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A Mother's Story 1939-40 (1995) – for Mezzo-Soprano and Cello (17:08)

The text of this piece was taken from the oral testimony of my mother, Matilda Schanzer. In it, she describes her flight from the Nazi blitzkrieg of Poland. After fleeing her home, she settled for a time in Lvov, Poland (now pronounced “Lviv” in Ukrainian and part of Ukraine). And once again, there are war refugees in that part of Eastern Europe. (From the cantata The Past is Present, recorded in concert March 29, 1999 at The Kitchen, New York, NY.)

The Past is Present (2024 performance) The full cantata from which “A Mother’s Story” (above) is found. [more]

Hollows Five: II – Sincere Words, Can’t Compromise or Overpower (1995) – for Woodwinds/Percussion, Guitar and Piano

Performed by Joseph Jarman – Woodwinds and Percussion, Jeffrey Schanzer – Guitar and Bernadette Speach – Piano (21:56)

This is a beautiful piece written by Joseph Jarman for himself and the Schanzer/Speach Duo and is very much influenced by his Buddhist principles. It was recorded in concert at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, NY on May 30, 1998. Available here by permission of the Joseph Jarman estate.

for Leroy

Schanzer/Smith/Speach/ Performed by Jeffrey Schanzer – Guitars, Warren Smith – Drums and Bernadette Speach – Piano

for Leroy (2019) for Guitars, Drums and Piano (11:54)

This is a collective improvisation by the Schanzer/Speach Duo and Warren Smith, master percussionist. It is dedicated to the memory of Leroy Jenkins, the great composer and violinist who had a strong influence on all three of our lives. The video was recorded in concert at Roulette, Brooklyn, NY on April 7, 2019.