Selma Epstein

Selma Epstein (August 14, 1927 – November 21, 2014) was an American concert pianist, teacher, and champion of contemporary music by women and African Americans.

Biography Born August 14, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, to Tillie (Schneider) and Samuel Schechtman, Selma excelled in mathematics at school, but pursued her love of music.

Career She performed at 15 at Carnegie Hall and went on to attend the Juilliard School in New York City. There she became the youngest student of famed Ukrainian-born pianist Rosina Lhévinne. Selma moved on to gain the D. Hendrick Ezerman Foundation Scholarship at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music in Philadelphia and studied with Eduard Steuermann there.

Hailed as a pioneer and champion of contemporary music, she was applauded for her robust efforts to promote black and female composers from the 20th century. In all, she toured the world for many decades to bring attention to that music.

Later years A visual artist, Epstein liked to draw using charcoal, pastels and paints.

She died at 87 on November 21, 2014, at her home in Pflugerville, Texas.

Archives

In 2002, Epstein gifted a large collection of memorabilia, music and recordings to the Library Congress, where it is held as the "Selma Epstein Collection, 1931–1987." The five-box collection includes scores, art music, chamber music, concerti grossi, songs, albums (books), concert programs, promotional materials, manuscripts and clippings (information artifacts). An inventory of her recorded material can be found in the Music Division's collection file.

Selected publications

Epstein, S. (1990). A Guide for Researching Music by Women Composers. Chromattica USA. (book) Epstein, S. (1994). Composer Interview: Ruth Schonthal, Journal of the IAWM (International Alliance for Women in Music), February 1994, pp. 5–8.