Writings
History through My Jewish Grandmother’s Eyes, Music through Her Memories
History through My Jewish Grandmother’s Eyes, Music through Her Memories
Before my grandmother passed away, I asked her to tell me some of her favorite stories of her childhood...
A Song Still Vital: Preserving and Reviving Yiddish Folk Music
A Song Still Vital: Preserving and Reviving Yiddish Folk Music
Learning Yiddish folksongs from archives and reimagining them for contemporary performances and compositions.
They hailed from Belarus and Galicia — but New York was their muse
They hailed from Belarus and Galicia — but New York was their muse
In the early 20th century, Yiddish poets from Europe made New York their home...
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Yiddish Folk Song in Classical Music
Yiddish Folk Song in Classical Music
Jewish folk melodies have had a rich, unexpected influence on musical composition
and all the days were purple by Alex Weiser
and all the days were purple by Alex Weiser
Composer Alex Weiser recounts the experience of creating his song cycle, "and all the days were purple"
Di Goldene Land: Yiddish Songs of the American Dream and a Bitter Reality
Di Goldene Land: Yiddish Songs of the American Dream and a Bitter Reality
Yiddish songs tell stories of Jewish immigration to America.
Poetry as Conduit, Complexity, Contradiction
Poetry as Conduit, Complexity, Contradiction
Alex Weiser explores some of the sources of inspiration for his art songs, including his work at YIVO.
Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata
Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata
An introduction and translation of a Yiddish children's story about Beethoven.
State of the Jews
State of the Jews
Alex Weiser writes about Zionist leader Theodor Herzl’s legacy–and about using this legacy as the basis for a new opera.
Composing Identity: A History of Yiddish Folksong in Classical Music
Composing Identity: A History of Yiddish Folksong in Classical Music
A brief historical overview of Yiddish Folksong in Classical Music
Yiddish Classical Music in America
Yiddish Classical Music in America
A brief historical overview of Yiddish in American Classical Music
A Homecoming to a Jewish World I Never Knew Existed
A Homecoming to a Jewish World I Never Knew Existed
Alex Weiser discusses the inspiration behind his album, "and all the days were purple"
State of the Jews: An Opera by Alex Weiser and Ben Kaplan
State of the Jews: An Opera by Alex Weiser and Ben Kaplan
Alex Weiser discusses his opera, "State of the Jews," which was recently workshopped at the 14th Street.
Reconsidering Julie Herzl, Theodor’s Unhappy Wife
Reconsidering Julie Herzl, Theodor’s Unhappy Wife
The story of Julie Naschauer which figures into Weiser's opera, "State of the Jews"
Musical Settings of the Song of Songs
Musical Settings of the Song of Songs
A discussion of the biblical Shir Hashirim and music it has inspired.
Antisemites and Jews Agree: Gustav Mahler is a Jewish Composer
Antisemites and Jews Agree: Gustav Mahler is a Jewish Composer
A discussion of Mahler and his music through the lens of Jewishness
Meditation on Music and The Visual Arts
Meditation on Music and The Visual Arts
Reflections on the differences between music and the visual arts
Postminimalist Daddy Rock
Postminimalist Daddy Rock
A review of Steve Reich's "Double Sextet/2×5"
Weiser: Meditating on music
Weiser: Meditating on music
Thoughts on how to listen to classical music