Mel and Shifra Gold collection of Yiddish Sheet Music

Collection

Identifier: 11-MWalb02095

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of approximately six hundred published scores, comprising Yiddish and Hebrew folksongs, music written for the Yiddish stage, and some cantoral works. Materials in the collection were published between 1890 and 1969, with the bulk published between 1900-1952, principally in New York, with a small number published in Warsaw and London. Many of the scores were published by Metro Music Co. Other publishers include S. Schenker, A. Teres, and Theodore Lore. The collection is unprocessed.

Dates

1890-1969, undated
Majority of material found within 1900-1952

Creator

Rimmer, Sidney (Collector, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University. Please contact the department for more information.

Some advanced notice is needed for access to these materials because the collection is stored offsite. Please contact the department for more details.

Conditions Governing Use

Requests to reproduce or publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (7 manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

Yiddish

Additional Description

Arrangement note

The collection is currently arranged by the Yiddish Book Center's catalog number. (See Source of Acquisition and Custodial History notes below) Two indexes to the collection, one by catalog number and the other by first line of the song, are housed in Box 1 of the collection.

Custodial History

When Metro Music, a leading publisher of Yiddish-language music, went out of business in 1970, it left behind a vast number of physical musical scores, for which there was little interest. Sidney Rimmer, a part-time cantor, preserved the collection in his Brooklyn garage until the National Yiddish Book Center acquired it in 1986. The Center catalogued the collection, supported by a grant from Mel and Shifra Gold. Once that process was completed, the Center offered it for sale, with preference given to libraries. See Source of Acquistion note.

Source of Acquisition

Most likely acquired by the Brandeis Library from the Yiddish Book Center between 1987 and 1989. See Custodial History note.

Related Materials

Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections also houses the Yiddish Sheet Music Collection, which consists of approximately one hundred similar scores.

Processing Information

The collection is unprocessed. Two indexes to the collection (by catalog number and by first line of the song) are available in Box 1. Please contact the department for more information.