Robert Strassburg
Encyclopedia
Robert Strassburg was a
leading American
conductor, composer
, musicologist
and music
educator
of the twentieth century. His studies in music were completed under the supervision of such leading composers as Igor Stravinsky
, Walter Piston
and Paul Hindemith
, with whom he studied at Tanglewood
. His formal academic studies were completed at the New England Conservatory of Music and Harvard University
, where he obtained a fellowship in composition. He also completed a doctorate in Fine Arts at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles
. As a musicologist, Dr. Strassburg is regarded as a leading authority on the compositions of the composer Ernest Bloch
.
were far ranging and comprehensive in nature. After serving as a lecturer at Brooklyn College
(1947–1950), he obtained a position as artist in residence at the Brandeis Arts Institute in California
(1951–1955). During his years in Miami, he founded the All-Miami Youth Symphony in 1958 and was conductor until 1961 http://homepage.mac.com/skhiggins/amys-gmys. Today it is known as the Greater Miami Youth Symphony http://www.gmys.org and is one of the oldest youth symphonies in continuous existence in Florida. Additional contributions were made as the Assistant Dean for the School of Fine Arts at the University of Judaism (now the American Jewish University) in Los Angeles
(1961–1966). This culminated in an appointment as professor of Music at the California State University
at Los Angeles
in 1966.
Dr. Strassburg's contributions as a composer were also undertaken during the course of an extended fifty year period. An early composition titled Lost was completed as early as 1945 and received critical acclaim. As music director for various synagogues he expressed a keen interest in Jewish liturgical music
and completed several sacred compositions. Many secular compositions also emerged during the ensuing years including over thirty musical settings of the poetry of Walt Whitman
. In later years, a monumental choral symphony
in ten movements was also completed in honor of the poet Walt Whitman
titled Leaves of Grass
(1992). Dr. Strassburg also contributed to a variety of film scores as well as incidental music for such theatrical productions as: King Lear
, The Rose Tattoo
, Anne of the Thousand Days
and The House I Live In
.
Robert Strassburg inspired several generations of young and aspiring musicians in his capacity as an instructor of advanced composition, a university professor and an orchestral conductor. His patient style of instruction and enthusiastic dedication to excellence struck a resounding chord with all of his pupils. Several of his early students from the 1940s emerged in later years as acclaimed instrumentalists, soloists and orchestral composers. Included among this group was John Serry, Sr.
, a noted concert accordionist, arranger and composer.
Robert Strassburg is also noteworthy as the author of the critically acclaimed biography of Ernest Bloch
titled Ernest Bloch: Voice in the Wilderness. The research materials associated with this publication along with Dr. Strassburg's written insights are accessible at the Belknap Collection for the Performing Arts. The collection is archived for research purposes at the University of Florida
at Gainesville
http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/belknap/belknap.html.
leading American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
conductor, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, musicologist
Musicology
Musicology is the scholarly study of music. The word is used in narrow, broad and intermediate senses. In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture...
and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
educator
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
of the twentieth century. His studies in music were completed under the supervision of such leading composers as Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
, Walter Piston
Walter Piston
Walter Hamor Piston Jr., , was an American composer of classical music, music theorist and professor of music at Harvard University whose students included Leroy Anderson, Leonard Bernstein, and Elliott Carter....
and Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
, with whom he studied at Tanglewood
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is an estate and music venue in Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is the home of the annual summer Tanglewood Music Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and has been the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home since 1937. It was the venue of the Berkshire Festival.- History...
. His formal academic studies were completed at the New England Conservatory of Music and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, where he obtained a fellowship in composition. He also completed a doctorate in Fine Arts at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. As a musicologist, Dr. Strassburg is regarded as a leading authority on the compositions of the composer Ernest Bloch
Ernest Bloch
Ernest Bloch was a Swiss-born American composer.-Life:Bloch was born in Geneva and began playing the violin at age 9. He began composing soon afterwards. He studied music at the conservatory in Brussels, where his teachers included the celebrated Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe...
.
Biography
Robert Strassburg's contributions to the advancement of music education within the United States of AmericaUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
were far ranging and comprehensive in nature. After serving as a lecturer at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
(1947–1950), he obtained a position as artist in residence at the Brandeis Arts Institute in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(1951–1955). During his years in Miami, he founded the All-Miami Youth Symphony in 1958 and was conductor until 1961 http://homepage.mac.com/skhiggins/amys-gmys. Today it is known as the Greater Miami Youth Symphony http://www.gmys.org and is one of the oldest youth symphonies in continuous existence in Florida. Additional contributions were made as the Assistant Dean for the School of Fine Arts at the University of Judaism (now the American Jewish University) in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
(1961–1966). This culminated in an appointment as professor of Music at the California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
at Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1966.
Dr. Strassburg's contributions as a composer were also undertaken during the course of an extended fifty year period. An early composition titled Lost was completed as early as 1945 and received critical acclaim. As music director for various synagogues he expressed a keen interest in Jewish liturgical music
Jewish prayer modes
Jewish liturgical music is characterized by a set of musical modes. There are a number of ways to define a musical mode - many scholars think about a mode as a collection of pitches or a scale, while others define a mode as a collection of musical motives or phrases....
and completed several sacred compositions. Many secular compositions also emerged during the ensuing years including over thirty musical settings of the poetry of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse...
. In later years, a monumental choral symphony
Choral symphony
A choral symphony is a musical composition for orchestra, choir, sometimes with solo vocalists, which in its internal workings and overall musical architecture adheres broadly to symphonic musical form. The term "choral symphony" in this context was coined by Hector Berlioz when describing his...
in ten movements was also completed in honor of the poet Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse...
titled Leaves of Grass
Leaves of Grass
Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman . Though the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent his entire life writing Leaves of Grass, revising it in several editions until his death...
(1992). Dr. Strassburg also contributed to a variety of film scores as well as incidental music for such theatrical productions as: King Lear
King Lear
King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological...
, The Rose Tattoo
The Rose Tattoo
- External links :*...
, Anne of the Thousand Days
Anne of the Thousand Days
Anne of the Thousand Days is a 1969 costume drama made by Hal Wallis Productions and distributed by Universal Pictures. It was directed by Charles Jarrott and produced by Hal B. Wallis. The film tells the story of Anne Boleyn...
and The House I Live In
The House I Live In
The House I Live In is a ten-minute short film written by Albert Maltz, produced by Frank Ross and Mervyn LeRoy, and starring Frank Sinatra...
.
Robert Strassburg inspired several generations of young and aspiring musicians in his capacity as an instructor of advanced composition, a university professor and an orchestral conductor. His patient style of instruction and enthusiastic dedication to excellence struck a resounding chord with all of his pupils. Several of his early students from the 1940s emerged in later years as acclaimed instrumentalists, soloists and orchestral composers. Included among this group was John Serry, Sr.
John Serry, Sr.
John Serry, Sr. was an accomplished concert accordionist virtuoso, arranger, composer, organist and educator who performed on the CBS Radio and CBS Television networks...
, a noted concert accordionist, arranger and composer.
Robert Strassburg is also noteworthy as the author of the critically acclaimed biography of Ernest Bloch
Ernest Bloch
Ernest Bloch was a Swiss-born American composer.-Life:Bloch was born in Geneva and began playing the violin at age 9. He began composing soon afterwards. He studied music at the conservatory in Brussels, where his teachers included the celebrated Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe...
titled Ernest Bloch: Voice in the Wilderness. The research materials associated with this publication along with Dr. Strassburg's written insights are accessible at the Belknap Collection for the Performing Arts. The collection is archived for research purposes at the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
at Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/belknap/belknap.html.
Compositions
- Lost (1945)
- 4 Bibilical Statements (1946)
- Fantasy and Allegro (1947)
- Torah Sonata (piano, 1950)
- Chelm (Opera, 1956)
- Tropal Suite (String Quartet, 1967)
- Terecentenary Suite (Viola & Piano)
- Patriarchs (String Orchestra)
- Migrations Of A Melody (Baritone Narrator Chamber Orchestra)
- Festival of Lights Symphony (String Orchestra)
- Leaves of GrassLeaves of GrassLeaves of Grass is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman . Though the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent his entire life writing Leaves of Grass, revising it in several editions until his death...
(Choral symphony, 1992)
External links
- Robert Strassburg at the Milken Archive
- The Robert Straussburg Collection of Ernest Bloch at the Belknap Collection of Performing Arts, University of FloridaUniversity of FloridaThe University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
.