Records of the Jewish People's Chorus of Los Angeles
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists primarily of handwritten musical scores, with a small group of published scores, as well as a few notes on performances (such as set lists), notes on lectures on the history of Jewish folk music, and letters. The Chorus’ repertoire consisted primarily of songs in which poems by Yiddish poets (primarily those known as the sweatshop poets) were set to music by Jacob Schaefer. These songs, such as “Der mogn dovid bagrist dem roytn shtern” (The Star of David Greets the Red Star) and “Heyb oyf dayne oygn” (Lift up Your Eyes) expressed a passionate commitment to the ideals of the worker’s movement. Songs relating to Yiddish folk culture, such as songs drawn from Abraham Goldfaden’s plays, are also represented, as well as a few songs drawn from other languages, such as English, German, and Russian, that appealed to the choir’s sensibility.
Dates
- 1919-1967
Language of Materials
The collection is primarily in Yiddish and English, with one folder of items in Russian, and a few items in German and Hebrew.
Access Restrictions
Permission to use the collection must be obtained from the YIVO Archivist.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish part or parts of the collection must be obtained from the YIVO Archives. For more information, contact:
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
email: archives@yivo.cjh.org
Historical Note
The Jewish People’s Chorus of Los Angeles was one of many choruses in the United States associated with the Jewish Music Alliance, founded by Jacob Schaefer in 1925. These choruses were associated with the workers’ movement, and sang songs on revolutionary themes, as well as Yiddish folk songs. The Jewish People’s Chorus of Los Angeles was most active from the late 1920s to the mid 1960s. It was directed by Nathan Samaroff, and Waldemar Hille and Gabriel Sunshine were among the conductors.
Extent
1.75 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Abstract
The Jewish People’s Chorus of Los Angeles was a chorus associated with the Jewish Music Alliance, an organization meant to promote Yiddish folk and revolutionary music, founded by Jacob Schaefer in 1925. This collection contains manuscripts of music performed by the chorus as well as a few performance notes.
Arrangement
The series are arranged by type of material.
Acquisition Information
These records were received from Victor Sazer in 1993.
Processing information
With thanks to Benjamin Schaechter for contributing information on the history of the Jewish Music Alliance.
- Title
- Guide to the Records of the Jewish People's Chorus of Los Angeles 1919-1967 RG 1324
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Sarah Ponichtera in 2013, made possible by the Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives Grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources through the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support "Illuminating Hidden Collections at the Center for Jewish History."
- Date
- ©2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Repository
