Quick Facts
Biography
Edith Borroff (born August 2, 1925) is an American musicologist and composer. She was born in New York City, the daughter of professional musicians Marie Bergerson and Ramon Borroff. The family moved to Chicago in 1941 and Borroff studied at the American Conservatory of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 1946, a Master of Music in composition in 1948. She also studied organ with Claire Coci at Oberlin College and voice with Frances Grund. She continued her studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, graduating with a Ph.D. in 1958.
After completing her studies, Borroff worked as a composer and music teacher. She taught at Milwaukee-Downer College from 1950–54 and later took a position teaching music history at the State University of New York at Binghamton. Her Concerto for Marimba and Small Orchestra was premiered with that university's orchestra in 1981, with Alex Jacobowitz as marimba soloist and Paul Jordan as conductor. She retired from teaching in 1992, and her papers are housed at the Newberry Library.
Works
Borroff composes for chorus and instruments. Selected works include:
- The Christ-Child Lay on Mary's Lap (text G.K. Chesterton) for SSA choir (a cappella)
- Passacaglia for organ (1946)
- Sonata for horn and piano (1954)
- Voices in Exile, 3 Canons for flute and viola (1962)
- Five Pieces for viola and piano (1989)
- Trio for viola, horn and piano (1999)
Borroff published professional books and articles on music, including:
- Music in Europe and the United States: A History (1971)
- American Operas: A Checklist (Warren, Mich.: Harmonie Park Press, 1992)
- "Edith Borroff". Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- Kirk, Elise Kuhl (2001). American opera.