incorporates it into his classes. We start the conversation with the sketchbooks from the late 17th century of a young Baroque architect, Gilles-Marie Oppenord, not much older than Professor Connors’ students. This is our final faculty interview episode. Watch for more episodes soon, including a peek into the Harvard Review, the major American literary journal published by Houghton, and a salon series that celebrates their 50th issue. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-wu Music La Luna Sprezzatura: 17th century Italian Virtuosos Music (Dorian #93200)

In this episode of Houghton75 we speak with Thomas Kelly, Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music about his experiences researching and teaching chant using Houghton collections. We examine the music of Ambrosian chant, the only competing tradition to Gregorian chant which still survives to this day in the area of Milan, Italy. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-wp Music Ambrosian chants from Antifonale Ambrosiano (LIM, Lucca), directed by Giovanni Scomparin

In this episode of Houghton75 we speak with Stephen Greenblatt, John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities, about a small, very fragile book containing an ancient poem that rocked the world, and what it says about the inter-connectivity of the sciences and the humanities. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-wg Music De Rerum Natura by Robert Xavier Rodriguez G. Schirmer, publisher. Recorded by Albany Records (TROY1479).

In this episode of Houghton75, we speak with Ann Blair, Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor at Harvard, about the development of note-taking devices from early wax tablets to our modern smartphones. We start with an early modern writing tablet - a small reference book which also contains specially treated pages for recording notes while on the road. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-w1 Music From La Luna (Ensemble for 17th Century Music), Wild Boar Records, WLBR 9605.

In this episode of Houghton75, we speak with Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, about her research and teaching on the Declaration of Independence, including John Adams’ role in creating it, supported by evidence found right here at Houghton. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-vC Music Fife & Drum Ensembles from the Internet Archive https://archive.org/

In this episode of Houghton75, we speak with Stephanie Sandler, Ernest E. Monrad Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, about one relatively unknown and enigmatic artist from the time of the Russian Revolution, 100 years ago this year. Featuring special guest host Christine Jacobson. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-vz Music Historic reproducing piano rolls from The Pianola Institute http://www.pianola.org

In this episode of Houghton75, we speak with Racha Kirakosian, Assistant Professor of German and the Study of Religion at Harvard, about one of the newer acquisitions in our collection. Close study of this colorful medieval manuscript, and other such manuscripts, can reveal where they were made, who they were written by, where they were used, who they were made for, and much more. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-ui Music Lorelei Ensemble http://www.loreleiensemble.com

Hunter, Soldier, President, Naturalist, Rough Rider. In this episode of Houghton75, we speak with Michael Canfield, a lecturer in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard and author of Theodore Roosevelt in the Field, about the complex legacy of America’s 26th President. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-rH Music Public Domain recordings from the Internet Archive http://archive.org

Did you know that the phrase “amp it up” is a tribute to a 19th century French scientist? In this episode of Houghton75 we speak with Alex Csiszar, Associate Professor of the History of Science, about his research on Andre Marie Ampére's electromagnetic experiments and his equally remarkable experiments in scientific publishing. Find out more about the exhibition and Houghton Library’s 75th anniversary celebrations at http://houghton75.org/hist-75h Transcript and detailed music notes: http://wp.me/p7SlKy-oQ Music Dara O Shayda https://soundcloud.com/dara-o-shayda