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The Finding Aid of the Richard Ralf papers
0238
0238
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Title: Richard Ralf papers
Collection number: 0238
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
21.58 Linear feet
22 boxes
Date: circa 1930s-1974
Abstract: Richard Ralf was a German composer who moved to Los Angeles in 1946. His music follows the florid and emotional trend of post-Wagnerian
Romanticism. Among his compositions were Transcendental Ballet (1921), Violin Sonata (1923), String Quartet (1924), Violin
Concerto (1925), Brothers Arise Cantata (1959), and Symphonic Songs for Mezzo-soprano and Orchestra (1968).
creator:
Ralf, Richard K., 1897-1977
The collection includes musical scores composed by Ralf; audio recordings of his music; correspondence related to his work;
photographs of Ralf conducting; and article clippings, programs and reviews related to his productions.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
[Box/folder# or item name], Richard Ralf papers, Collection no. 0238, Regional History Collections, Special Collections, USC
Libraries, University of Southern California
The collection is organized into the following series: 1. Scores 2. Audio Recordings 3. Correspondence 4. Photographs 5. Printed
Materials
Richard Ralf was a German composer born in Karlsruhe, Germany on September 30, 1897. He showed interest in music at an early
age and his older sister gave him his first piano lesson when he was six years old. Ralf's father, a singer and a choir master
at the Court-Opera in Karlsruhe, took over his instruction and concentrated his studies on accompaniment and sight reading.
By the age of 17, Ralf was already a professional musician and earned his first job as a coach and accompanist at a small
city theater. Soon after, Ralf was awarded a scholarship by the Archduke of Mecklenburg which enabled Ralf to study in Berlin
at the master classes of the Scharwenka Conservatory. However, with the outbreak of World War I, Ralf was forced to give up
his studies. He spent three years in the army and suffered from severe shell shock while serving at the French front. Following
the war and his recovery, Ralf resumed his studies in composition and studied with Professor Hugo Kaun. After his graduation,
he stayed in Berlin and enjoyed much success in all fields of music. He created musical scores for a large number of movies,
served as a composer for radio and television, and performed as a permanent conductor and advisor for large theaters and publishing
concerns. In 1946, he moved to the United States where he eventually settled in Los Angeles. Ralf's music followed the florid
and emotional trend of post-Wagnerian Romanticism. Among his compositions were Transcendental Ballet (1921), Violin Sonata
(1923), String Quartet (1924), Violin Concerto (1925), Brothers Arise Cantata (1959), and Symphonic Songs for Mezzo-soprano
and Orchestra.(1968). Ralf died in Los Angeles on June 22, 1977.
The collection was given to the University of Southern California on March 2, 1983.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ralf, Richard K., 1897-1977 -- Archives
Audiotapes
Berlin (Germany)--History--Archival resources
Books
Composers--California--Los Angeles--20th century--Archival resources
Composers--Germany--20th century--Archival resources
Composition (Music)--Archival resources
Conductors (Music)--California--Los Angeles--20th century--Archival resources
Conductors (Music)--Germany--20th century--Archival resources
Correspondence
Exiles--Germany--History--20th century--Archival resources
Exiles--United States--History--20th century--Archival resources
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--Archival resources
Motion picture music--Archival resources
Music
Music--20th century--Archival resources
Music--Performance--Archival resources
Music-halls (Variety-theaters, cabarets, etc.)--Germany--20th century--Archival resources
Musicians--20th century--Archival resources
Musicians--Archival resources
Photographs
Radio music--Germany--20th century--Archival resources
Scores
Sheet music
Television music--Archival resources