Eda Rothstein Rapoport Papers, circa 1915-1968, 1915-1968

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Creator:

Rapoport, Eda Rothstein, 1890-1968

Abstract:

Eda Rapoport was a Jewish American composer and pianist. Her papers are comprised primarily of manuscripts of musical scores arranged by Rapoport, as well as commercially-printed music. The collection also features recordings of performances of Rapoport's works dating from 1939 to 1966.

Extent:

15 linear feet 24 music file boxes, 14 manuscript boxes, and 1 flat box

Language:

English , Yiddish .

Scope and content:

The Eda Rapoport Papers are comprised primarily of music manuscripts authored by Rapoport, many of which are autographs. While most of the manuscripts are undated, they are accompanied by lacquer and aluminum disc recordings of concerts of Rapoport's works given throughout her career. Most of the records are labeled according to the date and piece performed, and span between 1939 and 1966. The collection also features a small selection of printed music, originally intended for commercial distribution. Finally, there are diaries of Rapoport's musical life, 1932-1948, kept by her husband, Boris Rapoport.

The container list for Series I was compiled from the labels on the individual boxes; there is a full list of items available in this series in the Manuscript Card Catalog located in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Biographical / historical:

Eda Rapoport was a Jewish American composer and pianist. Born December 25, 1890 in Daugavpils, Latvia, she later immigrated to the United States, where she lived much of her life in New York. Considered a prolific composer of her day, she arranged several hundred compositions for piano, violin, voice, and symphony orchestra. Rapoport died on May 9, 1968 at her home in Manhattan.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Rapoport, Dr. Boris and Eda. Method of acquisition--Bequest; Date of acquisition--1969. Accession number--M-69.

Processing information:

Processed by Megan Darlington, August 2012.

The collection originally included 92 lacquer or aluminum discs, which were previously stored in nine albums. In 2008, the discs in Album 5 were removed for digitization. Their digitized contents can be accessed in the reading room at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Celeste Brewer reprocessed materials in Series III in February 2020, in preparation for digitization. The lacquer and aluminum discs had previously been stored in eight albums with paper sleeves. The sleeves had become acidified and were no longer strong enough to support the weight of the discs without tearing. The discs were assigned numbers in a sequence reflecting the order in which they were found in the albums, and rehoused in acid-free phonograph storage envelopes. Two discs, 62 and 65, which are delaminating, were moved to Box 14 for flat storage.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in three series.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes 1-9 and 13 are located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via the Digital Library Collections portal. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Terms of access:

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of both the physical property and copyright. To request permission to quote or publish, please contact the RBML at rbml@columbia.edu.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Eda Rothstein Rapoport Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection