Coolidge, Elizabeth Sprague

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Coolidge, Elizabeth Sprague (b Chicago, 1864; d Cambridge, Mass., 1953). Amer. pianist, composer, and patron of music. Founder of chamber mus. fests. (Pitsfield, Mass.; then Washington DC). Coolidge Foundation (1925) was founded to sponsor the fests. and to commission works from leading 20th-cent. composers (e.g. Stravinsky, Bartók, Pizzetti, Prokofiev, Britten, Dallapiccola, Crumb). Gave generous private sponsorship to Schoenberg and Frank Bridge. Instituted Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Medal in 1932 to be awarded annually ‘for eminent services to chamber mus.’.

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Coolidge, Elizabeth Sprague

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