Lisa Swerdlow, “Coming to America” concerto

Composer Lisa Swerdlow released a homage to her Jewish ancestors entitled “Coming to America” which she hopes will inspire immigrants. She has also recently been nominated for the Hollywood music in media awards for her contemporary classical piece, “All is not lost.”

Natasha Barbieri: How did your family influence your love for music?

Lisa Swerdlow: My father was a musician himself and an avid audiophile.  We had a big Zenith stereo in our living room and on the weekends he would play all kinds of music and so I was exposed to a variety of genres: Harry Belafonte, Henry Mancini, George Gershwin, French music, Classical music.  My family also loved live theater and took me to see such musicals as Auntie Mame, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and others.  My extended family was also full of musicians:  I had an uncle who was an excellent violinist, an older cousin who loved to play Bach, and an aunt who sang beautifully.  I was probably 8 years old before I ever entered a house that didn’t have a piano in it.  I thought every house was a musical house.

Natasha Barbieri: Do you remember what inspired the first piece you ever composed?

Lisa Swerdlow: My best friend and I started learning guitar at about 12 years of age and started writing songs.  Our first collaboration was called “Dear Diary”.  We actually thought we could be the next Lennon/McCartney!  The first solo piece I wrote was inspired by a back-packing trip into the Sierra Nevada mountains at age 15 called “Minarets”.  After that, I just kept on composing songs that were about my wishes and dreams.

Natasha Barbieri: What are some of the different styles and influences you bring into your playing?

Lisa Swerdlow: I’ve played many different styles of music over my life, but I tend to write in the Neo-classical realm more than any other.  Lately I’ve been doing a hybridization of Classical and Jazz.  I have always been drawn to melodic phrasing as if the piano is actually singing the parts.  My classical background does influence the structure and cadence of my music.

Natasha Barbieri: Researching family heritage is such an illuminating process. Tell us about your own discoveries and the inspiration of “Coming to America” concerto

Lisa Swerdlow: Researching my ancestry has been a real challenge and also very enlightening.  I still don’t know much about my ancestry previous to my grandparents and I’m sad that I never asked them questions about their lives in Russia or who their parents and grandparents were.  When I was composing Coming To America Concerto I felt very strongly that this story of the Immigrant diaspora needed to be told.  I am a storyteller without words, using the universal language of music to inform my listeners.  Just imagining what it must have been like for my grandparents to leave their homeland of many generations, saying goodbye to family and friends forever, and venturing thousand of miles to find a new homeland really moved me.  Even though my ancestors have been gone for many decades I felt them leaning over my shoulder encouraging me to tell their story.

Natasha Barbieri: What has it been like to share your new concerto with audiences (both virtual and live)?

Lisa Swerdlow: Absolutely fantastic!  I have received amazing reception from everyone who has contacted me and who have listened to the whole concerto. This includes other descendants of Eastern European Jews, as well as people of Irish, Italian and Asian descent.  Many people have resonated and told me that it is their ancestors’ story as well.  When I played it live at a concert last November, I was stunned to receive a standing ovation that lasted quite a long time.  I dream to be able to play the concerto with a live orchestra one of these days.

Natasha Barbieri: Have you started writing anything new?

Lisa Swerdlow: I have five new pieces that I will be recording in the near future, and I’m always working out some ideas on the piano.  I’ve carved out some time without the pressure of performing or recording to just allow inspiration to come to me. It’s not something that one can chase after. It can be rather fleeting and I must have patience.  My next concert isn’t until July so I have time to work on new projects.

www.lisaswerdlow.com

Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.