Description
This collection is part of a larger collection of Elise Haas's
papers housed at the Bancroft Library. Mrs. Haas had designated that
these materials go to the Music Library. The collection contains
mostly materials concerning Ernest Bloch, with one music manuscript
by Darius Milhaud. Most of the materials are personal correspondence
from Ernest Bloch, various members of the Bloch
family, and Ernest Bloch Society to Elise Haas
(Mrs. Walter). It also contains correspondence leading to the establishment of
the Ernest Bloch Professorship at the University. Other materials
include concert programs and reviews, sent to Mrs. Haas by various Bloch familymembers (also members of the Ernest Bloch Society).
Materials deaccessioned include duplicate commercial sound recordings already held in the
Music Library collection; the recordings were returned to the Haas
estate via Bancroft Library. Other commercial sound recordings were
included in the regular collection.
Background
Elise Stern Haas (c.1892-1989) was a prominent patron and
philanthropist in the San Francisco area, especially in the performing arts and Jewish
communities. Her family established the Ernest Bloch Professorshipin the Music Department at the University of California, Berkeley.The fund began as
The Jacob and Rosa Stern
Musical Fund,
established to provide financial support for
Ernest Bloch in his composing activities. In exchange, Bloch would
give 10 music manuscripts and lectures at the University. After Bloch's death, the fund
was established as the Ernest Bloch Professorship Fund. (See folder 4, 16-18, for more details).