Collection Summary
Selma Epstein Collection
1931-1987
1931-1987
ML31.E6
Epstein, Selma
72 items
5 containers
2.6 linear feet
English
Collection material in
English
Music Division, Library of
Congress
Washington, D.C.
Selma Epstein (1927-2014) was a concert pianist, teacher, promoter of contemporary music, and champion of 20th-century black and female composers. The collection contains contemporary music scores, many by women and African-American composers, as well as a small amount of clippings and promotional materials.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Epstein, Selma--Archives.
Epstein, Selma.
Gipps, Ruth.
Micháns, Carlos.
Moffatt, Richard C.
Price, Florence, 1887-1953.
Still, William Grant, 1895-1978.
Subjects
Chamber music--Scores.
Instrumental music.
Music--20th century--History and criticism--Sources.
Orchestral music--Scores.
Piano music.
Songs with instrumental ensemble.
Songs with piano.
String quartets--Scores.
Form/Genre
Albums (Books)
Art music.
Autographs (Manuscripts)
Chamber music.
Clippings (Information artifacts)
Concert programs.
Concerti grossi.
Parts (Music)
Promotional materials.
Scores.
Songs.
Provenance
Gift; Selma Epstein; 2002
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
The Selma Epstein Collection was processed in 2011. Shantel Lambert coded the finding aid for EAD format in 2017.
Transfers
A sound recording has been transferred to the Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division where it has been identified as part of the Selma Epstein Collection (MAVIS collection no. 17517). An inventory of this material is available in the Music Division's collection file.
Copyright Status
Materials from the Selma Epstein Collection are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
The Selma Epstein Collection is open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, container number], Selma Epstein Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1927, Aug. 14
Born, Brooklyn, New York
circa 1942
Debuted at Carnegie Hall
circa 1943
circa 1948
Studied at Juilliard under Rosina Lhevinne
1950, May 30
Married Joseph Epstein
circa 1950
Received D. Hendrick Ezerman Foundation Scholarship, Philadelphia Conservatory of Music
Studied with Eduard Steuermann
circa 1960
Founded Baltimore Washington Contemporary Music Group
1972
1975
Resident recording artist for Australian Broadcasting Company
1980
Recorded Percy Grainger music
1990
Published
A Guide to Researching the Piano Music of Women Composers
1992
Toured People's Republic of China and Korea
1993
Gave recitals, New York City and San Diego State University
Lecturer, Shanghai Conservatory Music
1994
Lecturer, Guanxi College Arts
2014, Nov. 21
Died, Pflugerville, Texas
Scope and Content Note
The collection of pianist and champion of contemporary music, Selma Epstein (1927-2014), spans the years 1931 to 1987. It contains primarily printed scores by contemporary composers, many of whom are women and African Americans. The collection also includes some manuscript scores by Richard C. Moffatt. In addition, there are two scrapbooks containing clippings, programs, and promotional materials concerning contemporary composers and their concerts.
Organization of the Selma Epstein Collection
The Collection is organized in two series:
-
[
Music, 1931-1987
](mus)
-
[
Scrapbooks, 1960-1984
](scrap)
Container List
Container
Contents
1-4
Music, 1931-1987
1931-1987
Arranged alphabetically by composer.
1/1
Anderson, Beth.
Pennyroyal swale
1/2
Beath, Betty.
Piccolo victory images of colonial Australia, 1983
1983
1/3
Beath, Betty.
Points in a journey-A cycle for voice, flute and piano,
1987
1987
1/4
Bell, Elizabeth.
Fantasy-sonata for violoncello and piano,
1971
1971
1/5
Bell, Elizabeth.
Kaleidoscope for flute and piano,
1969
1969
4/2
Bell, Elizabeth.
Perne in a Gyre,
1984
1984
1/6
Birnstein, Renate M.
Piano-music II for clarinette and piano
1/7
Brandman, Margaret S.
Antics for flute and piano,
1976
1976
1/8
Culbertson, D.C.
Songs of parting for medium voice and flute,
1985
1985
1/9
Culbertson, D.C.
Taliesin for solo flute,
1985
1985
1/10
Culbertson, D.C.
Vox in Rama for flute, trumpet and soprano voice,
1978
1978
1/11
Cushing, Vernaul.
A song for Ruby Jo -- Opera in one act
Includes libretto by Michael Falotico
4/3
Fait, Ludmila.
The strange piper
4/4
Gipps, Ruth.
Ducks, soprano, flute, cello and piano
Parts and score
4/5
Gipps, Ruth.
Pixie caravan, flute and piano, op. 3(a)
4/6
Gipps, Ruth.
Rowan, flute and piano, op. 12(a)
4/7
Gipps, Ruth.
Sonata for cello and piano, op. 63
4/8
Gipps, Ruth.
St. Francis window for alto flute and piano, op. 67
1/12
Hailstork, Adolphus C.
Elegy and dance for clarinet and piano,
1973
1973
1/13
Hyde, Miriam.
The forest stream,
1943
1943
1/14
Hyde, Miriam.
Pigeons in the studio,
1984
1984
2/1
Macaulay, Janice.
Cosmic landscapes,
1986
1986
Part I of a thesis presented to the faculty of the graduate school of Cornell University
2/2
Macaulay, Janice.
Three pieces for string quartet,
1980
1980
2/3
Michans, Carlos
3 pezzi per piano e marimba
2/4
Michans, Carlos.
Music for harp and clarinet,
1985
1985
2/5
Michans, Carlos.
Musica funebris para cello, clarinete,
1984
1984
2/6
Michans, Carlos.
Musique pour saxophone,
1984
1984
2/7
Michans, Carlos.
Muziek voor twee voilen
2/8
Moffatt, Richard C.
10 songs for contralto
2/9
Moffatt, Richard C.
American dance suite for pianoforte,
1981
1981
2/10
Moffatt, Richard C.
Art-Songs,
1950
1950
Manuscript score
2/11
Moffatt, Richard C.
Bachlein (Little Brook)
Manuscript score
2/12
Moffatt, Richard C.
Chatter box togata
Manuscript score
2/13
Moffatt, Richard C.
God's world...
Manuscript score
2/14
Moffatt, Richard C.
Little clock tic-tock
2/15
Moffatt, Richard C.
Little singer
2/16
Moffatt, Richard C.
Mexican holiday!
2/17
Moffatt Richard C.
Miniature ragtime sketch
2/18
Moffatt, Richard C.
Nine short piano pieces for the young pianist
2/19
Moffatt, Richard C.
One-leg polka
2/20
Moffatt, Richard C.
Pour into our hearts such love (Choral)
2/21
Moffatt, Richard C.
Sky light
2/22
Moffatt, Richard C.
Spanish song
2/23
Moffatt, Richard C.
Susie's waltz
2/24
Moffatt, Richard C.
Three nice mice (Theme and variations)
2/25
Moffatt, Richard C.
Turnabout
3/1
Perry, Zenobia Powell.
Narrative
Parts
4/9
Price, Florence B.
Mississippi River,
1934
1934
4/10
Price, Florence B.
Suite of dances
4/11
Price, Florence B.
Symphony in E minor,
1931-1932
1931-1932
3/2
Sommer, Silvia.
Kiryat Shmona für grosses orchester
3/3
Sommer, Silvia.
Xenos für flöte und clavier
3/4
Still, William Grant.
Ennanga for harp and orchestra
Parts
4/12
Still, William Grant
Ennanga for harp and orchestra
3/5
Sutherland, Margaret.
Divertimento for string trio,
1958
1958
3/6
Szekely, Katalin.
Concerto grosso
4/13
Szekely, Katalin.
Concerto grosso
Parts
3/7
Szonyi, Erse'bet.
Preludio per violino e pianoforte,
1963
1963
3/8
Tanaka, Karen.
Quatuor pour soprano, violon, alto et violoncelle,
1985
1985
3/9
Telfer, Nancy.
Dance #1,
1982
1982
3/10
Telfer, Nancy.
Trio,
1986
1986
3/11
Vanderburgh, Jane.
Small sonata for flute and piano,
1975
1975
3/12
Zaimont, Judith Lang.
From the great land: woman's songs
4/1
Unknown
Tristesse pour flute, violon et piano
5
Scrapbooks,
1960-1984
1960-1984
5
Scrapbooks, 1960-1978
1960-1978
Two bound scrapbooks containing clippings, promotional materials, and programs.
5
Miscellany, 1982-1984, undated
1982-1984, undated
One folder containing clippings, programs, information about composers, promotional materials about concerts, and unidentified music.