Jacob Eisenberg (musician)
Encyclopedia
Jacob Eisenberg was an American
pianist
, teacher
and author
of books and articles on the piano. He was married to Ruth Brewer Eisenberg
, "Ivory" of the piano duo, Ebony and Ivory
.
, Leopold Godowsky
and Vladimir Horowitz
. He was a contributor to The Musician, an early 20th century monthly magazine for music teachers and students. In an introductory note to Eisenberg's interview with Vladimir de Pachmann, the editor of The Musician wrote, "Jacob Eisenberg, author of Weight and Relaxation Method for the Piano and Etudes for the Development of the Principles of Weight and Relaxation in Piano Playing, is a recognized authority on Weight and Relaxation in Piano Playing. His books have a widespread circulation throughout the world and have aroused most favorable comment. While the real truth concerning Vladimir de Pachmann's much discussed 'Methode', has already appeared in The Musician, Mr. Eisenberg's further elucidation of the subject will be of interest to teachers and students."
Eisenberg interviewed Vladimir Horowitz on his first trip to the United States in January 1928. He was impressed with Horowitz, writing, "This remarkable young Russian, on his first visit to America, succeeded in having himself recorded in critical annals as the season's most important newcomer among pianists. He is twenty-four years old; Rachmaninoff is his favorite pianist; a conservative Boston audience jumped to its feet and cheered him not many weeks ago; he is now making a spring tour of Europe and will return to America in October for a two and a half months' tour."
Eisenberg married Ruth Brewer
in 1923. Eisenberg saw his new wife as a "laboratory" where he could test his theories of technique and teaching piano. He pestered his wife to let him teach her piano, but she didn't like to practice. To get her to practice, he offered to do all the housework and she happily accepted. Piano became her passion. When Eisenberg went on a lecture tour of the United States, his wife came along to illustrate his methods to his lecture audiences. Playing the piano, she was visible proof that his teaching methods enabled the adult student to master the piano. The ability to play piano later became his wife's saving grace, after she suffered a stroke. Depressed about her physical state, she was introduced to Margaret Patrick
(1913–1994), who had also just had a stroke, but on the other side, and also had a background in classical piano. The two were soon dubbed "Ebony and Ivory
" and their story became known nationally and internationally. In an interview in McCall's
magazine in 1986, Ruth Eisenberg
said, "My husband was a wonderful teacher. I just wish he could see what I'm doing now with what he taught me."
Eisenberg's final book was published in 1964, the year of his decease. "Let Me Help You," an illustrated book written for young children, explains the history of the piano from the perspective of the instrument, with the stated goal of inspiring the young reader to practice. A photo of Eisenberg's children, Jacqueline
and Roger, is used to illustrate the proper way to sit at the piano to practice. Eisenberg's personal papers and documents are archived at the International Piano Archives in College Park, Maryland.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, teacher
Music education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It touches on all domains of learning, including the psychomotor domain , the cognitive domain , and, in particular and significant ways,the affective domain, including music appreciation and sensitivity...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of books and articles on the piano. He was married to Ruth Brewer Eisenberg
Ruth Brewer Eisenberg
Ruth Brewer Eisenberg was "Ivory" of "Ebony and Ivory," the inter-racial piano duo. Eisenberg and Margaret Patrick, "Ebony," each had a stroke in 1982, which partially disabled them. Prior to the stroke, each had studied and played classical piano. Eisenberg was disabled on the left, Patrick on...
, "Ivory" of the piano duo, Ebony and Ivory
Ebony and Ivory (piano duo)
Ebony and Ivory was the name given to two elderly women in New Jersey, one white and one black, who played classical piano together. Both had suffered a stroke in 1982 and become partially disabled. Ruth Eisenberg and Margaret Patrick were introduced to each other the following year and began...
.
Musical accomplishments
Eisenberg wrote textbooks and articles on piano technique and interviewed major classical musicians, such as Vladimir de PachmannVladimir de Pachmann
Vladimir von Pachmann or Pachman was a pianist of Russian-German ethnicity, especially noted for performing the works of Chopin, and also for his eccentric on-stage style.-Biography:...
, Leopold Godowsky
Leopold Godowsky
Leopold Godowsky was a famed Polish American pianist, composer, and teacher. One of the most highly regarded performers of his time, he became known for his theories concerning the application of relaxed weight and economy of motion in piano playing, principles later propagated by Godowsky's...
and Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
. He was a contributor to The Musician, an early 20th century monthly magazine for music teachers and students. In an introductory note to Eisenberg's interview with Vladimir de Pachmann, the editor of The Musician wrote, "Jacob Eisenberg, author of Weight and Relaxation Method for the Piano and Etudes for the Development of the Principles of Weight and Relaxation in Piano Playing, is a recognized authority on Weight and Relaxation in Piano Playing. His books have a widespread circulation throughout the world and have aroused most favorable comment. While the real truth concerning Vladimir de Pachmann's much discussed 'Methode', has already appeared in The Musician, Mr. Eisenberg's further elucidation of the subject will be of interest to teachers and students."
Eisenberg interviewed Vladimir Horowitz on his first trip to the United States in January 1928. He was impressed with Horowitz, writing, "This remarkable young Russian, on his first visit to America, succeeded in having himself recorded in critical annals as the season's most important newcomer among pianists. He is twenty-four years old; Rachmaninoff is his favorite pianist; a conservative Boston audience jumped to its feet and cheered him not many weeks ago; he is now making a spring tour of Europe and will return to America in October for a two and a half months' tour."
Eisenberg married Ruth Brewer
Ruth Brewer Eisenberg
Ruth Brewer Eisenberg was "Ivory" of "Ebony and Ivory," the inter-racial piano duo. Eisenberg and Margaret Patrick, "Ebony," each had a stroke in 1982, which partially disabled them. Prior to the stroke, each had studied and played classical piano. Eisenberg was disabled on the left, Patrick on...
in 1923. Eisenberg saw his new wife as a "laboratory" where he could test his theories of technique and teaching piano. He pestered his wife to let him teach her piano, but she didn't like to practice. To get her to practice, he offered to do all the housework and she happily accepted. Piano became her passion. When Eisenberg went on a lecture tour of the United States, his wife came along to illustrate his methods to his lecture audiences. Playing the piano, she was visible proof that his teaching methods enabled the adult student to master the piano. The ability to play piano later became his wife's saving grace, after she suffered a stroke. Depressed about her physical state, she was introduced to Margaret Patrick
Margaret Patrick
Margaret Patrick was "Ebony" in Ebony and Ivory, the name given to a pair of great-grandmothers in New Jersey, one white and one black, who played classical piano together. Each had a stroke in 1982 and became partially disabled. They were introduced to each other the following year and began...
(1913–1994), who had also just had a stroke, but on the other side, and also had a background in classical piano. The two were soon dubbed "Ebony and Ivory
Ebony and Ivory (piano duo)
Ebony and Ivory was the name given to two elderly women in New Jersey, one white and one black, who played classical piano together. Both had suffered a stroke in 1982 and become partially disabled. Ruth Eisenberg and Margaret Patrick were introduced to each other the following year and began...
" and their story became known nationally and internationally. In an interview in McCall's
McCall's
McCall's was a monthly American women's magazine that enjoyed great popularity through much of the 20th century, peaking at a readership of 8.4 million in the early 1960s. It was established as a small-format magazine called The Queen in 1873...
magazine in 1986, Ruth Eisenberg
Ruth Brewer Eisenberg
Ruth Brewer Eisenberg was "Ivory" of "Ebony and Ivory," the inter-racial piano duo. Eisenberg and Margaret Patrick, "Ebony," each had a stroke in 1982, which partially disabled them. Prior to the stroke, each had studied and played classical piano. Eisenberg was disabled on the left, Patrick on...
said, "My husband was a wonderful teacher. I just wish he could see what I'm doing now with what he taught me."
Eisenberg's final book was published in 1964, the year of his decease. "Let Me Help You," an illustrated book written for young children, explains the history of the piano from the perspective of the instrument, with the stated goal of inspiring the young reader to practice. A photo of Eisenberg's children, Jacqueline
Jacqueline Moss
Jacqueline Moss was an American art historian, lecturer, writer and art critic. She was the curator of education at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art and lectured widely on modern and 20th century art. Her articles and seminars often had a focus on women artists...
and Roger, is used to illustrate the proper way to sit at the piano to practice. Eisenberg's personal papers and documents are archived at the International Piano Archives in College Park, Maryland.
Books and articles by Jacob Eisenberg
- "Weight And Relaxation Method For The Piano Forte" (1922) ISBN 978-1-44465-454-7
- "De Pachmann Preaches Economy of Motion" The Musician, Vol. 29, No. 2 (February 1924). Accessed Feb. 18, 2010
- "Natural Technics in Piano Mastery" (1928) London, England
- "Noted Russian Pianist Urges Students to Simplify Mechanical Problems So That Thought and Energy May Be Directed to Artistic Interpretation" Interview with Vladimir Horowitz, The Musician (June 1928). Accessed Feb. 18, 2010
- "Piano Courses for Juniors" (1930) New York
- "Carnegie Series of Piano Lessons" (1931) New York
- "The Pianist" (1940) New York
- "Thumbnail Pictorial History of the Piano" (1950) New York
- "The 'Chord' in Monocord, Clavicord, Harpsicord and Vocal Cord" The Galpin Society Journal, Vol. 8, (March 1955), pp. 47–49. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010
- "Country Music Is More Popular than Classical Music" (1958) New York
- "Whence Cometh — Whither Goeth — That Music Called Jazz" (1962) New York
- "Let Me Help You" (1964) Jay-Roger Music Co., North Bergen, New Jersey