Building Bridges with Music

From his early childhood in Nazi Germany, to emigrating to the United States at age ten, through his years in the United States Army following WWII, and his professional experiences as a composer, conductor, teacher, author, Samuel Adler relates his encounters with some of the most important personalities in the world of music, the arts, academia, religion, and even politics.

“My life has been blessed with a most supportive family, many good friends, and a host of students who have made my teaching years rewarding and colorful. Building bridges with music seems to have been part of my destiny and I have embraced this enthusiastically whenever the opportunity presented itself.” –Samuel Adler

Dr. Samuel Adler, one of the greatest living composers and conductors of our time, is a legendary risk-taker. Born March 4, 1928, in Mannheim, Germany, at age 10 he narrowly escaped Nazi Germany during Kristallnacht, the “night of broken glass.” He came to the United States in 1939 and taught for 63 years at Juilliard and Eastman School of Music. He has published over 400 works and given masterclasses and workshops at over 300 universities world-wide.

This treasured collection of his incredible stories thoroughly details all these events in his life and much more. Building Bridges with Music: Stories from a Composer’s Life (Expanded Second Edition) describes the rich life that Samuel Adler has lived. At 96, he continues to compose and speak his mind about many subjects. Including detailed discussions about his early life in Germany and his various collegiate teaching venues, this important volume includes Adler’s vivid recollections, and provides important essays on worship, music for the synagogue, and an interview on teaching. Musicians and laymen alike will enjoy this biography for its historical detail, musical insights, and particularly its many enjoyable stories.