The Previous Century

Irving Schlein initially followed the path his parents wished for him, to engage in "something practical" and he studied pharmacy. After he graduated however, he started devoting all his time to music. He received his first piano diploma at the New York College of Music in 1928, as pupil of August Fraemcke, one of the last two living pupils of Franz Liszt. He continued his piano studies at the Juilliard School of Music and studied composing at Wallington Rieggerandn Roger Session at the Chatham School of Music and at Aaron Copland and Roy Harris at the Henry Street School of Music.
Book 1 of his Preludes dates back to 1937. You can listen to pianist Galina Sandovskaja. 
She continues with piano sonata no. 1 from 1938, with the following parts: With great dignity and breadth, Lento poco rubato and Molto rubato.

Schlein continued to compose until his death in 1986, but unfortunately not much was recorded while he lived. His son Peter Schlein changed that when he engaged in a project in Petersburg from 2001 to 2008, when he produced thirteen CDs with Russian musicians. The connection happened by chance at a music festival in Sweden, where Peter met soprano Viktoria Jevtodjeva and her husband, baroque violinist Vladimir Sjoeljakovski. Assistant manager of the Peterburg conservatory Dmitri Tsjasovitin was also present, who embraced the project and managed to get composer Boris Tisjtsjenko interested in it as well. Later, the project was driven by pianist Pavel Eliasjevitsj, whose music you will also be able to hear in this series. Tragically, Dmitri Tsjasovitin passed away at age 50 in a traffic accident.
Irving Schlein’s String Quartet no. 1 from 1939 is now performed by the Academia String Quartet Petersburg, followed by the Two parts for string quartet from 1937.
The composer had a successful parallel career on Broadway as a pianist, an arranger and a musical conductor. In the early thirties, he worked as a pianist alongside Al Jolson and was involved with hits such as ‘Can-Can’ and ‘Silt Stockings’ by Cole Porter. In the forties, he was assistant to Kurt Weill, wrote the ballet music for ‘Love Life’ and initiated the revival of ‘Knickerbocker Holiday’. Tune in to Theme and variations for small orchestra from 1938 and the Ode for chamber orchestra from 1939.
Should enough time remain, we play a performance by Galina Sandovskaja with the Suite for piano no. 1 uit 1935.
 
Irving Schlein (New York 18 May 1905-11 July 1986).
1. Preludes, Book 1 (1937): 1.3) Mars, 1.4) Cantabile, 1.5) Presto, 1.6) Andante, 1.7) Allegro con spirito.
Galina Sandovskaja, piano.
Pomeron Publishing PPC-2005-08.
2. Piano sonata no. 1 (1938): 1) Wit great dignity and breadth, 2) Lento poco rubato en 3) Molto rubato.
Galina Sandovskaja, piano.
Pomeron Publishing PPC-2005-05.
3. String quartet no. 1 (1939): 1) Presto, 2) Andante 3) Allegro.
4. Two parts for string quartet (1937): 1) Moderato, 2) Chorale.
Academia String quartet Petersburg: Sandra Schinder, Natalia Kopatsjanoe, violin; Dmitri Jakoebovski, viola; Vladimir Joenovitsj, cello.
Pomeron Publishing PPC-2005-01.
5. Theme and variations for small orchestra (1938).
6. Ode for chamber orchestra (1939).
Aleksandr Richter and Michael Richter, violin; Joeri Anikejev, viola; Sergej Tsjernjadjev, cello; Rostislav Jakovlev, double-bass; Natalja Setsjkarjova, flute (5); Adil Fjodorov and Michael Aleksejev, clarinet; Aleksej Tsess, hobo; Dmitri Krasnik, bassoon; Pavel Gluchov, horn; Igor Vorobjev, conductor.
Pomeron Publishing PPC-2005-09.
7. Suite no. 1 (1935): 1) Air – Andantino, 2) Allemande – Allegro moderato, 3) Menuet – Moderato, 4) Sarabande – Andantino, 5) Gavotte – Un poco vivace, 6) Bourée – Vivace, 7) Courante – Allegro, 8) Polonaise – Allegro grazioso, 9) Gigue – Molto allegro.
Galina Sandovskaja, piano.
Pomeron Publishing PPC-2005-11.
Special thanks to Pavel Eliasjevitsj and Lisa Schlein.