Paul Fromm (1906–87) was a wine merchant and classical music patron. He was born in Germany but moved to the United States in 1938, where he founded several wine-importing companies in Chicago. In 1952 he established the Fromm Music Foundation to provide support for composers of contemporary music. Hundreds of composers have received commissions from the foundation, which is now based at Harvard University. Elliott Carter was one of Fromm's earliest advisers, and he received support from Fromm for the composition of the Double Concerto for Harpsichord and Piano. RK played in the premiere of that work in 1961.

March 21, 1962

Dear Mr. Fromm,

Please forgive my tardy acknowledgment of your consideration in normalizing the fee for the performance of the Carter concerto. It was very kind of you to add this burden to those you have already … [?] in connection with this piece. How fortunate for you and for all of us who were hopelessly (and sometimes helplessly) committed to it that it has turned out to be a masterpiece. I hope that the recording will in some measure make the piece known and help to counteract the difficulties and probable infrequence of subsequent performances.

All best wishes for the further success of your already important contribution to new music.

Sincerely,

Ralph Kirkpatrick