Guide to the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society Records, 1961-2009 AIS.1998.51

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society Records
Creator
Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society
Collection Number
AIS.1998.51
Extent
8 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Date
1961-2019
Abstract
The Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society was formed in 1961. The mission of the Society is to bring to Pittsburgh notable performers and composers of chamber music as well as expose audiences to emerging chamber music groups. The papers of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society include brochures, scrapbooks, programs, reviews, tax forms, posters, and WQED-FM radio station material concerning the taping of concerts.
Language
English .
Author
Juliet E. Aher. Revisions to the finding aid were made by Kaity Murphy in July 2009.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

In response to the loss of regular chamber music concerts once sponsored by The New Friends of Music (1938-1960), the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society was founded under the leadership of Harry Corbett in 1961. A number of distinguished academic, artistic, social, and business leaders of Pittsburgh formed the Society's organizing committee. Among these initial organizers were Mrs. Paul G. Benedum; Henry J. Heinz; William Steinberg, conductor of The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Reverend John J. Wright, Bishop of Pittsburgh; and Edward H. Litchfield, President of University of Pittsburgh.

The mission of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society is to bring to Pittsburgh notable performers and composers of chamber music as well as expose audiences to emerging chamber music groups. Many of these new groups featured by the society are winners of the Walter W. Naumburg Chamber Music Award.

The music of the old masters such as Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelsohn, Brahms, Dvorak, Ravel, Bartok and Hindemith is featured prominently at the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society's concerts. Together with this traditional chamber music fare, twentieth century works are also scheduled for most concerts. The society has commissioned some of the works presented in concert, which include David Stack's "Quartet 'Speaking Extravagantly' (1981)," Lou Coyner's "Eolith No. 4 (1984)," and "The Rewaking (1991)," a piece written by Pulitzer Prize winner John Harbison. The Chamber Music Society is also committed to promoting Pittsburgh artists such as Harry Franklin, piano; Bernard Goldberg, flute; Theo Salzman, cello; and composers Leonardo Balada, Lou Coyner, Stephen Foster, Nikolai Lopatnikoff, John Peel, David Stock, and John Harbison.

The Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society has earned a reputation as one of the largest, oldest, and most popular chamber music organizations in the country. Concert Seasons usually consist of five to six concerts. In the first three decades of existence, the society has presented over 100 concerts, with nearly 80 ensembles performing 549 works by 140 composers. Starting in 1976 much of this music has been taped and broadcast to an estimated 100,000 people through WQED-FM.

The Chamber Music Society has kept prices of concert tickets low in order to attract a diverse audience of students and community members. For operating costs and maintenance of the society the Chamber Music Society has traditionally depended on outside sponsorship. The Chamber Society's fledgling years were supported with money from the Howard Heinz endowment. This endowment sporadically supported the society throughout its history. Other sponsors have included Carlow College, Chatham College, the Community College of Allegheny County, Point Park College, University of Pittsburgh, The Pittsburgh Federation, and the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. Since 1969, the chamber music has also regularly received grant money from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Scope and Content Notes

The records of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society contain brochures, performance programs and reviews, tax forms, grant applications and papers relating to WQED-FM taping and broadcasting of the Society's concerts. Administrative business is documented in the Chamber Music Society's Minutes. Financial statements and tax forms provide financial information about the Society. Correspondence relating to individual and corporate sponsorship as well as papers and applications regarding grants provide further financial information and details about how the Society gains funding. Programs, pamphlets and posters from each season provide the names of artists, composers and the works performed at each concert. Additionally, there are reviews, press releases and publicity regarding the concerts. A history of the Chamber Society, its supporters, and a summary of the first thirty years of performances are found in the Anniversary Book (1991). Materials in this collection includes; minutes, brochures, programs, posters, tax forms, grant proposals, foundation information, scrapbooks and are arranged alphabetically within each fiscal year.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in chronological order by year. The years have been defined and divided by each fiscal year, dating from July of one year to June of the following.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

These materials came to the archives as a gift from the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society in December 1998 and June 2009.

Previous Citation

Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society Records, 1961-2009, AIS.1998.51, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh.

Preferred Citation

Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society Records, 1961-2009, AIS.1998.51, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Juliet E. Aher in December 1998. Revision and rearrangement of the collection material were provided by Kaity Murphy. The encoded version of the finding aid provided by Alesha Shumar in July 2009. Additional records were added in 2019 and processed by Patrick R. Stump.

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society
    • WQED-FM 89.3 (Radio station : Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Chamber music -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Societies, etc.
    • Societies
    • Music

Container List