ContentsOrganization of the Max Rudolf Papers Container List |
Max Rudolf PapersProcessed by the Music Division of the Library of Congress2011
Biographical NoteMax Rudolf (1902-1995) was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on June 15, 1902. He began musical studies at age seven, learning piano, organ, cello, and trumpet. He began to compose at age eleven, and at thirteen, commenced professional musical studies with Bernard Sekles, remaining with this teacher for the next six years. Rudolf attended Frankfurt University and the Hochschule für Musik from 1921-1922, making his conducting debut in March 1923 at Freiburg in a production of Johann Strauss's opera Die Fledermaus. During the following years 1924-1929, he familiarized himself with standard operatic repertory while holding down posts at the Städtisches Theater (Freiburg) and at Darmstadt. Rudolf then became principal conductor of the German theater in Prague from 1929-1935, where he became acquainted with George Szell. He also appeared as guest conductor with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (1929-1930). From 1935-1940, Rudolf resided in Göteborg, Sweden, while holding positions as choral director for the Orchestral Society and the Swedish Broadcasting Company. He left Europe in October 1940, travelling east across Russia, Japan, and the Hawaiian Islands, finally arriving in San Francisco. He initially secured a position teaching conducting and score reading at the Music Department of the Y.M.C.A. College in Chicago, later moving to New York in December 1943, where he was eventually engaged by the New Opera Company for a production of Offenbach's operetta La Vie Parisienne. Rudolf became a naturalized American citizen in 1945. In the fall of 1945, Rudolf was hired as an assistant conductor with the Metropolitan Opera, his debut being the Gala Program Annual Benefit Concert on January 13, 1946. He served as both a conductor for the organization from 1946 to 1958 and as its assistant manager from 1950-1958. He held the post of music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra from 1958-1970 and signed on as musical director for the Cincinnati May Festival from 1963-1970. Rudolf joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in 1970, serving as head of the conducting and opera departments until 1973, after which time he returned to the Metropolitan Opera for an additional two seasons (1973-1975). Earlier, Rudolf had also returned to New York to participate in two historically significant Metropolitan Opera events: the Old Metropolitan Opera House Gala Farewell (April 16, 1966) and Rudolf Bing's Gala Farewell (April 22, 1972). Throughout the 1970s, he served as artistic advisor to the Dallas, Detroit, and New Jersey Symphony Orchestras, and continued to make regular guest appearances with several major American orchestras and opera houses well into his eighties. He rejoined the faculty of the Curtis Institute in 1983 and continued as an emeritus member until his death on February 28, 1995. In addition to his work as conductor and pedagogue, Rudolf recorded extensively and authored the conducting textbook The Grammar of Conducting (1950) that received further revisions in 1969, 1981, and 1995. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Content NoteThe Max Rudolf Papers span the period 1922-1993, with the majority of materials dating from his professional period in the United States, 1945-1992. The collection is arranged in three series: Correspondence, 1922-1993; Photographs, 1952 and undated; and Metropolitan Opera Annual Files, 1946-1975. Rudolf corresponded with many pre-eminent 20th century composers, conductors, vocalists, instrumentalists, musicologists, music critics, individuals responsible for the management of American orchestras and operatic companies, and many other well-known individuals in non-musical fields. Topics of correspondence include much discussion on the art of conducting, matters of musical interpretation, contemporary composers and their compositions, performers, programming, and other musical matters. The collection contains extensive correspondence with conductors Antal Dorati (15 letters), Rafael Kubelik (7 letters), Erich Leinsdorf (14 letters), Eugene Ormandy (86 letters), George Szell (over 200 letters), Fritz Reiner, Leopold Stokowski, William Steinberg, Bruno Walter, and many others. Rudolf corresponded with prominent composers, including Samuel Barber, Luigi Dallapiccola, David Diamond, Norman Dello Joio, Percy Grainger, Hans Werner Henze, Paul Hindemith, Gian Carlo Menotti, Gunther Schuller, and William Schuman. He also exchanged communications with major performers such as Roberta Peters, Risë Stevens, Richard Tucker, Isaac Stern, Glenn Gould, Byron Janis, Igor Kipnis, Leonard Rose, and Rudolf Serkin. Additional letters with various directors, producers, and administrators of opera companies and orchestras are present as well, highlighted by substantial communications with Metropolitan Opera management, especially Rudolf Bing (39 letters). Rudolf corresponded with musicologists H.C. Robbins Landon and Paul Henry Lang as well. Rudolf's tenure at the Curtis Institute of Music and his affiliation with the American Symphony Orchestra League are also well documented. Many letters are accompanied by carbon copies of Rudolf's replies. Clippings, reviews, and other inserts are often found among the letters, as are occasional photographs enclosed by the correspondent. Rudolf's Metropolitan Opera annual files represent the years he was active with that organization: 1946-1958 and 1973-1975, as well as individual appearances made in 1966 (Gala Metropolitan Opera House Farewell) and 1972 (Rudolf Bing's Gala Farewell). Each annual file includes operatic programs (often annotated by Rudolf), Metropolitan Opera annual publications, contracts, correspondence, itineraries, travel-related expense bills, articles, clippings, radio broadcast scripts, press releases, rehearsal schedules, and other miscellaneous documents. Preservation photocopies of Metropolitan Opera broadside programs (1949-1958 seasons) and original broadsides (1973-1974 season) are filed separately due to format considerations. The Photographs series contains a handful of photographs of Rudolf alone and with other musicians. Return to the Table of Contents Selected Search TermsPeople
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Return to the Table of Contents Organization of the Max Rudolf PapersThe Max Rudolf Papers are organized in three series: Return to the Table of Contents Container ListCorrespondence, 1922-1993Correspondence with prominent 20th century composers, conductors, performers, musicologists, music critics, managers of major American orchestras and opera companies, and others. Reviews, clippings, photographs, or other material may accompany correspondence. Arranged alphabetically by name of individual, organization, or subject, and chronologically therein. American Symphony Orchestra League, 1960-1972Barber, Elinore, 1970-1980, 1988-1992Barber, Samuel, 1945-1946, 1955-1958Bing, Rudolf, 1953-1972, 1982-1983Böhm, Karl, 1930-1934Bräm, Thűring, 1971-1992Britten, Benjamin, 1966Brubeck, Dave, 1969Charry, Michael, 1972-1982Charry, Michael, 1983-1992Copland, Aaron, 1966Curtis Institute of Music, 1968-1973Dallapiccola, Luigi, 1971, 1973-1974Dello Joio, Norman, 1956, 1958-1988Diamond, David, 1960-1964, 1967Dorati, Antal, 1946-1981Etler, Alvin, 1970Fagan, Arthur, 1974-1989Frommel, Gerhard, 1928Goldovsky, Boris, 1948-1949, 1959-1978Goldschmidt, Berthold, 1931Gould, Glenn, 1961-1964, 1971Graffman, Gary, 1976-1977, 1986-1992Grainger, Percy, 1959Hanson, Howard, 1956, 1962Henze, Hans Werner, 1967Hindemith, Paul, 1944Horszowski, Mieczyslaw, 1972-1991Husa, Karel, 1967-1968, 1977Jacobi, Frederick, 1941, 1945Järvi, Paavo, 1986-1992Josephs, Wilfred, 1967-1971, 1979-1986Kalam, Tonu, 1972-1990Klein, Lothar, 1970, 1976Klemperer, Otto, 1928, 1935Korn, Michael, 1985-1986Kowalski, Max, 1948, 1950-1951Kraft, Leo, 1945-1950, 1959-1972Kunzel, Erich, 1962, 1971-1990La Violette, Wesley, 1949Labunski, Felix, 1973Lees, Benjamin, 1970, 1973-1974Leinsdorf, Erich, 1961-1990Levin, Ira, 1984-1990Levine, James, 1958-1971Loebel, David, 1978-1992Lustgarten, Egon, 1958Maciejewski, Roman, 1961Martino, Donald, 1975-1976Massarani, Renzo, 1928Mennin, Peter, 1969-1977, 1980-1983Menotti, Gian Carlo, 1960-1963Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "A", 1961-1962Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "B", 1945-1978, 1983Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "C-F", 1948-1954, 1972-1976Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "G", 1953-1972, 1979-1981Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "H", 1958-1971Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "I-L", 1948-1949, 1956-1964Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "M-P", 1946-1951, 1962-1972Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "R", 1952-1978Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "S", 1941, 1952-1974Metropolitan Opera Management/Board/Guild, "T-Z", 1950-1958, 1971-1974Metropolitan Opera singers, "A", 1949-1972, 1990Metropolitan Opera singers, "B", 1946-1965Metropolitan Opera singers, "C", 1961-1963, 1971-1973Metropolitan Opera singers, "D", 1943-1958, undatedMetropolitan Opera singers, "E-F", 1956-1966, 1974Metropolitan Opera singers, "G", 1950-1952, 1958-1963Metropolitan Opera singers, "H-J", 1927-1965, 1970-1991Metropolitan Opera singers, "K-L", 1944-1952, 1960-1989Metropolitan Opera singers, "M-O", 1947-1949, 1960-1975Metropolitan Opera singers, "P", 1950-1972, 1981-1983Metropolitan Opera singers, "R", 1947-1952, 1961Metropolitan Opera singers, "S", 1946-1960, 1974-1989Metropolitan Opera singers, "T", 1938-1957, 1968-1975Metropolitan Opera singers, "U-V", 1949-1957, 1973-1975Metropolitan Opera singers, "W-Z", 1950, 1958Mills, Charles, 1973Miscellaneous conductors, "A", 1948-1965, 1970-1988Miscellaneous conductors, "B", 1946-1950, 1957-1967, 1972-1989Miscellaneous conductors, "C", 1945-1982Miscellaneous conductors, "D", 1930-1992Miscellaneous conductors, "E", 1956-1985Miscellaneous conductors, "F", 1947-1983Miscellaneous conductors, "G", 1960-1980Miscellaneous conductors, "H", 1943-1983Miscellaneous conductors, "J", 1982-1989Miscellaneous conductors, "K", 1947-1991Miscellaneous conductors, "L", 1965-1981Miscellaneous conductors, "M", 1940-1992Miscellaneous conductors, "N", 1965-1989Miscellaneous conductors, "P", 1961-1983Miscellaneous conductors, "R", 1930-1983, 1993Miscellaneous conductors, "S", 1947-1992Miscellaneous conductors, "T", 1961-1992Miscellaneous conductors, "U-V", 1932-1948, 1960-1983Miscellaneous conductors, "W", 1934-1992Miscellaneous conductors, "Y-Z", 1959-1988Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "A-C", 1953, 1962, 1976-1986Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "D-F", 1927-1950, 1964, 1976-1978Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "G-J", 1932-1935, 1941-1964, 1970-1975Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "K-L", 1925-1931, 1950-1959, 1983Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "M", 1929-1939, 1945-1958, 1972-1973Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "N-R", 1955-1957, 1981-1982Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "S", 1929-1950, 1958-1962, 1981-1982Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "T-W", 1933-1934, 1964, 1979Miscellaneous directors, producers, administrators, "Y-Z", 1948-1958, 1963-1981Miscellaneous orchestras and opera companies, 1954-1980Miscellaneous performers, "A", 1947-1982Miscellaneous performers, "B", 1959-1968, 1973-1978Miscellaneous performers, "C", 1964-1990Miscellaneous performers, "D", 1961-1985Miscellaneous performers, "E-F", 1931-1992Miscellaneous performers, "G", 1955-1991Miscellaneous performers, "H-I", 1952-1992Miscellaneous performers, "K", 1954-1992Miscellaneous performers, "L", 1949, 1977-1990Miscellaneous performers, "M", 1961-1974, 1993Miscellaneous performers, "O-P", 1961-1970, 1981-1992Miscellaneous performers, "R", 1953-1981Miscellaneous performers, "S", 1960-1991Miscellaneous performers, "T-W", 1941-1979Miscellaneous performers, "W", 1988-1991Music personalities, "A-B", 1936, 1950-1975, 1990Music personalities, "C-E", 1936-1950, 1962-1966, 1971-1985Music personalities, "F", 1947-1982Music personalities, "G", 1953-1972, 1979, 1987Music personalities, "H", 1939-1958, 1964-1989Music personalities, "I-L", 1931, 1957-1967, 1970-1981Music personalities, "M-O", 1945-1968, 1970-1990Music personalities, "P-R", 1941-1964, 1970-1974, 1983Music personalities, "S-U", 1961-1975, 1980-1990Music personalities, "V-Z", 1960-1967, 1972-1983Musicologists, "A", 1974-1983, 1986Musicologists, "B", 1922-1929, 1972-1989Musicologists, "C-D", 1973-1979, 1984-1991Musicologists, "E-G", 1983-1987Musicologists, "H", 1973-1974, 1979-1990Musicologists, "I-K", 1969-1972, 1979-1991Musicologists, "L", 1962, 1972-1977, 1987-1990Musicologists, "M", 1971-1973, 1986-1992Musicologists, "N-O", 1977, 1986-1987Musicologists, "P-R", 1945, 1950, 1979-1986Musicologists, "S", 1953-1963, 1970-1993Musicologists, "T-V", 1971-1978, 1985-1990Musicologists, "W", 1979-1983, 1989-1992Musicologists, "X-Z", 1975-1991Muti, Riccardo, 1988Nelhybel, Vaclav, 1964Oltman, Dwight, 1967-1981Ormandy, Eugene, 1950-1983Peinemann, Edith, see also Box 14, Photographs 1962-1992Powers, Maxwell, 1942-1946Proto, Frank, 1977-1992Rathaus, Karol, 1954Reiner, Fritz, see also Box 14, Photographs 1949-1953, 1962-1963, 1971-1972Richman, James, 1972-1989Rogers, Bernard, 1946-1968Rostropovich, Mstislav, 1983Rubinstein, Artur, 1966, 1980Schippers, Thomas, 1949-1977Schuller, Gunther, 1959-1989Schuman, William, 1945-1980Sekles, Bernhard, 1922-1934Serkin, Rudolf, 1960-1991Simmons, Calvin, 1970-1982Smith, Mark, 1985-1992Stern, Isaac, 1959-1992Stern, Michael, 1981-1992Stokowski, Leopold, 1960-1968Stravinsky, Igor, see also Box 14, Photographs 1965Suderburg, Robert, 1977Surinach, Carlos, 1968-1973Szell, Georg, 1929-1974, 1991Takács, Jenö, 1954-1992Thorpe, Francis, 1976Velazco, Emil, 1966Voois, Jacques C., 1976-1992Walter, Bruno, 1938-1956Watkins, Sara, 1983, 1992Waxman, Franz, 1948Wojeik, Raymond, 1973Yahr, Barbara, 1986-1992Photographs, 1952 and undatedMiscellaneous images of Rudolf alone or with other people. Arranged by subject. Max Rudolf, alone, undatedMax Rudolf, with Edith Peinemann, undatedMax Rudolf, with Fritz Reiner, Igor Stravinsky and George Balanchine, December 26, 1952Metropolitan Opera Annual Files, 1946-1975Metropolitan Opera publications (i.e. brochures, booklets, annual statements of operations, other business reports), articles, clippings, correspondence, miscellaneous documents (contracts, official papers, invitations, etc.), photographs, programs (regular season performances and annual spring tour, often annotated by Rudolf), radio broadcast scripts, press releases, rehearsal schedules, itineraries, and travel-related expense bills. Preservation photocopies of broadside programs covering seasons 1949-1958 and original broadsides for the 1973-1974 season are housed separately in Box 22. Arranged chronologically, and alphabetically by type of material or subject therein. Annual file, 1945-1946Annual publications and brochures, 1945-1946Articles, 1945-1946Clippings, 1945-1946Correspondence, 1945-1946Miscellaneous documents, 1945-1946Photographs, 1945-1946Programs (regular season), 1945-1946Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1946Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1946Annual file, 1946-1947Annual publications and brochures, 1946-1947Articles, 1946-1947Clippings, 1946-1947Correspondence, 1946-1947Miscellaneous documents, 1946-1947Photographs, 1946-1947Press releases, 1946-1947Programs (regular season), 1946-1947Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1947Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1947Annual file, 1947-1948Annual publications and brochures, 1947-1948Clippings, 1947-1948Correspondence, 1947-1948Miscellaneous documents, 1947-1948Photographs, 1947-1948Programs (regular season), 1947-1948Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1948Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1948Spring Tour. Travel expenses and related bills, Spring 1948Annual file, 1948-1949Annual publications and brochures, 1948-1949Clippings, 1948-1949Correspondence, 1948-1949Miscellaneous documents, 1948-1949Photographs, 1948-1949Programs (regular season), 1948-1949Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1949Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1949Spring Tour. Travel expenses and related bills, Spring 1949Annual file, 1949-1950Annual publications and brochures, 1949-1950Articles, 1949-1950Clippings, 1949-1950Correspondence, 1949-1950Miscellaneous documents, 1949-1950Photographs, 1949-1950Press releases, 1949-1950Programs (regular season), 1949-1950Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1950Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1950Spring Tour. Travel expenses and related bills, Spring 1950Annual file, 1950-1951Annual publications and brochures, 1950-1951Articles, 1950-1951Clippings, 1950-1951Correspondence, 1950-1951Miscellaneous documents, 1950-1951Photographs, 1950-1951Programs (regular season), 1950-1951Radio broadcast script, March 24, 1951Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1951Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1951Annual file, 1951-1952Annual publications and brochures, 1951-1952Articles, 1951-1952Clippings, 1951-1952Correspondence, 1951-1952Miscellaneous documents, 1951-1952Photographs, 1951-1952Programs (regular season), 1951-1952Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1952Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1952Spring Tour. Travel expenses and related bills, Spring 1952Annual file, 1952-1953Annual publications and brochures, 1952-1953Articles, 1952-1953Clippings, 1952-1953Correspondence, 1952-1953Miscellaneous documents, 1952-1953Photographs, 1952-1953Press releases, 1952-1953Programs (regular season), 1952-1953Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1953Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1953Annual file, 1953-1954Annual publications and brochures, 1953-1954Articles, 1953-1954Clippings, 1953-1954Correspondence, 1953-1954Miscellaneous documents, 1953-1954Photographs, 1953-1954Press releases, 1953-1954Programs (regular season), 1953-1954Radio broadcast scripts, January-March 1954Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1954Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1954Spring Tour. Travel expenses and related bills, Spring 1954Annual file, 1954-1955Annual publications and brochures, 1954-1955Articles, 1954-1955Clippings, 1954-1955Correspondence, 1954-1955Miscellaneous documents, 1954-1955Photographs, 1954-1955Press releases, 1954-1955Programs (regular season), 1954-1955Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1955Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1955Spring Tour. Travel expenses and related bills, Spring 1955Annual file, 1955-1956Annual publications and brochures, 1955-1956Articles, 1955-1956Central Opera Service. Conference, March 16-17, 1956Clippings, 1955-1956Correspondence, 1955-1956Miscellaneous documents, 1955-1956Photographs, 1955-1956Programs (regular season), 1955-1956Radio broadcast script, December 31, 1955Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1956Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1956Spring Tour. Travel expenses and related bills, Spring 1956Annual file, 1956-1957Annual publications and brochures, 1956-1957Articles, 1956-1957Clippings, 1956-1957Correspondence, 1956-1957Miscellaneous documents, 1956-1957Photographs, 1956-1957Press releases, 1956-1957Programs (regular season), 1956-1957Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1957Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1957Annual file, 1957-1958Annual publications and brochures, 1957-1958Articles, 1957-1958Clippings, 1957-1958Correspondence, 1957-1958Farewell party, Colonial Club, New York City, March 29, 1958Miscellaneous documents, 1957-1958Photographs, 1957-1958Programs (regular season), 1957-1958Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1958Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1958Annual file. Old Metropolitan Opera House Gala Farewell, 1966Annual publications, 1965-1966Clippings, 1966Correspondence, 1966Miscellaneous documents, 1966Program, April 16, 1966Annual file, 1966-1967Annual publications, 1966-1967Articles, 1966-1967Press releases, 1966-1967Program (opening night performance), September 16, 1966Annual file, 1967-1968Annual publications, 1967-1968Annual file. Rudolf Bing Gala Farewell, 1972Annual publications, 1971-1972Articles (Rudolf Bing), 1972Clippings (Rudolf Bing), 1972Clippings (Gentele, Chapin, Kubelik, Levine), 1972Contract, February 20, 1972Correspondence, 1972Miscellaneous documents, 1972Photographs, 1972Printed music, 1972Programs, April 22, 1972Rehearsal schedules, April 21 , 1972Annual file, 1972-1973Annual publications, 1972-1973Correspondence, 1972-1973Annual file, 1973-1974Annual publications and brochures, 1973-1974Clippings, 1973-1974Contract, 1973-1974Correspondence, 1973-1974Miscellaneous documents, 1973-1974Programs (regular season), 1973-1974Spring Tour. Itineraries, Spring 1974Spring Tour. Programs, Spring 1974Annual file, 1974-1975Annual publications and brochures, 1974-1975Clippings, 1974-1975Contract, 1974-1975Correspondence, 1974-1975Miscellaneous documents, 1974-1975Programs (regular season), 1974-1975Rehearsals (pre-season), Summer-Fall 1974Broadside programs, 1949-1974Broadside programs (regular season), 1949-1950Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1950Broadside programs (regular season), 1950-1951Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1951Broadside programs (regular season), 1951-1952Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1952Broadside programs (regular season), 1952-1953Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1953Broadside programs (regular season), 1953-1954Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1954Broadside programs (regular season), 1954-1955Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1955Broadside programs (regular season), 1955-1956Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1956Broadside programs (regular season), 1956-1957Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1957Broadside programs (regular season), 1957-1958Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1958Broadside programs (regular season), 1973-1974Broadside programs (Spring Tour), 1974Return to the Table of Contents |