Rubin Goldmark (August 15, 1872, New York City – March 6, 1936, New York City) was an American composer, pianist, and educator. Although in his time he was an often performed American nationalist composer, his works are seldom played – instead he is known as the teacher of Aaron Copland and George Gershwin. Rubin Goldmark is also the nephew of composer Karl Goldmark.
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Early life [link]
Rubin Goldmark was born in New York City in 1857. Goldmark completed his undergraduate studies at City College in New York. After completing his studies in the United States, Goldmark traveled to Austria where he studied at the Vienna conservatory. At the Viennese conservatory he studied piano and composition, the former with Livonius, the latter with Johann Nepomuk Fuchs.
Return to the United States [link]
After the conclusion of his studies in Vienna, Goldmark returned to United States. From 1891-93 taught piano and theory at the National Conservatory in New York City. While in New York, Goldmark also studied composition with Antonin Dvořák and Piano with Rafael Joseffy. Goldmark then moved to Colorado, where, from 1895–1901, he was the director of the Colorado Conservatory of Music.
Upon Goldmark's return to New York in 1902, he focused many of his energies on teaching. Over the 30-year period that Goldmark remained in New York he gave over five hundred lectures on music, music theory, and composition. That is not to say he ceased composing all together – while Goldmark's music lies out of the standard repertoire of the twenty first century, he was highly regarded by his contemporaries. He was also the founder and frequent speaker at "The Bohemians," a New York musicians club.
Goldmark as a Teacher [link]
While Goldmark began his career as a composer and pianist, he is best known for his work as a teacher. When not lecturing, or composing, however, Goldmark taught several private students. Famously, Goldmark taught a fifteen year-old Aaron Copland and the young George Gershwin. Though Copland was often critical of Goldmark because he found him "too pedantic and academic," the fact remains that Goldmark gave Copland a strong foundation which Copland would rely upon for the rest of his career (Howard, 252).
The young George Gershwin also turned to Goldmark during the composition of his piano Concerto. While his Rhapsody in Blue had been orchestrated by Ferde Grofe, he wished to orchestrate his piano Concerto himself, and sought Goldmark's advice (Howard, 249). Goldmark's influence as a teacher extended beyond just Gershwin and Copland. In 1924, Goldmark became the Head of Composition at the recently opened Juilliard School of Music in New York City.
Important Works [link]
Though seldom performed today, Goldmark's music was performed regularly during his lifetime. In fact, his Negro Rhapsody was among the most performed pieces in the 7 years following World War I. In 1910 he was also awarded the Paderewski Prize for Chamber Music. His other important works include Hiawatha, The Call of the Plains, and his Requiem. Goldmark's nationalism is clearly evident from many of the title's of his works – even the ambiguously title Requiem (perf. 1919) was inspired by Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Rubin Goldmark's other compositions include a string quartet, a piano trio, a violin sonata, several orchestral pieces, piano music, and songs
References [link]
Howard, John Tasker (1967-06). A Short History of Music in America (1 ed.). Apollo Editions. ISBN 0-8152-0162-1.
Saleski, Gdal (1927). Famous Musicians of a Wandering Race. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4286-2516-7.
