Freda Pastor Berkowitz was born October 11, 1908, in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated with a degree in piano from the Curtis Institute of Music, and spent more than fifty years as a piano teacher in the Philadelphia area. In addition to teaching privately, Berkowitz was on the faculty of Curtis until 1990, and taught at the New School of Music and Settlement Music School.

Berkowitz wrote three books for children about classical music: Popular Titles and Subtitles of Musical Compositions (1962), Unfinished Symphony (1963), and On Lutes, Recorders, and Harpsichords (1967). In her books, Berkowitz told the story of how familiar pieces of music received their famous nicknames, like “The Moonlight Sonata” for Beethoven’s “Sonata opus 27 no 2 in C# minor.” She included biographical sketches of composers as well, focusing on anecdotes that would appeal to a young audience. Berkowitz died on December 23, 1994.

Bibliography:

“Freda Berkowitz, A Curtis Classic.” Philadelphia Inquirer, December 28, 1994.

Something About the Author, vol. 12.

The Freda Pastor Berkowitz papers include revised galley proofs and folded and gathered sheets for On Lutes, Recorders, and Harpsichords (1967) and plate proofs for Unfinished Symphony (1963). Both sets of proofs are inscribed to the Free Library of Philadelphia by the author.

This collection is arranged alphabetically in two series: 1. On Lutes, Recorders and Harpsichords; 2. Unfinished Symphony and Other Stories of Music and Men. Within the series, materials are arranged in order of probable creation.

Publication Information:

Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection

Finding Aid Author:

Finding aid prepared by Caitlin Goodman and Gabrielle M. Fulton

Sponsor:

The processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.

Access Restrictions:

This collection is open to researchers by appointment. Please contact the Curator for information.

Use Restrictions:

The right of access to material does not imply the right of publication. Permission for reprinting, reproduction, or extensive quotation from the rare books, manuscripts, prints, or drawings must be obtained through written application, stating the use to be made of the material. The reader bears the responsibility for any possible infringement of copyright laws in the publication of such material. A reproduction fee will be charged if the material is to be reproduced in a commercial publication.

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

Gift of Freda Pastor Berkowitz, 1968.

University of Pennsylvania: Eugene Ormandy papers, 1921-1991, Ms. Coll. 91.

• Galley proofs
• Proofs (printed matter)

• Schindelman, Joseph
• Spooner, Malcolm

• Children's authors--20th century
• Children's literature--20th century
• Composers--Biography
• Music--17th century
• Music--18th century
• Music--History