A Preview of 2017 with Curator Jeff Janeczko
January 10, 2017
2016 was a fulfilling year for the Milken Archive. We launched a new website, gave away over 10,000 tracks, and gained thousands of new fans. But it is not wise to dwell too much on the past. So here’s a bit of what’s in store for the coming year.
Online exhibitions: In the coming months we’ll begin publishing exhibitions that explore the music, the people, and the history behind the music of the Milken Archive. These exhibits will draw out some of the most crucial and engaging pieces from our collection and highlight our diverse range of media.
Our first exhibit (due next month) will look at the intersection of Jewish sacred music and jazz.
Oral histories: Since our founding in 1990, the Milken Archive has recorded more than 150 oral histories. Currently available on our website are dozens of excerpts and short documentary videos that focus on particular pieces of music or historical moments. The website also hosts several extended oral histories by such luminary figures as Dave and Iola Brubeck, Herman Berlinski, Hugo Weisgall, and Esta Salzman.
These extended oral histories range in length from 15 minutes to several hours. Lightly edited for enhanced accessibility and clarity, many of them are separated into multiple parts based on the themes and topics discussed. Expect to see more complete oral histories from the leading voices of the history of Jewish music in America. Or start exploring what’s already available!
Free music: We regularly hold free download promotions and giveaways throughout the year, all of which are announced first through this newsletter. We also like to delight our followers with Spotify playlists and exclusive content streamed from our website. One of our most visited pages in 2016 was our radio program, “A Season for Forgiveness,” which features an entire orthodox s’lihot service from beginning to end interspersed with insightful commentary.
2017 promises more promotions and giveaways, as well as exclusive streaming content. Speaking of Spotify, did you know that each of our 20 volumes is available as a complete playlist on Spotify? Visit our profile to learn more.
While the New Year is traditionally a time of renewed hope and optimism, January, the month in which we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day, also serves as a reminder of darker times. We begin our remembrance with an episode of American Jewish Music from the Milken Archive with Leonard Nimoy, which will be available through the end of the month, and a podcast about the life and legacy of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Our second newsletter of this month will feature several chamber works with Holocaust resonance.
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We are eternally grateful for your interest and support, and look forward to a vibrant and meaningful year sharing our world of American Jewish music.
Sincerely,
Jeff Janeczko, Curator
