Gertrude Lightstone Mittelmann
| Gertrude Lightstone Mittelmann | |
|---|---|
Gertrude Lightstone Mittelmann, c. 1930
|
|
| Born |
Gertrude Lightstone February 8, 1907 New York City |
| Died | October 25, 1956 (aged 49) Manhattan, New York, NY |
| Resting place | Washington Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Classical piano |
| Known for | Concert pianist, radio host |
| Movement | Classical music |
| Awards | Mothers Award for Human Relations (American Mothers Committee, 11 May 1951), Congress House Dedication (Stephen Wise Free Synagogue) |
Gertrude Lightstone Mittelmann (also Gertrude Mittelmann, and Mrs. Jesse Mittelmann) born in New York City, 1907, was an American concert pianist. The daughter of a well-known New York surgeon, Dr. Abraham (Albert) Lightstone (1874–1955), she was one of the first women radio show hosts, notably at WQXR-AM 1550 KC (Interstate Broadcasting Company). She gave one of her first American concerts at Haddon Hall in 1928. Vinyl and metal record albums were recorded of her performances as a symphonic concert pianist for various orchestras and recitals as a solo artist. In addition, many of her broadcasts as a radio host were recorded on record albums. She participated in numerous cultural and community activities.
Gertrude Lightstone, daughter of Abraham Lightstone and Dorothy Goldstein Lightstone, studied classical piano, both in New York and Germany, with Carl Friedberg, New York Institute of Musical Art (the institution that would later become the Juilliard School of Music), between 1930 and 1935. In 1931, after suffering an injury to his finger, Carl Friedberg was treated by Dr. Lightstone.
In 1931 Gertrude Lightstone married Jesse Mittelmann, a businessman and first cousin of the journalist, theatre columnist and film producer Mark Hellinger. Thereafter she would be known as Gertrude Mittelmann, or Gertrude Lightstone Mittelmann. Their first child, Michael Mittelmann, was born in October 1932. Her second son Douglas (David) was born in July 1934.
Gertrude Lightstone performed in the Vernon Room of Haddon Hall on Saturday 21 April 1928, marking the debut of her career on the concert platform. Her opening group listed a Prelude and Fugue by Bach and Scarlatti's Pastorale and Capriccio. Then came a Prelude and Etude of Chopin and Brahms' Intermezzo and Rhapsodie. Bringing the program to a close, Lightstone played pieces by Debussy, Godowsky and Liszt's Rhapsodie No. 13. "Miss Lightstone's manner and the stage" wrote critic George R. Weintraub, "in its simplicity and dignity and unassuming naturalness, is entirely in her favor… she seemed to have enjoyed preparing the music for her program and played it as if others were to enjoy it, too".
...
Wikipedia