The impact of Jews on American music in the twentieth century was more widespread than one might imagine.
This is true of American film music, and also of song, Broadway (and Hollywood) musicals, as well as concert and ballet music. The series will explore this theme of Jews in American music through selected compositions of fifteen musicians, some of whom were household names. Many of their compositions are classics.
We’ll see that while composing them, and many thousands more, these musicians shaped the language of American music and molded the landscape of American culture. We’ll explore this: What role, if any, did the fact that they were Jews have on their achievements as musicians? Is there anything beyond an obvious correlation between their Jewish lineage and their preeminence in American music? And then, while transforming American culture, did they also impact American Jewish culture? All fifteen were American Jewish musicians. But can they be called Jewish Musicians?
Chaim Feder has been a professional educator for over 50 years, specializing in global Jewish education. His primary interest is to explore the nature of Jewish identity and the many forms by which it has been expressed in modern times, and to help nurture it educationally. He also loves music and studies it as an autodidact. This pastime, when linked to Jewish identity issues, helped spark the development of From Berlin to Bernstein.
NB: This event is taking place online only.
