Beryl Rubinstein Orchestration Project!

  Beryl Rubinstein is not yet a widely recognized name, but he was an exceptional musician—pianist, composer, and humanitarian of considerable distinction. He toured internationally with the great violinist, Eugène Ysaÿe and maintained a close friendship with George Gershwin—whose influence can be heard in Rubinstein’s Sonata for Flute and Piano,  including a subtle quotation. Written and premiered in Cleveland in 1940, it comes during a period when relatively little repertoire was being composed for the flute.

Until recently, this remarkable sonata was only known by flutists who had a connection to Cleveland, and existed only in manuscript form, on the Music Library shelves at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Many local flutists have xerox copies of the first version typeset years ago by Wally Mahall. It has now been published by Ludwig Masters/Alfred Publications,

making it widely accessible to performers  and educators for the first time.

https://www.alfred.com/products/sonata-for-flute-and-piano-36-50410011?variant=44598442131592

  Given its musical quality, accessibility, and historical significance, it has strong potential to become a valuable addition to the standard flute repertoire. Distinguished Cleveland flutists  Maurice Sharp, Jeffrey Khaner, John Rautenberg and Thomas Nyfenger have performed and recorded the work, further underscoring its merit as a great addition to the repertoire and terrific recital piece.

Now here’s the exciting part!  While doing research for the video on BR to be included in the published printed music, going through archival boxes that had been in the basement of CIM for 70 years, (photos, PR materials, programs, letters, lectures, publications, etc) I came across some manuscript paper with sketches on the front, I opened it up, and lo and behold… the sonata’s first movement, orchestrated—effectively revealing a new concerto! (I felt like Indiana Jones:)

  This work speaks to a time where so much has been lost…(including inspiration and creativity.) Given the scarcity of flute concert repertoire during WWII, this is an especially exciting finding.  We will premiere the work in the Spring of 2027 with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Steven  Smith conductor, Dan DeLange, orchestrator.  The performance will bring a remarkable and long-forgotten work to modern audiences, while shedding new light on one of Cleveland's most influential musical figures.

If you would like to contribute towards the completion of the orchestration, see the links below, I’m happy to announce that we are 1/3 of the way towards our goal Thank you for your  consideration in bringing this “new” work to life!  GoFundMe-click here: Beryl Rubinstein Orchestration Project

Tips on Performing with excellence and full engagement:

1. Lots of exercise and sleep: get your heart rate up doing your favorite aerobics (sit ups, walking/running/zoomba, whatever). Getting your heart rate up (that means sweating!) gets the adrenaline OUT of your system come performance time. Lots of stretching, especially first thing in the morning, before bed, and in your down time before you play. Sleep: reset that brain, get as much good quality sleep as you can.

2. Eat/Drink: Take care that what you are putting into your body is fuel for the machine to work like a high performance sports car.   Nutritional! Avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, LOTS of water and bananas :)

3. Mental Prep: stay focused on the music and how to get from point A to point B. Fully engaged in the performance! If your brain wanders, snap back to the present as quickly as possible. This is something you can practice now ... Practice Performing!

4. Performance time:  BREATHE!  Cool, beautiful air in, tension and negativity OUT. As you breathe, don’t be talking to yourself or thinking through performance steps, just breathe…no-mindedness…let the brain rest (like yoga class).  Don’t think about the competition, focus on being the storyteller that YOU want to be, and when you’re in the room, it’s Storytime! Be compelling w/ character and color, you know the notes and rhythms..this will set you apart from the pack.

5. Transcend technique so that the art grows out of the unconscious,,, you must let the unconscious come forward.

Focus and Distraction Control :

“A calm mind reflects the clearest focus just as a tranquil lake casts the clearest reflection.”

  • tune into your body and task

  • stay connected to what you are doing

  • do NOT let distracting thoughts interfere

  • trust your body to do what it’s been trained to do

  • block out everything else in my world, except me and the music.

  • STOMP on the ANTS (automatic negative thoughts)

  • “Adios” inner critic

  • No judgements, stay in the present

  • Trust your body to lead

  • A mind unconscious of itself that is not at all disturbed by effect of any kind.

  • It fills the whole body, pervading every pore

  • Flowing like a stream, filling each corner

  • A state of “NO THINKING”, emptiness, no mindedness.

.

SETBACKS:

A setback can drag you down OR serve as a reminder to focus more fully on the next step=redirect energy in a more positive way.

NO Condemning, judging, question along the way, you will lose your connection.

Favorite Reads…

The Power of Story, Stress for Success, The New Toughness Training for Sports-Jim Loehr:

In Pursuit of Excellence, Terry Orlick

The Performer Prepares, Robert Caldwell

A Soprano On Her Head, Eloise Ristad

Rubinstein Sonata for Flute and Piano

Very excited to announce that this wonderful sonata, terrific recital piece is being published by Southern Music, to be released in December. Just finished editing the video recording and hope it soon becomes a staple of the repertoire…https://youtu.be/isdo3-Rxg-I

Beryl Rubinstein (1898-1952) was quite a force, as a concert pianist, composer, educator and in leadership…truly remarkable.

Pt. 2 GIVE A LISTEN- Great Women in Jazz

Women jazz composers have had a very difficult path, I’m so glad their creative spirits are still available to us through YouTube, thank you to the beautiful people who took the time to post these, good karma on you!

  • When you need a smile, check out some of these wonder women…

  • Lovie Austin (1887-1972)- Blues composer/pianist

  • Lil Harden Armstrong (1898-1971) Ragtime composer/pianist

  • Valeda Snow (1904-1956) Composer/Trumpet/Singer- Hollywood, had to move to Europe to work

  • Una Mae Carlisle (1915-56) Composer/Singer

  • Ginger Smack- (1920-1995) Boogie Woogie Composer/ Violinist

  • Dorothy Donegan (1922-1998) Composer/Pianist Classical,Stride, Boogie Woogie, Modern

  • Tashiko Akiyoshi

COVID and the Music industry

We hear a lot about restaurant workers in the news these days and how hard the pandemic has hit that industry. What you don’t hear is that the Music industry was the first to shut down and will be the last to reopen. Performances/ Live Concerts will not happen again until we have confidence in congregating after a vaccine is rolled out. This has been devastating for performing musicians of every genre…classical, jazz, rock, blues, choral, instrumental, folk…

The musicians of Lincoln Center, Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Boston Pops, Hollywood Bowl, Ballet are largely freelancers (those who have multiple employers and perform at many venues) who have not seen a paycheck in a year. This has been devastating to many, soloists and freelancers alike. (The orchestral musicians on salary have seen their salaries reduced but are largely still being paid while the concert hall is dark. )

Please consider helping out with a donation to your local musicians union, musician in need, favorite venue or club. Thank you for investing in the effort to “Keep the music playing!”

Mary Kay Robinson is dedicated to making things happen: making music, making leaders, and making connections.

 
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