Elmore, Robert, 1913-1985

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Composed 1935. First performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Philadelphia, April 9, 1937, Leopold Stokowski conducting.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Valley Forge 1777 : a tone poem for full orchestra / by Robert Elmore. [19--]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 51782548

Robert Hall Elmore was born on January 2, 1913 in Rapapatnam, India where his parents served as missionaries. In 1915 the family returned to America and in 1918 settled in Lincoln Nebraska where Elmore began his formal music lessons. In 1925 the family moved to Wayne, Pennsylvania. Through the generosity of Harriet Newberry, wife of Truman Newberry, Robert Elmore began his studies in organ, piano, and theory with Pietro Yon in New York City.

As a teen Elmore played as the organist at the Central Baptist Church in Wayne as well as at the Lincoln Theatre in Bryn Mawr and the Anthony Wayne Theatre in Wayne. By 1933 Elmore had earned three licentiates simultaneously from the Royal Academy of Music of London in organ, concert piano, and pianoforte accompaniment, an unprecedented accomplishment. In 1933 he enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania under Harl McDonald, graduating with various University distinctions in 1937.

Elmore continued studying under Pietro Yon in New York and gave a recital at Carnegie Hall on December 2, 1936. On April 9, 1937, the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stowkowski gave the first major performance of an Elmore work, his tone poem "Valley Forge, 1777." In 1938 his composition "Three Sonnets" won the Mendelssohn Club national competition with Eugene Ormandy as one of the judges. Elmore continued to experience success including the performance of his one-act opera, "It Happened At Breakfast" as the first televised American opera.

Robert Elmore served on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania from 1937 to 1950 and became well known as the conductor of University choral groups and as the organist for Commencements. He also taught at the Clarke Conservatory and served as organist-choir director for the Holy Trinity Church on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia as well as for Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

From the description of Papers, 1916-1985. (University of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 122631043

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Elmore, Robert Hall, 1913-1985. Valley Forge 1777 : a tone poem for full orchestra / by Robert Elmore. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1973 November 30; December 1 and 4. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Elmore, Robert Hall, 1913-1985. Papers, 1916-1985. University of Pennsylvania, Archives & Records Center
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1973 May 11 and 12. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Philadelphia Orchestra. Transcription of WFLN radio broadcast [sound recording], 1962 February 5. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Borkow, Albert L.,. Collection : of autographed photographs, 1954-1980. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf University of Pennsylvania. Correspondence with Eugene Ormandy, 1947-1982. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Elmore, Robert, 1913-. Two psalms for piano / Robert Elmore. New York Public Library System, NYPL
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Guild of Organists. corporateBody
associatedWith Bingham, Seth, 1882-1972. person
associatedWith Borkow, Albert L., person
associatedWith Chenoweth, Wilber. person
associatedWith Elmore, Maud. person
associatedWith Elmore, Rachel. person
associatedWith Elmore, Wilber Theodore. person
associatedWith Halpin, Thomas. person
associatedWith Jackson, Mabel. person
associatedWith Kinder, Ralph. person
associatedWith McDonald, Harl, 1899-1955. person
associatedWith Newberry, Harriet B. person
associatedWith Newberry, Truman Handy, 1864-1945. person
associatedWith Oakley, Thornton, 1881-1953. person
associatedWith Oglesby, Frank. person
associatedWith Philadelphia Orchestra. corporateBody
associatedWith Rowley, Nelson B. person
associatedWith Smith, Henry Charles. person
associatedWith Snyder, Clarence. person
associatedWith University of Pennsylvania. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Pennsylvania. Dept. of Music. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Subject
Choral music
Friendship
Motion picture music
Music patronage
Organ music
Organ (Musical instrument)
Organ with orchestra
Women physicians
Piano
Piano music
Psalms (Music)
Psalms (Music)
Symphonic poems
Women
Occupation
Composers
Conductors (Music)
Music teachers
Organist
Performer
Activity

Person

Birth 1913-01-02

Death 1985-09-22

Americans

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