Bernstein, Abraham Moshe, 1865-1932

This collection contains papers of Abraham Moshe Bernstein, a renowned cantor, choir master, composer of Jewish liturgical and secular music, music teacher, musicologist, writer, and translator. The bulk of the materials consists of Bernstein’s liturgical compositions and arrangements in both published and manuscript form, as well as a substantial collection of manuscripts and published works by various composers and arrangers. The materials include Hasidic folk songs and melodies, religious songs, Jewish hymns, popular songs, children’s songs, operettas, liturgical pieces, and musical exercises for students; choral volumes and partbooks; unidentified and fragmented musical manuscripts; manuscripts of Bernstein’s own writings; personal correspondence; a photo of Bernstein on his deathbed; secular and religious songs, Sabbath hymns, Hasidic folk songs and melodies, assembled by Bernstein for the S. Ansky Jewish Historical Ethnographic Society in Vilna.

A postcard and two letters addressed to Bernstein; a handwritten essay entitled "S'zol lebn, vaksn un blihen unzer muzik"; and a notebook gathering, with notes and vocabulary lists in Yiddish, Hebrew, French, German, and Russian. 5 items.

Localities: Gomel (Belarus)

Russian-language program for a cantorial concert. 1 item.