Songs from the Ashes: an Examination of Three Holocaust-Themed Song Cycles by Lori Laitman" (2007)
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2007 Songs from the ashes: An examination of three Holocaust- themed song cycles by Lori Laitman Serdar Ilban University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Ilban, Serdar, "Songs from the ashes: An examination of three Holocaust-themed song cycles by Lori Laitman" (2007). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 2790. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/mots-mvtn This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SONGS FROM THE ASHES: AN EXAMINATION OF THREE HOLOCAUST-THEMED SONG CYCLES BY LORI LAITMAN by Serdar Ilban Bachelor of Music University of Istanbul 1992 Master of Music The Boston Conservatory 1995 A doctoral document submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Performance Department of Music College of Fine Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 2008 UMI Number: 3319130 Copyright 2008 by Ilban, Serdar All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or Indistinct print, colored or poor quality Illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and Improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, If unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will Indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform 3319130 Copyright 2008 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 E. Elsenhower Parkway PC Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Copyright by Serdar Ilban All Rights Reserved Dissertation Approval The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 14 .20 08 The Dissertation prepared by Serdar Ilban Entitled Songs from the Ashes: An Examination of Three Holocaust-Themed Song Cycles by Lori Laitman is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of ______________________________ Dontor of Musin__________ Examination Committee Chair Dean of the Graduate College Examinatmn Committee Membe Examination Committee Mmwer Examimtion Committee Member Graauate College Faculty Rearesentative 11 ABSTRACT Songs From the Ashes: An Examination of Three Holocaust-Themed Song Cycles by Lori Laitman by Serdar Ilban Dr. Carol Kimball, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Music University of Nevada, Las Vegas During the years of the Holocaust, literature of many different types was generated in order to fulfill the distinctive needs of people caught in an unimaginable nightmare. Despite the horrific conditions or perhaps propelled by them, the Jewish people kept diaries, wrote poetry and stories, and they made music, in particular, by singing. This literature represents the undying hope, the very soul of the Jewish people. Lori Laitman is one of the most prolific composers of American art songs working today. Although the amount of scholarly work on Laitman’s music is rather limited, this should not diminish the worthiness of the composer’s contributions to American art song, her extremely productive output, and her evolving and growing body of work. Laitman has composed five Holocaust-themed song cycles to date. Three of these are composed for baritone voice and various instrument parings and will occupy the body of the musical examinations of this document. These works are: 111 Holocaust 1944, for baritone and double-bass (1996, revised 1998) Fathers, for baritone and piano trio or baritone, flute, cello and piano (2002, revised 2003) The Seed o f Dream, for baritone, cello and piano (2004) The document will examine Laitman’s musical translations of the texts by Jerzy Ficowski, Karen Gershon, Anne Ranasinghe, Tadeusz Rozewicz, Abraham Sutzkever and David Vogel which reflect life during the Holocaust. Further, it will briefly examine dramatic and pedagogical aspects of these song cycles. The research will rely heavily on interviews, journal articles, current performance practice and a review of related literature. Most importantly, insights of the composer herself, taken from the interviews, letters, and shared, unpublished information will be incorporated to the study. IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I discovered Lori Laitman’s music in 2003. Since then my admiration of her works became an ongoing love affair, culminating with the inscription of this document. I am indebted to Dr. Carol Kimball, my examination committee chair, and my advisor, for her invaluable academic advice, her sharp editorial vision, and for her enthusiastic encouragement and support throughout this project. I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Alfonse Anderson, Dr. Andrew Smith, Prof. Christine Seitz, and Dr. Joseph A. Fry, who graciously served on my committee and continuously offered their academic and professional expertise. There are no words expressive enough to articulate the gratitude I feel for my parents and my sister for relentlessly believing in me, and for teaching me the importance of education. I am grateful to my wife Nicole Ilban, who has been an incredible source of strength during this project, and to her parents, for being my parents in America. I am eternally thankful to my first voice teacher Gül Sabar, whose patience, diligence and impeccable teaching continue to influence the teacher I strive to become today. Special thanks are due to my colleagues and fellow doctoral students, Juline Barol-Gilmore and Veera Asher, for their support, and helpful criticism. I am thankful to the staff at the UNLV Music Library, especially Dr. Cheryl Taranto who has been very helpful in the final stages of the document. Many thanks to the staff at The Library of The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for helping me locate countless manuscripts and research material. To my students, who continue to inspire me everyday, thank you. I am tremendously thankful to Dr. and Mrs. Ata Gdkce for their mentorship and ongoing support. Finally, and most importantly, I am forever indebted to the extraordinary composer Lori Laitman for her music, friendship and warmth. She has been an ardent supporter from the onset of this project, and tirelessly answered all my questions, provided much information I would otherwise never be able to obtain, and guided me in the right direction. Thank you Lori. VI TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLLDGLMLNTS..........................................................................................................v CHAPTER 1 LORI LAITMAN: THE WOMAN AND HER MUSIC............................. 1 Biographical Information........................................................................................................1 Compositional Style................................................................................................................ 4 CHAPTER 2 HOLOCAUST LITERATURE: REACTIONS AND ATTITUDES .... 10 CHAPTER 3 LAITMAN AND HOLOCAUST MUSIC.................................................18 I Never Saw Another Butterfly............................................................................................18 Holocaust 1944......................................................................................................................20 Daughters................................................................................................................................21 Fathers...................................................... 22 The Seed of Dream............................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 4 HOLOCAUST 1944.......................................................................................25 I Did Not Manage to Save................................................................................................... 25 How Can I See You Love.................................................................................................... 30 Both Your M others............................................................................................................... 34 What Luck ...............................................................................................................................41 Massacre of the Boys..................................................................................... 43 Race.................................................................................................... 45 Holocaust 1944......................................................................................................................47 CHAPTER 5 FATHERS.........................................................................................................51