Pearl Chertok was an internationally regarded harpist and composer for harp

Harp

The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...

.

After studying ballet

Ballet

Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...

, piano

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...

 and flute

Flute

The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...

 as a child, Chertok forewent her senior year of high school to attend the Curtis Institute of Music

Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...

 in Philadelphia, where she studied with Marjorie Tyre and Carlos Salzedo

Carlos Salzedo

Carlos Salzedo , was a harpist, composer and conductor, born in Arcachon, France, who was one of the musical elite of his time.-France:...

. She then moved to New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

 where she was staff harpist with the CBS Television Orchestra for many years, appearing on shows such as The Arthur Godfrey Show and Ed Sullivan

Ed Sullivan

Edward Vincent "Ed" Sullivan was an American entertainment writer and television host, best known as the presenter of the TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show. The show was broadcast from 1948 to 1971 , which made it one of the longest-running variety shows in U.S...

's Toast of the Town.

Chertok recorded several albums, both for solo harp as well ensemble work. Her solo work included her own compositions, many of which employed an innovative jazz idiom. On her LP Strings of Pearl she was accompanied by bongo

Bongo drum

Bongo or bongos are a Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of single-headed, open-ended drums attached to each other. The drums are of different size: the larger drum is called in Spanish the hembra and the smaller the macho...

 player Willie Rodriguez

Willie Rodriguez

William Vicente Rodriguez is a former West Indian cricketer who played in five Tests from 1962 to 1968....

. Other recordings include transcriptions for harp of music by Loeillet, Purcell and others.

Chertok also convinced contemporary composers, including Elie Siegmeister

Elie Siegmeister

Elie Siegmeister was an American composer, educator and author.His varied musical output showed his concern with the development of an authentic American musical vocabulary...

, Nuncio Mondello, Edmund Haines and William Mayer

William Mayer

William Mayer , is an American composer.Mayer entered Yale University in 1944, but his college years were interrupted by military service...

, to write for the harp. As a result, numerous pieces are dedicated to her.

Chertok was president of the American Harp Society

American Harp Society

The American Harp Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is "to promote and foster the appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument, to encourage the composition of music for the harp and to improve the quality of performance of harpists." Founded in 1962, the AHS is a member of...

 and was on the faculty of several colleges and universities in the New York City area. Several of her students have gone on to distinguished careers as concert harpists. She served as judge at the International Harp Contest in Israel, and a prize named in her honor was awarded in 1982, 1985, 1988 and 1992.

Dedications

• Jean Françaix
  Jean Françaix
  Jean René Désiré Françaix was a French neoclassical composer, pianist, and orchestrator, known for his prolific output and vibrant style.-Life:...
  
  – Jeu poétique en six mouvements for harp and orchestra (1969)

Discography

• Around the Clock Suite -- Cecile Music Co., NY, PC101A
• Strings of Pearl -- Audio Fidelity, AFLP 1805
• American Harp -- Orion Master Recordings, ORS 75207
• The Harp in Chamber Music -- Orion Master Recordings, ORS 76227
• Ancient and Modern Dances for Harp -- Orion Master Recordings, ORS 76231
• Arco & Pizzicato: Music for Strings (Pearl Chertok and others) -- Serenus SRS 12062
• Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sonata for Cello and Harp (Pearl Chertok and others) -- Lanui LAN0012