Pearl Chertok

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Pearl Chertok (June 18, 1918, in Laconia, New Hampshire – August 1, 1981 in White Plains, New York) was an internationally regarded harpist and composer for harp.[1]

After studying

Toast of the Town
.

Chertok recorded several albums, both for solo harp as well ensemble work. Her solo work included her own compositions, many of which employed an innovative jazz idiom. On her LP Strings of Pearl she was accompanied by bongo player Willie Rodriguez. Other recordings include transcriptions for harp of music by Loeillet, Purcell and others.

Chertok also convinced contemporary composers, including Elie Siegmeister, Nuncio Mondello, Edmund Haines, Sergiu Natra and William Mayer, to write for the harp. As a result, numerous pieces are dedicated to her.

Chertok was president of the

International Harp Contest
in Israel, and a prize named in her honor was awarded in 1982, 1985, 1988 and 1992.

Dedications

Discography

  • Around the Clock Suite—Cecile Music Co., NY, PC101A
  • Strings of Pearl—Audio Fidelity, AFLP 1805
  • American Harp—Orion Master Recordings, ORS 75207
  • The Harp in Chamber Music—Orion Master Recordings, ORS 76227
  • Ancient and Modern Dances for Harp—Orion Master Recordings, ORS 76231
  • Arco & Pizzicato: Music for Strings (Pearl Chertok and others) -- Serenus SRS 12062
  • Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sonata for Cello and Harp (Pearl Chertok and others) -- Lanui LAN0012

References

  1. ^ American Harp Journal, Vol. 8, no. 2, Winter 1981, p. 60
  2. ^ The New York Times, August 3, 1981