Doe

[Dan Kazez <KAZEZ...>]

Last night, I gave my first performance of Alex Lubet's "Three 
Short Pieces after Webern," which includes a very unusual setting 
of the "Hatikvah."  Although the music was complete different from 
the other works on the program (as different as Webern is from 
Brahms), the audience said they thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was 
wonderful music to perform.  I also gave my seventh performance 
of Moshe Denburg's "L'ma-an Shalom Ami" ("For the Peace of My 
People").  I enjoy performing the music more and more on each 
performance.  

The concert was in Greenville, Ohio--the home of Annie Oakley!

I will perform this music, and other selections, in 4 additional 
concerts in Ohio in the coming months.

Speaking of promotion, I have performed the music of Joachim 
Stutschewsky (1891-1982) on every of my concerts over the past 3 
years.  Stutschewsky was a shameless promoter.  In 1938, he said:

   "[D]uring the past fifteen years I have striven almost 
    entirely to make Jewish music better known....  Musical 
    groups, societies, etc. do not perform Jewish music....  
    I am no grumbler, no pessimist; were I, I could not have 
    continued my work so many years."  (a letter from 
    Stutschewsky to Hermann Swet, both of whom served as  
    directors of the World Centre for Jewish Music in Palestine)

I look forward to future US and international concerts--but only 
as many as my promotional efforts create.

Other performers, please:  What works?  What fails?  How can we 
perform more?  Direct mail?  Phone calls?  Jewish music that sits
on the printed page does no one any good.  If it does not reach
the concert stage, it dies a silent death.

   "JOHN DOE" -- CELLIST -- USA -- "MUSIC ON JEWISH THEMES"