Secunda, Sholom. (1894–1974)
Autograph Letter and Signed Photograph "For the lessons in Latin-American rhythms"
ALS from the American composer, conductor, and music director to George Gaber. 2 pp., Dec. 17, 1942 on paper folded in half vertically. In part: "...Too bad you can't hear the result of your lessons on Latin-American music.... Mrs. Secunda + the boys wish to be remembered to you and your wife... Sincerely, Sholom." Light toning, else in fine condition. 10.5 x 6.5 inches (26.7 x 16.5 cm.).Together with a Kubey-Rembrandt Studios sepia tone doubleweight photograph inscribed "To George/ for the lessons in Latin-American rhythms. Sincerely/ Sholom Secunda." Small horizontal tear to upper right, small fold to lower right corner, els in very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Secunda was a mainstay of Yiddish theatre in New York City in the first half of the 20th Century, working as an orchestrator, composer, songwriter, and choir director. His most famous composition is the melody for the song "Bei Mir Bistu Shein," which, though written in 1932 for the Yiddish language comedy musical I Would If I Could, would become a worldwide hit for The Andrews Sisters five years later as "Bei mir bist du schön."
From the collection of George Gaber (1916–2007), noted percussionist who performed with a number of professional ensembles, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Baltimore Symphony and worked with Leonard Bernstein, Otto Klemperer, Igor Stravinsky, Henry Mancini, Duke Ellington and many others over the span of his career. From 1960 to 1986 taught percussion at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and was also an artist in residence at Carnegie Mellon University, an adjudicator for National Music Arts in Japan and the Canadian Music Competition, and a Hall of Fame recipient in Percussion Arts Society.
(18982)Signed Photograph Classical Music Theater