Serkin, Rudolf, 1903-1991

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Rudolf Serkin (1903-1991) was a Hungarian-born composer. He studied and performed throughout Europe until 1933, when he and violinist Adolf Busch and family left Germany for Switzerland (Serkin was later to marry Busch's daughter, Irene). In 1939 they emigrated to the United States, where Serkin taught at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and was later (1968-1976) its Director. He and Adolf Busch founded the Marlboro Music School and Festival near Brattleboro, Vermont.

From the guide to the Rudolf Serkin Letter, 1968, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

American pianist of Austrian birth.

From the description of Typewritten letter signed, dated : Philadelphia, 28 April 1974, to Mr. [James] Fuld, 1974 Apr. 28. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270874531

Born on January 10, 1910 in Lyon, the French conductor and composer, Jean Martinon entered the Lyon and Paris conservatoires to study the violin. At Lyon, his teacher was Maurice Foundray and at the Paris Conservatory, he studied violin technique with Jules Boucherit. While at the Paris conservatory, Martinon took composition with Albert Roussel and Vincent d’Indy. After completing the composition courses, he studied conducting with Charles Munch and Désormière. He graduated from the Paris Conservatory in 1928, winning a premier prix.

Martinon’s familiarity with conducting started in France, followed by various appointments in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. In 1946, he embarked on a conducting career directing the Concerts du Conservatoire in Paris and the Bordeaux Symphony. The successful debut with the LPO led to his appointment as associate conductor of the orchestra in 1947. From 1947-1950 Martinon directed the Radio Eireann orchestra, Dublin and in 1951, he returned to Paris to conduct the Concerts Lamoureux until 1957. From 1957-1959, Martinon conducted the Israel Philharmonic. His appointment as the next conductor of the Düsseldorf Symphony occurred in 1959. Martinon was in Düsseldorf until 1963 when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra selected him as their music director, a position he held until 1968. During that same year, he returned to France to direct the French National Radio Orchestra and served as the principal conductor of the Hague Residentie–Orkest from 1974 until shortly before his death in 1976.

Martinon’s extensive experience as a composer led to his approach to conducting. The Symphoniette pour orchestre á cordes, piano, harpe et timbales, op. 16, from 1935, is one of three first attempts at composition. After enlisting in the war, Martinon’s imprisonment in a German camp, Stalag IX A, resulted in several new compositions, Psaume 136, le Chant des Captifs, Musique d’Exil, Sonatina No.3, Sonatina No. 4 for wind instruments, and various choral works. In 1946, the city of Paris awarded a prize to his composition le Chant des Captifs. After the war, other notable compositions include Symphonie no. 3 (Irlandaise), the Concerto no. 2 pour violin et orchestre, op. 5, dedicated to Szeryng, and the Concerto pour cello et orchestre, op. 52, composed for Pierre Fournier. For the stage Martinon composed two works, the ballet Ambohimanga ou la Cité Bleue and in 1949 the opera Hécube with a libretto by Serge Moreux. Symphony no.4 Altitudes was the outcome of a commission from the Chicago Symphony to commemorate its 75th anniversary.

Martinon had recently taken on a position at the Paris Conservatory to teach conducting when he died from a serious illness on March 1, 1976.

From the guide to the Jean Martinon papers, 1923-1994, (Music Library)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
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creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1970 August 13. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1962 January 26 and 27. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Curtis Institute of Music. Correspondence with Eugene Ormandy, 1968-1984. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Moyse, Marcel, 1889-1984. Marcel Moyse papers, 1862-1989 (bulk 1889-1984). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Kuhn, Setty Swarts, 1868-1952. Papers, 1903-1952. The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives
creatorOf Wolff, Konrad, 1907-1989. Papers, 1879-1990. University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
referencedIn Rudeke, Manfred. Manfred Rudeke(?) autograph book, 1926-1928, Germany. UC Berkeley Libraries
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referencedIn Otto Grüters Collection, 1946-1971 Leo Baeck Institute Archives
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1972 February 18 and 19. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf University of Michigan. University Musical Society. Correspondence with Eugene Ormandy, 1977-1984. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1971 May 6, 7, 8. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
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referencedIn Hirschmann, Ira Arthur, 1901-. Papers, 1934-1956 (inclusive). New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1977 February 11 and 12. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Bowman, Robert, 1925-. Robert Bowman collection of music recordings from radio broadcasts [sound recording], 1952-1963. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Horowitz, Vladimir, 1903-1989. The papers of Vladimir and Wanda Toscanini Horowitz, 1784-1991 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
creatorOf Reisenberg, Nadia. Papers, 1913-1983. University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
referencedIn Winigrad, Allen J.,. Allen J. Winigrad photographs of performing artists, 1973-1989. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
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creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1975 April 25 and 26. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Jean Martinon papers, 1923-1994 Music Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1965 April 2. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1960 April 1 and 2. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1972 August 2. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Hulda Lashanska papers, 1908-1971, 1920-1930 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1976 December 3 and 4. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1973 August 9. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Serkin, Rudolf, 1903-1991. Correspondence with Eugene Ormandy, 1954-1986, n.d. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Horton, Donald H. Donald H. Horton collection ca. 1939-ca. 1990. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1965 January 11. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Muschenheim, William. William Muschenheim architectural drawings and papers, 1929-1957 (bulk 1931-1950). Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Rudolf, Max, 1902-1995. Max Rudolf papers, 1922-1993 (bulk 1945-1992). Library of Congress
referencedIn Moldenhauer Archives at the Library of Congress, circa 1000-circa 1990 Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Lashanska, Hulda, 1893-1974. Papers, 1908-1971 (bulk 1920-1930). New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Director's Office Records of Receptions, Events, and Lectures, 1957-1989. Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, The Clark
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1970 September 16. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Serkin, Rudolf, 1903-1991. Typewritten letter signed, dated : Philadelphia, 28 April 1974, to Mr. [James] Fuld, 1974 Apr. 28. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1974 March 15 and 16. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Marcel Moyse papers, 1862-1989, 1889-1984 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
creatorOf Bowman, Robert. Collection of music recordings from radio broadcasts [sound recording], 1952-1963. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Olnick, Harvey, 1917-2003. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1955-1974, n.d. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn Koussevitzky, Serge, 1874-1951. Serge Koussevitzky Archive, 1920-1976 (bulk: 1924-1951) Library of Congress. Music Division
creatorOf Rudolf Serkin Letter, 1968 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Rudolf Kolisch papers, 1886-1978. Houghton Library
referencedIn Ira Arthur Hirschmann papers, 1934-1956 (inclusive The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Max Rudolf Papers, 1922-1993, (bulk 1945-1992) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Plaut, Frederick, 1907-1985. The Frederick and Rose Plaut papers, 1907-1986 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Shackford, Charles. The Charles Shackford papers, 1934-1984 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Plaut, Frederick, 1907-1985. The Frederick and Rose Plaut papers, 1907-1986 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Robert Bowman collection of music recordings from radio broadcasts [sound recording], 1952-1963 The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
referencedIn The Leonard Burkat Papers, 1943-1981 (inclusive) Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
referencedIn Sipprell, Clara E. (Clara Estelle), 1885-1975. The Clara Sipprell collection. Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Stern, Isaac, 1920-2001. [Letter] 1969 August 5, New York, N.Y. [to] L.A. Whitehill, Waco, Tex. / Isaac Stern. Texas Tech University Libraries, Academic Library
referencedIn The Moldenhauer Archives at Harvard University: Correspondence, literary manuscripts, sound recordings, and other material, 1873-2001. Houghton Library
referencedIn John Alden Carpenter Collection, 1891-1961, (bulk 1900-1949) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Bodanzky, Artur, 1877-1939. Jakob Klein presentation album, 1926-1931. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Winigrad, Allen J.,. Allen J. Winigrad slides of performing artists, 1973-1989. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn Alix Jeffry photographs Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1968 April 5. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1967 April 3. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750. person
associatedWith Baltimore Symphony Orchestra corporateBody
associatedWith Barraud, Henry, 1900-1997 person
associatedWith Baudo, Serge, 1927- person
associatedWith Berliner Philharmoniker corporateBody
associatedWith Böhm, Karl, 1894-1981 person
associatedWith Borsari, Amédée, 1905-1999 person
associatedWith Boston Symphony Orchestra corporateBody
associatedWith Bowman, Robert, 1925- person
associatedWith Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897. person
associatedWith Brisson, Pierre, 1896-1964 person
associatedWith Burkat, Leonard, 1919-1992. person
associatedWith Canarina, John, 1934- person
correspondedWith Carpenter, John Alden, 1876-1951 person
associatedWith Casadesus, Francis, 1870-1954 person
associatedWith Charles, Edouard person
associatedWith Chicago Symphony Orchestra corporateBody
associatedWith Chouraqui, André, 1917-2007 person
associatedWith Comissiona, Sergiu person
associatedWith Curtis Institute of Music. corporateBody
associatedWith Cziffra, Georges, 1921-1994 person
associatedWith Drake University. College of Arts and Sciences corporateBody
associatedWith Düsseldorfer Symphoniker corporateBody
associatedWith Dutilleux, Henri, 1916-2013 person
associatedWith Ferras, Christian, 1933-1982 person
associatedWith Fournet, Jean person
associatedWith Fournier, Jean, 1911-2003 person
associatedWith Fournier, Pierre, 1906-1986 person
associatedWith Francescatti, Zino, 1902-1991 person
associatedWith Fuld, James J., 1916- person
associatedWith Gavoty, Bernard person
associatedWith Gingold, Josef person
associatedWith Grüters, Otto person
associatedWith Haitink, Bernard, 1929- person
associatedWith Hamon, Jean person
associatedWith Hasselmann, Roland person
associatedWith Henze, Hans Werner, 1926-2012 person
associatedWith Herz, John H., 1908-2005 person
associatedWith Hétu, Pierre, 1936-1998 person
associatedWith Hirschmann, Ira Arthur, 1901- person
associatedWith Horowitz, Vladimir, 1903-1989. person
associatedWith Indiana University. School of Music corporateBody
associatedWith Inghelbrecht, D. E. (Désiré Emile), 1880-1965 person
associatedWith Jean Martinon Society corporateBody
associatedWith Jeffry, Alix person
associatedWith Jolivet, André, 1905-1974 person
associatedWith Karajan, Herbert von person
associatedWith Kirkpatrick, John, 1905-1991. person
correspondedWith Kolisch, Rudolf, 1896-1978 person
correspondedWith Koussevitzky, Serge, 1874-1951 person
associatedWith Kubelík, Rafael, 1914-1996 person
associatedWith Kuhn, Setty Swarts, 1868-1952. person
associatedWith Landowski, Marcel, 1915-1999 person
associatedWith Lashanska, Hulda, 1893-1974. person
associatedWith Lees, Benjamin, 1924-2010 person
associatedWith Leinsdorf, Erich, 1912-1993 person
associatedWith Le Roux, Maurice person
associatedWith Lescuyer, Christian person
associatedWith Loewenguth, Alfred person
associatedWith Lumbroso, Nelly, b. 1877 person
associatedWith Malraux, André, 1901-1976 person
associatedWith Marlboro Music School and Festival. corporateBody
associatedWith Martinon, Jean, 1910-1976 person
associatedWith Menuhin, Yehudi, 1916-1999 person
associatedWith Messiaen, Olivier, 1908-1992 person
associatedWith Mihalovici, Marcel, 1898-1985 person
associatedWith Moldenhauer, Hans. person
correspondedWith Moldenhauer, Hans, collector. person
associatedWith Moreux, Serge, 1900-1959 person
associatedWith Moyse, Marcel, 1889-1984. person
associatedWith Munch, Charles, 1891-1968 person
associatedWith Muschenheim, William. person
associatedWith Norddeutscher Rundfunk corporateBody
associatedWith Nussy Saint-Saëns, Marcel person
associatedWith Ohana, Maurice, 1913-1992 person
associatedWith Olnick, Harvey, 1917-2003. person
associatedWith Orchestre des concerts Lamoureux corporateBody
associatedWith Ormandy, Gretel. person
associatedWith Otterloo, Willem van person
associatedWith Peck, Donald person
associatedWith Philadelphia Orchestra. corporateBody
associatedWith Plaut, Frederick, 1907-1985. person
associatedWith Proffit, André person
associatedWith Radiodiffusion française. Orchestre national corporateBody
associatedWith Reiner, Fritz, 1888-1963 person
associatedWith Reisenberg, Nadia. person
associatedWith Remoortel, Edouard van, 1926-1977 person
associatedWith Rosenthal, Manuel, 1904-2003 person
associatedWith Roussel, Albert, 1869-1937 person
associatedWith Rózsa, Miklós, 1907-1995 person
associatedWith Ruchpaul, Eva, 1928- person
associatedWith Rudeke, Manfred. person
correspondedWith Rudolf, Max, 1902-1995. person
associatedWith Schmidt-Isserstedt, Hans, 1900-1973 person
associatedWith Schoenberg, Gertrud person
associatedWith Serkin, Irene Busch. person
associatedWith Serkin, Judy. person
associatedWith Shackford, Charles. person
associatedWith Sipprell, Clara E. (Clara Estelle), 1885-1975. person
associatedWith Solti, Georg, 1912-1997 person
associatedWith Starker, Janos person
associatedWith Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. corporateBody
associatedWith Stern, Isaac, 1920-2001. person
associatedWith St. Louis Symphony Orchestra corporateBody
associatedWith Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971 person
associatedWith Szeryng, Henryk person
associatedWith University of Michigan. University Musical Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Weigl, Karl, 1881-1949. person
associatedWith Winigrad, Allen J., person
associatedWith Wolff, Konrad, 1907-1989. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Émigré
Music
Pianists
Pianists
Piano teachers
Occupation
Collector
Performer
Pianists
Piano teachers
Activity

Person

Birth 1903-03-28

Death 1991-05-08

Americans

English,

German

Information

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