Editor’s Note: This is another article in music reviewer Eileen Wingard’s continuing series on the discography of her sister, concert violinist Zina Schiff.
SAN DIEGO — Cecil Burleigh, Music for Violin and Piano features miniature pieces by the little-known American composer, Cecil Burleigh (1885-1980), performed by my sister, violinist Zina Schiff and pianist, Mary Barranger. Named Critic’s Choice Best of 2002 by the American Record Guide, the CD took its rightful place beside the music of other great American composers, such as Edward MacDowell, Paul Creston, Charles Ives, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, in Naxos’ epochal “American Classics” series—the most ambitious recording project of music by American Composers.
Burleigh was born in the village of Wyoming, New York. After high school, he went to Berlin for serious study of violin and composition and returned to the United States to continue his education at the Chicago Musical College. He was in demand as a violin soloist and his great ability is reflected in his compositions. Further education took him back to New York, where he studied violin with Leopold Auer, whose students included the great Jascha Heifetz, one of Zina’s teachers. In New York, Burleigh also studied composition with Ernest Bloch, a composer Zina has recorded on several of her discs, including one devoted entirely to his compositions for violin and orchestra. (the subject of a forthcoming article).
Burleigh moved often, from posts in Denver to Sioux City, to Missoula, until finally settling at the University of Wisconsin, where he held the position of Professor of Violin, Theory and Composition for over thirty years.
Burleigh was fascinated by the diverse folk cultures of the United States. He drew inspiration from Native American, Black and Hispanic music. From this quintessential American CD, are the following examples:
Over Laughing Waters (Track 7):
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Indian Snake Dance (Track 19):
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Minstrel (Track 16):
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Impromptu (Track 1) accompanied by Cherina:
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Bolero (Track 22):
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Jim (Track 37):
Of the 39 selections, 37 are accompanied by Mary Barranger, two are accompanied by Zina’s younger daughter, Cherina, who also served as the producer of the entire album.
Mary Barranger recently retired as the pianist of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, where she served since 1975. She was also the pianist for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra and taught at Grossmont College. She and Zina first met when they were teamed to play a benefit recital for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. They have since performed together frequently, in concerts and recordings.
Cherina studied piano with Jascha Heifetz’ daughter, Josefa Heifetz, and later received her BA in Music from the University of Washington. As Rabbi and Cantorial Soloist, she continues to sing, play the piano and compose.
May this music serve to brighten your Fourth of July holiday.
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Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com