Eda Rapoport


Eda Rothstein Rapoport was a Jewish-American composer and pianist born in the Russian Empire.

Biography

Rapoport was born in Daugavpils, in the Vitebsk Governorate of the Russian Empire, into a Jewish family. She emigrated to the United States, where she married noted anesthetist Boris Rapoport and lived much of her life in New York City.
Rapoport studied composition with Walter Piston, Aaron Copland and Arnold Schoenberg. She composed several hundred works including music for piano, violin, voice and symphony orchestra. In 1943 she presented a program of her own compositions in Carnegie Chamber Music Hall, and was also accompanist for her songs.
The Columbia University Department of Music sponsors the Boris and Eda Rapoport Prize in Composition.

Selected works

Several of Rapoport's compositions have been published by Transcontinental Music, White-Smith Music Publishing, Maxwell Weaner, Axelrod Publications, Associated Music Publishers, and El. Cantor Music.
;StageThe Fisherman and His Wife, Opera-Fantasy in 1 act; libretto after the Grimm's fairy taleGI Joe, Opera in 1 act, 3 scenes; libretto by Boris RapoportThe Hobo and the Old Maid, Ballet
;OrchestralAdagietto for strings and fluteAdagio for string orchestraIsrafel, Tone Picture after Edgar Allan Poe for flute, string orchestra and harpThe Mathmid, Symphonic Poem after Hayim Nahman BialikMiniature SymphonyPetite Suite for string orchestraRevolt in the Warsaw Ghetto, Lament for string orchestraSuite for orchestraSymphonic DancesThree Pastels for string orchestra, Op. 12; original for piano solo
;Concertante
  • Concerto for violin and orchestra
  • Concerto for piano and orchestraLamentations for cello and orchestra ; original for cello and piano; dedicated to cellist Jean Bedetti
;Chamber musicAgada for violin or cello and piano Caprice for violin aloneArabesque for violin and pianoBerceuse for violin and pianoChant hébraïque for viola or cello and piano, Op. 13 The Clown for violin and pianoConga for violin and pianoEchoes from the Forest for violin and pianoElegy for cello and pianoEssay for flute and pianoEtching for flute and pianoExplorations for clarinet and pianoFantasia for saxophone and pianoImpressions for solo fluteImpressions for violin solo or violin and pianoIndian Legend for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon Invocation and Caprice for cello and pianoKol Nidrei for violin aloneLamentations Based on Hebrew Themes for cello and piano ; also for cello and orchestraLegend for violin aloneLooking Through My Window for violin aloneMeditation for violin aloneMelodie for violin and pianoMidrash for violin and piano Moods for cello and pianoMoods of the Past for violin aloneMysterious Forest for flute and string quintetMystique for flute aloneNigun for violin or cello and piano Nocturne in E for violin and pianoPastoral QuartetPetite Poem for violin and piano for violin and piano, Op. 21 Poem for viola and piano, Op. 14 Quartet in G for 2 violins, viola and cello, Op. 16 String Quartet on Hebrew Themes for 2 violins, viola and cello
  • String Quartet in C major for 2 violins, viola and cello
  • String Quartet No. 3 for 2 violins, viola and cello
  • Quartet for flute, violin, cello and piano
  • Quartet for violin, viola, cello and piano
  • Quintet No. 1 for flute and string quartet
  • Quintet No. 2 for flute and string quartetRendezvous for violin and pianoRomanze for violin and pianoSea Fog for violin and pianoSholom Aleichem Suite for violin and piano
  • Sonata for cello and piano
  • Sonata No. 2 for violin and pianoSong and Dance for violin aloneSong of the Gondolier for violin aloneSong of the River for cello and pianoA Study for violin aloneThoughts in the Night... for violin or cello and piano ; based on a poem by Hayim Nahman Bialik; also for voice and piano
  • Trio in A minor
;OrganCapriccio Notturno Prelude
;PianoThe AcrobatFour Episodes from the Life of MosesThe House on the BayRocks and SeaSilhouette
  • Sonata No. 1
  • Sonatina
  • Sonata No. 3
  • Sonatina No. 4
  • Suite for 2 pianos Three EtchingsThree Impressions Three Pastels, Op. 12 ; also orchestrated
;VocalThe Angel for voice and pianoDrinking Song for voice and piano ; words from the Russian by Harry FeinFive Songs for voice and pianoThe Raven for voice and string quintet or string orchestra, Op. 15 ; words by Edgar Allan PoeThe River for voice and piano ; words by Paul EismanSleep, Little Baby for voice and piano Thoughts in the Night... for voice and piano ; words by Hayim Nahman Bialik; also for violin or cello and pianoTo a Cactus for voice and piano ; words by Laurette PizerVacation for voice and piano ; words by Boris Rapoport