Catalog Record:
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.
Gift; 1994 December 20.
No further accruals are expected.
The Randolph S. Rothschild Collection was processed in 2003 by Wilda Heiss. This Finding Aid was prepared with Corel WordPerfect 8. In 2003, Michael A. Ferrando coded and edited the finding aid for EAD format.
The status of copyright on the materials of the Randolph S. Rothschild Collection is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
The Randolph S. Rothschild Collection is open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Performing Arts Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use. Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: container number, Randolph S. Rothschild Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Randolph S. Rothschild (1909-2003) spent his life as a champion of new music. Toward this end, he was involved in the commissioning of an unusually large numbers of new musical works through his presidency of the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore from 1954 to 1993 and his membership on the board of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from the 1960s when Peter Herman Adler was the music director and conductor through the directorship of Sergiu Comissiona and David Zinman.
Rothschild started piano lessons at the age of eight at the Peabody Preparatory of the Peabody Institute (which is now affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University) with Nellie Wilder Coolidge Robinson Robinson until he was 18. Afterwards, he attended the Johns Hopkins University for two years where he became a jazz pianist for the Blue Jay Student Jazz Orchestra. He finished his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School. He began his law degree at the University of Pennsylvania, but returned to Baltimore during the depression where he completed the law degree at the University of Maryland.
In 1936 he joined the Sun Life Insurance Company of America which was founded in 1890 by his father Solomon and uncle Moses Rothschild. When the company was sold in 1972, he retired from the posts of vice president and general counsel.
During these working years, his involvement in the musical life of Baltimore continued. From 1954 to 1993 he served as president of the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore, which was co-founded in 1949 by Hugo Weisgall and Richard Goodman. He was a board member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and served on the committee that suggested contemporary composers for new commissions by the orchestra. Since 1978, he served on the board of the Peabody Institute and later became a member of the Advisory Council. He has made generous gifts to Peabody as part of their major campaign in 1980 and endowed the Composition Department to champion new music through the Randolph S. Rothschild Fund which supports scholarships, a visiting professorship for guest composers, and the printing and recording of specially selected student compositions. In 1992, he was awarded the George Peabody Medal for "outstanding contributions to music in America" by the Peabody Institute.
His work on behalf of the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to commission works by contemporary composers created his lifetime musical legacy. He and his wife, Amalie, frequently invited the composers to their home as house guests during their stay in Baltimore. They also hosted musical performances at their home. In the late 1940s, he set up a professional recording studio in his home which overlooked the performing area and which originally had the capacity to cut LPs and 16-inch transcription discs and later switched to open-reel and cassette recordings. He recorded not only the performances at his home, but also recorded off-the-air performances of world premieres and first performances of newly commissioned works.
Rothschild was also well known as a micromineralogist and longtime editor of the International Directory of Micromounters. He has cut and mounted more than 7,000 crystals which require a microscope to view and appreciate their beauty.
The Randolph S. Rothschild Collections consists primarily of music (manuscript, facsimile, and printed) and accompanying correspondence, programs, and reviews. The collection spans the years 1942 to 1992, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1973 to 1985.
The majority of the music in the collection comprises facsimile scores of compositions commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from prominent American composers, such as Dominick Argento, Milton Babbitt, Henry Cowell, Jacob Druckman, Ross Lee Finney, Lukas Foss, Leon Kirchner, Ernst Krenek, Robert Hall Lewis, Lawrence Moss, Roger Reynolds, Christopher Rouse, Gunther Schuller, Ralph Shapey, Hugo Weisgall, Charges Wuorinen among others. Many of these scores are inscribed to Mr. Rothschild and signed by the composer. The collection also includes holograph manuscript scores by Henry Cowell, Hugo Weisgall, and Brown Benson. A few scores were sent as a complimentary copy from the publisher to Mr. Randolph.
Correspondence accompanies the scores by David Epstein, John Huggler, Jean Eichelberger Ivey, Leo Kraft, Lawrence Moss, Roger Reynolds, Ralph Shapey, and Hugo Weisgall. Besides the correspondence, a few scores include programs and reviews of the concerts.
Wilda Heiss, July 2003
The Randolph S. Rothschild Collection is organized in 1 series:
The Music series consists primarily of music (manuscript, facsimile, and printed) and accompanying correspondence, programs, and reviews.
Arrangement is alphabetically by composer and by title.
Inscribed on t.p.: To Randy Rothschild, With all my thanks for the great opportunity of working with both a great cellist and a great conductor. The Baltimore Symphony, however, was the indispensable element in this chemistry. With Respect, [Signed] Stephen Albert
Also, inscribed on t.p.: Thank you Randy for this wonderful work. [Signed] David Zinman; To Randy Rothschild, I am deeply grateful to you for giving all of us this wonderful new work. [Signed] Yo Yo Ma
Note: [Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchetra]
Inscribed on t.p.: Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Dedicated to Randolph S. Rothschild and Joseph Meyerhoff; 1st performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, February 27, 1986 with David Zinman conducting. [Signed] Dominick Argento, December 10, 1985
On cover label & p. i: Boosey & Hawkes
On p. ii: Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; David Zinman, music director
Inscribed on p. i: For Randy Rothschild, In great gratitude, from [Signed] Milton Babbitt, 1/27/82
Also, on p. i: Commissioned by and Dedicated to The Chamber Music Society of Baltimore and its President, Randolph S. Rothschild, and composed for Phyllis Bryn-Julson
On p. 1: Commissioned by Jean and Gilbert Benson for Randy's 80th; June 25th 1989
On cover: possibly composer's autograph label
Note: [Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore]
Stamped on cover: Complimentary copy
On p. 1: Written for Hugo Weisgall and Baltimore Chamber Mus[ic] Soc[iety]
On p. 1: Written for Hugo Weisgall and Baltimore Chamber Mus[ic] Soc[iety]
Inscribed on t.p.: To Randy Rothschild In gratitude for all the help he's given me! [Signed] Gordon C. Cyr
Also, on t.p.: In memoriam Charles E. Ives (1874-1954)
Laid in: program, program notes, photocopy of review (3 copies)
Inscribed on t.p.: To Randy Rothschild a great patron of new music. [Signed] Gordon C. Cyr
Note: [Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore]
Inscribed on t.p.: For Randy & Amalie Rothschild on the occasion of the brilliant first performance of this work with great thanks for having made it all possible [Signed] Warmly, Jacob Druckman, May 1980
Also, on t.p.: Boosey & Hawkes, Inc.
On p. ii: Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and first performed by them with Sergiu Comissiona conducting on May 21, 1980
On p. 1: after Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Laid in: photocopy of 2 reviews
On t.p.: For the Philadelphia Quartet and The Contemporary Group of the University of Washington
Laid in: t.l.s., from David Epstein to Randolph Rothschild, 31 May 1983; 2 p., with promotional brochure on David Epstein
Also, laid in: t.l.s.(photocopy), from James Ostryniec to David Epstein, 6 July 1983; 1 p.
On p. 1: Commissioned by the Pacific String Trio
On t.p.: Complimentary copy
Inscribed on t.p.: For Randolph S. Rothschild. [Signed] Ross Lee Finney
Also, on t.p.: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
Laid in: t.l.s., from Stephen Fisher, Manager, Editorial Department of C. F. Peters Corporation to Randolph Rothschild, 5 November 1979
Also, laid in: full score, alternate version of "Interlude"; pp.21-27
On t.p.: Composed for the Baltimore Chamber Music Society
Laid in: card, With the compliments of C. F. Peters Corporation; incribed on card, Dear Mr. Rothschild This is the original copy. The published copy will have revisions. [Signed] Ross Lee Finney
Also, laid in: paper with "RLF, 2015 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104" [in hand of RSR]
Note: for 2 fl., cl., b.cl. or t.sax., 2 hn., tpt., trb., perc., and piano
On p. 1: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
Inscribed on t.p.: for Randolph S. Rothschild with profound thanks for his concern and generosity toward new music. [Signed] Lukas Foss, Feb. 6, 1976
On verso t.p.: composed for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Sergiu Comissiona, music director
Laid in: card, With the compliments of Boosey & Hawkes
Note: for I. fl./ob./vln, I. cl., II. vln., II. cl./tpt., III. tpt./cl., IV. hn., IV. tbn./bsn./vnc., V. guit./kybd., VI. cl., VI. vln., VII. vnc./bsn., VII. db., perc.
Inscribed on t.p.: To Randy Rothschild. Thank you very much for your kindness & support. Best wishes always, [Signed], Adolphus Hailstork
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University
On verso of t.p.: Festival Music was composed for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, David Zinman, conductor
At end: (composed - with pleasure - at the request of Amalie Rothschild)
Laid in: t.l.s., from John Huggler to Randolph and Amalie Rothschild, 1 April 1979
On t.p.: commissioned by the Baltimore Chamber Music Society for the Boston Musica Viva
Also, on t.p.: for Randolph S. Rothschild, Robert Hall Lewis, Richard Pittman and Mardean Butler Huggler
Note: for flute, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, viola, violoncello
On verso of p. ii: commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
On verso of t.p.: commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore in commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of the colony of Maryland in 1634
Laid in: a.l.s., from Jean Eichelberger Ivey to Randolph Rothschild, 8 March 1984
Note: for mezzo-soprano, flute/alto flute, harp
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore, Md.
For: solo vln., solo vnc., fl., ob., cl., bsn., c.bsn., hn., 2 tpt. 2 trb., celesta, perc.
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore, Inc.
On cover: study score
On t.p.: Commissioned by The Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
Laid in: card; Compliments of AMP and the composer
Note: possibly autograph notes by composer on folded covers
Note: includes solo vln., solo vnc., fl., ob., cl., bsn., c-bsn., hr., 1st tpt (2 copies), 2nd tpt (2 copies), 1st trb. (2 copies), 2nd trb. (2 copies), celesta, perc. (2 copies)
Note: includes fl., ob., cl., bsn., c-bsn., hn., 1st tpt., 2nd tpt., 1st trb., 2nd trb., celesta, perc. (3 copies)
Note: p. 1(neg. & pos.); p. 2 (neg. & 2 pos.); p. 3 (neg. & pos.); p. 4 (neg. & pos.); p. 5 (2 pos.); p. 6 (2 pos.); p. 7 (2 pos.); [p. 8] (2 pos.- last meas. missing); varied pagination
Laid in: business card, With the compliments of Sam Fox Publishing Company, Inc.
On p. 1: Complimentary copy
On p. 4: Commissioned by the City of Darmstadt
Also, on p. 4: Dedicated to Dr. Wolfgang Steinecke
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph title page
On p. 1: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
Laid in: t.l.s., from Leo Kraft to Randolph Rothschild, 15 February 1977
On t.p. and p. 1: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
Also, on t.p.: Written for Michael Ingham
Note: for fl./picc., ob./E.hn., cl.(B-flat, E-flat)/b.cl., bs., tpt., hn., trb., hp., pno., celesta, 2 vln., vla., vnc., d.bs., perc.
Laid in vln. II score: photocopy of p. 12
Laid in vla. score: photocopy of p. 2, p. 4, and p. 12
Laid in vnc. score: photocopy of p. 4, p. 12, and p. 16
On front cover: Study score
On p. 2: Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
On p. 3: Dedicated to Sergiu Comissiona
Laid in: t.l.s., from Ursula Eastman of Theodore Presser Company to Randolph Rothschild, 23 August 1978
Also, laid in: t.l., from [Randolph Rothschild] to Ursula Eastman of Theodore Presser Company, 28 August 1978
On p. 1: Commissioned by the Baltimore Chamber Music Society
Inscribed on p. 1: To Randy with gratitute. [Signed] Bob Lewis
Also, on p. 1: Commissioned by Randolph S. Rothschild and the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore on occasion of its twentieth anniversary
Note: for flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, and piano
Inscribed on cover: to Randy with warmest regards. [Signed] Bob Lewis, March 2, 1969
On p. 2: to Christopher Wolfe
Inscribed on t.p.: To Randolph Rothschild and the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore for their support and encouragement. [Signed] Robert Hall Lewis, Jan. 30, 1963
On p. ii: The text for
Also, on p. 11:
On p. 1: for Jane Manning and Barry Guy
Laid in: t.l.s., from Judith Finell of Judith Finell Musicservices, Inc. to Randolph Rothschild, 12 November 1981; t.l.s., from Randolph Rothschild to Judith Finell, 20 November 1981; promotional materials on Tod Machover from Judith Finell Musicservices, Inc.
Inscribed on p. [ii]: To Elliott Carter in honor of his 70th birthday with great respect and admiration
Inscribed on cover: for Randy (see inside) This is a more personal thank-you for one of the outstanding patrons of new music. Larry 6/4/92
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore for its 1975-76 Bicentennial Concert Series
Inscribed on verso of t.p.: Dear Randy, To paraphrase Schoenberg's dedication of his 4th Quartet, this quartet is dedicated to you "the ideal patron of chamber music" [Signed] Warmly, Larry Moss, Sept. 29, 1975; First performance by The Composers Quartet, January 25, 1976
Inscribed on p. 1: for Randy in continued gratitude for his wisdom and generosity in the cause of new music, 11/26/77, [Signed] Larry Moss
Laid in: a.l.s., from Lawrence Moss to Randolph Rothschild, 26 November 1977
Laid in: photocopy, t.l.s., from Irving Broude; Inscribed: Rec'd 3/10/67 R.S.R.
Note: for 2 fl., ob., 2 cl., bsn., 2 hn., 2 tpt., timp., strs. with concertino of 8 players tin fife, picc. tpt., 2 ocarinas, toy glock., bird warble, toy sn. dr., cuckoo call/toy accdn., concertina, harmonica
Inscribed on p. 1: for Randolph Rothschild with appreciation and admiration [Signed] Roger Reynolds
Note: Commissioned by Randolph S. Rothschild for oboist, James Ostryniec
Laid in: a.l.s., from Reynolds to Rothschild, 2 September 1984
Laid in: t.l.s., from Rothschild to Reynolds, 4 September 1984
Laid in: a.l.s., from Reynolds to Rothschild, 8 July 1985
Laid in: t.l.s., from Rothschild to Reynolds, 1 August 1985
Photocopy of score, 11 p.
Inscribed on t.p.: For Randolph and Amalie Rothschild, with admiration, affection, and gratitude. [Signed], Christopher Rouse, 11/7/91
On verso of t.p.: Commissioned by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with the assistance of Randolph Rothschild and the Barlow Foundation for Music Composition at Brigham Young University
Laid in: Invitation to pre-concert dinner, 11/8/91; 3 photocopies of review, Baltimore Sun, 11/7/91; 3 photocopies of review, Baltimore Sun, 11/8/91;
Inscribed on p. 1: To Randy, with affection and gratitude. [Signed] Gunther Schuller
Also, on p. 1: Dedicated to Sergiu Comissiona and the Baltimore Symphony
On t.p.: Commissioned by Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
Also, on t.p.: Dedicated to Robert Black & the New York New Music Ensemble
On front cover: On rental only, Theodore Presser Company
Laid in: a.l.s., from Ralph Shapey to Randolph Rothschild, 11 March 1981
Note: scored for fl./picc., cl./b.cl., vln./vla., vnc., pno., perc
Inscribed on verso of t.p.: For Randy Rothschild and Amalie Rothschild, warm friends of music and the composer, whose gracious support made this symphony possible. With cordial greetings, [Signed] Elie Siegmeister
On t.p.: Commissioned by The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Sergiu Comissiona, conductor, and first performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., on May 2, 1977
Inscribed on p. 1: For Randy, without whom this work like so many by others over the years would probably not have come into existence. [Signed] Faye-Ellen
On p. 11: Commissioned by The Chamber Music Society of Baltimore (for Karen Lindquist)
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph title page
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph title page
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph title page
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph title page
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph title page and incription, To Mrs. Elsi B. CarLiner
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph title page
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Baltimore; Dedicated to Robert Hall Lewis; Written for a first performance by Joan Heller and collage
On p. ii: to Randolph S. Rothschild with affection; commissioned by the New York Chamber Soloists
Laid in: t.l.s., from Walter Eckard of Theodore Presser Company to Randolph Rothschild, 5 March 1976
On t.p.: To Randolph S. Rothschild as a [illegible] appreciation for his many years of continued artistic support. [Signed] Hugo Weisgall
Laid in: 2 cards with composer's name and title of work; one manila envelope
For: flute, clarinet, viola, violoncello, and piano
Laid in: (1) photocopy review of 11/1/70 concert;
Laid in: (2) t.l.s., from Hugo Weisgall to Randolph Rothschild with envelope [Signed] Hugo, 3 Nov. 1970, 1 p.; a.l.s., from Hugo Weisgall to Randolph Rothschild [Signed] N. Weisgall for Hugo, 16 Nov. 1970, 1 p.; t.l., from Randolph Rothschild to Hugo Weisgall [Unsigned], 23 Nov. 1970, 1 p.;
Laid in: (3) a.l.s., in the hand of N. Weisgall from Hugo Weisgall to Randolph Rothschild [Signed] Hugo, 13 Dec. 1970, 1 leaf; program from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Concerts 1970/1971; New York Times review, 12/11/70; New York Times advertisement, 12/6/70 (2 copies);
Laid in: (4) t.l.s., from Randolph Rothschild to Hugo Wesigall [Signed] Randy, 11 Jan. 1971; t.l.s., from Hugo Weisgall to Randolph Rothschild [Signed] Hugo, Jan. 6, 1971, with envelope; review from New York Magazine, 11 Jan. 1971;
Laid in: (5) Peabody News article, re Commencement 1973 in which Hugo Weisgall received honorary degree of Doctor of Music
Laid in: U.S. Postal receipt; U.S. Postal receipt for registered mail; ticket for the Dorian Woodwind Quintet concert, Jan. 28, 1973, presented by The Chamber Music Society of Baltimore, Inc. on verso "Rev #7 - Feb. '72" (possibly in the composer's hand) with address
Laid in: mailing envelope
Note: includes 1. Billy's Belated Birthday Rag (William Schuman), 2. For Randy at 70 (Randolph S. Rothschild), 3. Valse Oubliée (Arnold Broido), 4. Rückblick (dedicated to Roger Sessions)
Laid in: a.l.s., from Hugo Weisgall to Randolph Rothschild, 13 September 1979
Inscribed on t.p.: To Randy, Old friend and supporter to whom this should have gone in the first place. [Signed] Hugo, 9/19/86, Balto.
Also, on t.p.: Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, David Zinman, Music Director; This work was first performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 18 and 19, 1986 with David Zinman conducting and David Hamilton, baritone
Laid in: a.l.s., from Martha Batehelor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, to Randolph Rothschild, n.d.
Also, laid in: program,
On t.p.: Commissioned for the Baltimore Chamber Music Society Randolph S. Rothschild to whom this work is dedicated with much affection.
On t.p.: possibly composer's autograph scribble
Also, on t.p.: address label for Chamber Music Society of Baltimore
On t.p.: Commissioned by, and dedicated to The Chamber Music Society of Baltimore, Randolph S. Rothschild, president
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and dedicated to Randolph S. Rothschild and Joseph Meyerhoff. First performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on May 9, 1985, with David Zinman conducting
Laid in: Business card [attached to C. F. Peters Corporation insert] from Ann Goldberg, Music Administrator of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Laid in: Randy, This is for you fr. the publisher. [Signed] Ann
Laid in: "Musical Events: Courtesy, Humanity, Hardiness,"
Laid in: Photocopy reprinted from
On t.p.: Commissioned by the Baltimore Chamber Music Society for its Twenty-fifth Anniversary
Note: possibly composer's autograph correction of commissioning line on title page, both copies