Marc Blitzstein: Stay in My Arms

Marc Blitzstein: Stay in My Arms

Widely unknown but celebrated by NYFOS, Marc Blitzstein just might be my all-time favorite 20th century song composer. Yes—you read that correctly. I like Blitzstein more than Bernstein, the Beatles, Britten, Barber, and any other 20th century composer that starts...
Marc Blitzstein: American Day

Marc Blitzstein: American Day

Five years after his production of The Cradle Will Rock was abruptly cancelled by the Works Progress Administration, Marc Blitzstein composed the score for the 1942 anti-fascist, anti-KKK documentary film Native Land, featuring today’s selection, “American...
Blitzstein:  Penny Candy

Blitzstein: Penny Candy

Marc Blitzstein’s No For An Answer will be featured on the Nov. 19 NYFOS concert at Merkin Hall. Steve Blier and I had our very first collaboration at Tully Hall in a Blitzstein celebration about 35 years ago. It cemented my friendship with Steve, and helped us see a...
Marc Blitzstein: Moll’s Song

Marc Blitzstein: Moll’s Song

We are gearing up for a concert performance of Marc Blitzstein’s No For An Answer on Nov. 19 at Merkin Concert Hall.  No For An Answer came together in 1941 and had a very short run over a few weekends at what is now City Center. No For An Answer was...
Marc Blitzstein: In the Clear

Marc Blitzstein: In the Clear

Continuing my preview of our fall concerts: Silverlake and No For an Answer, November 19 at Merkin Hall.  Michael and I both had a hankering to revive NYFOS’ tradition of presenting rare theater pieces in concert versions. Kurt Weill’s...