as published in PAN PIPES, Volume 95, Number 2

Jack Gottlieb

Jack Gottlieb's book Funny, It Doesn't Sound Jewish (How Yiddish Songs and Synagogue Melodies Influenced American Popular Music) is to be released by SUNY Press, Albany, NY, now scheduled for release in fall 2003.  In 2002, "Chime Time," about Gottlieb's recording alert to New York Philharmonic concert-goers, appeared in the New York Philharmonic Stagebill (February); and his essay, "Breaking the Octennial Cycle," was published with The Leonard Bernstein Discography on the Bernstein web-site, edited by Gottlieb, and, in an edited version, in the Bernstein newsletter, Prelude, Fugue and Riffs (May).  Available from the composer are a demo CD of After the Flood (text by Gottlieb and book by Roy Friedman), a musical in two acts, recorded in June 2002 with six singers; the piano-vocal score for Psalmistry, for SATB choir, soloists and jazz ensemble; and the original version of Twilight Crane, for woodwind quintet.  Both the original manuscript and a recording of Presidential Suite (text by Richard Engquist), seven pieces for SATB a cappella choir, broadcast with the Gregg Smith Singers in 2002 over WNYC Radio, New York, NY, February 22; KZSU, Stanford University, February 21; and Hessicher Rundfunk, Germany, April 22, have been selected by the Library of Congress for its I Hear America Singing website.  On April 10, 2002, Gottlieb gave a lecture-entertainment, "The Yiddisha Professor, Early Songs of Irving Berlin," at the Jewish Culture Series, held at Queens (NY) College  In 2002, his setting of the song Yerushalayim was performed by Synergy for The Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity, at Greenway Court Theatre, in Los Angeles, CA, March 10, and at the San Diego Repertory Theatre Jewish Arts Festival, May 20.  Actress Tovah Feldshuh recorded readings for Love Songs for Sabbath (Friday Eve Service) and for Three Candle Blessings, both for the Milken Archive label in May 2002.  The American Conference of Cantors (Reform) has invited Gottlieb to become a honorary member.

Performances

Torah Service, from the composer's New Year's Service for Young People was heard at The Circle of Jewish Music, April 29, 2002, in St. Louis, MO.  In 2002, Half-Kaddish was sung by The Zamir Chorale of Boston, Joshua Jacobson, conductor, at SUNY, Albany, May 5, and in Jordan Hall, in Boston, June 9; and by World Voices, Karle Erickson, director, at Beth El Synagogue, in St. Louis Park, MN, October 27.  Tenor Peter J. Burroughs and pianist Carlos Cesar Rodriguez performed Gottlieb's song cycle Yes is a pleasant country (13 poems of e. e. cummings) in Washington, DC, in 2002, with excerpts at Festa Della Voce/American Music at St. David's Church, October 22 and 27, followed by a full performance at National City Christian Church, November 21.  The 2002 British Saxophone Congress, held at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, in Cardiff, included Letting Go and Vocalise, with Paul Cohen, soprano saxophone, and Lois Anderson, piano, October 26.

Publications

Twilight Crane, new edition for narrator and woodwind quintet; Boosey & Hawkes.

Recordings

Presidential Suite, Carolina Chamber Chorale,

Further Information

• 2000-2001 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1998-1999 American Composers Update
• 1997-1998 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online.
• SAI's Music for Young People section