The 1930s were very productive for Newman as he composed over 50 film scores, earning Academy Award nominations in 1938, for “The Hurricane” (1937) and “The Prisoner of Zenda” (1937). He scored his first film for Goldwyn’s 1931 production “Street Scene”, for which he wrote a timeless song. His success with this film resulted in an offer of employment by Samuel Goldwyn and United Artists Studio. He began his new career working on Berlin’s film project, “Reaching For The Moon”. Upon arriving, private lessons were secured with the renowned expressionist composer Arnold Schoenberg, leader of the Second Viennese School. Newman, who was always looking for a big career opportunity instantly and graciously accepted the offer and never turned back. In 1930, he so impressed composer Irving Berlin that he was invited to join him in Hollywood. To this day people extol Newman’s supreme talent in conducting, with many asserting that he is the best conductor to ever wield a baton. The stage was now set for a fateful encounter that would forever change his life, but it would not be due to his piano playing, rather his remarkable talent as a conductor. This hard work began to pay off and by the age of twenty he began a ten-year career on Broadway as the conductor of the great musicals of the day, including works by George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers and Jerome Kern. In his spare time he continued his musical education by studying music composition with Rubin Goldmark. He traveled the theaters of Vaudeville with performer Grace LaRue, and was billed as “The Marvelous Boy Pianist”. These were challenging years for Newman as he tried to eke out a living as he drifted from one job to another. At thirteen years of age his altruism was rewarded when friends intervened, finding him a job as piano soloist at the Strand theatre in New York City. Soon after, Newman won a silver medal and a gold medal in a competition, which included such distinguished judges as the German conductor Karl Muck and renowned composer/pianist Ferruccio Busoni.īecause his father could not find work, Alfred took up the mantle of bread earner for his family by playing at local theaters and restaurants. It came to pass that friend of his family brought him to the attention of the great Polish pianist, Sigismond Stojowski, who recognized his talent and generously offered him a scholarship. By age seven he began his public career by giving piano concerts, which was used to support his family and finance his musical education. It became apparent early on that he was a prodigy and that his gift required tutelage beyond the skills of this local piano teacher. Everyday Alfred would walk the ten-mile round trip to practice on a neighbor’s piano. He quickly revealed an appetite for music and we are thankful that his mother, despite their poverty, somehow managed at age six, to secure him piano lessons for 25 cents a session. The Newman family legacy is nothing short of remarkable.Īlfred was born humbly of Jewish ancestry, the eldest of ten children. His two younger brothers, Emil and Lionel, were both composers, as are his sons David, Thomas and his nephew Randy. Indeed the Newman family has collectively gained recognition as one of the most gifted ever to grace the recording studios of Hollywood. Born: 17 March 1900, New Haven, Connecticut.Īlfred Newman is remembered as one of the Titans of film music.
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