Marc Blitzstein, born in 1905, was a highly esteemed composer, lecturer, critic, translator, and masterful pianist, winning gold medals and performing concerti with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Society Orchestra.
Performer Biography
Pianist Leonard Lehrman worked with Leonard Bernstein, who called him 'Marc Blitzstein's dybbuk', and was introduced to Blitzstein's work by his teacher Elie Siegmeister, who later called Lehrman 'my continuator'.
Composer Biography
Marc Blitzstein was murdered in a gay-bashing robbery in Martinique on January 22, 1964, shortly after staying with Brenda Lewis, who helped bring about the premiere of his last opera, Sacco and Vanzetti.
Recording & Production
This album is the first devoted entirely to Marc Blitzstein's works for piano solo, including many pieces that have never been publicly performed or recorded before.
Compositional Technique
Blitzstein's one-movement Piano Sonata (1927-28) is characterized by sudden silences, which were applauded by Henry Cowell as Blitzstein's 'contribution to music'.
Compositional Technique
Marc Blitzstein's Percussion Music for the Piano (1928-29) notably uses the sound of opening and slamming the piano lid shut, inspired by the idea of 'putting the final stamp on all piano music to come'.
Cultural Impact
The ballet The Guests, a collaboration between Marc Blitzstein and choreographer Jerome Robbins, was a precursor to Robbins' most famous work, West Side Story, in its abstract criticism of intolerance.
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