Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

October 24, 1897 in Cherkassy, Russia

Death

:

January 10, 1982 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Lazar Weiner was a prominent composer of classical music, particularly known for his contributions to Jewish music. Born on June 13, 1897, in Kishinev, Russia, Weiner grew up in a family of musicians. His father, a cantor, and his mother, a pianist, instilled in him a love for music from a young age. Weiner began studying music at the age of six, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already composing his own works. In 1914, Weiner moved to New York City with his family, where he continued his musical studies. He attended the Institute of Musical Art (now known as the Juilliard School) and studied composition with Ernest Bloch. Weiner also studied conducting with Albert Stoessel and piano with Olga Samaroff. Weiner's early compositions were heavily influenced by the music of his Jewish heritage. He was particularly interested in the music of the synagogue, and he began to incorporate elements of Jewish liturgical music into his compositions. In 1923, Weiner founded the Jewish Music Forum, an organization dedicated to promoting Jewish music and composers. The forum provided a platform for Jewish composers to showcase their works and helped to raise awareness of Jewish music in the United States. Throughout his career, Weiner composed a wide range of works, including operas, symphonies, chamber music, and choral works. He was particularly known for his choral music, which often featured Jewish texts and themes. One of his most famous works is the oratorio "The Megillah," which tells the story of the Jewish holiday of Purim. The work was first performed in 1949 and has since become a staple of the Jewish choral repertoire. Weiner's music was characterized by its use of traditional Jewish melodies and motifs, which he often combined with Western classical music forms. He was also known for his use of complex harmonies and rhythms, which gave his music a unique and distinctive sound. Despite his use of traditional Jewish music, Weiner's works were also influenced by contemporary classical music, particularly the works of Stravinsky and Bartok. In addition to his work as a composer, Weiner was also a respected conductor and music educator. He served as the music director of the Jewish People's Philharmonic Chorus and the Zamir Chorale of Boston, and he taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary and the Hebrew Union College. Weiner was also a prolific writer on Jewish music, and he published several books and articles on the subject. Weiner's contributions to Jewish music were widely recognized during his lifetime. He received numerous awards and honors, including the National Jewish Music Council's Lifetime Achievement Award and the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Award in Music. He was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 1998. Lazar Weiner died on February 10, 1982, in New York City. His legacy as a composer and advocate for Jewish music continues to be celebrated today. His works are still performed by choirs and orchestras around the world, and his influence on Jewish music can still be felt in contemporary compositions. Weiner's dedication to preserving and promoting Jewish music has helped to ensure that this rich musical tradition will continue to thrive for generations to come.

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