Finding Aids

SC 1995.8

Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections
Sibley Music Library
Eastman School of Music
University of Rochester

prepared by Carol M. Moen
Fall 1995

CONTENTS

• Description of Collection
• Description of Series
• Inventory

DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION

(1924-1935; bulk 1924-1928)
Location: M 1A, 1, 2
2″, scrapbooks

Biographical Sketch

Pauline (Edith) Alpert (1905-1988) Pauline Alpert was born December 27, 1905 in New York City. Her childhood in Rochester, New York was evidently a musical one; her mother, Anna (Rosh) Alpert, was an opera singer. Following her graduation from East High School in Rochester, Alpert became a scholarship student in piano at the Eastman School of Music, studying briefly under Selim Palmgren (between 1923 and 1927). Alpert’s career as a performer was primarily focused on popular music venues, including radio, solo concerts, theater, recordings and nightclub work throughout the United States. She was billed as the “Whirlwind Pianist,” and noted for her technical facility. Alpert recorded for RCA Victor, Sonora, Pilot-Tone, and Rabson, in addition to motion picture shorts for Vitaphone and more than 500 piano rolls for Duo-Art. Her radio and television work for NBC and CBS included guest solo spots with Paul Whiteman, Rudy Vallee, and Fred Allen, as well as her own semi-weekly program for WOR radio in New York City. Alpert also composed novelty pieces for the piano (published by Mills Music Company), and made her own arrangements.  She died on April 11, 1988.

Provenance

Two of Alpert’s scrapbooks were donated by Artis Wodehouse on 4 August, 1995. Wodehouse received these scrapbooks from June Rogers, a childhood friend of Alpert’s in Rochester, who in turn received them from Marlene Benet, the wife of Pauline Alpert’s nephew, shortly after Alpert’s death.

Scope and Content

The collection contains two scrapbooks covering Pauline Alpert’s early life and performing career as a classical and popular pianist. They include newspaper clippings of announcements and reviews, as well as concert programs.

Restrictions and Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.