From Shtetl to Spotlight: The Immigrant’s Song
Saturday | September 14, 2024 at 8pm
MERKIN HALL Kaufman Music Center
Sholom Secunda: A Visionary of Yiddish Theatre and Broadway
His life’s journey from immigrant to influential composer embodies the American dream, while his music remains a timeless testament to the power of cultural cross-pollination.
From Shtetl to Spotlight: The Immigrant’s Song
One night only! Experience the vibrant journey of Jewish-American musical genius.
A dazzling celebration of cultural heritage, from Yiddish Theatre to Broadway and beyond. Witness the transformation of immigrant dreams into the soundtrack of America.
Let the music of our ancestors ignite your soul and connect you to a shared legacy of hope, perseverance, and artistic triumph. Rediscover Secunda’s greatest hits, including “Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen”—The melody that crossed oceans and touched hearts in 82 languages!
We are thrilled to announce an extraordinary concert celebrating the immigrant spirit and the timeless melodies that have touched our hearts across continents. This vibrant celebration will feature a rich tapestry of musical traditions, including Klezmer, Broadway favorites, Jazz, and even nostalgic Soviet pop classics.
We’ll journey through the immigrant experience, unpacking our most cherished memories, childhood tunes, and beloved books from the old continent to our new home in America. Together, we’ll explore how talented musicians, often without formal training, preserved melodies familiar from childhood.
Secunda’s story is our story. His ability to transcribe these cherished melodies allowed them to reach beyond language barriers, with “Bei Mir Bist Du Shein” conquering the world and becoming an anthem for immigrants everywhere. From Jazz to musicals, we’ll revel in the songs that have grown from these roots.
Born in 1894 in Ukraine, Sholom Secunda immigrated to New York City in 1907, where he would become a transformative force in American music. His compositions breathed life into countless productions, capturing the heart and soul of the Jewish immigrant experience. But Secunda’s influence reached far beyond the boundaries of Second Avenue.
In an era when Yiddish performers were shaping the sound of popular music worldwide, Secunda stood at the forefront. His magnum opus, “Bei Mir Bistu Shein” (1932), transcended its Yiddish theater origins to become an international sensation. When the Andrews Sisters recorded an English version in 1937, it soared to the top of the charts, introducing Secunda’s melodic genius to a global audience.
Secunda’s impact on Broadway was profound and lasting. His work helped pave the way for the Golden Age of American musical theater, influencing a generation of composers and lyricists. The lush orchestrations, memorable melodies, and emotional depth that characterized Secunda’s style became hallmarks of the Broadway sound. As we celebrate the 130th anniversary of his birth, we honor a composer whose melodies bridged cultures and generations.
Grammy-nominated jazz and operatic stars performers include the Yaacov Mayman Jazz trio, Alex Nakhimovsky, Idun Carling, Mikhail Svetlov, MusAlliance, Vocal group Chaverim and Alexander Gorodnitsky.
Join us in honoring Sholom Secunda—a true maestro whose melodies continue to enchant and unite us 130 years after his birth.
Saturday | September 14, 2024 at 8pm
MERKIN HALL Kaufman Music Center
Sholom Secunda: A Visionary of Yiddish Theatre and Broadway
His life’s journey from immigrant to influential composer embodies the American dream, while his music remains a timeless testament to the power of cultural cross-pollination.
From Shtetl to Spotlight: The Immigrant’s Song
One night only! Experience the vibrant journey of Jewish-American musical genius.
A dazzling celebration of cultural heritage, from Yiddish Theatre to Broadway and beyond. Witness the transformation of immigrant dreams into the soundtrack of America.
Let the music of our ancestors ignite your soul and connect you to a shared legacy of hope, perseverance, and artistic triumph. Rediscover Secunda’s greatest hits, including “Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen”—The melody that crossed oceans and touched hearts in 82 languages!
We are thrilled to announce an extraordinary concert celebrating the immigrant spirit and the timeless melodies that have touched our hearts across continents. This vibrant celebration will feature a rich tapestry of musical traditions, including Klezmer, Broadway favorites, Jazz, and even nostalgic Soviet pop classics.
We’ll journey through the immigrant experience, unpacking our most cherished memories, childhood tunes, and beloved books from the old continent to our new home in America. Together, we’ll explore how talented musicians, often without formal training, preserved melodies familiar from childhood.
Secunda’s story is our story. His ability to transcribe these cherished melodies allowed them to reach beyond language barriers, with “Bei Mir Bist Du Shein” conquering the world and becoming an anthem for immigrants everywhere. From Jazz to musicals, we’ll revel in the songs that have grown from these roots.
Born in 1894 in Ukraine, Sholom Secunda immigrated to New York City in 1907, where he would become a transformative force in American music. His compositions breathed life into countless productions, capturing the heart and soul of the Jewish immigrant experience. But Secunda’s influence reached far beyond the boundaries of Second Avenue.
In an era when Yiddish performers were shaping the sound of popular music worldwide, Secunda stood at the forefront. His magnum opus, “Bei Mir Bistu Shein” (1932), transcended its Yiddish theater origins to become an international sensation. When the Andrews Sisters recorded an English version in 1937, it soared to the top of the charts, introducing Secunda’s melodic genius to a global audience.
Secunda’s impact on Broadway was profound and lasting. His work helped pave the way for the Golden Age of American musical theater, influencing a generation of composers and lyricists. The lush orchestrations, memorable melodies, and emotional depth that characterized Secunda’s style became hallmarks of the Broadway sound. As we celebrate the 130th anniversary of his birth, we honor a composer whose melodies bridged cultures and generations.
Grammy-nominated jazz and operatic stars performers include the Yaacov Mayman Jazz trio, Alex Nakhimovsky, Idun Carling, Mikhail Svetlov, MusAlliance, Vocal group Chaverim and Alexander Gorodnitsky.
Join us in honoring Sholom Secunda—a true maestro whose melodies continue to enchant and unite us 130 years after his birth.
